Song of Toledo Top 5: The Wanna Bees

TOLEDO, Ohio - The Wanna Bees' catchy, energetic tune, "You're in Toledo, Baby," is one of the top five finalists for the Song of Toledo contest.

The musicians, who pattern their music along the lines like children's music groups The Doodlebops, The Wiggles and Imagination Movers, put "You're In Toledo, Baby," together in no time.

"It was a matter of one night, just getting together, and piecing it all together and starting the recording process right there and then," said "Doctor Dan," aka Chuck Riepenhoff.

The Wanna Bees also include Mike Hayden (Mailman Mike), Brad Bury (Builder Brad), Tom Pokornik (Officer Ollie), and The Bee Girls.

Because The Wanna Bees were determined to get a great song together for the Song of Toledo contest, "Doctor Dan" said though his groupp usually focus on writing music for kids, writing a song about Toledo was an opportunity that they just couldn't pass up.

"It just seemed well suited for what we do."

The quartet focused on highlighting the positive aspects of T-Town.

"We wanted to capture that energy that when the Mud Hens are at home and you're downtown and there are people walking up and down the streets everywhere, and the bars and restaurants are packed," "Doctor Dan" said.

"With Walleye hockey coming to town, and Bullfrog football coming, we're going to have that energy year round downtown. So it's a very fitting song that way."

The Wanna Bees just hope that come judging time, Toledoans listening will know that 'You're in Toledo, Baby' is the right fit, to represent the city.

If not, the band is pretty excited about what they have created.

"Our intention was to write a song that could be a commercial for the city of Toledo, a song that you could listen to, but visualize all of the cool things that Toledo has to offer."

The winner of the Song of Toledo contest will be announced May 20.