October - December 2018

10 Serving Our Seniors is someone to call when you need help. 419-624-1856 800-564-1856 Denny is a man with both talent and drive. As he shared his story it was clear that life wasn’t easy. The youngest of three children. His father Richard died when he was 3-years-old and he lived in foster care for four years in Piqua. At age 7, he returned home to Sandusky to live with his mother, grandmother and siblings Richard Rolison, Jr. and Augusta Rolison- Moore. Denny graduated from Sandusky High School and recalled that he didn’t have time to play sports. He had to work to help support the family as soon as he was old enough to get a job. His first job was a “pin setter” at the State Bowling Alley, in the basement of Sandusky State Theatre. He also worked at Cedar Point during the summers and gave his paychecks to his grandmother who managed the money for their family. Denny credits his grandmother for his drive. “The one thing she wanted me to understand is that no one is going to give you anything. Whatever you do, you do for yourself. Don’t depend on anybody to do anything for you. Whatever you want to achieve in life, if you have a step forward that you can take - take that step forward. If you get a chance to take more than one -- take them both. That’s how I live my life,” said Denny. His lifelong passion for singing began at age 13. He started singing doo-wop with his cousin, Ernie Robinson, on the corner of Perry and Market Streets. Denny Rolison: Talent and Drive He formed his first singing group, “The Secrets,” which later evolved into a group called “The Endeavors.” By the age of 17, Denny and his band of singers were paid to perform at local bars, with their most memorable gigs taking place at a bar called “The Barracks.” As an adult, in the late 1990’s he won a talent contest in Stoney Ridge, Ohio and was awarded a trip to Florida. In early 2000 he competed in “The Island Idol” showcase at Crabby Joe’s in Port Clinton. This kick-started his performing business. He has fond memories of that evening when he sang “In the Still of the Night.” When he got off the stage, he had four job offers. He accepted knowing his first step would be to get his own equipment. He recalls, “That same night when I was singing that song, the tribute singers “Frank & Dean” started singing back up. It was totally unexpected, but it sounded great. Afterward, Frank said to me, ‘You’ve got a smooth groove when you sing.’ That’s how I came up with the name ‘Mr. Denny R & the Smooth Groove’ for our vocal group.” Mr. Denny R and the Smooth Grove performed in Port Clinton at Big Sky Saloon, VFW, Eagles, Camp Perry Senior Citizen Party/Dance and Harvest Festival, and in Sandusky at the American Legion New Year’s Eve Party, Erie County Democratic Picnic, The Sandusky Yacht Club and wedding receptions. When Big Sky Saloon offered them a contract, an By Sue Daugherty