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?”
Friends and family members in Labette County have watched the show with special cause: David’s parents, Sam and Becky Oakleaf, are natives of Altamont, Mound Valley and Valeda areas.
David himself is a gradute of West Elk High School and got his start singing in school programs.
The judges for “Can You Duet” are Naomi Judd, Brett Manning and Aimee Mayo and the host is Rossi Morreale.
Sam and Becky Oakleaf of Howard are David’s parents and they went to Nashville for part of the show’s video-taping.
Oakleaf said he started playing piano, 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.
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.
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 southeast Kansas so I can see some old friends.”
David Oakleaft’s ancestors were early settlers in Labette County. Sam Oakleaf is the son of the late Linnaeus and Mable Oakleaf, Mound Valley.
Becky Straub Oakleaf is the daughter of the late Leonard Straub and lived with her father and stepmother, Raeburn, at Valeda.
Sam and Becky are graduates of Labette County High School. David’s sister is named after her great-grandmother, Helena Oakleaf.
Ilene Oakleaf Bussman is a cousin of Linnaeus Oakleaf. Ilene is the widow of the late Ralph Bussman who served as a state representative for many years.

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Labette County, Oakleaf