A Note of Correction: Deano Assunto, the son of trumpeter Frank Assunto (of the original Dukes of Dixieland) was in touch with us recently to note some inaccuracies in the following article
Mr. Assunto writes that “due to a court settlement against John Shoup there is to be 'no implying any historical connection' between Shoup's copy band and the original pre-1974 Dukes of Dixieland which your article clearly does.”
Regarding Shoup's use of the name The Dukes of Dixieland: “Your article also stated that John Shoup says that Freddie's widow Betty Assunto gave him the rights to the Dukes of Dixieland name which is not true. In our first lawsuit against Shoup he could provide no documents to prove [that claim].”
Mr. Assunto also says that John Shoup neglected to mention “that there is still ongoing litigation against him in the courts at this time.”
For more on the Original Dukes of Dixieland, please visit the Dukes' website: www.thedukesofdixieland.com.
The DUKES of Dixieland: Adjusting to the Times
The story of the Dukes of Dixieland is really the story of two bands: the original Dukes of the Assunto Brothers (1947-74), and the present-day DUKES who have navigated the past 42 years under the watchful eye of promoter John Shoup and are currently led by trumpeter Kevin Clark.
The "real" Dukes (as the website maintained by the Assunto heirs contends) were part
