History
The Shōguns (from Northern Kentucky)
The Early Years
The Shōguns trace their beginning to the late 1950’s when four guys from Latonia, Kentucky, formed an instrumental group called the Capris. The members included Gary Arnsparger (lead guitar), Fred Dishon (rhythm guitar), Tom Dishon (drums), and Tim Frodge (bass). They played extensively at teen dances and in Battle of the Bands competitions. The Capris appeared on the Harris Rosedale Talent Show (WCPO TV).
In the early 1960’s, the group reorganized with Gary, Fred (bass), Tom, Glenn Williamson (lead singer) and Pat Mayerchak (guitar). They soon built a following that created weekly jobs from wedding receptions to dances at Northern Kentucky Community College (later known as N.K.U.).
The Beginning of the Shōguns
In 1964, Gary, Fred, and Pat added Dan Herzog (lead singer) and Larry Ackerson (drums). These additions to the group created the Shōguns who played until the late Sixties. Their first recording, “In My Time,” was backed by Big Jim Schworer (popular DJ at WKKY in Northern KY.), and his brother, Dr. Phil Schworer. Their second release, “The Look in Her Eyes,” was on Lemco Records and picked as a “Make It” by WUBE, a leading rock station in Cincinnati. The Shōguns recorded a number of unreleased songs in studios from Cincinnati, to Lexington, and Louisville. The group also appeared on The Bob Braun Dance Show with Nick Clooney.
The Shōguns were the house band at the Avenue Nightclub in Bellevue, KY. for three years and then performed regularly at the Four Seasons Marina in Cincinnati. They traveled throughout Ohio and Kentucky in the “Hearse-zog” (a 1951 Cadillac Hearse which was named in honor of Dan) to play at other venues: Captain Al’s, The Downstairs Club, fraternities at U.K., private parties, weddings, and other night clubs.
Over the years, The Shōguns have shared the stage with a number of the great groups and talented musicians from the area. The names include: Bill Stith and the Corvairs, Danny Morgan and the Vibrations; The Denems; Billy Hinds, Mike Connor, Mike Reilly (Pure Prairie League); Rick Schmidt, and many others.
The Shōguns Today
After almost five decades, the original members of the band reunited to record Highway of Dreams. The new CD is comprised of eight new tracks, recorded over the last three plus years, and six tracks recorded in the late sixties. “This is something we have looked forward to and dreamed about for years” says Dan Herzog, lead singer. Pat, who retired from college teaching, writes most of the material for the band and still performs with other groups in Virginia. Larry is retired, but teaches drums to students in northern Kentucky. Fred and Gary are former educators from Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.
Checkout all the tracks from the Highway of Dreams on YouTube