About D'Vaughn...
D’Vaughn Pershing began life in Limon, Colorado – a small town with a population of about 900 citizens. Bessie Marie, his mother, was an English teacher at the Limon High School. Dr. Darroll Pershing was the only dentist within 100 miles. D’Vaughn began studying piano, drums, soprano saxophone and clarinet at age five and began performing at the Orpheum Theatre in Denver during the summer at the age of nine.
D’Vaughn began performing on television shows in New York for Ed Sullivan, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, and many others, and performed as a solo pianist in Carnegie Hall. While in New York, D’Vaughn studied with jazz pianist Teddy Wilson in Harlem.
Soon the Pershing family moved to Hollywood, California so D’Vaughn could perform while going to school. D’Vaughn performed as a pianist and clarinetist for Ken Murray's Blackouts for five years and also performed on variety television in Hollywood. He attended Hollywood Professional School, and graduated from North Hollywood High. Dr. Pershing began practicing dentistry in Studio City. D’Vaughn attended U.S.C., majoring in piano and composition for two years. He then joined the Air Force for four years - staying in music and writing, and playing in the concert bands, jazz bands and marching bands. For two years, D’Vaughn composed and conducted a weekly television show for the Air Force. Leaving the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant, D’Vaughn returned home to North Hollywood, California and began his classes again at U.S.C. for two more years. During this time he performed with his own jazz groups and attended night classes at U.C.L.A. learning to compose for films with Jerry Goldsmith as instructor. D’Vaughn soon became involved in “rock opera” - conducting and playing for such operas as “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Universal Amphitheatre, “Hair” and “Tommy” at the Aquarius Theatre, and “Rocky Horror Show” at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood and the Balasco Theatre in Manhattan.
D’Vaughn joined A.S.C.A.P. and formed ”Silver Princess Publishing Company” named after his wife, Sharon – still his best friend. D’Vaughn’s career turned into composing, conducting, and playing on various television shows, series and specials: Dick Van Dyke, Redd Foxx, Cher, Donnie and Marie Osmond, Bette Midler, Lena Horne, The Manhattan Transfer, Dianna Ross, Sarah Vaughn, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis, The Tonight Show, Quincy Jones, Barbara Mandrel, Andy Gibb, Roy Clark, John Denver, Randy Travis, Motown Specials, Academy Awards, and People’s Choice Awards. D’Vaughn composed music for many television shows such as Gimme’ a Break, Fame, Matlock, Eight Is Enough, and was nominated for an Emmy for Moonlighting.
D’Vaughn began playing piano and conducting for various stars on the touring circuits, including Andy Williams, Nell Carter, Rita Moreno, Vikki Carr, Doug Henning, and others. He has conducted thirty-one symphony orchestras. D’Vaughn performed in many Jazz and Latin festivals and concerts in Aruba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Santa Domingo, Mexico, Tokyo, and London. Performances in the U.S. include Miami, Madison Square Garden and The Village Gate in New York City, Los Angeles, Houston Astrodome, Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City.
D’Vaughn moved to Branson, Missouri in 1995 to play and conduct for Andy Williams at the Moon River Theatre. Working with Andy has been a rewarding experience. Now, D'Vaughn enjoys playing jazz in "The Library" at Chateau on the Lake, and performs in various shows in Branson. He recently completed recording a solo piano C.D. in his own recording studio. "Life is good!", says D'Vaughn. :)