The Country Cats began their reign of terror in 1967 after Gary Chamberlain, the organizer of the band, returned home from a 3-year hitch in the United States Army. The original members were Gary Chamberlain, bass guitar and vocals, Kenny Adkins, lead guitar and Larry White on drums. The Band played a variety of music over the years such as old Country from the 1940’s, to modern Country Rock. In 1969 Kenny Adkins, who lived in Madison and drove out to the area every weekend to play, decided it was getting to be too much of a hassle, and decided to leave the band. At that time Eddie Pfohel, from Dickeyville Wisconsin, took over lead guitar. In 1972, Eddie Phofel decided it was time for him to stay closer to home and play, so Denny Jones from Fennimore, WI joined the Band playing lead guitar and the pedal steel. He stayed with the Band until 1981 until he decided to move to Texas. After Denny, the lead guitar and pedal steel player was Kal Kotel until 1983. From 1983 until 1986, when the Band played its final chord, the lead guitar player was Kevin Bendorf from Lancaster, WI who later moved to Nashville,TN. Gary Chamberlain and Larry white would spend 20 years together.

Gary Chamberlain lives in Fennimore, WI and is semi -retired with 5 Grandchildren, and really misses the music business. Larry White passed away in 2005. Kenny Adkins lives in Missouri and is retired. Denny Jones lives in Cuba City,WI and drives tour bus for Stratton Bus Lines. In Nashville, Kevin Bendorf has become a song writer and Kal Kotel moved away from Southwestern Wisconsin and has never been heard from since.

  Gary Chamberlain and the Country Cats were the band that everyone went to see on Saturday night if you lived in Grant County Wisconsin. The leader and lead singer of the band Gary Chamberlain was just one of those guys everybody liked and liked to listen to. The band played all of the old standards both swing and rock and Gary new just how to grab a crowd and keep them on the dance floor til closen time. The band recorded a 45 in Nashville and traveled there with and entire following to perform live near the Grand Ole Opry. There were different members of the band over the years but two of the members remained throughout. Gary Chamberlain the leader and Larry White the Drummer. The band retired in the late 70s early 80s but could be seen sitting in with other area bands from time to time after.

   The picture below was taken at the Cottonwood Supper Club at the clubs farewell party. The Club hosted bands every Saturday and Sunday evening for two decades or more. The farewell performance brought musicians from all over the state back to play there one more time. In the picture are original members of the band Gary Chamberlain (vocals) and Larry White (drums). Also pictured are friends of the band Doug Bachlor (lead guitar) and Roddy Dull (bass).