MUSCATINE, Iowa — When Craig Boche was growing up in Muscatine during the 1970s, his mother, Sherry Boche, knew he liked music, but she didn’t realize how much until he became a professional crooner.

“We knew he had talent, but he surprised us and had more talent than we realized,” said Sherry. “We are very proud of him.”

Craig, 41, is returning to his hometown Saturday, Oct. 24, to entertain at Muscatine Community College’s 80th anniversary celebration dinner.

The evening is one of a series of weekend events hosted and organized by the Muscatine Junior College/Muscatine Community College Alumni Association.

Boche, a University of Iowa graduate, isn’t an MCC alumnus, but his kindergarten teacher, Muscatine Junior College graduate Evelyn Schauland, asked him to perform for her alma-mater — and he couldn’t turn her down.

“I love Evelyn Schauland,” said Boche. She’s met something to me all my life.”

He speaks of that affectionate tie in the same, tone as his love for music.

“When I got to college, I found I didn’t enjoy accounting as much as I thought I would,” said Boche, who received a business degree from U of I in 1989 before he began chasing his real dream.

Boche always enjoyed the smooth vocals of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darin and their counterparts who serenaded the world with songs of love, adventure and heartbreak from the 1950s-80s.

“I’m a huge fan of the Rat Pack,” said Boche, referring to Sinatra, Martin and Davis. “I was the only kid in high school listening to Nat King Cole.”

Sherry owned records by those singers and saw her son take them up to his room. She had no idea they would help him build a career.

After Craig decided to become a professional entertainer, he began auditioning and performing for audiences. Eventually, he was offered a gig as lead vocalist for the Glenn Miller Band, but he had concerns about the nearly year-round touring schedule.

Then Rod Pierson of Cedar Rapids invited Boche to join his band, and he

hasn’t looked back.

“This is a life-long dream for me,” said Boche. “I’m very proud of singing with this band.”

The Rod Pierson Big Band won’t be joining Boche for the Muscatine performance, but vocalist, and president of the Cedar Rapids Concert Corral, Annie Shreck will.

“She’s an incredible female vocalist,” said Boche.

Boche, of Marion, Iowa, comes from generations of musical people. His father’s uncle was referred to as the “Lawrence Welk of Germany.”

During the 1970-80s, Boche’s grandmother, Babette Schoener-Boche, along with his aunts and uncles and several area singers, performed in Muscatine as the Happy Bavarians.

When Craig was a child, Sherry said her son performed with his father, vocalist and musician Kurt Boche of Muscatine, who still entertains at area events.

“Music is in my blood,” said Boche. “Music was instilled in me at an early age.”

Craig Boche

Craig Boche and the Ron Pierson Big Band will perform at the Ponderosa Ballroom, 195 First St. N. Walford, Cedar Rapids, at the 2009 Fall Ball from 6-9:30 p.m. Sunday,

Oct. 25. Admission is free.

Online

Learn more about Boche and the Rod Pierson Big Band at

www.rpbigband.com/about.htm                                                                              

MCC 80th

Events at Muscatine Community College’s 80th anniversary celebration, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23, 24.

- Dedication of the newly renovated McAvoy Center.Where: 1403 Park Ave.

When: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, with dedication at 5 p.m.

Hosts: Muscatine Junior College/ Muscatine Community College Alumni Association, in conjunction with Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business After Hours event

- What: Muscatine Community College open house

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24

Where: The MCC campus, 152 Colorado St.

Details: Extensive archived material and scrapbooks from the past 80 years in the archive library, located in Loper Hall, available for browsing. Tours of the new science labs in Strahan Hall, the Muscatine Agricult-ural Learning Center, 3200 Lucas St., and the McAvoy Center, 1403 Park Ave.

- Roses, Pearls and Diamonds dinnerWhen: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

Where: The Muscatine Holiday Inn, 2915 U.S. Highway 61 N.

Details: Cocktails and conversation at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, followed by distinguished alumni awards presentation and entertainment featuring Boche.

Dinner cost: $30.

Contact: For additional information or dinner reservations, call Lisa Wiegel at 563-288-6005.