Gear Daddies - 2008

The Gear Daddies is a band from Austin, Minnesota that enjoyed regional success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its members were Randy Broughten (electric and steel guitar), Nick Ciola (bass), Billy Dankert (drums and vocals), and Martin Zellar (guitar and vocals).

Their most mainstream success was when they played Late Night with David Letterman in 1991. Ciola and Dankert did not play on the show because many bands simply sat in with Paul Shaffer and The World's Most Dangerous Band when playing the show. Zellar had this to say of the experience: "I was so nervous, and it happened so quick. I couldn't tell you what the hell happened. I got done, and I was walking back and said to Randy (Broughton), 'Did I sing all the words? Did I do that?' When I watched it that night in the hotel room ( the Omni in New York), I had no recollection of having lived it."

The band broke up in 1992 but has since performed reunion concerts. In an interview on Minnesota Public Radio on February 10, 2005 Martin Zellar said that he hoped the Gear Daddies will regroup for a concert in the near future. Most recently, the band appeared at the Minnesota State Fair in August, 2006 along with another popular late 80s/early 90s band from neighboring Wisconsin, the BoDeans.

"Zamboni" is their best-known song, having been featured in a few movies and played at various hockey games.

Singer Martin Zellar is currently active, playing shows in Minneapolis/St. Paul area, usually with his band the Hardways. Along with their own songs, the band plays some of the Gear Daddies songs as well. The Martin Zellar and the Hardways live album "Two Guitars, Drum and Bass" features the Gear Daddies' songs "Wear Your Crown", "She's Happy", "and "Drank So Much."