dUUdes is the house band at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines. We play contemporary and classic rock and folk songs, and occasional original songs, chosen to fit or complement the message of a particular service or sermon.

Five singers, Doug Hoffman, CW Smith, John Morrow, Evan Miller and Mike Schoonover, rotate lead and harmony vocal duties, and switch instruments as appropriate to the song. Pianist Bruce Martin and drummer Pat Bell join us as time permits.

The dUUdes’ mission is to promote the UU Seven Principles through the popular music of the 20th and 21st centuries, and through the original compositions of our members.

CW Smith has lived most of his life in Central Iowa. He’s attended First Unitarian since April 1990, and joined in June 1993. CW has been writing, performing  and recording music since his early teens, and plays eight different instruments.

Doug Hoffman arrived in Iowa in 1992 after trying out both coasts over the course of the previous 40 years. He has been a member of First Unitarian since the year 2000. Doug can't remember when he started playing music, but at his age this is not surprising. Doug also plays 8 different instruments, all of them guitars.

John Morrow

Evan Miller

Mike Schoonover