Jimmy Dee to play dance for Special Olympics

Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations have agreed to play the Friday night dance at Hays High School as part of the Kansas Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament this weekend.

The tournament, which will begin on Thursday, March 19 and conclude on Saturday, March 21, will feature a variety of skills competition and tournament play at gyms throughout the city.

Click HERE for schedule.

Jimmy Dee, which was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame last March, will donate its time to play from 7-9 p.m. in Gym A at Hays High School.

“We approached Kansas Special Olympics almost a year ago and asked if we could play,” drummer Bill Gasper said. “The band thinks it’s a great event and is excited to have the opportunity to perform in front of the athletes.”

The band originally formed in 1975 in response to a nationwide nostalgia phase that followed the release of the movie “America Graffitti” and the television show, “Happy Days.” Featuring hits from the 1950s and 1960s, the group of musicians from Victoria became one of the most popular groups to perform in western Kansas.

The band went their separate ways in the 1980s but reformed in 2000 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the formation of the group. The band continues to go strong today, playing limited engagements throughout Kansas.

Since its decision to reform, the band has released three albums. The first, “Round Trip” was followed by “Summer Fun – Dang Near Live” and “Totally Live.” Another album “Still Alive” is currently in the works and will be released soon.