About Us at Cherished
Karen Backes-Dothage
Karen has been performing with her sisters since the tender age of 9. She grew up in a family with an affinity for classic country music. When the Sonny and Cher variety show was aired, Karen was so excited to hear another style of music, she sat in front of the TV daring anyone to change the channel. Her love of music continued on through high school when she learned to play piano and trombone. Later she sang with the Capitol City Symphony Choir in addition to delivering singing telegrams and performing for weddings. Karen began singing with her first band in 1988. She continued to perform with duos and bands throughout the country including acts located in Texas, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. She most recently fronted an all 80s pop band and a tribute to Heart and Pat Benatar, performing for as many as 3,000 people. Karen recently spent 2 ½ years rounding out the vocal sound, with harmony and backing vocals, for Elton Dan and The Rocket Band as they toured across the U.S. She performed as backing vocalist and as “Cher” in historic theaters and stages up the west coast, mid-west and as far as Florida, on the east coast.
The birth of Karen as the Cher of Cherished began in 2007 in Illinois at the request of a promoter. He was astonished at Karen's vocal and visual likeness to the living legend, Cher.
Karen has performed the many decades of Cher's music, playing hits like The Beat Goes On, Gypsies Tramps & Thieves, Believe and If I Could Turn Back Time. As, Cher, she has shared the stage with legends such as The Drifters as well as tributes to, Michael Jackson, Elvis, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, and Elton John.
Cherished's costume changes, musicianship and vocals will have you believing you are seeing the real Cher.
Brad Trapani
Guitarist
Entertaining live music crowds with exciting reditions of famous hit songs for the last 30 years!
Accomplished pop-rock guitarist serves the music with heart and soul drawing from influences like
Andy Summers of The Police, The Edge of U2 and favorite lead guitarist being Jeff Beck.
Currently performing in bands (Cherished) Columbia Missouri (Better Than Bad) The Lake of The Ozarks Missouri as well as
(S.S. Revival) in Nashville and Chattanooga Tennesee.
About Us at Cherished
Norita Taylor
Courtney Dothage
Courtney Dothage
Norita has been playing in various bands for a number of years, or as she prefers to describe, as “more than a decade or two.” Her life as a musician began in grade school on flute and later in high school in marching band and orchestra. Once graduating, she joined a country band, having purchased her first synth, an Alexis QS7, which she
Norita has been playing in various bands for a number of years, or as she prefers to describe, as “more than a decade or two.” Her life as a musician began in grade school on flute and later in high school in marching band and orchestra. Once graduating, she joined a country band, having purchased her first synth, an Alexis QS7, which she still possesses among her other pianos and keyboards. Band members encouraged her to sing and once she discovered how to properly “belt” it was off too the races as a lead singer as well. Since then she has played and sang in several rock bands. In recent years, she devoted her time to a special project called American Floyd, a Pink Floyd tribute. During and since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has had the fortune to act as a substitute for dueling pianos and other bands when needed. Currently, you can also occasionally find her playing with the host band for a local women’s open jam/open mic, a project dedicated to supporting women musicians and songwriters.
Courtney Dothage
Courtney Dothage
Courtney Dothage
C.J. has been performing on guitar and bass since he was 14 years old. His interests are derived from a wide variety of musical styles from the groovy bass sounds of the 70’s to modern contemporary rock. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he refined his performance skills. His style is a blended influence of rock,
C.J. has been performing on guitar and bass since he was 14 years old. His interests are derived from a wide variety of musical styles from the groovy bass sounds of the 70’s to modern contemporary rock. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he refined his performance skills. His style is a blended influence of rock, jazz, funk, and blues. He is member of the American Society of Composers Authors & Publishers and has two original albums to his credit. He has performed various musical styles in his career including an all 80’s pop/rock band and as the guitarist for tributes to INXS, Pat Benatar, Heart, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Elton John, as well as Cher. He most recently toured the U.S. as the guitarist for Elton Dan and The Rocket Band, performing in historic venues for thousands of people from coast to coast.
Ryan Henson
Courtney Dothage
Ryan Henson
Ryan Henson has spent most of his life behind a drum kit. The son of a drummer, he began learning to play drums before starting kindergarten. He began playing in bands as a teen and just never stopped. He has played extensively throughout the Midwest with various original, cover, and tribute bands, opening for acts like Jake Owen, The
Ryan Henson has spent most of his life behind a drum kit. The son of a drummer, he began learning to play drums before starting kindergarten. He began playing in bands as a teen and just never stopped. He has played extensively throughout the Midwest with various original, cover, and tribute bands, opening for acts like Jake Owen, The Eli Young Band, Collin Raye, The Brothers Osborne, Moe Pitney, and many others. He is also plays drums in the band Kricket Alley. He and his family live in Ashland, MO
Our Story
Charity Hall
According to her mom, Charity was humming herself to sleep before she could even talk and had her first public performance at just 3 years old, singing You Are My Sunshine in a Little Miss Eagle competition (which she won).
With a musical upbringing that spanned from Fleetwood Mac to (of course!) Cher, Charity has always been drawn to the
According to her mom, Charity was humming herself to sleep before she could even talk and had her first public performance at just 3 years old, singing You Are My Sunshine in a Little Miss Eagle competition (which she won).
With a musical upbringing that spanned from Fleetwood Mac to (of course!) Cher, Charity has always been drawn to the powerful female voices that have shaped the industry. A mid Missouri native, Charity has been performing in local bands for 15+ years and plans to someday retire and open her own music venue.
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Rock and Mock Productions
