When Dale Luedtke retired from his job in IT at US Bank in October, he was looking forward to relaxing, enjoying more time with his family, and getting back to playing his guitar regularly. He started taking guitar lessons when he was ten years old, and then continued as a classical guitar major at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He began performing in the early seventies, playing throughout the Midwest as a solo artist, and in several bands over the years.
After having some stiffness and tingling in his left arm and hand, Dale was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in spring 2017. “It was harder to play,” he said. “It would take three or four songs for my hand to loosen up and be comfortable playing.”
He took a break from playing after his diagnosis, but now that he’s retired, he’s picking up where he left off. While his stamina may not be quite what it was before Parkinson’s, his passion for music hasn’t diminished. He’s booking gigs at restaurants and bars in the area, and he’s looking to share his love for music with residents at some local assisted living communities as well.
You can hear Dale at WPA’s Annual Holiday Reception in Brookfield on December 5. Learn more about the Holiday Reception and register HERE.