Our Origin - DOc & The Scrubs

It all began with Dr. Bob Watson, WWII veteran and longtime Detroit Lakes doctor. He was part of a Fargo-based “dance band” called “The Scrubs,” which started in the 1960s. That band went on to become the Fargo Theater Band in the 1980s. In 1991, Doc & the Scrubs was officially formed in Detroit Lakes. For the first couple of years, the band played only on New Year’s Eve. Then, in the early 1990s, they added their first additional gig at The Port Authority bar in Detroit Lakes. They primarily played big band music from the 1930s and 1940s. 

The band expanded their gigs, playing several times a year in the ensuing decades, with a stable core membership led by Doc Watson on trumpet. They were featured as the house band for the original “Holmespun Theatre” production in 2001, which celebrated the history of the lakes area, as part of the opening of the Historic Holmes Theatre. 

Shortly thereafter, Doc Watson was instrumental (pun intended) in starting the “Tuesdays in the Park” summer concert series at the bandshell in the Detroit Lakes City Park. Doc & the Scrubs played most of the Tuesdays that first year, and has continued to perform twice each summer. A side group was also formed, which featured the saxophone section – the Front Row. This trimmed down version of the band (with rhythm section) played numerous shows during the early 2000s.

When Doc Watson retired from the band in the mid-2000s, he turned Doc & the Scrubs over to longtime members Gary Harris (trombone) and Bruce Wisted (tenor sax). Doc Watson passed away in 2016. The new leaders continued the tradition until Gary retired in 2020 (as Covid lockdowns did not permit any live performances). Bruce continued to lead the band, but found outside gigs increasingly hard to book. The band continued to perform, however, two Tuesdays in the Park evenings each summer. 

By 2024, Bruce’s health declined to the point where he could no longer play. While some members of Doc & the Scrubs considered retiring the band, several felt it was just too much fun playing in a big band and decided to start afresh with a new name and a revitalized mission.

Thus, the Beachfront Big Band was born. With a core of Doc & the Scrubs musicians and the addition of several new members, the band is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Doc & the Scrubs by bringing big band music to the lakes area. The band played its first show as one of five bands appearing at the “Big Band Bash” in Dilworth, Minnesota, in February, 2025. 

The new band has broadened its repertoire to include harder-driving music, along with a diversified representation of jazz styles, including Latin and rock. There is also a renewed focus on vocal numbers, something that was always a minor part of the Scrubs book, but had vanished entirely in recent years. With an eye on a few more shows each year and a more polished sound, the Beachfront Big Band is excited to share their love of big band jazz with listeners for years to come.