On
July 4 1961, The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was
designated as a U.S. National Landmark. To commemorate the authorization
the city fathers hired Ernie Kemm - who would later pen "Here's to
Colorado," the state's official centennial song.
"We
began performing together as a duo in Denver with Al Fike," said Tom
MacCluskey. "Ernie was playing piano, I played drums, and sometimes
piano."
When Kemm received the
call to write the Narrow Gauge record, he had a regular gig at the Back
Door in Denver. He enlisted the help of MacCluskey to arrange the
recording, and put together a group of studio musicians.
"I
actually hired some of the best jazz musicians in Denver to play on
it," MacCluskey said. "I had Neil Bridge on piano, and Derryl Goes on
drums, who later toured with Stan Kenton."
Recorded
in Denver, at Western Cine Recording Studio, the record features the
vocal stylings of 10-year old Becky Ann Todeschi, of Durango.
"I
never even met her," said MacCluskey. "We laid down the instrumental
tracks and she overdubbed her voice - she wasn't in the studio."
"...authentic
on-the-spot sounds recorded at departure time at the D&RGW
depot in Durango, will capture your imagination as you hear the train
actually whistle, the drumbeats and bells of the dancing Indians, plus
the call of "all aboard"....
The single was later re-released on the Durango label (Durango 101-year unknown).
Tom MacCluskey, who had previously never been to Durango, moved to the town in 2000, and is now a regular performer at the Mahogany Grille. He also hosts a Sunday morning classical music program on KDUR radio.
Visit MacCluskey bio on Mahogany Grille site.
The single was later re-released on the Durango label (Durango 101-year unknown).
Tom MacCluskey, who had previously never been to Durango, moved to the town in 2000, and is now a regular performer at the Mahogany Grille. He also hosts a Sunday morning classical music program on KDUR radio.
Visit MacCluskey bio on Mahogany Grille site.
Shortly
after the release of the Narrow Gauge disc, Kemm released another
record on the Spur label, "The Trail They Call the Navajo / Songs of the
Navajos." He would also go on to record for the Denver-based Band Box
label ("Here Kitty Kitty" / "Larimer Square" - Band Box label 369).
In 1965 Kemm left Colorado for New York City. He is now a regular cruise ship performer. He was unavailable to comment on this story.
In 1965 Kemm left Colorado for New York City. He is now a regular cruise ship performer. He was unavailable to comment on this story.
Attempts to locate Becky Ann Todeschi were unsuccessful.
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