His face has become so familiar that people point at him and say, “Hey, there’s that guy on TV — you know, that duet guy!”

And they would be right.

David Oakleaf, for the past several weeks, has put his hometown of Howard, Kan., on the map as he competes in the Country Music Television (CMT) program, “Can You Duet?”

In the weekly show, the producers of “American Idol” are teaming up with CMT to find the next great country music duo in the most original singing competition ever.

Each contestant competes as part of a duo, and viewers witness first hand all the on and off-stage drama in creating a dynamic musical duo. In addition to critiquing each performance and deciding who will advance to the next round, the judges serve as mentors to guide, groom and develop the duets along the way.
Oakleaf graduated from West Elk High School and got his start singing in school programs and at Jerry’s Little Opry in Howard.

During the opening rounds of “Can You Duet” he was matched up with longtime friend Lewice Brice, and they lasted until the competition was narrowed down to the top 12. At that point, the judges separated them and Oakleaf’s new singing partner became Jared Johnson from Belton, Texas.

It was a sad separation for Oakleaf and Bryce who entered the first auditions with more than 4,500 other singers. But that’s the way it works in Nashville where they both work and they remain good friends today.

Oakleaf and Johnson enjoyed a good run on the show, too, making it to the top five duets with only four shows remaining. Then last Friday night, the judges made another cut and it turned out to be Oakleaf and Johnson.

The judges for “Can You Duet” are Naomi Judd, Brett Manning and Aimee Mayo and the host is Rossi Morreale. The show premiered April 14 and is pre-taped, so Oakleaf cannot reveal who won the final prize.
Sam and Becky Oakleaf of Howard are David’s parents and they went to Nashville for part of the show’s video-taping.

“He’s always been a good boy,” Becky said in motherly fashion this week. “Nobody else in the family can carry a tune, but Dave has always been a singer.”

She said Helen Vinette of Howard heard David sing when he was only five years old. “He can sing,” Vinette exclaimed. “Keep him singing!”

Because Vinette was known for her own musical knowledge and talent, Sam and Becky took her seriously and made sure little David stayed encouraged with his music.

When Sam was transferred with KG&E to Caney, David was just starting to school and it wasn’t long before he was taking piano lessons from a local teacher. He continued with the lessons after the family moved again to Pittsburg and his sister, Helena, took piano right alongside David.

Oakleaf said he started playing guitar and trumpet while still in grade school and he sang and played at weddings, fair dances and such as he grew up. He later added harmonica and drums to the instruments he plays.

But being a vocalist remains top choice. He is a fan of George Strait and Keith Urban. His music varies from classic country to southern rock and roll.

“I just like to play music,” he said today. “It’s that simple.”

Oakleaf now lives in Nashville and co-manages a musical venue, “12th and Porter.” It gives him a regular way to make a living and provides a good chance to try out his song-writing talents on local audiences.

“I just played today at the CMA Fest,” he said. “It was amazing how many people came up and shook my hand. I’m not accustomed to being recognized, but the TV show did something greeat for all the contestants.”

David said his phone has rung a lot this week and he is working with both his former duet partners to make sure they stay together.

“We’re also planning a tour through Kansas sometime this summer,” he said. “I hope it can be near Howard so I can see some old friends.”

His mother added, “He’s got a busy life in Nashville and he’s working hard on his career, so we really don’t expect him to come home a lot.”

She said David is the type person who never forgets his friends and he told his mother on the phone just this week that he might be needing a “Howard fix.”

“I think that can be arranged,” she said with a smile.

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