Duane started his career in full-time Gospel Music at the age of 18, when he joined The Lesters, a family singing group from St. Louis, driving their bus, running sound, and eventually scheduling their dates. The Lesters traveled extensively throughout America & Canada, averaging 285 days on the road annually. Duane was with them from 1989– 1998.

In 1998 he went to work for the Albert E. Brumley & Sons Music Company (writer & publisher of the song I’LL FLY AWAY), in Powell, MO., as director of Marketing & Promotions for America’s largest summer sing, and stayed with this company until the
summer of 2012, when he formed his own company Signature Concerts.

Duane has been a Concert & Event Emcee since 1989, and now is honored to emcee at MANY major events across America, including The National Quartet Convention, Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic, and the Memphis Quartet Show, to name a few.

In addition to these major events, Duane also emcees several “one-night” programs all across America, including community events, fairs, festivals, talent shows, parades, and a variety of other functions.

Duane, and his wife Micki, were married on May 29, 2004, and are the proud parents of
three children; twins Andy & Allie born Sept 1, 2006, and Macy born on November 18, 2007.

He has hosted a radio show since the year 2000, “Gospel Music Get-Together”, which airs each Sunday morning from 8:00 to 10:00, central time, on 95.9 FM in Monett, MO., his show can also be heard online at www.kkbl959.com, or on the KKBL app.

Duane had colon cancer surgery & intense chemotherapy in 2009, and gives Praise to
the Lord for the word, “cancer free” from his oncologist!
The Garren family are active members of the Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church near Purdy, MO where Duane serves as song leader & deacon.