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Pat Carpenter: Drums (Summer 78) Jay Dorschner: Drums (Summer-Fall 78) Mike Elsberry: Lead trumpet Steve Greenfield: Guitar, sax. vocals Bob Robuck: 2nd trumpet Kim Robuck: Bass, vocals Kumari Troeh: Lead vocals, piano, Moog Paul West: Guitar, vocals

Start date for lineup: Summer 1978 Date disbanded: early Fall 1978

This lineup was the last one for this Boone based group. The changes from the previous version of the band came about due to the fact that Willow was going to go “on the road” that summer. Steve was interested in playing farther away from Iowa and had made connections with an agent that was able to get jobs out of state for periods longer than just a weekend. At this time four members from the previous lineup—David Sternquist, Pat Carpenter, Jane Reynolds and Ron Carlson—were not able to continue on with the band as noted on the previous page. New members were sought to replace them. The main photo here shows Pat in the lineup. It is thought he continued with the group until Jay was found as his replacement.    Paul West was found through Rieman Music in Des Moines where Steve taught guitar lessons. Paul was a frequent customer and was recommended to Steve by the store’s owner. Jay, Bob and Kim were perhaps contacted by the same means.

Some practices had overlaps with new and old members in an attempt to break in the new ones quickly. Most of the material the group did remained the same out of necessity. On the equipment end of things, Mike Elsberry came up with an equipment list that the group used for customs information when they went to Canada. You can view it by clicking here.    The first job for this lineup was in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Steve found out about the job a week before Willow was to be in Canada. Visas were hastily gotten at the consulate in Chicago and off they went to Winnipeg. After two days the band was fired for not playing disco music. The agent that got Willow the job was unwilling to help the band out, so Steve called the American consulate for some help. Somehow the consulate got the group a job at an inn out by the international airport in Winnipeg for the remaining two weeks of their stay in Canada. Called The Hangar, the bar was a positive experience for the group.

The next gig for Willow was in Anderson, Indiana. Between Winnipeg and Anderson the group lost Bob and his sister Kim. Replacements were found through Paul West—Marty and Julie Streeter, another brother and sister duo. After the Indiana gig along with some in Illinois and Idaho Willow ceased to be. At this time Kumari and Jay had gotten married and left the group. Continuing under the name Easy Company the remaining members performed for a short time longer until Mike decided to leave the band.    Mike is currently a lawyer in California. This was his last known involvement in area bands. Steve went on from here to a band called Benson that was loosely from the Ames area. They were doing original material and had gotten some interest from Phil Spector, but, for whatever reason, dropped the ball. The guitarist that Steve replaced was Dave Steen who had left to join what would become Hawks which put out two albums on Columbia Records.    Moving from Benson, Steve played with Kris Kros—another Ames area group, Trix (a contractual obligation thing) and finally Reflections. Reflections started around 1981 and amongst its members were Dave Swenson—who had just started teaching orchestra at Boone High, Craig Beinfang—jeweller from Des Moines, Steve Carstenson, Betty Maybee and Pat McIlhon. This lasted until 1987 when Steve got a job with Yamaha. He is currently living in Florida and has authored two books on making a living playing in cover bands.    Jay currently lives in Sioux City. His further involvement musically is unknown. Kumari was active in at least one other group - a country band which performed locally. Her current situation is not known. The other member’s musical involvement and whereabouts are also unknown at this time.

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