By Robin Delaney/Managing Editor
Published: Friday, August 7, 2009 11:53 AM CDT

Many times when homegrown talents leave home and hit the national scene they forget where they come from seem to seldom find their way back to Fort Madison.

Not Dustin Lee. The American singer/songwriter from Fort Madison, now residing in Milwaukee, Wis., remembers his roots in virtually every song he sings and composes - and he knows the way back home.

In fact, Lee wil1 be coming back to Fort Madison later this month, on Aug. 22, to perform a free concert, at 7 p.m., at Meier's Den winery, with Arthur Lee Land.

Lee recently released his latest album "On My Way Back Home." This release features Dustin's songs inspired by his life growing up in the Hawkeye state. On the album, listeners will find that "The Great Flood" is a song about the 2008 flooding and "Dry Creek" is a song about the creek that runs nearVinnie's Santa Fe Tap and Hy-Vee Food Store in Fort Madison. The album is a celebration of life in small town Iowa. A favorite of many local residents, which can also be found on Lee's newest CD, "My Judgment Day," which is about his grandfather's career with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad

Lee grew up in Fort Madison and is known to most as Dustin Dorrell, the son of Sharon and Dennis Dorrell of Fort Madison.

While growing up along the Mississippi River, Lee gravitated toward music at an early age - receiving his first guitar at age 8 and taking lessons and branching out as a vocalists in seventh and eight grade.

While attending Fort Madison High School, he was active in musical groups and performed with various local "garage bands."

He then went on to college at Western Illinois University where he formed the band Doubt with three of his friends. The foursome performed their blend of loud, high energy, classic and modern rock and was a fixture on Macomb's local bar, party, and festival scene for four years. It was during this time that Lee found his voice as a songwriter as well as a performer.

When members of Doubt went their separate ways, Lee moved back to Iowa and joined the successful local band Head First as a rhythm guitarist and songwriter. With Lee's songwriting and musical contributions, Head First recorded its first, and to date only, album "Done" consisting of eight songs - seven of which were written by Lee.

Area residents may also recall Lee performing with Stroker Ace Band which he formed with two Burlington musicians. For two years, they were popular playing local clubs in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri with an emphasis on original material.

Since arriving in Southeastern Wisconsin, Lee has been performing at a wide variety of venues. He periodically appears with other local, national, and international artists..