We Rock, we play for free, but given our physician
responsibilities and dedication, we do not play often.

HISTORY

The Beatles said it best: "I get by with a little help from my friends." Over 20 years ago, three friends and classic rock enthusiast-physician colleagues, James Case, Ralph Reeder and Quentin Durward pooled their musical talents to play for garage jam sessions and their office parties. They met at Dartmouth Medical Center in the '80s and eventually opened a joint medical practice in the Iowa/South Dakota/Nebraska tri-state area where they formed the nucleus of Dr. Dendrite and the Twisted Synapses in 1989.

That band soon evolved to the esoteric but neurologically appropriate "nom de gig" of Dr. Dendrite and the Twisted Synapses (DDTS). Bandleader James Case came up with the band's name: "A dendrite is in the gray matter of the brain and a synapse is in the white matter.... Dr. Dendrite is hence the nerve cell, and the synapses are the connections. If you alter connections, hopefully for the better (or on certain of our songs- the worse) you twist them. Anyway, the name works for us- I do not think it has ever been used before, is not a bug or animal name, and always provokes lots of interesting questions."

Our repertoire is a mixture of classic rock, including the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," as well as songs of the Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Cocker, and Janis Joplin. We perform 2-4 charity concerts a year, including "Neurorama", a (perpetually hoped for) "annual" benefit inviting the staff of all three Sioux City region hospitals.

We never play for personal compensation. The goal of our band is to exclusively and selectively support worthy charities such as the fight against cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease. When you buy a ticket to a DDTS concert, you join us in our mission to "Rock for Cures"!

Band Members:

• Vocals: CNOS Neurosurgeon Ralph Reeder, and Kelli Fernando, a classically trained singer and the Synapses' "church lady", are lead vocalists. Michelle Gielski, a physician's assistant currently deployed for her 2nd tour of military duty in Iraq, adds a "Nashville Pro" twist to the limited country repertoire, performed in addition to our classic 70s- 80s rock emphasis CNOS orthopedist Dr Mike Genoff often joins in for MC and guest vocalist roles.
  
  
• Guitar: CNOS Neurologist James Case, Iowa State Trooper Tim Cowles. Mr. Cowles also builds and repairs vintage tube amplifiers.
  
  
• Bass Guitar: CNOS Neurosurgeon Quentin Durward. "Q-Man" also sings, and when he sings, the crowd GOES WILD!!
  
  
• Keyboards: former CNOS Orthopedic Surgeon Tom Chopp still often flies in from Idaho to play with us. Jerry Steffen, Blue Moon Keyboardist will be joining us for the 11/14/2009 Performance
  
  
• Drums: Our main Drummer is local pro Brent Witthoeft. But heck- we have had more drummers than Spinal Tap! Drummers have included former CNOS Neurologist Chris Hughes, ENT Dr. Tom Kenney, Ralph Reeder's Son Graham Reeder, and attorney John Daniels.
  
  

Our Charity functions have included:

• STARS, a Sioux City horseback-riding program for children with disabilities.
• Multiple Sclerosis Patient Advocacy
• Siouxland Autism Support Group
• Hurricane Katrina Benefit
• Pearson Wildlife Museum (Neligh, NE)
• Nylen Cancer Center
• Opportunities Unlimited
• Heart Association
• Dakota City Fire Department
• Mercy Medical Air Care
• Alzheimer's Association
• Living Waters of the World
• STEMM