DENNIS VAN HOVE

Remembering Dennis . . .

Dennis Van Hove

July 26, 1963 – May 2, 2019

A WORD FROM DOUG . . .

Songwriter and music producer Dennis Van Hove passed away in Nashville on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at age 55. I was notified of the sad news via email sent from a mutual friend, Jolene Mueller of Algona, Iowa.

I first met Dennis back in 1986 when as a 23-year-old, aspiring songwriter, he came to my studio, Bird-On-Fire Recording, to record some demos of his original material. His songs were very fresh and novel – full of unexpected chord changes and interesting lyrics . . . much like the young man himself – unique and full of surprises.

Back in those days my bandmate, Kevin Conner, and I did a lot of demo work in the studio for songwriters and recording artists – many of whom went on to make their mark as writers and recording artists such as Brenda Russell, Emily West, Nora Gedgaudas, John Rees and Nikki Hassman-Anders. And certainly included on this all-star list was our dear friend, Dennis Van Hove.

Of his first session on June 11, 1986, Dennis wrote in the studio guestbook:

"If I can get past laughing, I think we'll be fine - amazing what you put up with me. Now that I have more songs than I know what to do with, the only logical choice is to get them published. Oh well, let's see what I come up with . . ."

See what he comes up with? Indeed a treasure trove of music! Turns out during the ensuing 33 years, Dennis's output was prolific. Read on . . .

IOWA TO NASHVILLE

Although he started his musical journey at Bird-On-Fire, his passion for music would take him far beyond Iowa all the way to Nashville. Having moved there in 1993, he quickly formed his music publishing company, Titonka Music and began a long-term collaboration with singer/songwriter, Lance Christopher Watkins (stage name Lance Christopher.)

Many years of work followed with the many peaks and valleys so common in the music business. Ultimately things began happening for them in 2005. They had finally formed a record label Torn Sky Records and joined the Country Music Association (CMA.)

Lance was their new label's first artist, and soon he was invited to Japan on a mini-tour organized by promoter Tom Kawai. In the midst of all of this, they also placed their first single, “Blown Kisses,” with recording artist Darrell Lacey on Heartland Records.

In October of 2005, their label released Lance's single “Baby We're Gone” and began getting considerable airplay. That same month Lance won the Lime Light Country award for new artist.

In August 2006, Torn Sky Records released Lance's next single, “Joy Unspeakable,” to Christian radio stations; and they were off and running - promoting the new single on a Hawaiian tour sponsored by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO.)

TORN SKY RECORDS HITS THE CHARTS

By February of 2007, “Joy Unspeakable” had peaked at #16 on the Power Source Christian Country Charts. And they were ramping up to release a follow-up single, “The Cross Of Jesus,” later that month.

It was also around this time that they released Lance's first CD, Saved by a Woman.

Saved by a Woman - Lance Christopher (click above for a listen)

Torn Sky Records soon began developing two, new artists for their label, Jake Book and Kaeli Anne Moriah. Kaeli was Lance's daughter. Click here to give her a listen.

TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY

By 2009 they had released Lance's next CD, Reconstruction, from which 4 singles were getting heavy airplay on the Christian country charts. Dennis wrote me that they were very pleased to have finally received their first, substantial royalty check from those singles' airplay. Ironically this marked a tragic turning point for both Dennis's and Lance's music careers in that Lance was no longer able to tour or promote his music due to a cancer diagnosis.

Things changed dramatically from this point on – Lance passed away on October 1, 2013, and Dennis's songwriting eventually ground to a halt. He wrote me:

“On the songwriting front, I haven't written anything . . . I don't write (go figure.) Not that I don't want to. It's more of the inspiration factor . . . besides I lost track with thinking of it as a job and it must be done everyday. I'm at peace with it. Besides I am still in the music business anyway with our company. So I am still connected.”

And what he was referring to was, despite Lance being gone, Dennis would carry on the work of Torn Sky Records through producing the music of Kaeli Anne Moriah, Lance's daughter.

It would be another six years before Dennis would also succumb to cancer. Sadly, he's gone at such a young age; but he's left us with an enduring legacy - all those great songs! And we who knew him will never forget his gentle nature, his laughter, his love of animals and, of course, his wonderful music.

JOLENE REMINISCES

In closing here are a few words on Dennis from Jolene Mueller of Algona, Iowa:

 “Joanne [Jolene's friend] and I met Dennis and some of his friends (from Titonka, Iowa) dragging main street in Algona when we were in our late teens, early 20's... Yes, that's a long time ago!! We became good friends. Then we just started hanging out on weekends and holidays either in Algona or Titonka . . .

“Dennis and I talked about his music that he wanted to expand. That's when I mentioned you [Doug] and how you had a recording studio in West Union. I told Dennis to get in touch with you [to] see if you could help him with some of his songs . . . I even came over the first time so he wouldn't feel uneasy with not actually knowing you or Kevin. Then he took it from there.

“After he got to know you, I talked him in to coming to Crescent Beach, Charlies, and even over to Cedar Cabin a few times [these were clubs that Kevin and I played as the Memory Brothers back in the '80s and '90s.]

“I remember how we would always go out after you and Kevin were done singing at the Lakes [Crescent Beach Resort on West Lake Okoboji] and having those chocolate cokes and nachos . . . I also got him to join the Memory Brothers Fan Club.

“He also talked about moving to Nashville because he figured he had a better chance with his music career down there. We had talked about me maybe moving with him, so he wouldn't be down there by himself without knowing anyone. But, then I met Frank so that changed everything. I wished Dennis the best of luck with his music and told him to keep in touch. Which we did for awhile until about 5 yrs ago.”

I thank Jolene for sharing her recollections of Dennis.

On Lance Christopher Watkins' Facebook page are some more tributes to Dennis by some of his Nashville friends and fellow music makers: Click.