Dougie Diamond and The Gems | Official Website

OUR STORY

Doug DeMarche Sr heads up this Dynamic Musical Ensemble that is ready to bring to life the Great Hits of Elvis Presley and many others..Live and for You!

BIOGRAPHY

DOUG DEMARCHE SR

In addition to being musically versatile, Doug is one of the most authentic Elvis Tribute Artists you’ll see.

Born in Utica N.Y. in 1943 Doug has been in and out of show business throughout the last 60 years.

When he first saw Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show, Doug was 13 years old. That’s when it all began. He knew at that very moment that he wanted to reach others through music and touch them in the way Elvis had moved him.

Doug has been honored to perform at several entertainment outlets throughout the United States, including appearing as the opening act for Freddie Fender. In addition to concerts, Doug provides entertainment for corporate events and dinner theaters.

In describing the way he felt when he heard of the untimely passing of the King Doug said “I felt helpless when Elvis passed away, it hurt almost like the passing of a family member, but, what could I do?” Shortly after the passing of Elvis, his wife Mimi gave him the answer when she presented him with a song she wrote for him which Doug recorded in 1977 in reverence to the King entitled “Lisa” aptly named for Elvis’ young daughter Lisa Marie Presley.

Though the world would never look quite the same to Doug without Elvis in it, recording “Lisa” brought him closure and a sense of peace in knowing that though nothing would ever bring Elvis back, for that moment in time, he gave back to music and Elvis some of what it had given him. When asked why he recorded the song Doug said “Mimi didn’t write it and I didn’t record it for fame or fortune, we did it because it was truly what we felt Elvis would have said to Lisa if he were granted an instant in time to return to earth and speak with his baby girl. In doing that I felt fulfilled and like I had done something for him that he could no longer do for himself, and I truly think it made him happy. “

Lisa was used as the sound track to a British Broadcasting Corporation movie entitled “Elvis Lives”.

Doug’s main goal every time he takes the stage is to capture the passion and raw talent that was Elvis and share it with his audience.

In addition to his uncanny portrayal of Elvis, Doug accurately covers the many artists who shaped his musical persona including such other revered artists as Buddy Holly, Richey Valens, The Big Bopper and too many more to mention.

Doug now fronts “Dougie Diamond and the Gems”, a show band which features his son’s Doug Jr., and Chad on rhythm guitars and backing vocals. For Doug “it’s the fulfillment of a childhood dream come full circle.” He welcomes you to come out and share an evening with him and the Gems as they take you on a journey through time.

DOUG DEMARCHE JR

At an early age Doug DeMarche knew that he wanted to entertain. Born into a musical family in Central New York, he fondly recalls waking up Saturday mornings to the sound of his father Doug Sr., singing the hits of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s from Elvis to James Taylor and everything between.

At 12 years old he purchased his first guitar which he still owns and plays. While attending college in Buffalo, New York in the 90’s, Doug fronted original bands Shadowplay and Eclipse. Upon returning to Central New York, Doug, along with his brother Chad and long time friend, bassist Mark Circelli, formed the long running cover band Chelsea Monday.

Currently a member of Doug Sr.’s band, Dougie Diamond and the Gems, Doug enjoys playing solo acoustic shows and regularly reserves dates to perform at these more intimate venues. Doug’s goal every time he takes the stage is to interact with and involve the audience assuring they leave the venue wishing they could stay and wanting to return. To that end, he plays an eclectic mix of cover music spanning multiple decades with a focus on those hits that pull people from their seat and to their feet.

CHAD DEMARCHE

Chad DeMarche was born into a musical family. He awakened many Saturdays to the sound of his father, Doug Sr., singing Elvis Presley, Jim Croce, and James Taylor via the family room PA system. He began singing at a relatively young age. His older brother, Doug DeMarche Jr., started playing guitar and singing in his teenage years and Chad would often accompany him with vocals. It wasn’t until Chad was 20 years old that he took his first and only guitar lesson.

From that time forward, he was hooked, spending many hours teaching himself how to play guitar so that he could accompany himself with all of the vocal pieces he had enjoyed singing throughout the years. Chad’s first band, The Al’s, was formed with some high school friends when he was 18 years old. In his early 20’s, he and his brother Doug spearheaded a band named Chelsea Monday, along with long-time family friend Mark Circelli on bass and high school friend Kenny Gigliotti on drums.

They played several venues around Central NY. Shortly after, Chad returned to college at Stony Brook University and Doug continued to carry the Chelsea Monday torch, enjoying several years of success in CNY. Chad went on to form a band on Long Island, called 3Sum, which played various venues from NYC to the tip of Long Island. When Chad returned to CNY in 2003, he invested most of his time in solo, acoustic style performance, which he still enjoys and is mostly involved in today.

In search of collaboration, he started an acoustic trio, Acoustasonic, with friends Tom Feola, percussionist, and Mark Circelli, bassist. Chad and Tom continue to play as a duo, on occasion, but there may be a relaunch of Acoustasonic at some point in the future. Chad is also a member of his father’s band, Dougie Diamond & The Gems. Chad has been influenced by numerous artists ranging from Elvis Presley, Jim Croce, Tom Petty, Counting Crows, Matchbox 20, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, and Ed Sheeran. This is a small sample of what you will hear at one of Chad’s shows, as he performs acoustic covers of songs throughout the decades. He has a setlist that has been developed over 20+ years and is full of something for everyone to enjoy.

MARK CIRCELLI

Born and raised in Utica , NY, mark brings over 35 years of playing experience to the band, and makes him a key cog as the #3 Gem in DD&TG. Multiple influences in style and period have shaped Mark’s playing, and have led to him becoming a most versatile and sought after bassist. Joining with Doug Jr., Mark began his first band stint in the project Chelsea Monday, which enjoyed a successful run during the early 2000s.

Most recently, Mark was the backbone in the rock cover bands Radionix and Remedy, Both CNY favorites, and is currently preparing for the launch of his own project, Sonic Circus. Mark’s ability to bring a solid and steady drive to the music of Elvis and others, has made him an integral part of the Gems, leading the way for the band’s dynamic and accurate sound.

MATTHEW ZYCH

Matt was born in Columbus Ohio and grew up in Oswego New York. His mother taught piano so naturally he began learning piano at about 10 years old. As a teenager Matt’s exposure to Rock and Roll music increased as did his passion for guitar leading him to start taking guitar lessons at age 15. During and after high school Matt and his brother, a keyboard player formed and performed in many bands together.

In 1990 Matt moved to Los Angeles where he played both bass and guitar in several projects. In 1995 he returned to Central New York and continued to perform in bands in both Syracuse and Albany, including his most recent band an Americana rock band named “The Shakedown” which played a combination of cover songs and originals throughout Syracuse, New York as well as New York City, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont and Tennessee over their eight year run together.

Matt recalls fondly the opportunity he had in 2010 to travel with The Shakedown to the hometown of The King himself, Memphis, Tennessee to record an album of original songs. While there they performed and recorded a live set of original songs at Sun Studios where Elvis first recorded.

Matt knew he found a perfect fit with Dougie Diamond and the Gems, fronted by Doug DeMarche Sr, focusing on the music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s with a heavy emphasis on the music of one of his favorite artists, the one and only Elvis Presley