When Craig Itt and Dave Vining step into an Audiences Unlimited performance, they bring more than music—they bring a party. With Craig on vocals and keyboards and Dave shifting between saxophone and bass ukulele, the duo has a knack for transforming any space into a dance floor. Their performances radiate joy, filled with familiar tunes from the 1950s and 60s that get staff and residents alike moving to the beat.

Two Musicians, One Band’s Worth of Sound

Though only two in number, Craig & Dave sound like a full quartet. Dave’s versatile playing—tenor saxophone and bass ukulele—layers seamlessly with Craig’s rich vocals and keyboard work. “We do everything live,” Dave explained. “Even though it’s just the two of us, it sounds like a real band.”

A Lifelong Pull Toward Music

For both musicians, music has been a lifelong calling. Craig’s earliest memories are of leaning against the piano as his mother played, eventually leading him to pursue a degree in music at IPFW and a career that spanned club gigs, fundraisers, and decades of performing in ensembles large and small.

Dave’s passion for music also started at a young age—falling in love with the saxophone in elementary school, inspired by jazz standards such as “Body and Soul.” His career has taken him coast to coast with a touring band in the 1970s and more locally with college ensembles and big bands.

It was at Purdue Fort Wayne (formerly IPFW) where Craig and Dave first met, planting the seeds of a friendship and musical partnership that would bloom into the Craig & Dave duo decades later. After both retired from long careers—Craig as a registered nurse and Dave from General Motors—the timing was right to join forces again. About four years ago, they began bringing their sound to seniors through Audiences Unlimited.

More Than Entertainment

For Craig, who studied music therapy, and Dave, who calls their work “a ministry,” the performances are about far more than notes and lyrics. “It’s not about me,” Dave said. “It’s about the people in the audience. Music communicates with people who can’t communicate and brings back golden memories.”

Those moments can be profound. Craig recalls playing at Golden Years, where a resident who hadn’t spoken in two years came up and thanked him after a performance—a moment that amazed the care-giving team. Even in memory care units, a smile or a tapping foot can reveal the power of a familiar song that touches the listener in deeply personal ways.

Creating Connection through Celebration

What sets Craig & Dave apart is the celebratory spirit they bring. They aim not only to stir memories but also to spark movement and laughter. “What we’re doing is bringing more of a dance party atmosphere,” Dave said. “Even the staff is out there dancing sometimes,” he said.

That party atmosphere is contagious. The duo mixes in music trivia, lighthearted banter, and playful interaction, building relationships with their audiences over return visits. “We don’t do this for us,” Craig said. “We enjoy it, but we do it for the people.”

The Audiences Unlimited Difference

Both musicians speak with gratitude for the opportunities Audiences Unlimited provides. “It’s such a unique program for northeast Indiana,” Craig notes. “I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else.” And he’s quick to add that the performances aren’t limited to senior care residents. “Come out and give us a listen,” he said.

With every show, Craig & Dave remind us of music’s extraordinary ability to unlock joy, spark memory, and turn a dining room or rec hall into a dance floor.