Description
This mouthpiece is an honorary tribute to trumpet legend David DeArmond. It’s based on a scan of David’s mouthpiece, a Tottle 5. It has a .638″ inside rim diameter, a comfortable rim, and a medium shallow cup (similar to Bach D). The backbore is the Legends LA, which creates a medium focused sound. The Power Blank has just enough mass to enhance the core of sound without taking any edge off the range. Great intonation, solid slotting, rich beautiful tone from top to bottom of the range – this mouthpiece has it all. If you want to be ready for anything, all the time, you need the Legends DeArmond!
As you will see from his bio below, David DeArmond had a long and successful career as band leader and performer with nationally known groups such as Mickey, Larry and the Exciters, Mac’s Mob, Boys’ Night Out, and others. What made David truly legendary was that intangible force he projected that brought the emotion and excitement of the music from the page, through the horn, and into the hearts and minds of the audience.
David was always happy to work with students from the hometown high school band where he got his start. He only had one rule: the student had to ask for his help, not the parents. This ensured that his students were truly motivated to be better trumpet players. I was fortunate enough to be one of those students from 1984-1988, for which I am truly grateful. David shaped my knowledge and understanding of mouthpiece design, which has become the foundation of Legends Brass. His legacy lives on through this and through the music his former students still perform.
Bio
David L. DeArmond was born on March 12, 1945, in Loudon County, TN. He was raised in Lenoir City, TN, and attended Lenoir City High School. An accomplished high school trumpet player, he graduated in 1963 and accepted a music scholarship to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. There, he performed with multiple ensembles including the “Pride of the Southland Marching Band.” During his time at the University of Tennessee, the “Pride” and the Tennessee football team started the now legendary tradition of “Running Through the T” before each home game.
In 1966, David left the University of Tennessee to begin his professional career performing and touring nationally with two bands, The Checkmates and Seven Sons. Shortly after this time, he was a driving force in the creation of the band Mickey, Larry, and the Exciters. The origins of that group can be traced back to his childhood home where the band had their first rehearsals before becoming a nationally renowned group. In this group, as with the rest of his career, David served as lead trumpet, set writer, and band leader.
Mickey, Larry, and the Exciters was a popular group throughout the United States especially in New England where they made their home base, the Mid-West, and Florida. They played opposite Sly and the Family Stone at the legendary Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas; at the Wagon Wheel in New York City; at The Barn in Miami; and at Scarlet O’Hara’s Underground Atlanta. Before traveling to Hawaii for a three month performance engagement, the band appeared on The Joey Bishop Show, and then continued their travels to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Freeport, Bahamas. Their unique sound is captured on the recording, “My One Chance to Make It.”
When Mickey and Larry decided to part ways, David, along with other band members, went on to form the group Mac’s Mob. David again assumed the role as band leader, lead trumpet player and set writer and also served as the coordinator between the musicians and management.
Mac’s Mob quickly gained a huge following in the New England Area. They spent their summers performing at the Peppermint Lounge at Salisbury Beach, MA. During the rest of the year, they toured nationally including engagements up and down the East Coast as well as several shows in Canada. Notably, they performed with Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, with Louis Prima at the Las Vegas International, at the legendary Marco Polo Hotel in Miami, FL, and at Lucifer in Kenmore Square, Boston, MA.
Mac’s Mob regularly performed at Joe Namath’s Club, Bachelor’s III, in Miami. Bachelor’s III attracted many celebrities and Mac’s Mob entertained them all including Tom Jones, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, and Trini Lopez, just to name a few. When Namath opened a Bachelors III in Atlanta, Mac’s Mob was invited to play the opening alongside Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
In 1975, David decided to leave the road to settle in Tennessee with his new daughter and family. David was quickly hired as a trumpet player and arranger in the Nashville recording scene. He also toured nationally with Brenda Lee. After he decided to stop touring, David quickly found work in Knoxville with the popular band, Boys Night Out. Always the showman, he was given the nickname “Show Dawg” and was a regular member of this group for 20-plus years.
David was selfless with his time and his love of music. He was always eager to volunteer and help musicians and students in the local community. He worked tirelessly with the Lenoir City Schools music programs, offering free lessons and helping with the marching band. He truly left an impression on trumpet players and the musician community for decades.
