Tom Rose and John Drake, the founders of the Dorymen, are both from two communities in Fortune Bay, a few miles apart, Bay du Nord and Belleoram. They learned very early in life to enjoy the good and simple things.

As is tradition on da Rock, life, no matter if good or bad, is put to verse and sung by one and all. At a very early age, Tom and John grew up to love music and song.

Both men, like so many other Newfoundlanders, had to leave their homes to seek employment. Eventually, they both ended up in Halifax and John met Tom at a house party where Newfoundland music was being played and sung. John sang, Tom played the accordion, and a lasting music-filled friendship developed.

The other dorymen are Al Parsons on drums and Ken Griswold on bass guitar. They were not born in Newfoundland, but their spirit is full of the wonderful sound of Newfie Music.

Dave Murphy, a native of Halifax, who they changed from Rock and Roll music to the Traditional Newfoundland Music, later replaced Al.

A later addition to the group was female vocalist Linda Stone. She never complained about the group's name.