The Ohio Express

I grew up sitting on a blanket with my little brother, in random bars and venues, while my dad played guitar in The Ohio Express (far right-top pic / far left-bottom two pics).

The Ohio Express had some major hits in the late 60’s- Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, Chewy Chewy, Mercy, Down at Lulu’s & Firebird. These songs have been played around the world in movies, television and radio since then.

Doug Grassel (my dad) was 19 years old when they appeared on the Dick Clark Show. I remember stories of him meeting Jimmy Hendricks (before he was well known), at a local bar in Nashville at 3am, riffing guitar after a concert and other stories about meeting countless other musicians during the late 60’s.

My dad was fun and free-spirited. To my dad, everything was “yummy”. I remember riding in the car, shooting the shit with him about a business name for my cupcake company. He asked, “What about Cupcake Yum Yum”?. I laughed and then thought, that’s not bad actually- it’s catchy and fun! My first business became Cupcake Yum Yum. As he got older he supported me in my music career (opera) and my business, pranking me, leaving messages on my voicemail ordering 1000’s of cupcakes. My claim to fame is bringing Maple Bacon cupcakes to Columbus (now ironically, I’m plant-based). I had a great few years with that company before moving into wedding cakes. ‍ ‍

My dad died tragically, in Germany, doing what he loved…playing music. I wanted to keep him alive in a fun way. When I started my wedding cake company and was making French style pastry as a pastry chef, my husband suggested I use the French word for “yum” in my new business. Miam Cake was born. I think you can assume the rest. After 20 years of “pastry cheffing”, I branched out into chocolate making and now use Miam Cacao as my business name.

I love you dad!