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About Us
"The Lamplighters" is a quartet of musicians who play in the Des Moines, Iowa metro and surrounding communities. We boast a guitarist and male vocalist, a violinist/pianist/bassist/flautist, a digital percussionist and a female vocalist. We also throw in tambourine, harmonica and even the kazoo on some of our songs. We are available to play at weddings, receptions, fundraisers and other private parties, as well as public venues such as restaurants, bars, farmer's markets, wineries, flea markets and more!
Our Story
"The Lamplighters" beginnings date back to 2019 with just a man and his guitar. Cain was playing local Des Moines metro farmer's markets and other venues on his own before he met Deb at a running club event in 2021. They soon discovered they were both musicians, and Cain invited Deb to play with him at a few gigs. Before long, "Cain Alan & Deb" were regulars at several metro farmer's markets and other community events. After learning that Deb played in the worship band at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in West Des Moines, Cain soon began attending SOTV and shortly afterwards joined the worship band, too. Deb and Meg had been playing together in the worship band since 2009. When Meg heard about how much fun "Cain Alan & Deb" were having performing, she asked if they might need an additional singer in early 2024. Soon after, the band was renamed "The Lamplighters". In late 2024, we welcomed digital percussionist, Mike, to round out our sound.
Our Members
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Cain Kremitzki
Cain is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, alto sax, baritone sax, bongos/congas) who has been entertaining folks in bands, plays, musicals, commercials and weddings since he was 14 years old. He does not have a degree in music from Julliard and the Berklee College of Music. Cain's baritone voice has often been compared to Gordon Lightfoot with its deep and smooth timbre. He is a big believer in the healing power of music and enjoys playing songs that take people back to a better time in their lives. On weekends, Cain enjoys participating in full-contact origami, baking 10-minute brownies in 5 minutes, yelling at people driving slowly in the fast lane, and fishing.
Debora Belden
Deb has always had a heart for music. As a child, she set a goal of learning as many instruments as she could in hopes of being a “one man band” one day. She was classically trained on the piano from early lessons beginning in kindergarten, and began to play the cello and flute in later elementary school years. At the end of her sophomore year of high school, she took home a friend’s violin and began teaching herself how to play, eventually becoming an All-State orchestra participant, along with Honor Band. Music has always been a passion of Deb’s, and she relished her time teaching general music to kindergarten – middle school children and supporting classroom teachers with integrating music and other arts into their classrooms. Deb has also enjoyed a musical outlet in the praise band at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church since 2008. Through her time in the praise band and now with “The Lamplighters”, she enjoys the flexibility to get away from sheet music and push her skills of using her ear and chords to find her parts. Her infectious laughter and positive attitude are the attributes that make every interaction with Deb enjoyable, whether you are a family member, friend or fellow music lover.
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Meg Zierke
Meg began honing her vocalist skills at age four in the eighties, performing all the songs from "Annie" on her grandparents' deck in Des Moines. She began taking voice lessons in middle school, and sang in the Valley Singers, A Cappella and Vocalese choirs at Valley High School and was a two-time All-State Choir participant. Meg was also a member of an award-winning vocal jazz ensemble in college. Meg began singing at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church when she was 14, and she continues to help lead worship in the praise band nearly every week. Meg has been a stay-at-home mom since 2006, but as her kids have literally outgrown her, she now works part time in communications at her church. In her free time, Meg unnecessarily rearranges and redecorates her house, reads, and watches "Psych", "Monk", and "Downton Abbey" on a continuous loop.
Mike Schmadeke
Mike's parents knew he wanted to be a drummer from a very young age. He was always tapping or banging on something. An early fan of the Beatles and Beach Boys, Mike credits Ringo with teaching him how to drum. He also had excellent vocal music teachers from elementary through high school. Mike first played the cornet in fourth grade, and began playing the trumpet in grade seven. He eventually switched to the French horn and made All-State band twice, all the while still longing to be a drummer. He got his first real drum kit in 1982 and was content to jam in the basement until he began playing for praise and worship bands in 1996. God led him to many different churches throughout the years, eventually leading him to the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church praise band where he met the rest of The Lamplighters! Mike is retired from the heating and cooling industry, and now enjoys traveling with his wife, bicycling and fishing in his free time. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and their five children, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
