In 1984, Dan Schwalbe and R. J. Mischo were members of former Muddy Waters sideman Mojo Buford’s band. Schwalbe on guitar, and Mischo as both manager and opening act. That was the year that Dan and R.J. called on the legendary rhythm section of Jack Taylor and Greg Shuck, forming the band Blues DeLuxe in order to stabilize the core band behind Mojo. This also enabled the band to work on it’s own when Buford wasn’t available.
In 1986 Mojo moved to Memphis, and Blues DeLuxe was on it's own. The band evolved into one of the top blues acts in the upper Midwest. In 1988 theywhere awarded best traditional blues band by the Minnesota Blues Society. The band released two LP length cassettes, Reet, Petite, and Gone in 1988, I Can't Stop It in 1991. Both were well received, and nominated for blues recording of their respective years by the Minnesota Music Academy. The band appeared on Scott Hansen's April Fools Live television broadcast as well as
many regional Blues festivals including the Storm Warning Festival, Bayfront Blues Festival, Twin Cities All-star Festival of the Blues, the Tulsa OK. Blues Festival, and the Eureka Springs AR. Blues Festival to name a few.

In 1992 Mischo left to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Steve Grosshans, and work was begun immediately on the next recording. May of '93 brought a change in name, Rockin Daddy and the Rough Cuts, and the release of the critically acclaimed CD Straight Shooter on Blue Loon records. This CD brought about return engagements at both the 1993 Twin Cities All-star Festival of the Blues for their own set and a set backing Blues legend Snooky Prior, and the 1993 Bayfront Blues Festival. The band played through 1996 and took a hiatus while the members pursued personal projects. After reforming in 1999 with a new rhythm section, the band released their second CD, Blues and Tall Tales in April of 2000. The disc received excellent reviews from local and national media as well as airplay on local radio and brought about a live appearance on TPT's News Night television program.