tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24279861422008061582024-03-16T11:48:33.876-07:00Elk BuglesObscure music history from the Rocky Mountain State.Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.comBlogger405125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-52925406908612860682024-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:002024-03-01T10:58:18.742-08:00Alice Forsyth and Chauncey Parsons - Colorado's First American Idols (1916)<div style="text-align: left;">In 1916, long before <i>American Idol</i>, <i>The Voice,</i> and the myriad of other talent competition shows, the Columbia Graphophone Company held a talent contest in Denver, to find the "two best amateur voices in Colorado." The winners would receive a trip to New York City and travel to Bridgeport, Conn., to visit Columbia "laboratories" (this was before they were called studios), to make a record. Money raised from the recording would go toward a scholarship fund for other amateur singers. </div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68ZqoDg_9Kqz98FRwxhX8Xa8w-xv5Nxr4oYVhEPVbBbGxYR33BGBq4gU4nYuWUy_2jcBl5R18bnPVrGHbgsBFalYqJLzzaqpauiFOQ7YsDA7DWe2NqL1zr8O_rJq_a_d3_Uokns6c0RkitM1N7jVwiV7-ZJgkUCPDyC4HwDZu5iqRPPhA2WghiGvkCDk/s803/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-31%20at%204.43.13%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="803" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68ZqoDg_9Kqz98FRwxhX8Xa8w-xv5Nxr4oYVhEPVbBbGxYR33BGBq4gU4nYuWUy_2jcBl5R18bnPVrGHbgsBFalYqJLzzaqpauiFOQ7YsDA7DWe2NqL1zr8O_rJq_a_d3_Uokns6c0RkitM1N7jVwiV7-ZJgkUCPDyC4HwDZu5iqRPPhA2WghiGvkCDk/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-31%20at%204.43.13%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The first mention of the contest appeared in the May 15, 1916 issue of the <i>Rocky Mountain News. </i><br /></p><p>Previously, singing contests were local events, held at fairs, churches, or even bars. Prizes were minimal. Contest winners would compete for everything from small cash prizes and ribbons, to desktop statues of Mozart. The lure of being recorded, on a nationally-known music label flooded the paper with entries. <span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">According to the <i>Boulder Daily Camera</i>, a total of 431 people entered the contest, sponsored by the Columbia Gramophone Company, and the <i>Rocky Mountain News-Denver Times</i>. Out of those entries, 12 singers would perform live. </span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">More than 4,000 people packed the Denver Auditorium to witness the competition. It was reported that "2,000 were turned away." </span><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"> </span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">The singers would be judged by
Colorado College Music Professor Edward Danforth Hale, University of
Colorado Music Professor George M. Chadwick, along with Henry Housley,
L.B. Longacre, and J. Nicoll Vroom.</span><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"> </span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">Participants included Chauncey Parsons of Boulder, Mrs. William Frantz of Lafayette, Royden Massey, Alfonso Ortiz, N.S. MacDonald, Edward Hartwell, Milner Gleaves, Stella Toffler, Gertrude Livingston, Alice Forsyth, Jane Crawford, and Mary Bowles, all of Denver.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnYkP2irCxLXsK7bTQoIOq395tz_Bpviu0MdTY-JWKOtH_s8Jkbul3guLrGrne4YyXrtTASVqQMNP17YhoNju4FIhQK2uAuswqMOD7rzKh6-QHjpdFZ4wFheod3xT_bZtcnrrcdBGuw-7i6lPMtnbtkiMn9USEHtDNtYPY1-xJiqsU549KoGHIvixT9c/s3024/IMG_5291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2359" data-original-width="3024" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnYkP2irCxLXsK7bTQoIOq395tz_Bpviu0MdTY-JWKOtH_s8Jkbul3guLrGrne4YyXrtTASVqQMNP17YhoNju4FIhQK2uAuswqMOD7rzKh6-QHjpdFZ4wFheod3xT_bZtcnrrcdBGuw-7i6lPMtnbtkiMn9USEHtDNtYPY1-xJiqsU549KoGHIvixT9c/s320/IMG_5291.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">Photo from the sold out contest finals, at Denver Auditorium. Winners pictures in inset (click to enlarge).</span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">The two winners were chosen based on a criteria of "natural voice, tone production, interpretation and diction." Of the one dozen finalists, Chauncey Parsons and Alice Forsyth would emerge as the "best voices in Colorado."<br /></span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">The following day, the two left for New York City, where they were greeted by reporters eager to meet the newest singing discoveries. Just three months later, Columbia would release the contest record (Columbia 60935 / 1916).</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuROxForn6PiSe2VDZ0C2U6ARTd1ProxeBC5ysjCeIUxyYFLVgUpJw8cJOC75ogwfdH4WLjM7xqBNQzujy687O2wj66G7-SJytc0ReQbtdp70lJLrYUui8U___-YPfn_t6XG4So_3rjlhXXG1Pro_PVkFJyS77dihFrLD2pulpVEZGXwh-GCnh74ZjPA/s2611/IMG_5315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="2581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuROxForn6PiSe2VDZ0C2U6ARTd1ProxeBC5ysjCeIUxyYFLVgUpJw8cJOC75ogwfdH4WLjM7xqBNQzujy687O2wj66G7-SJytc0ReQbtdp70lJLrYUui8U___-YPfn_t6XG4So_3rjlhXXG1Pro_PVkFJyS77dihFrLD2pulpVEZGXwh-GCnh74ZjPA/s320/IMG_5315.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/aliceforsyth.mp3" target="_blank">Hear sample of "Last Rose of Summer" - Alice Forsyth</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj018L4wKUXqSoc2KQ-e0lBs9XguxcVKDlviCw9LkJOPtuhAX6iXZ_lMxCGtF5YdBboFmOIOOwHFXIsj9czcYVBdFzTFzSGoisTzoJrsOhFIm3oZdnaZf1bBdB_ofO896cMtIQL5RIg7VNsB6t2OVnQL0KQ5CaE_cMYqR65Iihjj9A_Y9dXeQMdotop3YA/s2729/IMG_5314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="2686" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj018L4wKUXqSoc2KQ-e0lBs9XguxcVKDlviCw9LkJOPtuhAX6iXZ_lMxCGtF5YdBboFmOIOOwHFXIsj9czcYVBdFzTFzSGoisTzoJrsOhFIm3oZdnaZf1bBdB_ofO896cMtIQL5RIg7VNsB6t2OVnQL0KQ5CaE_cMYqR65Iihjj9A_Y9dXeQMdotop3YA/s320/IMG_5314.jpg" width="315" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/chaunceyparsons.mp3">Hear sample of "Mother Machree" - Chauncey Parsons <br /></a></span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">The two would embark on a brief promotional tour, for Columbia, however they would soon take different directions in their performance careers. <br /></span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">Shortly after the contest, Alice Forstyth would be engaged to wed John Marsh Mosher, who was born in Greeley. She told reporters that "marriage would not affect her singing career." Her wedding was held the following year, in Greeley. Royden Massey, who was one of the original twelve contestants, sang at her ceremony. While she spent her post-contest years back in Colorado, the newly-married couple would later move to Los Angeles. Alice would perform mostly in California, and appear on KHJ radio, but she eventually decided not to pursue a career in show business. She passed away in 1991.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYVtm-k4-az97N21M6wMs6_jx0MxTbZyzXXQ_uw_OLsO6EgAhiemXAFKyDWrvc-zpPGPqRHfw6YvCdVWM1WonVINrAj6gbLF5RY22OtzvX2gzDkgOZ4QdKaoKNfIGBMD0hr4wSuxCghSrYQeVTelrlSGCXZwuT40sao4rg3eIEOuHQtGX_ZBL0jviNKc/s1041/IMG_5292.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1041" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYVtm-k4-az97N21M6wMs6_jx0MxTbZyzXXQ_uw_OLsO6EgAhiemXAFKyDWrvc-zpPGPqRHfw6YvCdVWM1WonVINrAj6gbLF5RY22OtzvX2gzDkgOZ4QdKaoKNfIGBMD0hr4wSuxCghSrYQeVTelrlSGCXZwuT40sao4rg3eIEOuHQtGX_ZBL0jviNKc/s320/IMG_5292.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">Photo of official contest winner recording session (click to enlarge). <b><br /></b></span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">Chauncey Parsons' singing career took a huge leap, after recording the disc </span><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"><b>(note: </b></span><b>Before 1925, all 78s were recorded by the artist singing or
speaking into a horn, as shown above. The voice directly vibrated the
recording stylus. These were called "acoustic" recordings). </b><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">After appearing on numerous stages, (including Broadway) he would be one of the first performers on the new invention - radio. Parsons would go on to have a regular show on KDKA, in Pittsburgh, the first commercial radio station to sign on, in 1920. Just two years later, he would perform at Carnegie Hall, in New York City, the first of his two appearances there While his live performances were often hailed as "spectacular" (he performed again at Carnegie Hall in 1926), his recording career never took off. In 1926 he recorded "Sunrise and You" / "One Little Dream of Love" for the Victor label. However, according to the label archives, the songs were never released. The following year he would leave KDKA and move back to New York City. In 1930, he tried one more time to make a record, "In the Gloaming," for RCA. The disc was meant to be a promotional record for Northwestern Yeast Company. Label ledgers indicate that the master recording was "personal"; it was made on commission or not intended for release. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJylK65s8K7Q9MxYKfdHwF4QS7ZLqROJ5OWruJdJbKFcJ9cCmhqXdxxFszvLPs6r9edrWGXXFcBjQPBOeLCLx_bWX2AbE-ZDkiXHpNGi_JcLsKjvxfpIuhYounikC-fOO3i9Arm8EQ6pYUrPNvW65WGSYThDoMbyb9u_S-OKHna9MpibGkDl1CMS2ia5I/s2774/IMG_5287.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="2118" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJylK65s8K7Q9MxYKfdHwF4QS7ZLqROJ5OWruJdJbKFcJ9cCmhqXdxxFszvLPs6r9edrWGXXFcBjQPBOeLCLx_bWX2AbE-ZDkiXHpNGi_JcLsKjvxfpIuhYounikC-fOO3i9Arm8EQ6pYUrPNvW65WGSYThDoMbyb9u_S-OKHna9MpibGkDl1CMS2ia5I/s320/IMG_5287.jpg" width="244" /></a><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4"> <br /></span></p><p><span class="trackTitle_CTKp4">In 1932 he was pictured on the cover of sheet music, for the song "Here's Hoping." That same year he was featured in <i>Radio Dial</i>, where it mentioned his involvement with the Chicago Civic Opera, and his upcoming extensive tour of the western United States. In the 1935 issue of <i>Radio Personalitie</i>s, he is highlighted among Rudy Vallée, Fred Waring, and fellow Denverite, Paul Whiteman. That same year he moved on to WLW radio in Cincinnati, OH., where he performed as "The
Singing Neighbor" for almost ten years. </span></p><p>As was the case with most entertainers, in the 1940s, he joined the military. In 1945 it was reported that he was a lieutenant colonel, serving in Europe. The trail goes cold, after that. If you have any additional information, please contact me. </p><p>As for plans to replicate the singing contest, in other cities? Colorado was the first and only state to take part. Columbia never held another similar event. It's unknown how much money was raised for the intended "scholarship." </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJJy4r4d2X-VLVukQx2X7ZHAz9vdzyHrpxfcosMaNPf_92pQm42LftWpg1H9Vm8yy4f6b5uAmgeOnmPCrsWHC_pVOnTsti5qmsJsyoWfZyXLuE5bpQAfpum1TDTaXHMiuQ-hZ8xImfbwOt04NIQqLqXbQWRwlWnhhZHk_Eywmh0cOvgAjj1XtE2wAh8c/s1119/IMG_6074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="891" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJJy4r4d2X-VLVukQx2X7ZHAz9vdzyHrpxfcosMaNPf_92pQm42LftWpg1H9Vm8yy4f6b5uAmgeOnmPCrsWHC_pVOnTsti5qmsJsyoWfZyXLuE5bpQAfpum1TDTaXHMiuQ-hZ8xImfbwOt04NIQqLqXbQWRwlWnhhZHk_Eywmh0cOvgAjj1XtE2wAh8c/s320/IMG_6074.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><p></p><p>While this is an early recording example of a Colorado artist, the first known Colorado singer to record goes to <a href="https://cmhof.org/inductees/elizabeth-spencer/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Spencer</a> (shown above), who recorded an estimated 600 pieces for the Edison label, from 1910-1916. She later recorded for the Victor label, before passing away, in 1930. <br /></p></div>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-11813196524140683572024-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:002024-02-01T08:00:00.389-08:00Foster's Old Time Fiddlers<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazMa5wWc2gxLvi3zHCCGP8qMqyGuv0O1CPre6EyBNGb2xvc9ubtW4ScGH48X5gVAAev2t-qhVEIiqQAFQij5XSvlGfVds0iTruVC0REBL-iBS8Po3wIH_8XKrTn06NvYH-hDzrISv2BbLRzXhh9KXAY5YqFKfITUNCYmHGyjWd1-dp6LpyJH-5SDt874/s1204/IMG_5202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="764" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazMa5wWc2gxLvi3zHCCGP8qMqyGuv0O1CPre6EyBNGb2xvc9ubtW4ScGH48X5gVAAev2t-qhVEIiqQAFQij5XSvlGfVds0iTruVC0REBL-iBS8Po3wIH_8XKrTn06NvYH-hDzrISv2BbLRzXhh9KXAY5YqFKfITUNCYmHGyjWd1-dp6LpyJH-5SDt874/s320/IMG_5202.jpg" width="203" /></a></p><p>Charles D. Foster was born in Nebraska, in 1880. His family later moved to Oklahoma, then (drum roll, please) Colorado. Musically proficient, Foster could play a number of instruments. It was in Colorado where he began his love of square dancing and fiddle music. Much like his famous-counterpart, Lloyd "Pappy" Shaw, Foster promoted square dance throughout the state, calling dances throughout Colorado, with his band Foster Folkway Features / C.D. Foster Orchestra. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c3kdjQSpoRrP92u9cvYIxbTi9FhEex26OrpT2RJF2idPL-mElS_g4k8ar3MRzDKslp15ymTFqPRn78wNkouenwhEcfAk0g_9LuGBEW7mt7VmkzDbwZnPwpKECk8TMZRaPEbuyQMCAXIZrlK305btMKIOQQHETW1xAiiKqQDrVhkfn2rV2CGfIOu_ax4/s1350/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-21%20at%202.53.35%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1350" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c3kdjQSpoRrP92u9cvYIxbTi9FhEex26OrpT2RJF2idPL-mElS_g4k8ar3MRzDKslp15ymTFqPRn78wNkouenwhEcfAk0g_9LuGBEW7mt7VmkzDbwZnPwpKECk8TMZRaPEbuyQMCAXIZrlK305btMKIOQQHETW1xAiiKqQDrVhkfn2rV2CGfIOu_ax4/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-21%20at%202.53.35%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Aurora Democrat - Dec. 4, 1942</b></p><p>In 1942, Foster penned what was considered the first set of dance "cards" (square dance calls used by announcers). <i>Learn to Dance the Foster Way</i> were so successful, he printed a second volume. A third set would feature caller Charlie Thomas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyv0d8QJg3J8Unu3-fWfzceoLWfKZaajIq7gFhfc61fFtIK0ms6B3Ugnif1SHob2MjL0k9vq_9wpHKk80MPs8eeT-UGyqqT7VlKtd8faB1b2N3UL7BJDK9Zgqh1GjfeFdNTuj5mMOqCoNj9TcqZgwhdhlMS8Z6Ycq-jX542CuzfkQGsvq4LJs36MQBOI/s1197/booklets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1197" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyv0d8QJg3J8Unu3-fWfzceoLWfKZaajIq7gFhfc61fFtIK0ms6B3Ugnif1SHob2MjL0k9vq_9wpHKk80MPs8eeT-UGyqqT7VlKtd8faB1b2N3UL7BJDK9Zgqh1GjfeFdNTuj5mMOqCoNj9TcqZgwhdhlMS8Z6Ycq-jX542CuzfkQGsvq4LJs36MQBOI/s320/booklets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdb31reJzDVquuS34wKh57adfXgXn82DVj0mgIEjFbtiD12pN3jkY4rVZeSqljehCUW934E4olvlYwN4aaKQM2vgzJ1thMoGsbym8uTJmc9buY2m0pSkpZUi_f2EczhF4RsSln58ANOijnsxKLHyYciwKp-F_PKElPnN9eGiKPkZg_APGNoG0CETM5GUw/s4032/IMG_5186.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdb31reJzDVquuS34wKh57adfXgXn82DVj0mgIEjFbtiD12pN3jkY4rVZeSqljehCUW934E4olvlYwN4aaKQM2vgzJ1thMoGsbym8uTJmc9buY2m0pSkpZUi_f2EczhF4RsSln58ANOijnsxKLHyYciwKp-F_PKElPnN9eGiKPkZg_APGNoG0CETM5GUw/s320/IMG_5186.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Click to enlarge</b></p><p>The test pressing records featured were discovered at a South Denver area estate sale, in a custom case. These are an amazing Colorado music find, which were destined for the trash, on the last day of the sale (whew). They were made in 1948 and notes K-W
Recording, which is otherwise known as the Folkraft label (home of Grady Hester, Shorty Warren, Harold Goodfellow, and the Folkrafters). Interesting to note, the Folkraft Country Dance Orchestra featured early Pete Seeger recordings (1946). </p><p>According to a story in <i>Let's Dance</i> (December 1948 issue) - "Veteran square dancers have always clamored for twelve-inch unbreakable records of music without calls. The new Folkraft "Homesteader" series of four records on vinylite certainly satisfies this need. Music is by C. D. Foster's Old Time Fiddlers—and is the real "fiddlin'" music traditionally authentic to the square dance. Callers, accustomed to the orchestra-type music (all that was previously available) may find these strange to work with at first—but they are the real stuff. These records are obtainable singly, and are numbered F-1026 to F-1029. Some of the titles are intriguing. "Steamboat Bill," "Speed the Plow," "Mississippi Sawyer," "Down in the Tall Grass," etc." <b>(NOTE: Denver's Lorraine Wingo [1926-2004], known for her accordion talents on the <i>Western Caravan</i> TV show, with Daughters of the Pioneers and Gene Autry, also recorded on the label, that same year - F-1023-1025). </b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjfZ3KSUxG4JyO0GYAZ8J-WtbRFStDDZb82sPSUIfNHbnScfA-BCUJpdICxsG9ediGqQUkvOIYJq2AH4-Gf7VYicqB_ag9M4RGbv5ROQwS3dZznSvr5dpaA4QLTorcXTS0CEtq092UAdFfeTOXaAqDPqKjM9nHieRn9DlrV9xzzOqNdbJFUcHYgrm66E/s1800/IMG_5213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjfZ3KSUxG4JyO0GYAZ8J-WtbRFStDDZb82sPSUIfNHbnScfA-BCUJpdICxsG9ediGqQUkvOIYJq2AH4-Gf7VYicqB_ag9M4RGbv5ROQwS3dZznSvr5dpaA4QLTorcXTS0CEtq092UAdFfeTOXaAqDPqKjM9nHieRn9DlrV9xzzOqNdbJFUcHYgrm66E/s320/IMG_5213.jpg" width="318" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/MississippiSawyer.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to a sample of "Mississippi Sawyer"</a></b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6iGJRgm8VRauRnDddgrZQRRqd1k8Sug3lpBLw7F8pp2pyb5wRPog9nNUAXLxSYydQBGF7OyDvOOXI-QCgXfyidyfDjxGgG__Q2qb6z1L8w89a2EzHBTm8SEm3c1ECazq9QEM6MP71_boaxg4J6C1xQg-pSbfDR_S-70BqguLZIhlgIRdL9OIX3au9O4/s1560/IMG_5212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1560" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6iGJRgm8VRauRnDddgrZQRRqd1k8Sug3lpBLw7F8pp2pyb5wRPog9nNUAXLxSYydQBGF7OyDvOOXI-QCgXfyidyfDjxGgG__Q2qb6z1L8w89a2EzHBTm8SEm3c1ECazq9QEM6MP71_boaxg4J6C1xQg-pSbfDR_S-70BqguLZIhlgIRdL9OIX3au9O4/s320/IMG_5212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/TallGrass.mp3" target="_blank"><b>Listen to a sample of "Down in the Tall Grass"</b></a><br /></p><p>Foster's band would continue to tour throughout the 1940s, appearing
as a regular at the Moose Hall in Denver, and the Golden Chateau club,
in Golden. </p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju-bqykqq_wSZV0N2Osg3TLF2lNQmokLRku1Jgnt5WeIbDBwQUYHx9NbSZvBynAgmsZHt5nPlW0R9_jCrV1utovhDHPuY_XTEzreXuzZVclG-qUFe5qTHZ4QEuYeQbBj73eXDBRWcCYCLAibPmtqS_lX9Ws4z47KUQ2UoS1ku7EOfTXvPB8Rg9ndX124M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="329" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju-bqykqq_wSZV0N2Osg3TLF2lNQmokLRku1Jgnt5WeIbDBwQUYHx9NbSZvBynAgmsZHt5nPlW0R9_jCrV1utovhDHPuY_XTEzreXuzZVclG-qUFe5qTHZ4QEuYeQbBj73eXDBRWcCYCLAibPmtqS_lX9Ws4z47KUQ2UoS1ku7EOfTXvPB8Rg9ndX124M=w105-h294" width="105" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> Colorado Transcript - April 21, 1949 (click to enlarge)</b><br /></p><p>In 1947, Foster appeared as an associate editor of <i>American Squares</i> magazine. He died in 1976, and is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Wheat Ridge.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-71514319702095933832024-01-01T12:28:00.000-08:002024-01-01T12:29:01.018-08:00Penny Carson Nichols Vinyl Release<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-2BsK3PgdtCAg3uRmOKiy9HB9ZWT_VZS99INr8TILd_jAR7aJ_bvnupvZCx_v54Dr9Xy0QAhIC0RfzyMhKlu7TImPEe6an3Z24aXB5qo1Ui4scuqMlThp3TrI_b8xQa4ZFxV1sH31u-fDdkLTVbxhKvGgkEo9gVsC88BH4aUjyTNKAMpaEXY414FbTc/s1364/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-01%20at%201.10.36%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1323" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-2BsK3PgdtCAg3uRmOKiy9HB9ZWT_VZS99INr8TILd_jAR7aJ_bvnupvZCx_v54Dr9Xy0QAhIC0RfzyMhKlu7TImPEe6an3Z24aXB5qo1Ui4scuqMlThp3TrI_b8xQa4ZFxV1sH31u-fDdkLTVbxhKvGgkEo9gVsC88BH4aUjyTNKAMpaEXY414FbTc/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-01%20at%201.10.36%20PM.png" width="310" /></a></div><p></p><p>What a way to start the new year!</p><p>I've kept this news quiet for almost three years (and it's been brutal). Shortly after my <a href="http://www.elkbugles.com/2021/01/only-on-cassette-penny-carson-nichols.html" target="_blank">January 2021 post</a>, I was contacted by Yoga Records, with interest to re-release the Penny Carson Nichols cassette. </p><p>The result is spectacular. Only 500 of these masterpieces will be available, on vinyl. If you are a fan of Connie Converse, Sibylle Baier, Molly Drake, and Vashti Bunyan, you will love this previously-unreleased Colorado find.</p>
<p></p><p><a href="https://yogarecords.bandcamp.com/album/trinidad-seed" target="_blank">Preorder yours, today.</a> (February, 2024 vinyl release, or download today).</p><p>My thanks to Penny, for trusting us all with her work. I'm so glad your beautiful voice will now be shared with a larger audience. Thank you to Douglas McGowan, at Yoga Records, for his constant pursuit of music which needs to be heard. Thank you to Tyler Craft
and Chris Cohen for your producing and mastering magic. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-9189198942950214702023-12-14T14:34:00.000-08:002023-12-14T14:41:18.651-08:00Rockley Music - Lakewood, Colorado<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7S-QWMrO51N921Z9RZYNiqBhPnIIMX6rOteiYY2Ma68iAs60qPVtgSku6AfTs9MDvWiS5_OETi6uduzCU95GBRvOWKxfBiKc64MpyRs7SnuSunthU1gZeRv1BM-IABg-C75FEOPRrO8Pn4HbVAtR2UxZpwJfynes-p50TVN3DbPe1eV7SxcFstzyTtM/s1179/IMG_4695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1179" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7S-QWMrO51N921Z9RZYNiqBhPnIIMX6rOteiYY2Ma68iAs60qPVtgSku6AfTs9MDvWiS5_OETi6uduzCU95GBRvOWKxfBiKc64MpyRs7SnuSunthU1gZeRv1BM-IABg-C75FEOPRrO8Pn4HbVAtR2UxZpwJfynes-p50TVN3DbPe1eV7SxcFstzyTtM/s320/IMG_4695.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/rockley.mp3" target="_blank"> Listen to audio</a></div><p>Wanted to post this cardboard flexi from the Rockley Music Company, Lakewood. I can only guess that this was supposed to be like a radio commercial (given the :30 length), but sadly there is no year to attach to this. No ID on who the announcer is. As is the case with most older flexi discs, the sound quality is atrocious. <br /></p><p>Rockley Music began in 1946 by Melvin and Mildred Rockley. Its Colfax location stayed in business <a href="https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/rockley-music-center-in-lakewood-closing-after-73-years-in-business/73-42f87a1e-1d0e-4c1a-b92c-3632c106bd7a" target="_blank">until 2019</a>, later moving to Wheat Ridge. The family also runs the <a href="https://www.rockleyfamilyfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Rockley Family Foundation</a>.</p><p>Sorry for the long absence. Had to
take about a year off from posting to work on other projects, one of
which includes a soon-to-be re-release of a previously-unknown Colorado
recording. Very excited to share that will you, in the next couple of
months. All good.<br /></p><p>I can't guarantee I'm back to regular posts, but I hope to keep this blog semi-active in 2024.</p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-34907772134058836132022-12-01T14:08:00.001-08:002022-12-01T15:14:39.050-08:00Doug Rymerson (Lead Guitarist for The Trolls)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLipfKCsJ5l7ACo5qMVZ4aqki309goIUurlYehuBP6mEiLQIUofDZWaAQCQFDjxwgX6UqMaYgm29i2Q-9koi6YG4bWRUkXy2er7uCnjLFUGIxW62d1rJFy3Jf2Iq2hoDTFD5JTb8zHzNt7hB816zKl75eDVS-76S9U6lU-Xf-gA7Q-UhZZP3QWN06_/s1069/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-01%20at%202.59.48%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="923" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLipfKCsJ5l7ACo5qMVZ4aqki309goIUurlYehuBP6mEiLQIUofDZWaAQCQFDjxwgX6UqMaYgm29i2Q-9koi6YG4bWRUkXy2er7uCnjLFUGIxW62d1rJFy3Jf2Iq2hoDTFD5JTb8zHzNt7hB816zKl75eDVS-76S9U6lU-Xf-gA7Q-UhZZP3QWN06_/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-01%20at%202.59.48%20PM.png" width="276" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Doug Rymerson (right) with Phil Head (photo courtesy of Phil Head)<br /></p><p>Sad news to report that Doug Rymerson, the lead guitarist for the iconic <a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/IDontRecall.mp3" target="_blank">garage rock band The Trolls</a> (audio), has passed away.</p><p>The news came by way of Trolls drummer Phil Head, who shared this tribute:</p><p>"<span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u" dir="auto">I
learned this morning of the passing of Doug Rymerson (Digger) lead
guitar for the Trolls. A more gentle spirit you could not find. I shared
my first apartment with him and lived together in several places. He
was the TROLL I was closest to. We were drinking buddies back in the
day. Denny (RIP), Digger, and myself shared a mobile home for a short time. Digger spent endless hours
meticulously learning the latest songs. His work ethic had much to do
with our success. He was from St Paul, Minnesota and I spent a Christmas
with him and his parents getting to meet all of his high school friends.
All being gentle people help to explain his demeanor. I am so glad I
got to spend part of my musical life with him. God bless you Digger, you
made many people happy while you were with us." </span></p><p><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u" dir="auto"><a href="http://www.elkbugles.com/2015/01/monty-baker-and-trolls-in-pictures.html" target="_blank">More pictures of the group </a><br /></span></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-50585289444395773572022-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:002022-11-07T07:00:00.194-08:00Our Next Governor March - A.W. McIntire<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfWk5DDEX_-Bzkb-29FkBlV-S1BGCpAAtlL66ARnkv5a7KwSfNlREHS7y_QyfUiMcqaCQ-j-PuPvuOQDrzTaB8IIoWr-e1O47erXyOlXcwMp1MBffyf5JUvnAeVCo3q3kvec6CkMYL1g/s2048/IMG_4185.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfWk5DDEX_-Bzkb-29FkBlV-S1BGCpAAtlL66ARnkv5a7KwSfNlREHS7y_QyfUiMcqaCQ-j-PuPvuOQDrzTaB8IIoWr-e1O47erXyOlXcwMp1MBffyf5JUvnAeVCo3q3kvec6CkMYL1g/s320/IMG_4185.heic" width="240" /></a></p><p></p><p>Hey all! Finally getting around to filing a stack of sheet music I have, and (re)discovered this amazing find - a 1894 copy of "Our Next Governor March."</p><p>Nice early political Colorado piece, as it appears to be a composition hyping recently-elected Governor Albert Willis McIntire.</p><p>This has to be the first piece of music memorabilia mentioning the tiny San Luis Valley town of Conejos (below the governor's name).</p><p>Yes, I did noticed that the last name of the governor (and his hometown
city name) is spelled wrong. I guess in the hurry to print, accidents
happen. </p><p>Composed by C.E. Anderson, the instrumental was published by Argenta
Music, Denver. It lists J.J. Guentherodt as its copyright holder.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDN4LVSxNIHlBrPzhp830CUfBb75LIPJ3o6JBijfNJhsmAkgk8Q7YyzeI2CAnOyiDj52ZAkcDzXSgWQA2GjSAY-N5LbKqDCz4nqdWPvrgbXu7UN0kRQyi_PIUZe-d7V-kyUrD94VNh9Y/s511/Screen+Shot+2021-09-29+at+5.46.47+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="391" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDN4LVSxNIHlBrPzhp830CUfBb75LIPJ3o6JBijfNJhsmAkgk8Q7YyzeI2CAnOyiDj52ZAkcDzXSgWQA2GjSAY-N5LbKqDCz4nqdWPvrgbXu7UN0kRQyi_PIUZe-d7V-kyUrD94VNh9Y/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-09-29+at+5.46.47+PM.png" width="245" /></a></div><p></p><p>McIntire was Colorado governor from 1895-1897. According to his obituary he was originally from Pittsburgh, but relocated to Colorado in 1876. He announced his run for governor, in 1894. In the general
election, he defeated the Populist Governor David H. Waite and the
Democrat Charles Thomas. During his administration, leasing of state
lands was limited to ten years, the State Bureau of Mines was created,
and the age of consent for girls was raised from sixteen to eighteen. In
June of 1896, he sent the state militia to Leadville to put down a
strike of silver miners. His term ended on January 12, 1897 and he
resumed the practice of law and ranching in the San Luis Valley. <span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif, font-size: 14px,">He purchased a large cattle ranch on the Conejos River, north of the
present day town of La Jara.</span></p><p><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif, font-size: 14px,"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVqcOe8zkvzu-rBZ4TKAxiC4IYCrhJy5PW0enb-T9stFYYRKs_NwFxKMN3YQk84k8IfeZUEVXFgkr8bIjeep89sDCSoc6s8cT5zpCsHTD1QWu2iosB1wjJ3RRSjVmFmeWo7EOuFbZum4/s700/Screen+Shot+2021-09-29+at+5.49.00+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVqcOe8zkvzu-rBZ4TKAxiC4IYCrhJy5PW0enb-T9stFYYRKs_NwFxKMN3YQk84k8IfeZUEVXFgkr8bIjeep89sDCSoc6s8cT5zpCsHTD1QWu2iosB1wjJ3RRSjVmFmeWo7EOuFbZum4/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-09-29+at+5.49.00+PM.png" width="241" /></a></div> <p></p><p>He died in 1935, and is buried in the La Jara Cemetery.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-79040905670201893482022-09-10T14:56:00.002-07:002022-09-10T14:56:48.437-07:00God Save the Queen<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd_a5i6hqj9XVkCbIm2bk4XCV-NB-NawTyeSkOZJwiF1kKylyU2ROc8KrHOrvRhuA6leLmfZA8uhnDMDjj7TNUNBdrmBHFRNBFsBYAK-omJcwRa20gWfkEyMv71_ApGL2ih2X0-7Htt26RAE2vT8XQdeBnx5xWYV058Xm5llZoV29P55o6aI0jeT6/s1418/IMG_6040.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="1418" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd_a5i6hqj9XVkCbIm2bk4XCV-NB-NawTyeSkOZJwiF1kKylyU2ROc8KrHOrvRhuA6leLmfZA8uhnDMDjj7TNUNBdrmBHFRNBFsBYAK-omJcwRa20gWfkEyMv71_ApGL2ih2X0-7Htt26RAE2vT8XQdeBnx5xWYV058Xm5llZoV29P55o6aI0jeT6/s320/IMG_6040.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Hey all. While the gender and royal title have recently changed, I wanted to post this rendition of "God Save the Queen," by the NORAD band. The EP features sign-off music for either radio or television (back when both would only stay on the air until midnight). Side one features "America The Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner." Side two includes "O Canada," and "God Save the Queen." Songs were directed by Major Vic Molzer and produced by Capt. Terry Hemeyer (1:10 audio below).<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRuOckR_Qql5WYVf7OmYlFvgZiJsJqKE0JJ22Y8lgeHutzhOnfGXnF2gW0nrR5D05otN2_MdEftYMZrsq1D-zt5JVY7Fx1lv4gkUDyk1zjzp3hSpYvFZQT3iUgZHUV1P-7UqjChrPi1c2_RZvjYOuXn8Uvs9UYpNlNISntADvoaNOkbAymrfsGYgQ/s1736/IMG_6041.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1736" data-original-width="1717" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRuOckR_Qql5WYVf7OmYlFvgZiJsJqKE0JJ22Y8lgeHutzhOnfGXnF2gW0nrR5D05otN2_MdEftYMZrsq1D-zt5JVY7Fx1lv4gkUDyk1zjzp3hSpYvFZQT3iUgZHUV1P-7UqjChrPi1c2_RZvjYOuXn8Uvs9UYpNlNISntADvoaNOkbAymrfsGYgQ/s320/IMG_6041.heic" width="316" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/GSTQ.mp3">Rest in peace, Your Majesty. </a><br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-85290608910192467682022-08-04T10:55:00.004-07:002022-09-01T07:46:07.365-07:00You'll really dig the action at Tulagi's!<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvBTJpaxHMN4KXU3gZwc8mvkvZw8YksMZ6WTAozOSSPvhmJAcmX1pi-j5x920X559m53QKthw1ftA9ZXQAwHr8B0E8FcH8khgEbH1KbHVbNx1lZYGVQ4DsA7aAbs0oZjwIFTWU-jI01PbczwK-MgDx30SfKXCQOW5PVTQ_ilWl0l7aMRBK7giQyH0/s917/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-04%20at%2011.41.09%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="917" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvBTJpaxHMN4KXU3gZwc8mvkvZw8YksMZ6WTAozOSSPvhmJAcmX1pi-j5x920X559m53QKthw1ftA9ZXQAwHr8B0E8FcH8khgEbH1KbHVbNx1lZYGVQ4DsA7aAbs0oZjwIFTWU-jI01PbczwK-MgDx30SfKXCQOW5PVTQ_ilWl0l7aMRBK7giQyH0/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-04%20at%2011.41.09%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Working on a massive reel-to-reel project, helping a friend sell off his incredible collection. Among the finds is this undated radio commercial for Tulagi, the historic Boulder bar. Warning, this catchy jingle will be an earworm! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/Tulagi.mp3" target="_blank">Listen</a><br /></p><p>I'm not going to copy and paste the hard work of others, so head over to the <a href="https://aboutboulder.com/blog/an-island-on-the-hill/" target="_blank">About Boulder</a> website, for more on this iconic location, and its rich music history.<br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-12596286554514905982022-07-06T18:11:00.001-07:002022-07-06T18:11:28.905-07:00The Greatest Musical Attraction in the History of Pueblo<p><i>A small portion of this story ran in the July issue of Pueblo County Historical Society </i>Lore<i> magazine. For whatever reason, the piece was missing the art, and other important details. Here is the story, in its entirety.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nG-lqT244z0H0J_L3oHaivLuxR3h1vm0PJnDZqUQ-CrybBqth9mB6dPsuUY8CmFapl2EC7ypBt46_IDXgOs3QG8VAik45FGKWd-A4y7QF5_4o5RH_OKcdEkoGDjy-kjpQu4WttWMgo2Ng3ySK6kM1BsSuuHwg_SkQn0r_ja5Fmzr52YmdvXTkuBc/s928/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%206.33.54%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nG-lqT244z0H0J_L3oHaivLuxR3h1vm0PJnDZqUQ-CrybBqth9mB6dPsuUY8CmFapl2EC7ypBt46_IDXgOs3QG8VAik45FGKWd-A4y7QF5_4o5RH_OKcdEkoGDjy-kjpQu4WttWMgo2Ng3ySK6kM1BsSuuHwg_SkQn0r_ja5Fmzr52YmdvXTkuBc/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%206.33.54%20PM.png" width="234" /></a></div>
<p>In 1917, in an effort to promote its new “talking machine” phonograph, the Victor company put together what was considered the first “super group” of musicians. The ensemble would be called The Record Maker Troupe, and originated with well-known performers Billy Murray, Henry Burr, Albert Campbell, John Meyer, Arthur Collins, and Byron Harlan, Teddy Morse and Vess Ossman.
</p><p>By 1922, a Victor Victrola cost a Pueblo music lover about $150, the equivalent to $2,500 today. For the average resident, coming out of the 1921 recession (and a devastating flood the previous year), it was a luxury many couldn’t afford. Many music stores, such as Knight-Campbell offered payment plans, as low as $3 a month (the equivalent to about $50 today). To encourage sales of record players, local Victor dealers Knight-Campbell, Silver State Music, and D.Z. Phillips Music stores convinced Victor to bring their recording stars (renamed the Eight Famous Victor Artists) to Pueblo. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> “You can hear them any day of your Victrola, but only this once can you look upon them actually, in person, and feel the magic of their buoyant personalities”
Pueblo Daily Chieftain - Jan. 19, 1922
</p><p></p>
<p>A large newspaper ad proclaimed the event, which was held at the City Auditorium, as “The Greatest Musical Attraction in the History of Pueblo.” It would feature a literal who’s who of Victor recording artists, of the day - Henry Burr, Monroe Silver (who replaced Byron Harlan), Frank Croxton (who had replaced Arthur Collins), John Meyer, Albert Campbell, Fred Van Eps (who replaced Vess Ossman), Frank Banta (who replaced Teddy Morse), Billy Murray, the Sterling Trio, and the Peerless Quartet. “It would be the first time in history these famous Victor artists have visited Pueblo. Fill the house Monday night, and they will come again,” the Feb. 12 Chieftain proclaimed. Ticket prices ranged from $1-$2.50 ($16-$41 today). Maybe thinking that the cost was too exorbitant for locals, the paper declared, “Oh you cannot afford to miss the Victor concert on the 13th of February. It will be great and well worth anyone’s time to hear.”
</p><p>Billy (“The Denver Nightingale”) Murray (1877-1954) was born in Philadelphia. His family moved to Denver in 1882. He is credited with calling attention to the music of George M. Cohan (“You’re a Grand Old Flag”). He would go on to record many other well-known songs - “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Over There,” and “Casey Jones.” He was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, in 2016.
</p><p>Henry Burr (Harry Haley McClaskey) had first come to Denver, in 1920, and would be considered one of the first performers to use a microphone. According to Popular American Recording Pioneers, “It is reported that he used wooden bowl with an inverted telephone transmitter, during the Denver show. The broadcast could be heard all the way to San Francisco. He was also a member of the Peerless Quartet and Sterling Trio. He died in 1941.
</p><p>Monroe Silver (1875-1947) was known as a comedian, whose routine used an exaggerated Yiddish dialect. His claim to fame was adapting vaudeville performer Joe Hayman’s earlier “Cohen on the Telephone” routine, into other Cohen routines - “Cohen Gets Married” (1918), “Cohen on His Honeymoon” (1918), “Cohen at the Picnic” (1919), “Cohen at the Movies” (1919), “Cohen Talks About the Ladies” (1919), “Cohen Takes His Friend to the Opera” (1921), He often performed with Billy Murray.
</p><p>Fred Van Eps (1878-1960) was a celebrated banjoist, and the father of jazz guitarist George Van Eps. He was the creator (along with Henry Burr) of the Van Eps Recording Banjo. He is often credited as influencing pre-bluegrass/roots musicians, including Charlie Poole (“Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down Blues,” “White House Blues,” “If I Lose, I Don’t Care,” “Sweet Sunny South,”).
</p><p>Albert Campbell (1872-1947), John Meyer (1877-1949), were members of both the Peerless Quartet and Sterling Trio, which were considered one of the most commercially successful groups of the era. The group made hundreds of recordings, including popular versions of songs such as "Sweet Adeline", "By the Light of the Silvery Moon", "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", and "I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)". Frank Coxton (1877-1949) was also a member of the Peerless Quartet. The groups broke up in 1928.
</p><p>Frank E. Banta (1897-1969) is not to be confused with his famous father, Frank P. Banta (1870-1903) was an early ragtime performer. Frank E Banta was a regular pianist with the Joseph C. Smith’s Orchestra, the Van Eps Trio and Quartet, the Club Royal Orchestra, and the Great White Way Orchestra.
</p><p>Five days before the big event, it was reported that “Present seat sale indications for the Eight Famous Victor Artists show that very few, if any, seats will be available after the next few days.” </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcL09rjB8KozGhNqB8ZCklPO3Gt--bjj3EFSN1wgc3JYv_AWNEWiyUoJsmwVNorUoHc9WOrcBEipSWRVbqDr1kpSIUjwqi2D2Pr5fCBNHV32viM2NL8LiiytPr0aNcpiMRvfI84HhGG06cRYM9jrnYDAhWtbnUJZcfNawqkj8SgGp3DwFyoZ4I4Od/s1165/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%206.37.30%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1165" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcL09rjB8KozGhNqB8ZCklPO3Gt--bjj3EFSN1wgc3JYv_AWNEWiyUoJsmwVNorUoHc9WOrcBEipSWRVbqDr1kpSIUjwqi2D2Pr5fCBNHV32viM2NL8LiiytPr0aNcpiMRvfI84HhGG06cRYM9jrnYDAhWtbnUJZcfNawqkj8SgGp3DwFyoZ4I4Od/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%206.37.30%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(click to enlarge)<br /></div><div><p>
</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>
<p><b>Concert Program </b></p><p>First Set:<br /></p><p>Opening chorus - Entire Company
<br />“Get Comfortable” (words and music by Ray Perkins)
<br />Baritone and Bass Duets - John Meyer and Frank Coxton
<br />“Goodbye My Love”
<br />“Just Like a Rainbow” (recorded by The Benson Orchestra - Victor 18823)
<br />Stories and Songs by Monroe Silver
<br />“Irish Home, Sweet Home” (recorded with Billy Murray - Victor 18794)
<br />“Cohen’s New Automobile”
<br />Sterling Trio
<br />“Tomorrow Land” (recorded by Sterling Trio - Victor 18837)
<br />“That Old Irish Mother of Mine (recorded by Sterling Trio - Victor 18696)
<br />Banjo Solo - Fred Van Eps
<br />“Nalia”
<br />Tenor Solo - Henry Burr
<br />“Old Pal Why Don’t You Answer Me” (Recorded by Henry Burr - Victor 18708)
<br />“I’ll Take You Home Again” (with quartet - Victor 18781 Henry Burr and Peerless Quartet)
<br />Tenor Solos - Billy Murray
<br />“Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes” (recorded by Billy Murray and Ed Smalle - Victor 18830)
<br />“Stand Up and Sing For Your Father an Old Time Tune.” (recorded by Billy Murray and American Quartet - Victor 18784) </p><p>INTERMISSION </p><p>Second Set: </p><p>Piano Solos - Frank Banta
<br />“Operatic Nightmare”
<br />“Marionette”
<br />“MonHomme” (duet with John Meyer)
<br />Tenor Duets - Campbell and Burr
<br />“Underneath Hawaiian Skies” (recorded by Al Campbell and Henry Burr - Victor 18730)
<br />“Sunny Side Sal”
<br />Stories and Songs - Monroe Silver
<br />“Rebecca” (recorded by Billy Murray and Monroe Silver - Victor 18748)
<br />Bass Solo - Frank Croxton
<br />“Song to the Evening Star” (recorded by Victor Orchestra - Victor 18759)
<br />Banjo Solo - Fred Van Eps
<br />“Cocoanut Dance”
<br />Peerless Quartet
<br />“My Sunny Tennessee” (recorded by Peerless Quartet - Victor 18812)
<br />“Somebody’s Mother”
<br />“Medley of Foster Songs”
<br />Tenor Solos - Billy Murray
<br />“When Francis Dances with Me” (recorded by Ada Jones and Billy Murray - Victor 18830)
<br />“Humpty Dumpty” (recorded by Billy Murray and Ed. Smalle - Victor 18810)
<br />Closing Chorus - Entire Company
<br />Frank Banta, Accompanist </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgoPrNq_XUHXxFqesvu05we7AfdAolt71ZOVtL7Nejm-g14GucaqWBavoMUt-Xhy50ticLfPwwBEkRJK0J7DIXs9LKDzU50L97gnBRAP86hsWLTmMELQXdSE78pIMhgdz8WUE7msh835D-WDHO8EdAG8fxGVRj5XyJ20qhOQCR2PdVquTM4dJTlBp/s1367/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%207.01.23%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="1367" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgoPrNq_XUHXxFqesvu05we7AfdAolt71ZOVtL7Nejm-g14GucaqWBavoMUt-Xhy50ticLfPwwBEkRJK0J7DIXs9LKDzU50L97gnBRAP86hsWLTmMELQXdSE78pIMhgdz8WUE7msh835D-WDHO8EdAG8fxGVRj5XyJ20qhOQCR2PdVquTM4dJTlBp/w358-h70/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%207.01.23%20PM.png" width="358" /></a></div><p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Words cannot fully describe music of the eight Victor artists, who appeared at the city auditorium Monday night, and faced a full house.”
-Pueblo Daily Chieftain, Feb. 14, 1922
</p><p>According to reviews of the show, the sold-out performance (which varied between 1,600-1,900 people in attendance) was a success for both the attendees and the entertainers. “Every number on the greatly varied program was so well received by the audience that the hearty and earnest applause brought the artists back to the footlights two or three times.” </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LSlln0V2PQZJNiOrTqRfNK7Bs6igou_uetHgmXG-dEu34ZDTJ96a-bXrT3r4hNw8Nn2VJUFLl1QMPSMTC9s_Hdub8baYFLOOtZHeVR8Xz_cqUd8-K_wjCQIVIaSuiDPMgJTev4NpVNdrXzEemycq-NH_WemoikQH6_V4qlOOMKRiwSYkummqxAkc/s1583/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%207.04.17%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="692" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LSlln0V2PQZJNiOrTqRfNK7Bs6igou_uetHgmXG-dEu34ZDTJ96a-bXrT3r4hNw8Nn2VJUFLl1QMPSMTC9s_Hdub8baYFLOOtZHeVR8Xz_cqUd8-K_wjCQIVIaSuiDPMgJTev4NpVNdrXzEemycq-NH_WemoikQH6_V4qlOOMKRiwSYkummqxAkc/w176-h343/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%207.04.17%20PM.png" width="176" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> “If you heard the Eight Famous Victor Artists at the Auditorium last Monday night - if you were a part of the great audience who enjoyed that wonderful program, you can perpetuate your memories with their VICTOR records.” <br />- Advertisement (above) Pueblo Daily Chieftain - February 15, 1922
(click to enlarge)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07zc6i_jRIhrAvE80v0lXAn2SufrjwUUEE-Vahc6ZqR2QTG_JT8UtMv9d6dYjaxbtgc5sbZi0-2BkPZ2BXr1LqiD5tRvyAF9KxGtOr_-HPH_lyxUZAoGvFbSLe2XClycm8v3RfBkABYmhlY1cXOsqf8mSz37m3_hmec2gzy88ka2mgNFOQei_x7Tr/s1150/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%207.06.26%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1143" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07zc6i_jRIhrAvE80v0lXAn2SufrjwUUEE-Vahc6ZqR2QTG_JT8UtMv9d6dYjaxbtgc5sbZi0-2BkPZ2BXr1LqiD5tRvyAF9KxGtOr_-HPH_lyxUZAoGvFbSLe2XClycm8v3RfBkABYmhlY1cXOsqf8mSz37m3_hmec2gzy88ka2mgNFOQei_x7Tr/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%207.06.26%20PM.png" width="318" /></a></div><p></p>
<p>The troupe, in various incarnations, would spend a total of 11 years on the road, promoting Victor Victrolas and Victor label recordings. On February 26, 1925, Rudy Wiedoeft, Monroe Silver, John Meyer, Frank Croxton, Albert Campbell, Henry Burr, Frank Banta, and Billy Murray recorded “A Miniature Concert,” Victor’s first commercial electrical recording. In 1928, the group performed in the MGM film <i>At the Club</i>. They would disband that same year.
</p></div>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-82509474206346808992022-06-21T07:00:00.066-07:002022-06-21T07:00:00.184-07:00Colorado Summer - Jimmy See Revue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu5YgVKaEy8vez9Y267Zkf5mwTLh4JGf2mDAtAfNahsJBavq8imwZE8gNd47Q7TAmaKyBwjW4cAR1pn0d9MAiO_Ecxh-WjUe9MMq5cjSFbj308Z-GP10ijtBZqQyYKvLvD2BM5wrIp4QATyuCJvOWiWpYkrX_x4jQFxQzVJZuUuNYNlpnb5t-yWXGU=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2038" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu5YgVKaEy8vez9Y267Zkf5mwTLh4JGf2mDAtAfNahsJBavq8imwZE8gNd47Q7TAmaKyBwjW4cAR1pn0d9MAiO_Ecxh-WjUe9MMq5cjSFbj308Z-GP10ijtBZqQyYKvLvD2BM5wrIp4QATyuCJvOWiWpYkrX_x4jQFxQzVJZuUuNYNlpnb5t-yWXGU=s320" width="318" /></a></div><p>On this first day of summer, I thought I would feature this aptly titled song. </p><p>I found reference to the Jimmy See Revue from January to March, 1980, in the <i>Colorado Springs Gazette</i>. He was a regular entertainer at Parlour Pub, on Garden of the Gods Road. After March, I couldn't find any other notice of him performing at any club in the Springs, or anywhere else.</p><p>In 1982 he recorded the single "Colorado Summer," which was released on the JIST label. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/ColoradoSummer.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to "Colorado Summer" </a><br /></p><p>The flipside of the record, "Tonight I'd Love the Rain to Fall," features an uncredited female singer, with a more-formal vocal performance, accompanied by a piano. </p><p>According to his 2011 obituary, he was a resident of Littleton. He passed away at the age of 67. </p><p>As always, if anyone has additional information, please contact me.<br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-76030767409133063602022-03-28T07:00:00.001-07:002022-03-28T07:00:00.201-07:00Frank Hummel and Leon Dudley<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_q4hXny37JOZaJ3ouRtrZMfqhYrnCJuvyTkqjNyn3x2LwTSTubJIavOlf5-ZJLJZ_EDXxfpfspa5t27TsXw2y9Jx3bWqFM9cCKTchrBNrJLUD6xlAmnBFx1OrD_tYsFPCfX410eTuhSQ232_7Z9AEOkuYdLjZS5TKTkzAqBHzHveqbKtiCzJQs_-/s2175/IMG_9356.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="2146" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_q4hXny37JOZaJ3ouRtrZMfqhYrnCJuvyTkqjNyn3x2LwTSTubJIavOlf5-ZJLJZ_EDXxfpfspa5t27TsXw2y9Jx3bWqFM9cCKTchrBNrJLUD6xlAmnBFx1OrD_tYsFPCfX410eTuhSQ232_7Z9AEOkuYdLjZS5TKTkzAqBHzHveqbKtiCzJQs_-/s320/IMG_9356.heic" width="316" /></a></p><p>Was driving through the Springs last Friday, and decided to hit a few of my old thrift stops. The city has been kinda hit or miss lately, at least for esoteric Colorado vinyl finds, but took a chance before heading back up to D-Town.</p><p>Glad I did. Take a look at this find from KGHF radio, in Pueblo!</p><p>You may remember the story I published a few months ago, on <a href="http://www.elkbugles.com/2021/09/pueblo-signs-on-air-origins-of-steel.html" target="_blank">the first Pueblo radio stations</a>. KGHF went on the air in 1927, and stuck around until 1964 (later becoming KKAM). No date on this recording, but the tune "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)" was popular in 1954, as a song included in the movie "White Christmas."</p><p>The disc was in atrocious condition. You could barely hear anything, over the surface noise, but I had to at least attempt to clean it up.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/CountYourBlessings.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)"</a> (2:22)<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The flipside of the disc was a cover of "My Best to You," a 1942 Gene Willadsen and Isham Jones composition recorded by Slim Whitman, the Sons of the Pioneers, and others. Sadly, this side was audibly beyond repair. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe9weGEJ4PurXbAL_xrOFOlm-spX7tYGgZZ9JvJ73WrdphSXTUaKHVLbj1oSZM8Ax2br0OFJrvXfLm8nePT4Yv22jUqqm7ghP9iKX6LQUGzx7Jpu0Rbl6d2H2NPlRfzg5_UfKhEdkcdXT_-xdOCYPyahHhaQ8nH3Ua7_0vzWSpkLoD3-qDuoLWWHo/s2382/IMG_9355.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2382" data-original-width="2370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe9weGEJ4PurXbAL_xrOFOlm-spX7tYGgZZ9JvJ73WrdphSXTUaKHVLbj1oSZM8Ax2br0OFJrvXfLm8nePT4Yv22jUqqm7ghP9iKX6LQUGzx7Jpu0Rbl6d2H2NPlRfzg5_UfKhEdkcdXT_-xdOCYPyahHhaQ8nH3Ua7_0vzWSpkLoD3-qDuoLWWHo/s320/IMG_9355.heic" width="318" /></a> <br /></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">As for the performers - vocalist Frank Hummel worked at CF&I, with his wife Cora. According to Cora's 2018 obituary, the couple moved to Fort Morgan, and later Greeley, in 1960. Leon Dudley was very well known in Pueblo. While he was visually impaired, he was a regular entertainer at The 85 Club and The Broken Dollar, and later at La Renaissance restaurant. He often performed live on KGHF, along with ragtime performer Max Morath. He passed away in 1992.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p class="GDT-GDT TRIBUTES Text"><br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-10588711684711045982022-03-21T07:00:00.006-07:002022-09-01T08:23:21.052-07:00HELP WANTED - The Foxx<p> UPDATE 9/1/22: Found this newspaper ad for the band, in the <i>Aspen Times </i>(1971)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6PMKjCH1CZKhYJNBNQnZh-B0f2SlDo2PaEmN27sAM8bFv5Qg1jn586nfc86kfduFgOvG9vpfMK4pFn9ouS_R276Q4TGQg-dB-1NsZPINQKCndM4jPTCCEH_SFI7ruLRYoihTE3cMj7KvFLU145ZL-iul3w8viadCCDqlrEsPbilVBKKGKp-FWR8d/s809/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-01%20at%209.15.31%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="809" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6PMKjCH1CZKhYJNBNQnZh-B0f2SlDo2PaEmN27sAM8bFv5Qg1jn586nfc86kfduFgOvG9vpfMK4pFn9ouS_R276Q4TGQg-dB-1NsZPINQKCndM4jPTCCEH_SFI7ruLRYoihTE3cMj7KvFLU145ZL-iul3w8viadCCDqlrEsPbilVBKKGKp-FWR8d/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-01%20at%209.15.31%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________<br /></div><div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVrfYkrzDsnFuD9GMsdynB-Hr-QaxqOkZOaCAsajO51luDjOXo5xG9QNc2rTmrV_9S0iVwYBOyavoekt4A1KJ4kZZ_DnulfgIb5jYKUB4laN9meI39QM6-2jy4gEwAot6s1XOytWZN8lWZTN4xfN7FLDCQvro0bfXoZs2PqfDA16nM4XhdcroaN682=s2084" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="2084" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVrfYkrzDsnFuD9GMsdynB-Hr-QaxqOkZOaCAsajO51luDjOXo5xG9QNc2rTmrV_9S0iVwYBOyavoekt4A1KJ4kZZ_DnulfgIb5jYKUB4laN9meI39QM6-2jy4gEwAot6s1XOytWZN8lWZTN4xfN7FLDCQvro0bfXoZs2PqfDA16nM4XhdcroaN682=w321-h244" width="321" /></a></div><p></p><p>Hey all! Needing your help to find out more about this fantastic record. My friend Lance Ortiz, who runs the most-awesome Colorado-based <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/295457278204630" target="_blank">Vinyl Heard Facebook page</a>, offered me this find, at the Vintage Voltage show, on Sunday.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/Chicagosample.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to a sample of "Chicago" (2:17)</a><br /></p><p>Looks like an acetate from Summit Studios. Guessing the year would be around late 1960s, based on the song titles: <br /></p><p><b>Side One</b></p><p>Funky Broadway (Wilson Pickett cover originally released in 1968)<br />Chicago (Paul Butterfield Blues Band cover originally released in 1965) <br />Heard It Through the Grapevine (Marvin Gaye cover originally released in 1968)<br /></p><p><b>Side Two</b></p><p>Who's Making Love (Johnnie Taylor cover originally released in 1968)<br />I'm a Man (Spencer Davis cover originally released in 1967)<br />Brown Eyed Woman (Bill Medley cover originally released in 1968)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAL1-j8Us4RJSUdRfxAWVgrsx-OILDmsZSOkb4FHl272nc292WMhYWn0NgWPpmr7uxs6zj5g5X8oUymzVbuRwbdlRr-s4ne3DlT183KWQDkoII-yWTkPZAM-HadlGL89Z0i2dghn1DRnHFWFXkjrlsPrU9pxzUKAIEzrgeQH-lmMepwFy0NjnSWlyS=s2051" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="2051" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAL1-j8Us4RJSUdRfxAWVgrsx-OILDmsZSOkb4FHl272nc292WMhYWn0NgWPpmr7uxs6zj5g5X8oUymzVbuRwbdlRr-s4ne3DlT183KWQDkoII-yWTkPZAM-HadlGL89Z0i2dghn1DRnHFWFXkjrlsPrU9pxzUKAIEzrgeQH-lmMepwFy0NjnSWlyS=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/FunkyBroadwaysample.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to a sample of "Funky Broadway" (3:12)</a><br /></p><p></p></div>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-60309377027037731632022-03-07T07:00:00.096-08:002022-03-07T07:00:00.218-08:00Denver-area Thrifting Unearths Rare San Francisco Country Radio Discs<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6pcFNqDS_y1NDYYBQns-XaO08B9Bl1V-plIKJY_Hk74U1XLH0AaTv0wuvibVJ-ZU32RWDy34_i23bN61nCACEkmOE57c3mXvecgUf4YfAxBT7eGVGMnx_malKerTPXr_3WmSVhnDOBYAOHKcQy85bXeY8HRE0gq3n_ySFvtDV1S320lyKYnMfFE6C=s2883" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="2883" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6pcFNqDS_y1NDYYBQns-XaO08B9Bl1V-plIKJY_Hk74U1XLH0AaTv0wuvibVJ-ZU32RWDy34_i23bN61nCACEkmOE57c3mXvecgUf4YfAxBT7eGVGMnx_malKerTPXr_3WmSVhnDOBYAOHKcQy85bXeY8HRE0gq3n_ySFvtDV1S320lyKYnMfFE6C=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p>Hey all. Going to take a break from posting Colorado finds, because this discovery is pretty amazing.</p><p>So I'm digging at the big Denver thrift chain here, and found a stack of homemade-looking 78rpm recordings. I never skip looking at these, even if they aren't from Colorado, as I have found <a href="http://www.elkbugles.com/2019/10/denver-area-thrifting-unearths-rare.html" target="_blank">some incredible discs</a>.</p><p>The label immediately caught my eye - East Richmond Radio and Appliance Center, Richmond, CA. These appeared to be home recording records, possibly recorded on the Packard Bell Phonocord machine (as noted on the label).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8_yqxcqLJZ609ZjAr9Ml64W1cWh1ZqJ02xBhGjvqRnm8SwlESHruyz0sElHaW6fQhywGmb2PQ975MkOhCj3-aKfGJBrip1UEH4TWO9Jab-ATS6EuLbLGAfYwoszocQ5PLxh31KYg4oF6E1TWDjINno-v-f8KqM6IDw6Os7FRacrVgXRM9A6ht6m6_=s812" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="587" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8_yqxcqLJZ609ZjAr9Ml64W1cWh1ZqJ02xBhGjvqRnm8SwlESHruyz0sElHaW6fQhywGmb2PQ975MkOhCj3-aKfGJBrip1UEH4TWO9Jab-ATS6EuLbLGAfYwoszocQ5PLxh31KYg4oF6E1TWDjINno-v-f8KqM6IDw6Os7FRacrVgXRM9A6ht6m6_=s320" width="231" /></a></div><p>The labels note Dude Martin, who was a West Coast-based country singer and bandleader. Dude's Round Up Gang originated on KTAB radio, but moved over to KYA in 1939, where he stayed until 1950. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRBZx3AYjVDRlag2KMTlsD1SqUAkFUzWT6gCUdWHUvjw9AQSJtafEClRdC20Oh47f_NB2mbQouDvf-isfToFY9AinwjlYyvRHOW2a-D7QjkWIzbfRCy2k9_-D70vSyN0_LCqS3I4r8rhJxOPKGUiVvyeP-7BVzWqb_UMaotE7KWXesPxQ8VjFRCk3_=s1118" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1118" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRBZx3AYjVDRlag2KMTlsD1SqUAkFUzWT6gCUdWHUvjw9AQSJtafEClRdC20Oh47f_NB2mbQouDvf-isfToFY9AinwjlYyvRHOW2a-D7QjkWIzbfRCy2k9_-D70vSyN0_LCqS3I4r8rhJxOPKGUiVvyeP-7BVzWqb_UMaotE7KWXesPxQ8VjFRCk3_=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dude Martin and his band </div><div style="text-align: center;">(photo courtesy of David Ferrell Jackson's <a href="http://CowpokeRadio.com">CowpokeRadio.com</a>)<br /></div><div><p style="text-align: center;">_____________________________________ <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/Other/Dude2KYA.mp3" target="_blank">KYA Radio ID (:21)</a><br /></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">These are incredible audio samples of 1940s radio. They all show a date of August 27-28, 1948. One of the discs includes an Amarillo-area singer named Jimmy Ledbetter, who was the fourth contestant in the station's "Talent Tournament."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/Other/Dude1Jimmy.mp3" target="_blank">Give a listen to this sample (2:22)</a><br /></span></p><p>On this record you also hear Dude mention that they have been using a mic for "16 years," which would imply that he had been singing since 1932. Dude's first band, The Nevada Nite Herders, first appeared on KLX radio on April 15, 1932. Dude (John Stephen McSwain) would later take his show to television, appearing on the The Dude Martin Show,
KTTV Ch. 11, Los Angeles. He died in 1991.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/Other/Dude3Theodore.mp3" target="_blank">Give a listen to this sample (1:22) </a><br /></p><p>Again, no clue if these are simply home recordings of a radio broadcast, or if they were actual radio transcription recordings. My guess would be home recordings, based on the penciled notations on the labels. Still an incredible find. The outstanding Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame has <a href="https://bayarearadio.org/audio/kgo/dude-martin-kgo-1948" target="_blank">another sample of his show</a>, on its website.</p><p>"Wow -- what a find," museum founder David Ferrell Jackson told me. "Dude Martin is a personal favorite of mine; I have numerous photographs, promotional pieces and recordings of his music from over the years -- but only one aircheck. The odds and ends of Dude Martin on the air are rare, so these are amazing to hear." </p><p>On a side note, there IS a Colorado connection to Dude Martin. Eddie Kirk, who often provided
the musical backing for him, was from Greeley (but left the state in 1934).<br /></p></div>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-18981621026129572792022-02-28T07:00:00.001-08:002022-02-28T07:00:00.205-08:00The Harrison Players<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYVRE1DT-vapLA945VeDXbm07Vd2-qDniuNHoyEeV8hdHWH1-tQUJI6NiB_VpqEHTK4QGysJvSWvTTgboAms0UvAaT3gQ9G5NfGXBv9YPFDKnuLrJg6HyplhxaHyBSA3-J5SB7twZ_xElakdjgnqUg60r7ucqfOaIWu4yb0WnRSH9663RQ_zJ23jk5=s937" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="937" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYVRE1DT-vapLA945VeDXbm07Vd2-qDniuNHoyEeV8hdHWH1-tQUJI6NiB_VpqEHTK4QGysJvSWvTTgboAms0UvAaT3gQ9G5NfGXBv9YPFDKnuLrJg6HyplhxaHyBSA3-J5SB7twZ_xElakdjgnqUg60r7ucqfOaIWu4yb0WnRSH9663RQ_zJ23jk5=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p>(Story is also posted in the March 2022 issue of the <a href="https://pueblohistory.org/" target="_blank">Pueblo County Historical Society</a> <i>The Pueblo Lore)</i>.</p><p>Seventeen days after the flood of June 3, 1921, the Grand Theater reopened after clearing “six and a
half feet of water from the stage.” The repairs were a sign that entertainment would once again be a part of the Pueblo landscape after the horrific devastation. </p><p>On November 6, the <i>Daily Chieftain</i> announced that the Grand was looking for a permanent stock company—a theater group which Pueblo could call its own—to be regular performers. A few days later, it was announced that the Harrison Players, formed by Charles Harrison, would take the stage as the troupe in residence. “The Harrison Players were organized expressly for Pueblo with the purpose of giving Pueblo theater goers a high-class, permanent, dramatic company,” according to the Grand’s manager, J.D. Colegrove. </p><p>Charles Harrison was a well-known theater company player, who had formed stock player companies in Dallas, El Paso, and Kansas City. In a <i>Chieftain</i> story, he admitted that he was looking for a permanent home for his troupe and was happy to be setting up in Pueblo for the long term. </p><p>The cast of the Harrison Players included a literal Who’s Who of early 1900s touring theater entertainers:
Aubrey Anderson (previously of El Paso stock company), Frederick Boon (previously of the Arlington Players in Montana),
Adelaide Irving—leading lady (popular actress who has appeared in Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and El Paso),
Kelly Masters (from the F.P. Hillman Stock Co.), Fred McCord,
Pearl Nichols (W.T. Swain Company in New Orleans),
Ruby Rumley (Florida actress),
Betty Rumley,
Johnny Sullivan,
Billy Topp (previously of the Lewis-Worth stock company).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5GfyDgcrlH7ROJa2sMSrcD5QR_z-aNarcNV-CpBKjCTkaja36DLIzlmZW40kABDfi-g3cfvZcB-dchG6DWOE1u_j5kqA9Tqizor-nSjjKJtmw13KJ7N9Zx0vMRgslMioMZxzMNM5egAEepKzgh-rvqkhPLEIcsJs9XwIFfUi03sc_L_ZyA4ueuuKQ=s972" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5GfyDgcrlH7ROJa2sMSrcD5QR_z-aNarcNV-CpBKjCTkaja36DLIzlmZW40kABDfi-g3cfvZcB-dchG6DWOE1u_j5kqA9Tqizor-nSjjKJtmw13KJ7N9Zx0vMRgslMioMZxzMNM5egAEepKzgh-rvqkhPLEIcsJs9XwIFfUi03sc_L_ZyA4ueuuKQ=s320" width="282" /></a></div><p> The group’s first performance, <i>Two-Fisted Love</i>, told the story of “a lightweight boxer (Kid Maloney) who is booked to fight a champion (Kid Burns). While he is in a small town to train, he meets the daughters of a minister, and this precipitates a battle which means more to him than the prize-ring championship.” </p><p><u><b>Harrison Players’ performances: </b></u></p><p><b>1921 </b></p><p>November 19 – <i>Cheating Cheaters
</i><br />November 26 – <i>Mr. Jim Bailey
</i><br />December 3 – <i>Kick In</i> (John Barrymore starred in the original NYC production)
<br />December 11 – <i>Little Peggy O’Moore
</i><br />December 17 – <i>Mary’s Ankle
</i><br />December 27 – <i>The Brat
</i></p><p><b>1922</b></p><p>
January 1 – <i>Civilian Clothes
</i><br />January 8 – <i>Tennessee’s Pardner
</i><br />January 10 – <i>Common Clay</i> – starred Don Barclay (previously of Ziegfeld’s Follies)
<br />January 12 – <i>Geewilliker Hay</i>
<br />January 22 – <i>The Shepherd of the Hills
</i><br />January 26 – <i>A Pair of Sixes</i> (starring 1911 Centennial graduate Miss Wally Norris)
<br />February 5 – <i>Saintly Hypocrites and Honest Sinners
</i><br />February 13 – <i>At 9:45
</i><br />February 18 – <i>Fair and Warmer</i>
<i><br /></i>February 26, 1922<i> – <i>Her Husband’s Kin-Folks</i>
</i></p><p>Between November 11, 1921, and February 26, 1922, The Harrison Players staged a total of 17 plays, each running about a week. It was reported that every show sold out of tickets and there were waiting lists for admission. The company was so beloved that when rumors began to circulate that they were leaving Pueblo, the local paper ran a story asking them to reconsider (the rumors weren’t true, as the troupe only wanted to take a few days off). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdGUM81GDujI_LmgIMYJCm6HKHddvWF2N9NctRMupMmi8JTQcGhcmMXUjNHk4TGhioHsVS9gpVGyuXW3cu75ucIlGQ6kN6lRXVOR6Fr1EDoRC52-DQSnqthuAwSuvaP0yYXnVBTfJ-vRy2JHUSnruy69eOibA41gty9lY50nVcWcD-zwMyupZeIYCN=s944" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="944" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdGUM81GDujI_LmgIMYJCm6HKHddvWF2N9NctRMupMmi8JTQcGhcmMXUjNHk4TGhioHsVS9gpVGyuXW3cu75ucIlGQ6kN6lRXVOR6Fr1EDoRC52-DQSnqthuAwSuvaP0yYXnVBTfJ-vRy2JHUSnruy69eOibA41gty9lY50nVcWcD-zwMyupZeIYCN=s320" width="320" /></a></i></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><i>
</i>On March 1, 1922, all of that was about to change. </p><p>At 1:15 in the morning, with an outside temperature of 22 degrees below zero, a fire broke out in the dance hall on the fourth floor of the Grand Opera House block. By 1:30, the three-alarm blaze had brought out every piece of equipment the fire department had and every fireman they could find. According to the Pueblo Firefighters Historical Society, the fire burned its way to the scenery loft above the stage and soon the falling and flaming scenery drapes ignited the stage. By 1:50, the roof had collapsed. The red sandstone exterior blocks were three feet thick and withstood the water and the weather. The estimated monetary loss was measured in the hundreds of thousands. The Harrison Players revealed that the loss of its sets and costumes was estimated to be $20,000 (2022 equivalent = $329,000). They had no insurance.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoA0Pw7gmbgt7feJxb4t6JAD9muwKg7WE6FjxgcJoztp5gPOAjOPUkkiMmqO0Y81yXdgvLWScVov7V_CXL_dWfw2Yi1j_HOr_EGRHWJgYET74xPasebwK9iq0OajtLgCeCe7x7uF1FaH6Ds8JoodqXhnpFH_AFZG7myvJNbHU1soh3E19LlYUl481C=s951" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="951" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoA0Pw7gmbgt7feJxb4t6JAD9muwKg7WE6FjxgcJoztp5gPOAjOPUkkiMmqO0Y81yXdgvLWScVov7V_CXL_dWfw2Yi1j_HOr_EGRHWJgYET74xPasebwK9iq0OajtLgCeCe7x7uF1FaH6Ds8JoodqXhnpFH_AFZG7myvJNbHU1soh3E19LlYUl481C=s320" width="320" /></a></i></div><p></p><p><i>
</i>The day after the disaster, the troupe was left wondering what would become of them. They weren’t the only ones pondering the future of the performers. The Chieftain reported that the group wanted to stay, and that “scores of comments on the streets...the people want them to stay.” The city quickly rallied around the beloved Harrison Players. To financially help, the Rialto Theater held a benefit and donated all its revenue to them. The city approved the Harrison Players use of City Auditorium for a repeat performance of <i>Saintly Hypocrites and Honest Sinners</i>. They then moved to the Majestic Theater, where they performed <i>Her Husband’s Kin-Folks.</i> </p><p>In an editorial, the paper pleaded with them to stay. “The Harrison Players in particular have won the good will of the people of Pueblo by their sincere efforts to provide clean and wholesome amusement of a high grade of artistic effort. Such a company is a valuable asset to any city, and it is the general hope that the destruction of the theater with much of the company’s equipment will not necessitate their removal from Pueblo. Anything that can be done within reason to make it possible for them to remain ought to be done. This we owe to the city if not to this painstaking and conscientious company of actors.” </p><p>By March 5, it appeared that the Harrison Players would continue to perform in Pueblo. It was announced that the troupe “voted and decided to stay.” They would use the City Auditorium, and even announced a new play was in the works, <i>Lone Star Ranch</i>.
The good news would not last. </p><p>Just two days after announcing that they would stay in Pueblo, the troupe published a letter in the Chieftain, announcing that it could no longer stage performances due to “many obstacles.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPkJK8y6Rj11-lDgpDps7CPV5ExF54RZ2Cjz0O-URMeeIAAdqnKy7CXJvfPD-WX7jEzG2MajrkgJByQmPL0Gbz24Sttb8J-pWDz0xUvb1ZwpDVae9IsNcu9nsmRhI_wr6RoZ46qVOQdBzlotm9ph8jsr5SNgb0gaWaFenUrcfExr4kt2j5fR0v6u0z=s948" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="948" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPkJK8y6Rj11-lDgpDps7CPV5ExF54RZ2Cjz0O-URMeeIAAdqnKy7CXJvfPD-WX7jEzG2MajrkgJByQmPL0Gbz24Sttb8J-pWDz0xUvb1ZwpDVae9IsNcu9nsmRhI_wr6RoZ46qVOQdBzlotm9ph8jsr5SNgb0gaWaFenUrcfExr4kt2j5fR0v6u0z=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>“To our dear friends. We had decided last Saturday to undertake to stay in Pueblo for a few more weeks, giving our performances in Memorial Hall, through the opportunity offered us by the City Commissioners. But we were swayed away from the vision of many obstacles when we made this decision by the great evidence of friendship shown us on the streets, and at our benefit. Later a more calm and mature view of the situation bringing to light troubles in the way of scenery needed, sickness of some of the players, offers received by others...” </p><p style="text-align: center;">“Never in the history of this city has a company of dramatic players given such a general satisfaction and gained such a tremendous number of loyal admirers and friends as did the Harrison Players, who appeared here in the Grand Opera House for seventeen weeks this winter. A big fire on March 1, resulting in the destruction of the theater and practically everything in it, brought to an end an engagement of one of the most enjoyed permanent theatrical attractions in the city.”</p><p style="text-align: center;">Billboard - April 1, 1922</p><p> The city commissioners offered the City auditorium to the players as an inducement to remain after the fire, the newspapers devoted columns to them, the fraternal and civic organizations offered their assistance, but after thorough consideration, it was decided they could not maintain their high standard of productions in the auditorium because of insufficient scenery to work with and the oversize of the building. </p><p>Eight months later the group would return to the stage in Walsenburg. The troupe staged <i>Cappy Ricks</i> at the Star Theater. They would take the act on the road, performing in Rocky Ford and Ordway. </p><p>After another year of touring Colorado, the Harrison Players would move to Colorado Springs. Charles Harrison and J.D. Colegrove would form the Harrison Play Bureau, a distribution house for scripts and other theater needs. In July 1924, the business moved to Denver (1012 E. Colfax). The last known performance of the Harrison Players was reported on June 27, 1924.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhrFJtzc93smhpAnvxdrZt-i1N_vMOUkqV5ywhz7xOdcnF4gyLTqkX16iHx3DdX4twydSEMn5cnS_Frogdbz1onsJRFsyqDlh338457JCc-E-RHwgGyNeNdTU-9ISEl0wMkUtHk-6oyN7kdysoRo910B2o9Pv3lGxq8vO69-2yuoXMCFzPIU3K0Uw7=s953" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="953" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhrFJtzc93smhpAnvxdrZt-i1N_vMOUkqV5ywhz7xOdcnF4gyLTqkX16iHx3DdX4twydSEMn5cnS_Frogdbz1onsJRFsyqDlh338457JCc-E-RHwgGyNeNdTU-9ISEl0wMkUtHk-6oyN7kdysoRo910B2o9Pv3lGxq8vO69-2yuoXMCFzPIU3K0Uw7=s320" width="320" /></a></div>The Harrison Players never returned to Pueblo.<i><br /><p></p></i><p></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-33013732984661349722022-02-21T07:00:00.000-08:002022-02-21T07:00:00.208-08:00Found at the Thrift - 1955 Denver East High Yearbook<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5bmKsRvIWPBDHXjglQjDEdV6-Xco3TvoTpzwyf3UiZVui8v4yVX1z6NR7QXp1XRchZEwrrUV5xc12LH3Mlh3EQ3PxU0ZZHPc6jON09f3Tt40udmOLBBj_jx_DuGOI7v_KGjxgjkWx5Uk_iY9BPIv3agjtfOWIjQfZEooGs6HyuufwV8hPaMUBWbp4=s2974" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2974" data-original-width="2278" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5bmKsRvIWPBDHXjglQjDEdV6-Xco3TvoTpzwyf3UiZVui8v4yVX1z6NR7QXp1XRchZEwrrUV5xc12LH3Mlh3EQ3PxU0ZZHPc6jON09f3Tt40udmOLBBj_jx_DuGOI7v_KGjxgjkWx5Uk_iY9BPIv3agjtfOWIjQfZEooGs6HyuufwV8hPaMUBWbp4=s320" width="245" /></a></div><p></p><p>Taking a break from posting a record find, with this 1955 Denver East High yearbook, picked up at the big thrift store chain here. You never know what you might find in an old school annual. While I focus on lesser-known Colorado music finds, I thought you all would enjoy seeing this 16-year-old drama club member. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyX9FTDzlWI7hHwYonacg7pe6NEF1_aMPtzaZz92IdBQDll_U5Ql3L_shQ7DVjRuopUxVmo8hXW71_P8rPXkQcYxBXrjWUU8kWihipU8esxSlqSukNeanbaCVXiiPirpGLbqVasmQZD2G4_2utmGckhOfNNpsxlBe9z31XdCKE0feMap8S-eA1WCpc=s1513" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="1510" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyX9FTDzlWI7hHwYonacg7pe6NEF1_aMPtzaZz92IdBQDll_U5Ql3L_shQ7DVjRuopUxVmo8hXW71_P8rPXkQcYxBXrjWUU8kWihipU8esxSlqSukNeanbaCVXiiPirpGLbqVasmQZD2G4_2utmGckhOfNNpsxlBe9z31XdCKE0feMap8S-eA1WCpc=s320" width="319" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkfBq3Qq_eQAnw8hvGNMfOmvtNTyugoTsD_pMxQb0DbtO9aPdmQhrAKXZyItKYQ4RKYC5_gyrwfUYgdStgUfx5ITaqux7UDAaGZtFyk2qzMchyUTMX5auQc7Ryyescjf4YoMN7x4yCHI1xTZLr-QbjOXqWhG5RJWzHhwtFUEVCtIKG6d9JD3h3kCON=s2024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1634" data-original-width="2024" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkfBq3Qq_eQAnw8hvGNMfOmvtNTyugoTsD_pMxQb0DbtO9aPdmQhrAKXZyItKYQ4RKYC5_gyrwfUYgdStgUfx5ITaqux7UDAaGZtFyk2qzMchyUTMX5auQc7Ryyescjf4YoMN7x4yCHI1xTZLr-QbjOXqWhG5RJWzHhwtFUEVCtIKG6d9JD3h3kCON=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Yup, that is a young Judy Collins. The following year she would pursue her musical interests, performing at Sportsland Valley, near Winter Park. According to her biography she would continue to perform in Grand Lake, Estes Park, and the Gilded Garter, in Central City. Just two years after graduating East, she started performing at the Exodus Club, in Denver. Her first vinyl appearances would be <i>Folk Song Festival at Exodus</i> (SK 1002), followed by <i>Mickey Sherman Presents Folk Festival at the Exodus</i> (Sight and Sound SS 1002). <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhis36uTEofsLwPwJThZweupoHI6DtjvYhtKbaxbYtHo2UUz0p42dJ2i4tqM6g4OVDBhfeYtv72-4W0LyHTuXRKdxbMEEEi5TOopIODkYfqQXI0DDykO9-jSxKLTRxs7DzNZF-BRyie1MYlwQwlMFIU8L_6KZDXYs6yvA3giy6i1Lu4e4j_Bu8UKxPs=s1202" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1202" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhis36uTEofsLwPwJThZweupoHI6DtjvYhtKbaxbYtHo2UUz0p42dJ2i4tqM6g4OVDBhfeYtv72-4W0LyHTuXRKdxbMEEEi5TOopIODkYfqQXI0DDykO9-jSxKLTRxs7DzNZF-BRyie1MYlwQwlMFIU8L_6KZDXYs6yvA3giy6i1Lu4e4j_Bu8UKxPs=s320" width="320" /></a> <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCDusYHYiijO-JfVRatyVCQ6gkCpRTGDeKmbMmy2CREIFY2feMsEoHWrSBqNtRwpGIpZKAfM_OMnFNt68lp-jVhwCLM0P9QkBu2wZ9lN4OODpPAOZsHcd_vtnuU-QDDy1BI5e0u6ru2bEeGp3RiMW6PIJV76c1B_rSQvrWzQL_LKm-BZDlFUNGnJ7m=s1199" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1199" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCDusYHYiijO-JfVRatyVCQ6gkCpRTGDeKmbMmy2CREIFY2feMsEoHWrSBqNtRwpGIpZKAfM_OMnFNt68lp-jVhwCLM0P9QkBu2wZ9lN4OODpPAOZsHcd_vtnuU-QDDy1BI5e0u6ru2bEeGp3RiMW6PIJV76c1B_rSQvrWzQL_LKm-BZDlFUNGnJ7m=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Collins would not be the only student in this yearbook to go on to national fame. Senior Marilyn Van Derbur would go on to win the Miss Colorado pageant in 1957, and would be crowned <span>Miss America 1958. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif7CU94RaaG_P6l7eLD1NgmP-X1HHX4lobTLBNFp4H8T4ovJXwIjtamZk8RsN0Q_GBc5Z_Cw4GajGWGYS_B7eAC3bXyYSP6H1ePqDt7K287Uubvi7lrSiA-7NKG4edpoF5BEYIWWSmngK2aDslhkS8TOe4kjwmd0x6C8OIemCQkkrgaVePYmUvlLD0=s2816" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="2816" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif7CU94RaaG_P6l7eLD1NgmP-X1HHX4lobTLBNFp4H8T4ovJXwIjtamZk8RsN0Q_GBc5Z_Cw4GajGWGYS_B7eAC3bXyYSP6H1ePqDt7K287Uubvi7lrSiA-7NKG4edpoF5BEYIWWSmngK2aDslhkS8TOe4kjwmd0x6C8OIemCQkkrgaVePYmUvlLD0=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(click to enlarge)<br /></div><div><p>During her reign as Miss America, Van Derbur would release <i>Miss America- Marilyn Van Derbur at the Hammond Organ</i> (Decca DL 8770)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXv4HMh18Cg7elnqBdJvN5QkKm27DXJeXXxIRHnIckqdRE6ZLXwffziSNC-bLWzP6yA-FpF0YcmifP1RH_WQ2naMDsgjHSMgbotkigFnQ3g3xYddSWr1Y4EKENOeT4DovVKzZCyRC05iM9JTLNc0oYs-y45Ocx4DVEKMGVUuiwtATpWm7Px1Wfeedm=s710" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="710" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXv4HMh18Cg7elnqBdJvN5QkKm27DXJeXXxIRHnIckqdRE6ZLXwffziSNC-bLWzP6yA-FpF0YcmifP1RH_WQ2naMDsgjHSMgbotkigFnQ3g3xYddSWr1Y4EKENOeT4DovVKzZCyRC05iM9JTLNc0oYs-y45Ocx4DVEKMGVUuiwtATpWm7Px1Wfeedm=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-54464216482602190022022-02-14T07:00:00.079-08:002022-02-14T07:53:52.407-08:00Freakin' Out on Love with Alpha Wave<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="3021" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwPQaoMTNKU-MwG-zFJ2Ee78fBHelwa36ALhalFuel3JtQwAghvCaWYEFFgbvWsjhaVrQt90DXvefqzn3O1_D6sjYuKmMfUjMUdzHG0-9C4WGsiOCLU7uvgIUoS8sZBeXyxKCkW28a5iXMX-44_W_1msSDABGocRJndYhJRyU5TWgXNuOUS-kONjvc=s320" width="320" /></div><p></p><p>Happy Valentine's Day! I thought I would dig through the "love" songs in my stash, and feature this 1980 catchy new wave-ish / pop number by the Denver band, Alpha Wave.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/AlphaWave.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to "Freakin' Out on Love" (3:30) </a><br /></p><p>The band included Henry "Broz" Rowland (also formerly of Modern Kids, The Rowland Brothers, and The Dreamers) and Fred Poindexter (later of Thunder the Radar) on vocals and guitars, and Remo Packer, on drums. The single was recorded at Colorado Sound Recording, and was the b-side to the catchy power pop "You Know It's Coming." While Rowland and Poindexter stayed in Colorado, Packer later moved to Los Angeles (later with the groups Altra, Frankie Vigilante Boogie Band, Razor Sharp, Bryon's Backbeat Groove Co., The Drunken Monkeys, City Fritter, Anomaly, and Trudeau LA).</p><p>At one point the band also included Paul Conly (formerly of 1960s innovative psych-rock band, Lothar and the Hand People). </p><p>"Yes, I was in Alpha Wave for a couple of years," Paul told me. "Broz Rowland was one of my students at the University of Colorado,
Denver, College of Music. I taught music synthesis and audio
recording. After he graduated, he put the group together and then
asked me to join on keyboards. I did join after I left my teaching job. Broz and Fred Poindexter [AKA Eric Danger] were the principal songwriters. I wrote or co-wrote some of the songs."</p><p> Conly's time with the group only lasted a few years, when he left to compose film music. <br /></p><p>"My final show was Halloween at Mammoth Gardens. This was probably the best show ever for the group. A full house, a costume contest, a set-decorated stage and a good sound system. Then the box office was robbed and the promoter had no money to pay us. After a string of low paying gigs, it was the final straw for me and I quit Alpha Wave.
Their next gig was at the Rainbow Ballroom as local openers for some L.A. punk band. It was trendy to spit on the band from the mosh pit and I was very glad to have missed that gig." </p><p>Paul was replaced by Donny Scott. Later in the group's history, the band line-up included Myles Mangrem, and Carlton Bacon. </p><p>"I still play music with Eric Danger. We performed as recently as late summer, but I am too busy now with a jazz group, Jazz Hands, plus I am composing a score for a feature length documentary film."</p><p><br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-52327681623503203812022-02-07T07:00:00.195-08:002022-02-07T08:05:23.719-08:00Squad IV
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0B1bsBIZult-cOo9FcNvCE5wJ3m9IZ_dtLg-3-WIKlfo72_GJwA_q8foeeB-4k98Y2VX8DronHe8ZHzB83fkxOdA2U-H0Z9JQsWgNNc2147fPxHumbnYr3yBqOn1oCr35opiNpLq0HjAsmO0L5iEw2AxoUoeQuyhSb_HojGJySIGObWo2VJ7giB_a=s2436" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1902" data-original-width="2436" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0B1bsBIZult-cOo9FcNvCE5wJ3m9IZ_dtLg-3-WIKlfo72_GJwA_q8foeeB-4k98Y2VX8DronHe8ZHzB83fkxOdA2U-H0Z9JQsWgNNc2147fPxHumbnYr3yBqOn1oCr35opiNpLq0HjAsmO0L5iEw2AxoUoeQuyhSb_HojGJySIGObWo2VJ7giB_a=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In 1972, during a
pre-patrol roll call at the Denver Police District 2 offices, Captain Doral
Smith asked his officers a question nobody had ever heard him ask – if anyone
played a music instrument.
</p><p>“Our district was
in the northeast part of Denver and, at that time, there was quite a bit of
racial tension,” said Michael Gargaro, who was then an officer, stationed at
the District 2 station. “Captain Smith’s intentions were to connect with city
youth, through music.”
</p><p>Gargaro, who
played guitar and keyboards, raised his hand, along with guitarist Paige Lyda,
bassist Dave Kechter.
</p><p>Their first gig
was performing for the annual police Christmas party, attended by such political
and community luminaries as then-governor Richard Lamm, then-Senator (and later
Presidential candidate) Gary Hart, (senator and later Presidential candidate)
Pat Schroeder, and Bill McNichols (then-Denver mayor).
</p><p>“We put together a
dozen songs and performed. It went so well it was decided that we should have a
drummer and a name. A few days later an officer by the name of Wulf Kroekel was
recruited to the band. Within a week we
settled on the name “Squad IV.” Sergeant
Don Westbrook would supervise the group, as per regulations. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIC1tOlgSvgcOSCbT6LLT4qb6NAacVI8kLALQtggQOm7hWBFSTVnlhwkVEexcNe95tZwUKFMdSQCjSVh2OFX8XnFuIwZTXBmK1ujOusTf1SUcWGXGwi2hO36dOgl7pkavQACYXQoqFxcsK7NzHddio5FTdctIbsfdS3wB1bl1W54rlveb4ZGQ2bcEq=s3094" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2360" data-original-width="3094" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIC1tOlgSvgcOSCbT6LLT4qb6NAacVI8kLALQtggQOm7hWBFSTVnlhwkVEexcNe95tZwUKFMdSQCjSVh2OFX8XnFuIwZTXBmK1ujOusTf1SUcWGXGwi2hO36dOgl7pkavQACYXQoqFxcsK7NzHddio5FTdctIbsfdS3wB1bl1W54rlveb4ZGQ2bcEq=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The newly-formed
group immediately started being booked by schools and community groups. "East
High School was our first official concert in a Denver Public School [picture above]". The concept of seeing police officers playing
pop music was a hit with students, and proved to be a successful public
relations idea for the department. One which was quickly getting noticed,
outside of Denver.
</p><p>“We got an offer
to go on the <i>Johnny Carson Tonight Show</i>. We had made some tapes back
then, and Johnny’s show producer, asked to hear them, and booked us. We had our
plane tickets and everything. We were so excited. But, even back then, there
was political correctness. The producer of the show had second thoughts. They
were concerned that it would divide their audience. We were really
disappointed.”
</p><p>While the Carson
appearance was a bust, it energized the group to get into the studio, to
record.
</p><p>“Captain Smith
contacted his friend Don Martin, over at KIMN. He had a studio and he got us
in, and we worked with some studio musicians for back up stuff. We didn’t
really like the recording process. We wanted to record live. Don explained
that’s not how you do it. It sounded fake and we weren’t happy. In the end it
was combination of live and overdubs."
</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp94fMJeqoYbtiQC5g8gTCiTVYwq1v6QANKg0LpCHSD9M0r_Ms1sQKxJWD-aMHZ8xNma6Geoyv6ZwXlC2lZN9Sm9iScoz7QSgjSYAu3xPVNXzNiyFk4RwQuslpdcsAm9I1yRS4VSH-UQHxoo_06tNEby2gBrLkM6x4Rl0OzxabuTM7qSY-f7LqAOqm=s1292" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1256" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp94fMJeqoYbtiQC5g8gTCiTVYwq1v6QANKg0LpCHSD9M0r_Ms1sQKxJWD-aMHZ8xNma6Geoyv6ZwXlC2lZN9Sm9iScoz7QSgjSYAu3xPVNXzNiyFk4RwQuslpdcsAm9I1yRS4VSH-UQHxoo_06tNEby2gBrLkM6x4Rl0OzxabuTM7qSY-f7LqAOqm=s320" width="311" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Squad IV – Volume
One (Silver and Blue)</i>
served as a promotional item at school events and community concerts. The money
made from the disc was earmarked for the local March of Dimes. The 7” EP
contained four songs – “I Believe in Music” (Mac Davis cover) / “Proud Mary”
(Creedence Clearwater Revival / Ike and Tina Turner cover) and “Steamroller
Blues" (James Taylor cover) / “Joy to the World” (Three Dog Night cover).
Gargaro believes 1,000 copies were pressed. Other credits on the disc include
Ralph Harrison, Dean Tellefson, and Jim Schumacher.
</p><p>Squad IV would
not, of course, be the only law enforcement band in Denver. Early in the
formation of the group, Captain Smith enlisted the help of Bo Cottrell, who was
a member of the very popular group, the Lawmen, which included members of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
</p><p>"Doral got a hold
of Bo Cotrell and told him what his plans were for the group. It was Bo who
actually helped us. We even got to perform downstairs at Taylors supper club while
the Lawmen performed upstairs in the main showroom upstairs. There was never
any competition between us and the Lawmen. They were more like the Kingston
Trio, with some comedy thrown in.”
</p><p>As Squad IV’s
popularity exploded, it was suggested that the next single should move away
from cover versions of Top 40 songs.
</p><p>“Knowing that we
had a possibility of national fame, it was recommended that we record
originals. People told us we were going to be big,” Gargaro said. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtWIM3gk9TPpNShIrXmX3i1quk2tUEFsxc2HOUgOInhMNQjVuBIjsQtM6s54ao7lAJLUaMHQesl3ZjkaO9BwUWBxmmh87xHFY2dcqMU4-quhPGWdaMmErmi4qVQmgPTNAlZzGhs0n-ySti2bemPCGiJR-ISvGFQVD7jUxV21xS0RqCAHfIFwUvukhr=s724" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="684" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtWIM3gk9TPpNShIrXmX3i1quk2tUEFsxc2HOUgOInhMNQjVuBIjsQtM6s54ao7lAJLUaMHQesl3ZjkaO9BwUWBxmmh87xHFY2dcqMU4-quhPGWdaMmErmi4qVQmgPTNAlZzGhs0n-ySti2bemPCGiJR-ISvGFQVD7jUxV21xS0RqCAHfIFwUvukhr=s320" width="302" /></a></div><p></p><p>For the second
record (entitled <i>Volume 2</i>) the band enlisted the help of Fred Arthur
Productions. The disc would include the songs “Love Is Forever” (composed by
Paige Lyda), and “Bad Dreams” (written by Michael Gargaro). Gargaro believes
1,000 copies were pressed.
</p><p>While Squad IV’s
national debut on the Carson show didn’t go as planned, they would go on to
interact with a diverse group of nationally-known performers and politicians – including Marc
Bolan, (T-Rex) Engelbert Humperdinck, B.B. King, Donna Fargo, the Oak Ridge Boys,
Kenny Rogers, the New Christy Minstrels, and promoter Barry
Fey. Squad IV also performed for (then) Vice President George H.W. Bush. </p><p>“We were playing
at the Playboy Club in Denver, at the top of the Radisson, off Lincoln Street.
It was not really what a person would think. It was a very professional
environment. Very high class. They had two rooms that had live band music, and
another for comedians. [Denver's-own Fats Johnson was the in-house comedian]. We played there on our
off-duty time, with permission from the Police Department. We had several
stints there. Anyway, T. Rex had played that night, in Denver and the band
members were staying at the Radisson. All of a sudden, they walk in, and start
hanging out. They noticed that our equipment was like theirs, so they come up
to the stage and started playing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Squad
IV Also performed for Engelbert Humperdinck at the Playboy Club, after his
appearance in Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisAaLtyBYSkXIhKjlXw6j9D8os-ttJf5qOisEQrfX98DC-DBsMdR8ev4l5ZiIco7hnX72YvMg25VWy5nRvMgykAHwCEagzwhO4DIsiuWM4jPa12Z7cvQ7pZ-e9pQtXkLabJzYuQ5hcToK4LETyTv2RYa2nIzdh4YZZ5nB7yFLiY6okBNCZGooNkxy_=s2371" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1828" data-original-width="2371" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisAaLtyBYSkXIhKjlXw6j9D8os-ttJf5qOisEQrfX98DC-DBsMdR8ev4l5ZiIco7hnX72YvMg25VWy5nRvMgykAHwCEagzwhO4DIsiuWM4jPa12Z7cvQ7pZ-e9pQtXkLabJzYuQ5hcToK4LETyTv2RYa2nIzdh4YZZ5nB7yFLiY6okBNCZGooNkxy_=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p> The group would go
on to open for BB King, at Denver Coliseum. In 1981, when the Oak Ridge Boys
came to Colorado, they specifically requested Squad IV as their opening act.
</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF8XgeMOtESL-rRnczdGDXJpulfpm6cu-FKaUv70pRdXXAcHJ5EVtMF9QsXhAInrbL_r2-vIt3pRxjGvhySg-TvcbacVkrm7Kqv5Zl1zFAmfhb4dNSU7XxgMlVGNWsYLppBweS6WXApejtaCcfdHhvBAjnFUrsy8FhhjYk2qFYGs4t9YKilqBRgi4K=s2194" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1844" data-original-width="2194" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF8XgeMOtESL-rRnczdGDXJpulfpm6cu-FKaUv70pRdXXAcHJ5EVtMF9QsXhAInrbL_r2-vIt3pRxjGvhySg-TvcbacVkrm7Kqv5Zl1zFAmfhb4dNSU7XxgMlVGNWsYLppBweS6WXApejtaCcfdHhvBAjnFUrsy8FhhjYk2qFYGs4t9YKilqBRgi4K=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>“A few years after
that the Oak Ridge Boys came back to Denver, to do a show with Kenny Rogers.
Their manager called us and asked if we wanted to meet Kenny. They were staying
at the hotel near the stadium and had us escorted to the event to meet Kenny. We
gave them all some Denver Police ball caps as a thank you for their kindness"
</p><p>While the band was
riding high on local popularity, the original line-up would soon change.
</p><p>“We were together
for about five years, then we replaced Wulf,” he said. “He decided that he
wanted to be more involved in promoting the band.”
</p><p>Officer Gary
Kerchmar was brought in to replace Kroekel, but he wouldn’t last long. “So, Doral
put out the word, and we had a drum competition. I think three or four guys
auditioned, and that’s where we got Jerry Martinez.”
</p><p>Bassist Dave
Kechter would be replaced by Rodger Berry (who was replaced by Tony Gardella).
Guitarist Paige Lyda was a police artist and would soon be promoted to
detective. He would be replaced by John Smith, who was later replaced by Jerry
Arellano and Michael Thompson.
</p><p>While the band was
a fun diversion from patrol responsibilities, many of the band members wanted
to be back out on patrol. “I think they thought this would be like a military
band, but for a lot of the guys, we wanted to be out on the street,” Gargaro
said.
</p><p>Captain Smith
would soon retire, and Squad IV would be moved into community services – doing
DARE programs, and other school resource responsibilities. The department would
then go through another major shake-up. While Police Chief Ari Zavaras
supported the band idea, those who would followed him did not fully endorse the
program.
</p><p>“After a couple of
years, the department insisted that we work the street. We continued to play,
on our own – with permission.”All the
members were eventually promoted to detectives and moved on.
</p><p>Squad IV’s
affiliation with the Denver Police Department ended in 1985, but they didn't disband. When they started playing on our own, they added several band
members – Marty Martinez on keyboards and trumpet, and Bob DeGasperis, saxaphone.
Bob would pass away in 1999, Ricky Martin, who still performs in local Denver
area bands and bassist Eddie Perez who currently performs in church worship
bands in the metro Denver area. Squad IV officially broke up, in 2016, after
Rodger Berry passed away.
</p><p>“We were at
the point where there were only three members left, and using fill ins just
wasn’t working." Gargaro said.
</p><p>Original member
Dave Kechter passed away in 2009.“I ended up being
the only original until the end,” Gargaro said. “It’s funny, none of the
members in the band ever thought about giving up their police gigs to be music
stars. Every one of them reached full retirement, and I did 30 years.”
</p><p>At 71, he runs his
own security business, Covenant Community Services. He has fond memories of his
time in Squad IV, and still runs into people who feel the same.
</p><p>“Every now and
then we will run into people who remember when we came to their school. One guy
told me Squad IV was the reason he became an officer.”
</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-40426791877570408602022-01-31T07:00:00.135-08:002022-01-31T07:00:00.218-08:00Burns Theatre Vaudeville - Part Two<p>I acquired so many of these Burns Theatre programs, I decided to do a part two. These are fantastic, and an amazing look at early entertainment in Colorado Springs. So, on with the show!</p><p>(Click on each, to enlarge) <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIlDu7tZrWGsWAf1njovz39p34OV7HnYxzfHR0UT6lT6yp9qRWXkJWO8uLe2nhL6A1yIV8Q4SoPi4Duinz3oNY-deWIvBOueh9ziBZFvkQRNGDbQpRl5YushlOFYJwO4kHaJE99f_ZuSgwSjpdmuateXmYYCYPBQqj_581G_wRMcbzcxvGL5clsr2q=s4031" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4031" data-original-width="2666" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIlDu7tZrWGsWAf1njovz39p34OV7HnYxzfHR0UT6lT6yp9qRWXkJWO8uLe2nhL6A1yIV8Q4SoPi4Duinz3oNY-deWIvBOueh9ziBZFvkQRNGDbQpRl5YushlOFYJwO4kHaJE99f_ZuSgwSjpdmuateXmYYCYPBQqj_581G_wRMcbzcxvGL5clsr2q=s320" width="212" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">March 9, 1921 - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Hofmann" target="_blank">Josef Hofmann</a> (extensive Wikipedia page entry)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYrTl1WYxO4N1RxystErSYmzuXgpakATyeDubkE9VPAhhfBzEsI9x89grJ8xekWKck1KRUAV8qG8rwDsQPAr4x_6U1lpEz9GpRUe-M_APqM2capCOluFfOKQpSkYgIi3V0kTlN8gIEzv9LxM1GwVlbnSQM0x4VeKNH9I1BbiFJXPrN2AIyy6Q-GOBn=s3966" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3966" data-original-width="2473" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYrTl1WYxO4N1RxystErSYmzuXgpakATyeDubkE9VPAhhfBzEsI9x89grJ8xekWKck1KRUAV8qG8rwDsQPAr4x_6U1lpEz9GpRUe-M_APqM2capCOluFfOKQpSkYgIi3V0kTlN8gIEzv9LxM1GwVlbnSQM0x4VeKNH9I1BbiFJXPrN2AIyy6Q-GOBn=s320" width="200" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 1921 - The Marcus Show </p><p style="text-align: center;">Performers included Bee Winsome, Al Byrnes, Charlie Abot, Polly Day, Billy (also spelled Billie) Dale, Gertrude Parish, Robert Long & Peaches, Runaway Four, Dan Stanley, Tom O'Brien, Marie Vespo, Oliver Vespo, Cleo Lewis, Martinez Randall</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdyNnHb0x_oqj8WUdrTbR1xiy0s75-AP-3W5aUkXzPanWAde2ypyEJjR1XhkBf4KjBuV7vuPlfGkHi8PuMoN3pyyjnYtCFB5zUhUnnKo4xJGONYfP3SMRR3aI-aKMBWZRlgJVgOG3OcAwFMSm91JUuaJBECVz18MPXMvFfVORaa4_MGDtCjZg9JwIr=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1734" data-original-width="3024" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdyNnHb0x_oqj8WUdrTbR1xiy0s75-AP-3W5aUkXzPanWAde2ypyEJjR1XhkBf4KjBuV7vuPlfGkHi8PuMoN3pyyjnYtCFB5zUhUnnKo4xJGONYfP3SMRR3aI-aKMBWZRlgJVgOG3OcAwFMSm91JUuaJBECVz18MPXMvFfVORaa4_MGDtCjZg9JwIr=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIIfL5yHQslIpvdhd9xyiRGNcooZ-k3ZXSB6i4b967JWOf9_5O5tL7muOO4MNkFJcx8gHfUqo7qddh68V--RVsC6N8BUnd4NhotC_Cvk9913neJ78rKRwxeIPOGxF5bFTNi0ik-wGmqRt8G05t6MaBsGBVmJ3yAHsPQkl7K90_sM7cQ3fdMND-SVH_=s2760" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2091" data-original-width="2760" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIIfL5yHQslIpvdhd9xyiRGNcooZ-k3ZXSB6i4b967JWOf9_5O5tL7muOO4MNkFJcx8gHfUqo7qddh68V--RVsC6N8BUnd4NhotC_Cvk9913neJ78rKRwxeIPOGxF5bFTNi0ik-wGmqRt8G05t6MaBsGBVmJ3yAHsPQkl7K90_sM7cQ3fdMND-SVH_=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGGGOj7I5b0UObysGwZW3cMJ6DQ45YIv64FbdrjozIQOFJK4hP0GwS6W2fZAr1i6u7GdEcfsowep9E9a7FGHGpJThET9iEygX-TDNq6gH-lXXy1qhDbiyWbBrqvUKD8Lj2ORALl1mAyU-SEI8Du2IB6oiB5sl3MPwhOJ4HDj2J0gUyMc_MwCuW3mMI=s2950" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2135" data-original-width="2950" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGGGOj7I5b0UObysGwZW3cMJ6DQ45YIv64FbdrjozIQOFJK4hP0GwS6W2fZAr1i6u7GdEcfsowep9E9a7FGHGpJThET9iEygX-TDNq6gH-lXXy1qhDbiyWbBrqvUKD8Lj2ORALl1mAyU-SEI8Du2IB6oiB5sl3MPwhOJ4HDj2J0gUyMc_MwCuW3mMI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Advertisements from the program above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio6SO160X91BiU1T1J4XpUjeVgLkqKUh78cpVglTvO_e1WWd6HdFKHpz0r96CuGx0cnYoH_H14NtrHzIoB6-lHlstpg6tr-12SozdtyXLSI_2wr4TW-WXcYb0bPgjBXsBttCr5eykOcWheWvmAXg_KBggzXKPkZ_IImipyH_oQHeyzxg4ah8RE_1aK=s3865" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3865" data-original-width="2542" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio6SO160X91BiU1T1J4XpUjeVgLkqKUh78cpVglTvO_e1WWd6HdFKHpz0r96CuGx0cnYoH_H14NtrHzIoB6-lHlstpg6tr-12SozdtyXLSI_2wr4TW-WXcYb0bPgjBXsBttCr5eykOcWheWvmAXg_KBggzXKPkZ_IImipyH_oQHeyzxg4ah8RE_1aK=s320" width="210" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">May 15, 1922 - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsie_Janis" target="_blank">Elsie Janis and Her Gang</a> (extensive Wikipedia entry)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf1wcMesAeD7fmnSlrYuQNYmeggrD6wS46L9dk_WZFByBehjqUTXB3hqLV4GKGecXyFICq97YvbxB-lXi8Jycx-coP6Fxw7-_nhbUnxVJ8OUZw5ZIRLjA2CGijarYOxg6EE0qc-2uF0R7WSxPGiTTZwv_fEDkDPoPpt8mQYsBYS7FENrz3NCqup_TY=s3910" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3910" data-original-width="2525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf1wcMesAeD7fmnSlrYuQNYmeggrD6wS46L9dk_WZFByBehjqUTXB3hqLV4GKGecXyFICq97YvbxB-lXi8Jycx-coP6Fxw7-_nhbUnxVJ8OUZw5ZIRLjA2CGijarYOxg6EE0qc-2uF0R7WSxPGiTTZwv_fEDkDPoPpt8mQYsBYS7FENrz3NCqup_TY=s320" width="207" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">July 10-11, 1922 - Pantages Vaudeville / July 12-15, 1922 - Brandon Light Opera</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Performers included: The Four Boyces, Jeans & Shane, Josefita Silva Trio, Dolly Brickey, Little Jim, Violet Robson, Georgia Emmett, Lilian Robson, Sandell Sisters, Charles Sbladar, Earl Miller, Wilson & McEvoy, Four Erettos.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgin3KZw4DQ-tx9_IoUeCsSWmP7GkVc9YapmhsK0kuOzOs7lAYXDS4BgBS2YOk_GHeRubzod4tU4ddZnZ37Mmu3kN6lZYEWwbH9DTlbel2p-NnxPALl_06T4lcC2LR8de9RQ2xbDWzEkDY4h-TEpX1ZcefdP06ljl5qEb_BXTtD7tyUHJP6LM-91Db0=s3013" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="3013" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgin3KZw4DQ-tx9_IoUeCsSWmP7GkVc9YapmhsK0kuOzOs7lAYXDS4BgBS2YOk_GHeRubzod4tU4ddZnZ37Mmu3kN6lZYEWwbH9DTlbel2p-NnxPALl_06T4lcC2LR8de9RQ2xbDWzEkDY4h-TEpX1ZcefdP06ljl5qEb_BXTtD7tyUHJP6LM-91Db0=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfcQO0GTUZsikk7ykogxCq290izdno1JYoxK9RsMQ9st1WeZJep-lqpV3OygL4cm3EY2TI1C_Tclyos8o5QcAcY28d4nvCbaSYCE4tf0uYDBs6sxiwZi1ZZn1sLp_v-V1b9RlTLyOnxElnrQlfg75uiDfbn3H1JjFNwEhx32e5XqYZt6N5m-sIL0r3=s2918" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="2918" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfcQO0GTUZsikk7ykogxCq290izdno1JYoxK9RsMQ9st1WeZJep-lqpV3OygL4cm3EY2TI1C_Tclyos8o5QcAcY28d4nvCbaSYCE4tf0uYDBs6sxiwZi1ZZn1sLp_v-V1b9RlTLyOnxElnrQlfg75uiDfbn3H1JjFNwEhx32e5XqYZt6N5m-sIL0r3=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPuRTDxmZu1JIEOZoXPZ2zvvoWgeIHJwt751-OmzgQehgKCVQbuz3h6IlzpNMEJdrR-NNl6JBI_JyXw9aC8oCaHXRVHhcvE-EX0Imd59LaGC1uiXdEITIDYfYl3J0lXWSRIwzQbdBf8JgoJqfiJ19sV3Bs4ow1QJde-fMp1pEGzz9uk1U7m2S5DXOu=s2776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="2776" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPuRTDxmZu1JIEOZoXPZ2zvvoWgeIHJwt751-OmzgQehgKCVQbuz3h6IlzpNMEJdrR-NNl6JBI_JyXw9aC8oCaHXRVHhcvE-EX0Imd59LaGC1uiXdEITIDYfYl3J0lXWSRIwzQbdBf8JgoJqfiJ19sV3Bs4ow1QJde-fMp1pEGzz9uk1U7m2S5DXOu=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9AjZbSjcpMOh0rhkc-hfQaX0e_gQR26q8WP_oUj1HzILEx8CEsBW_y8Tg0vT75IWAv2Bt5b-jnw9UH0gsSUkPkieynj7-FSsnJUu4iw5wsD1Mv_PjzlAdjYugUQ46GOP_xN3BZ07r_I9jTtg17XdZKyU0OeILcOpe0M8b7j7UOe5bt7ueGUokBtP-=s2933" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2597" data-original-width="2933" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9AjZbSjcpMOh0rhkc-hfQaX0e_gQR26q8WP_oUj1HzILEx8CEsBW_y8Tg0vT75IWAv2Bt5b-jnw9UH0gsSUkPkieynj7-FSsnJUu4iw5wsD1Mv_PjzlAdjYugUQ46GOP_xN3BZ07r_I9jTtg17XdZKyU0OeILcOpe0M8b7j7UOe5bt7ueGUokBtP-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Advertisements from the program above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKM0uqYDacZQq_OMS1G1paFYhXnbTlNtQXSezzTsUnskUNbf640YZyBoPtCP77RzGR_XYbfj8B2s5pjNP281tOhqNZgpauCl88Djf9kcIkuMK0k6bGCa62Io90PHkMZJdMZKzI0kM9NMRsooXUcHsdL3C1Cm8JCz8-sK5-YK6wBuL3mkC5VZKWIVhg=s3972" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3972" data-original-width="2519" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKM0uqYDacZQq_OMS1G1paFYhXnbTlNtQXSezzTsUnskUNbf640YZyBoPtCP77RzGR_XYbfj8B2s5pjNP281tOhqNZgpauCl88Djf9kcIkuMK0k6bGCa62Io90PHkMZJdMZKzI0kM9NMRsooXUcHsdL3C1Cm8JCz8-sK5-YK6wBuL3mkC5VZKWIVhg=s320" width="203" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">July 17-18, 1922 - Pantages Vaudeville / July 19-22, 1922 - Brandon Light Opera</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Performers included: Four & Price, Mel Craig and Ed Holtsworth, Everett's Monkeys, Howard Mack and Henriettta Lane, Dorothy Beattie and Adolph Blome</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpnFtJY0xApYzzUU7VjkjNevi2vd4ZBUF7QnGrE4daPx8wKsBydHDvNV6GT-AyT5CxCaH-v4lj7s7a3WBAgbhK9TMJb8bWm0ilSzplL_cJnmu8VoC6TxwzaIMoCotBARwwQ7p6BCv1BHxDbERZ7RkcanFfn29t9AXdydWgJVOjKQXYLBHkLDOynRQV=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="3024" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpnFtJY0xApYzzUU7VjkjNevi2vd4ZBUF7QnGrE4daPx8wKsBydHDvNV6GT-AyT5CxCaH-v4lj7s7a3WBAgbhK9TMJb8bWm0ilSzplL_cJnmu8VoC6TxwzaIMoCotBARwwQ7p6BCv1BHxDbERZ7RkcanFfn29t9AXdydWgJVOjKQXYLBHkLDOynRQV=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6d0XNekjyJwCxmgJe5V1rbwwmP-QX5ZoJzRB7DWcv1hOV_cjP1FS3nSHEFQM0ohFUx1ADRiRbmy9H4ucwbeHfrlCAOD4VQAoASiV71l-2ryQaeLImwcoqqNqbnDEqMOuFVyJre1GUAU9JxppewNr4sbEOZHGK9X8BxO-djR_4vJCYQI941FZ8cQ0Y=s3005" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="3005" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6d0XNekjyJwCxmgJe5V1rbwwmP-QX5ZoJzRB7DWcv1hOV_cjP1FS3nSHEFQM0ohFUx1ADRiRbmy9H4ucwbeHfrlCAOD4VQAoASiV71l-2ryQaeLImwcoqqNqbnDEqMOuFVyJre1GUAU9JxppewNr4sbEOZHGK9X8BxO-djR_4vJCYQI941FZ8cQ0Y=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh69I1ugBTMIT4-0zFT92FEithH4rqMquXLJPdqf9SvSKKPrme-0Rb2rT2oXB8gt6mTeKqErQkEya9CTC6WVJvWhxooiTaxo21_DEsXq_i1xn48GnVG67l-bKID7NBVbyB3fpC9Uq3APlzLVMRRsNOXV6RguHZjwTqB5af7lm4nuNlKu8ymlrbCPz1t=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="3024" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh69I1ugBTMIT4-0zFT92FEithH4rqMquXLJPdqf9SvSKKPrme-0Rb2rT2oXB8gt6mTeKqErQkEya9CTC6WVJvWhxooiTaxo21_DEsXq_i1xn48GnVG67l-bKID7NBVbyB3fpC9Uq3APlzLVMRRsNOXV6RguHZjwTqB5af7lm4nuNlKu8ymlrbCPz1t=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Advertisements from the program above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw7Gj6eGsaTDGPcqPw9M-ld3cDPRmnzkqRB1DOklTjIxJ5HdauinARGoLD8BYdS2AOySNX_bqlUAsNBqbiuhA_iIK5hrEs9f41iTLMPqp_1xDkJBdELk6B_7KAiXzCYmILneX9u-EAn_kLvnqyXW6dDZABFx2cAedT1nz1XG8LQriE4l2Y7A2eUI7g=s3854" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3854" data-original-width="2361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw7Gj6eGsaTDGPcqPw9M-ld3cDPRmnzkqRB1DOklTjIxJ5HdauinARGoLD8BYdS2AOySNX_bqlUAsNBqbiuhA_iIK5hrEs9f41iTLMPqp_1xDkJBdELk6B_7KAiXzCYmILneX9u-EAn_kLvnqyXW6dDZABFx2cAedT1nz1XG8LQriE4l2Y7A2eUI7g=s320" width="196" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> August 14-15, 1922 - Pantages Vaudeville</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Performers included: Will Morris, James Seymour and Dottie Jeanette, Erfords Oddities, Eddie Clark and Joe Verdio, Packy Calahan, Frank Roberts, Eddie Brasted, Nellie Quealey, George Oakes, Alice Morrison, Roy Stewert, and Louise Lovely.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNft1Evu-ztaobnydfrX7MdpGpXNC8WWbFyiVfaXvrG8xdJ4EnpGnkNYRYBwln77D7pE2J7__7rx5ClngTbtv5jMWhoih1ZHX2L-xCh91lOLE5NaJg5hWAu3CIUD4fCj2nZygwatWukTEOcKWaQLkUPifM3aYcOnIRAcDLooB9k8nLc13tdYXec4w5=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3024" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNft1Evu-ztaobnydfrX7MdpGpXNC8WWbFyiVfaXvrG8xdJ4EnpGnkNYRYBwln77D7pE2J7__7rx5ClngTbtv5jMWhoih1ZHX2L-xCh91lOLE5NaJg5hWAu3CIUD4fCj2nZygwatWukTEOcKWaQLkUPifM3aYcOnIRAcDLooB9k8nLc13tdYXec4w5=s320" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpUjzyIpjjSTHRDU7lQIKkBL1hBvzOsCDuLEGtBFdH3Wux77zIuFGYUmTXv8XpAYCgdyJizDtbdzsZMCuHqVmmxznRwKY9GLNGZox-kggtU-8hSCgr8w30Mt6wMy8ImlPxxSFlHjb604jB79Jb84yAWeJT3VhNippahhyX6BH2RltRxcP7rOd13ZsQ=s2994" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2223" data-original-width="2994" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpUjzyIpjjSTHRDU7lQIKkBL1hBvzOsCDuLEGtBFdH3Wux77zIuFGYUmTXv8XpAYCgdyJizDtbdzsZMCuHqVmmxznRwKY9GLNGZox-kggtU-8hSCgr8w30Mt6wMy8ImlPxxSFlHjb604jB79Jb84yAWeJT3VhNippahhyX6BH2RltRxcP7rOd13ZsQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlEtVk-EoGkze1ScWMJkLG4uz8JFNAADlQTSgwwA-1J7x5PJlGoikErFW0rC-UlJ_NnH8XkZR8ydAbNC-a5-zAgnzewuqlNQpijjgOpURLgdNVIkgNkpyWmT9Ffyu2sYB03C4pHEiDnVpZZaLgs_GRVDTw0wbV89cvDsgiJjSWC_pYM5V9U0PCnW6A=s3838" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3838" data-original-width="2344" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlEtVk-EoGkze1ScWMJkLG4uz8JFNAADlQTSgwwA-1J7x5PJlGoikErFW0rC-UlJ_NnH8XkZR8ydAbNC-a5-zAgnzewuqlNQpijjgOpURLgdNVIkgNkpyWmT9Ffyu2sYB03C4pHEiDnVpZZaLgs_GRVDTw0wbV89cvDsgiJjSWC_pYM5V9U0PCnW6A=s320" width="195" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Advertisements from program above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWvCxmfEH1gjPgAr-aIcXGrjl5SNBGEYlePOtbHgxSp1qKD7XKpB56zF45Wb34k3km70jhWkF1qkj8eQCOEC3k3ds0GyedSiOTpRxJ19gUiOc0Y166CJSLOvyGf9bsWRM49XQrSmgk1xcic2SGRBjFR60WQ4uOUq6p8Q7tjRivYT39sGx1n_YvX98x=s3833" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3833" data-original-width="2491" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWvCxmfEH1gjPgAr-aIcXGrjl5SNBGEYlePOtbHgxSp1qKD7XKpB56zF45Wb34k3km70jhWkF1qkj8eQCOEC3k3ds0GyedSiOTpRxJ19gUiOc0Y166CJSLOvyGf9bsWRM49XQrSmgk1xcic2SGRBjFR60WQ4uOUq6p8Q7tjRivYT39sGx1n_YvX98x=s320" width="208" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">October 4, 1922 - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_Ponselle" target="_blank">Rosa Ponselle</a> (extensive Wikipedia entry)<br /></div></div>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-74846718028476624872022-01-24T07:00:00.001-08:002022-01-24T07:00:00.205-08:00Burns Theatre Vaudeville - Part One<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOlfAGmoiVeZ1sc8O8nrSZkjkUe3cSXPHnis4VWAcVQjHWvHCrKwySfVmszBsRnYvLCDKG2PgmA7JcDoHqgpZzSicyrxVXi_MB5CihQjTTocXSt7NyD_ToBdpFfNjNe1ZYvOvpyBTBFdTG5gx1bIE1GBxADE0JfSdwEFY1aU3QS_WLgsUqERTnR96w=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="3024" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOlfAGmoiVeZ1sc8O8nrSZkjkUe3cSXPHnis4VWAcVQjHWvHCrKwySfVmszBsRnYvLCDKG2PgmA7JcDoHqgpZzSicyrxVXi_MB5CihQjTTocXSt7NyD_ToBdpFfNjNe1ZYvOvpyBTBFdTG5gx1bIE1GBxADE0JfSdwEFY1aU3QS_WLgsUqERTnR96w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Hey all! Over the weekend I attended the <a href="http://www.denverpostcardshow.com/" target="_blank">Denver Postcard and Paper Show</a>, and scored and amazing cache of 1921-1923 Colorado Springs vaudeville programs and handbills, from my friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/717445901690701/" target="_blank">Susan Backer</a> (Facebook link). This is one of the most amazing collections of Pikes Peak-area entertainment ephemera I have ever seen.</p><p>All are from the Burns Theatre, which was located at 21 – 23 East Pikes Peak Avenue. The venue was built in 1912, and remained a vaudeville staple until 1927, when it was converted into a movie house (and later known as the Chief Theatre). It was torn down in 1973. </p><p>There are so many programs and handbills, I'm going to have to divide it into two posts. </p><p>Most mention Pantages Vaudeville. The Burns Theatre was included in what was called the "Pantages Circuit," which included venues around the United States, which booked and rotated touring acts on long-term contracts. A few show some silent film titles.<br /></p><p>(Click each to enlarge) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjzqUH8l4JNwpnSBwx3hqgV5UOBEZwzwQwBep_mWFQ0bMB5CyjsllDnpcs9S4kFpeduEthwTqhxhlMGGVCmedkISykKR3kvkUePy1e2xWXIQBCcCMw4CmaLQ5sttxYexSMNfZXDEuh73YN82pFcv7vn4Z9OULAj-2NtczJMFzszCPKN5pJLdlMtk_S=s3926" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3926" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjzqUH8l4JNwpnSBwx3hqgV5UOBEZwzwQwBep_mWFQ0bMB5CyjsllDnpcs9S4kFpeduEthwTqhxhlMGGVCmedkISykKR3kvkUePy1e2xWXIQBCcCMw4CmaLQ5sttxYexSMNfZXDEuh73YN82pFcv7vn4Z9OULAj-2NtczJMFzszCPKN5pJLdlMtk_S=s320" width="211" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 1-2, 1921</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Acts: "Private Property" (Musical Comedy), Walton & Bryant, Robert Swan, Mabel Blondell, Kennedy & Francis, International News, Burns Orchestra. Also mentions Chas. Ray in "19 and Phyllis."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpI40r5tSM1_kTlz5bzOL8lwjf7Ya8yLKZ8092lHEkbbTvHMYat_PpXwZYyW-2X85NCT2J4_MFZj4q4qZmhbvT7CQszi_F337aJXnrcYB3DI4ICqzSxfp3nLSraMhTLtiVctjM1t_1Vbw4m-keSoKmFj_JCua_qqKrVOFp6TSufXqTyfx37jLJCitM=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2348" data-original-width="3024" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpI40r5tSM1_kTlz5bzOL8lwjf7Ya8yLKZ8092lHEkbbTvHMYat_PpXwZYyW-2X85NCT2J4_MFZj4q4qZmhbvT7CQszi_F337aJXnrcYB3DI4ICqzSxfp3nLSraMhTLtiVctjM1t_1Vbw4m-keSoKmFj_JCua_qqKrVOFp6TSufXqTyfx37jLJCitM=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>September 12-13, 1921</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Acts: Burns Orchestra, International News, Baby June Hovick and Pals, Tim Whelan & Priscilla King, Sidney Stein & Billy Smith ("The Brazilian Diplomats"), A Japanese Romance (Nace Murray). Back of program mentions "The Scoffer" (Rhea Mitchell, James Kirkwood, Mary Thurman, and Philo McCullogh), and "Nobody" (Jewel Carmen).<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhj1usTj0LmteYUIoZsngj23fVHWG5bWaL1uwLTyCYaAdUBSvLW09_8Wk6na6U_s22a6AI471gqCT316ZOJ5UOf1_qqlRMbIcYyPaCvFzOpBneEk9lqj8kXsxr00CzkcBLxuzADD4M_t2ywZUDxB7kfxmnPfj9jg-uoaMHHA5fpCnm9xjVB4E5jO7jN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2725" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhj1usTj0LmteYUIoZsngj23fVHWG5bWaL1uwLTyCYaAdUBSvLW09_8Wk6na6U_s22a6AI471gqCT316ZOJ5UOf1_qqlRMbIcYyPaCvFzOpBneEk9lqj8kXsxr00CzkcBLxuzADD4M_t2ywZUDxB7kfxmnPfj9jg-uoaMHHA5fpCnm9xjVB4E5jO7jN=s320" width="216" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 30-31, 1922</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Acts: General Pantages Vaudeville ad. Also includes Sessue Hayakawa ("Five Days to Live") and Norma Talmage in "The Wonderful Thing," and Ben Turpin in "Loves' Outcast."<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNC-oMGs9VyFitBZQjniqZkJaySv7dX65oJUO4060JnNPftUm2mHVi5iJRMkt8P0SRMznOVMv-B4_ljnWYsFUt_vx5LmA1NnR_umLK48DpKSWn2cjEoJWJqc6-yjuphf-Ow0adzihGXRzgj7wpBzgfOGyibdiO-0LcskreDyqi6awxH7EF6MMhC5PV=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2360" data-original-width="3024" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNC-oMGs9VyFitBZQjniqZkJaySv7dX65oJUO4060JnNPftUm2mHVi5iJRMkt8P0SRMznOVMv-B4_ljnWYsFUt_vx5LmA1NnR_umLK48DpKSWn2cjEoJWJqc6-yjuphf-Ow0adzihGXRzgj7wpBzgfOGyibdiO-0LcskreDyqi6awxH7EF6MMhC5PV=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 6-7, 1922 </b></p><div style="text-align: center;">Acts: Mlle. Paula - Aerial Gymnast, Roland & Ray, Neil McKinley, House of David Band, Grace Darmond, Joe Scheftell's Creole Fashion Revue NOTE: "Next week's vaudeville bill will include Ethel Barrymore" <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6NV59ERZJRughEw9ivNbAPq6y3tQXzuoUs-LKYhqai0Uhnk2EZnb3OFiE3xmAca-_LPothTtpU_URRqD4A0rOBgUPnxuUaeDX_Dw6nUJoXKqN-8p-Z8Y-8frvyVYm3QmhL-Rqi6vGIOWUMEr6vpM7st9MZSotzLTnwAqk1OsZ8UtMguKR9Py-A9SP=s3958" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3958" data-original-width="1839" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6NV59ERZJRughEw9ivNbAPq6y3tQXzuoUs-LKYhqai0Uhnk2EZnb3OFiE3xmAca-_LPothTtpU_URRqD4A0rOBgUPnxuUaeDX_Dw6nUJoXKqN-8p-Z8Y-8frvyVYm3QmhL-Rqi6vGIOWUMEr6vpM7st9MZSotzLTnwAqk1OsZ8UtMguKR9Py-A9SP=s320" width="149" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>October 23-24, 1922 </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Acts: Burns Orchestra, International News, Page & Green, Ward & King, Crane Sisters, "Indoor Sports" (Warren Warren, Bonnie Beck, June Floodis, Billy Green), The Caledonia Four, Jarvis Revue (Will Jarvis), Serenade (George Walsh). Also mentions the Georgia Minstrels and "The Emperor Jones" (Charles Gilpin)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC3DNvopXZXgrJ57V0BYXw1U2LYFF9Qc7dfsvsrOkdAwoCFHRHQ1S_E8SR-NxWqWA1hJ1Tp_0g3fdmv4NLU8z14YMDfrLw4uFXsB0LNyJDwNAhp0eYBoAJzVp9e4UCxqWJ1gh-xz2nvVtxdPPJZGFQ1_mN32uXhqpGR1Lsr7CtrixzOa2LH5MrXsQW=s3988" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3988" data-original-width="2054" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC3DNvopXZXgrJ57V0BYXw1U2LYFF9Qc7dfsvsrOkdAwoCFHRHQ1S_E8SR-NxWqWA1hJ1Tp_0g3fdmv4NLU8z14YMDfrLw4uFXsB0LNyJDwNAhp0eYBoAJzVp9e4UCxqWJ1gh-xz2nvVtxdPPJZGFQ1_mN32uXhqpGR1Lsr7CtrixzOa2LH5MrXsQW=s320" width="165" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>April 2-3, 1923</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Acts: Burns Orchestra, International News, The Artist's Dream (Lew Kessler, Joyce Lands, Florence McClurg), Catherine Van Digriffe Unger ("The Littlest Prima Dona), "Just in Time (Mr. Walter Law, Betty Marvin and Ray Gallagher), Mr. Cleveland Davis, Rinaldo Brothers, Helen Hamilton and Jack Barnes, Aleko, Panthea and Presco; Jack Goldie, Jack Patton and Loretta Mark</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stay tuned for eight additional programs, posted next Monday.<br /></div>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-40024929250530380152022-01-17T07:00:00.052-08:002022-01-17T07:00:00.221-08:00HELP WANTED: Unknown Band Box Singer<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFvzNx1HErPGQNXBlHCF-i4FU8PJKjIyjy5CdEjJcGTVwmLYGR0FGcG7_V7434bagoFZEo79UDDmMQpPLpYl4peyiddOUre8VW5NL9p_2ZCnOzUnPi6VBYI7QoKY4dgottZ_CnUpqx6PIqjJgnFUhXaAZZwJN-HOct5lXKW2jucEzZgK0DnPJycmvg=s2397" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="2397" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFvzNx1HErPGQNXBlHCF-i4FU8PJKjIyjy5CdEjJcGTVwmLYGR0FGcG7_V7434bagoFZEo79UDDmMQpPLpYl4peyiddOUre8VW5NL9p_2ZCnOzUnPi6VBYI7QoKY4dgottZ_CnUpqx6PIqjJgnFUhXaAZZwJN-HOct5lXKW2jucEzZgK0DnPJycmvg=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p>Hey all!</p><p>Found this record at an estate sale, right before Thanksgiving. The sale organizer didn't have any information for me. When I looked up the address of the departed individual, it didn't yield anything related to this find.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/KoolMan.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to "Kool Man's Blues" </a><br /></p><p>While there is lots of information on Band Box records, these songs are not mentioned anywhere. While the label released numerous commercial recordings, the Denver-area studio was also used for "single use," whereas an aspiring singer could go in and record a couple of songs for fun. I'm guessing that is the case with this find. Nothing noted in copyright archives, when I did a search on the titles.<br /></p><p>I love the SSW folk vibe with these - just a guy and his guitar. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjibdJ13COrvdFwWaka-aJSJ-vJvrldfg7GdOOO64-TDgn0Y2yRnIzWx4UQsquXBXwapP02wIyLWbAkm-yLIy5n64KV6fO5fxigou1uyYaLrFXweDQcBDXlUsnXhh0l-1ODScem_dnlZP_NFhKDofIlWF-p4dEi0ZpLn6C-70jJvEOTFf_2Scqe6qfe=s2444" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1931" data-original-width="2444" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjibdJ13COrvdFwWaka-aJSJ-vJvrldfg7GdOOO64-TDgn0Y2yRnIzWx4UQsquXBXwapP02wIyLWbAkm-yLIy5n64KV6fO5fxigou1uyYaLrFXweDQcBDXlUsnXhh0l-1ODScem_dnlZP_NFhKDofIlWF-p4dEi0ZpLn6C-70jJvEOTFf_2Scqe6qfe=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/FromtheCity.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to "From The City to the Sea"</a><br /></p><p> If this sounds familiar to anyone, please drop me a line.<br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-26803625207274033602022-01-10T07:00:00.073-08:002022-01-10T11:39:30.592-08:00American National Bank of Denver<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUcSFQSnMuQL8GcWPkzY4AznLJ3RErPTcHX6OaJR2N7GdVHq-0z_FdGzI1OnF81j3D5Btu67RfD0xQHgMKYNF9SbAD_NS7hYxQHK63zuNY6DP4dqOgjg4AZkLfl0uhHLRk3RR7BtKXRhbHjMB_rMj5rv1YZQiEv3ykJosxWQY16c7dTXpx1urEsVhw=s2858" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="2858" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUcSFQSnMuQL8GcWPkzY4AznLJ3RErPTcHX6OaJR2N7GdVHq-0z_FdGzI1OnF81j3D5Btu67RfD0xQHgMKYNF9SbAD_NS7hYxQHK63zuNY6DP4dqOgjg4AZkLfl0uhHLRk3RR7BtKXRhbHjMB_rMj5rv1YZQiEv3ykJosxWQY16c7dTXpx1urEsVhw=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p>Hey all! I hope your new year is one of health, happiness and prosperity. Is your resolution to lose weight, run a marathon, or just survive until 2023? I completely get it, as it seems like lately I've been saying "I'm glad THAT year is over!"</p><p>I was reading that one of the biggest resolutions people attempt to do every year is save money. Of course these people probably don't scrounge for esoteric Colorado vinyl recordings (grin).<br /></p><p>On that note, I wanted to feature this 1950 disc from KLZ radio, in Denver. It features two commercials for the American National Bank, and is added to the stash by my dear friend, Mike Stelk. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpjYRmMOPG1tvfyGozCQtoWEBf4nnqCAke92_Eygx6qI-8ywQSvBHlIMWQk5EPZux3oAPYChsvn4rV2aVYU6w_1v63iiL312rQ_92u3_NHZdaF2J3kevHDMOlyy35PcvDtHeqma--kDUQfnSJjYaopTjDIz7ssApQ11RQ6HDe1_CHQNL-B5qSYqI3R=s488" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpjYRmMOPG1tvfyGozCQtoWEBf4nnqCAke92_Eygx6qI-8ywQSvBHlIMWQk5EPZux3oAPYChsvn4rV2aVYU6w_1v63iiL312rQ_92u3_NHZdaF2J3kevHDMOlyy35PcvDtHeqma--kDUQfnSJjYaopTjDIz7ssApQ11RQ6HDe1_CHQNL-B5qSYqI3R=s320" width="216" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Herman Feucht</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The spots are voiced by bank Vice President Herman Feucht (1898-1990), who was later named national vice chairman of the American Red Cross. The commercials don't include a music background, so it's possible there wasn't one, or it hadn't been added yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnO2hsxxJw4punsLqJyi4XWWaWmiv7ZUMWo45e-yWnmg6XWiVwZiLwwJz7dqJkbqn6yRviiBE1qLRBejdDAYZowsxw7d1eKujFqZDT_Z63LqIBELYR2276RtCIzUG6wk8OnFNviwgk1KNp-L_D2NnWRkFPbK9cNC6KmSByaW3QuTzzhIkNgTVTfMtu=s756" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="743" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnO2hsxxJw4punsLqJyi4XWWaWmiv7ZUMWo45e-yWnmg6XWiVwZiLwwJz7dqJkbqn6yRviiBE1qLRBejdDAYZowsxw7d1eKujFqZDT_Z63LqIBELYR2276RtCIzUG6wk8OnFNviwgk1KNp-L_D2NnWRkFPbK9cNC6KmSByaW3QuTzzhIkNgTVTfMtu=s320" width="314" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/AmericanNationalBank.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to commercial (1:55) </a><br /></div><p>KLZ (560 AM) will be celebrating its 100th year on the air (it received its first broadcasting license on March 10, 1922), and is the oldest broadcasting station in the state of Colorado, and one of the oldest in the United States. In 1950, its station motto was "Pioneer of the West."</p> The American National Bank of Denver location, at 17th and Stout. was built in 1911. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The building is now the Magnolia Hotel.<br />Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-47041545391710853672022-01-03T07:00:00.212-08:002022-01-03T07:47:54.142-08:00Elizabeth Clare Prophet - The Colorado Springs Years<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikoNwd-dPD2YMjGAN4H-pzyYPZNXEZRBuqt2tK_D7q67NQZRao7pXVVp7jjDibZ3GHO_RbUYWROdBQ8vWyTjOVmmh14Ll1MPUM2cxMBfu7xsI4kJjcV-0IK_kwn8clywPs3AqGHelzUf0_WLOLM_qG8OzOq0bWUGKvmMN8h0WJp3DZb4kawVcEO_zf=s846" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="846" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikoNwd-dPD2YMjGAN4H-pzyYPZNXEZRBuqt2tK_D7q67NQZRao7pXVVp7jjDibZ3GHO_RbUYWROdBQ8vWyTjOVmmh14Ll1MPUM2cxMBfu7xsI4kJjcV-0IK_kwn8clywPs3AqGHelzUf0_WLOLM_qG8OzOq0bWUGKvmMN8h0WJp3DZb4kawVcEO_zf=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Clare and Mark Prophet in their Colorado Springs worship facility (date unknown)<br /></p><p>In 1966, spiritual leaders Elizabeth Clare Prophet and her husband Mark moved to Colorado Springs, residing in a mansion at the corner of 60 1st St. and Broadmoor Ave., which was known as the Retreat of the Resurrection Spiral.<i> </i></p><p><i>NOTE: For more on Mark and Elizabeth Clare Prophet check <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Universal_and_Triumphant#The_Summit_Lighthouse" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>. No need to repeat the extensive bio and history, as this post is about the recordings they produced, during their time in Colorado.</i><br /></p><p>The Prophets immediately started publishing books and pamphlets, and soon The Colorado Springs-based Summit Lighthouse record label was added to their media empire.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9HgCNOLQu1EcaQoIFUEMr7Jwj0LyIOjfBOkLQ8sloo9zh5_Mfv3e9BJQJGi_46PcUyR3kApL3izzzE7JFLHVxKNr0FCQ-IVvwVWrjDzCU--a2f3gFjvW7WhmLs50XWej7EfjioCVTsKwJlWKsTcs4XGYmxB2YplTlzID_kVKFZuLn_U4vBfsbh-JO=s1618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="1618" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9HgCNOLQu1EcaQoIFUEMr7Jwj0LyIOjfBOkLQ8sloo9zh5_Mfv3e9BJQJGi_46PcUyR3kApL3izzzE7JFLHVxKNr0FCQ-IVvwVWrjDzCU--a2f3gFjvW7WhmLs50XWej7EfjioCVTsKwJlWKsTcs4XGYmxB2YplTlzID_kVKFZuLn_U4vBfsbh-JO=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In 1968 they released <i>Watch with Me</i> (AMR 6803), which included a series of talks given December 25, 1967 at La Tourelle, The Citadel of Freedom, Colorado Springs, CO., and "The Summoning of the Devotees" given July 26, 1968 at the International Resource Conference, Los Angeles, CA.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX_K-bH1d85qHascpVTOiE_S1tldFpJsK0991bETG8PZTAStRigiBMBZyjK_y9FSmQG4JDypagtz1Smj9ibkxSZS9o8x8R4VLrD_gSNwrZFdD92-LPEcYua_7km5RJoT1ZOK4yGfHs3TfgrfhqzcCw9Uw-rljdvDwE9Vb64pRNbKzN38WReMcNFQUt=s2705" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2581" data-original-width="2705" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX_K-bH1d85qHascpVTOiE_S1tldFpJsK0991bETG8PZTAStRigiBMBZyjK_y9FSmQG4JDypagtz1Smj9ibkxSZS9o8x8R4VLrD_gSNwrZFdD92-LPEcYua_7km5RJoT1ZOK4yGfHs3TfgrfhqzcCw9Uw-rljdvDwE9Vb64pRNbKzN38WReMcNFQUt=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/Prophet.mp3" target="_blank"> Listen to a sample of "Sword of Blue Flame Over America"</a> (1:23)<br /></p><p>The follow-up album, also released in 1968, <i>Voice of Angels </i>(AMR 6804/5), a two-record LP set. The album promised that there would be a "series" of albums containing "Dictations by the Heavenly Hosts, SPOKEN FROM THE SUMMIT." It was recorded at The Citadel of Freedom, Colorado Springs (March 24, 1967, Oct. 12, 1967, April 13, 1968, and Oct. 11, 1968).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO7jpxo57pKXi7sj1cg3m3c6XzLwRpc-xOZfTllhv6FzbQSqyK6N6G_q-WM_psH9rbfUiYixamH6LnOBnufrSBt4FKfqGTbZ-FQtGU15ljFGp4hk-TXlM3KZ4RBH27lv8Hf3PlZlbYQC0gFnsqjnUeotT2rbKW5zVdPmy4YvcsS1aQcoO0G6cm4xt9=s2601" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2568" data-original-width="2601" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO7jpxo57pKXi7sj1cg3m3c6XzLwRpc-xOZfTllhv6FzbQSqyK6N6G_q-WM_psH9rbfUiYixamH6LnOBnufrSBt4FKfqGTbZ-FQtGU15ljFGp4hk-TXlM3KZ4RBH27lv8Hf3PlZlbYQC0gFnsqjnUeotT2rbKW5zVdPmy4YvcsS1aQcoO0G6cm4xt9=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In 1971, the Prophets released <i>Jesus Christ Star of New Hope</i> (AMR 7101). The album included talks from that year. It credits the involvement of James G MacDermid, Pearl Curran, singer Claire DuBois,
Alda Hudson on piano, and organist Sigrid Carlson. <i>NOTE: Soprano DuBois released her own LP, </i>This is My Garden<i> (Dubco 1348).</i>
</p><p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p><p>In May 1972 the Prophets opened the Four Winds Organic Center, a health food store and restaurant, located at 108 S. Tejon. During that time, they became friends with lounge singer, <a href="http://www.markandmother.com/MarkwitnessTerrifull.htm" target="_blank">Terry Canady</a> (famed for the duo of Terry Canady and Rudy Perez). "At the time I met Mark, I was playing the nightclub circuit and traveling
the country as an entertainer. I had a partner in my act, Rudy Perez.
I played guitar and sang and he played conga drums. One of the spots
at which we regularly performed [for three or four weeks at a time,
usually] was the Piccadilly Bar in the beautiful Antlers Plaza Hotel,
which was just a few blocks away from the Four Winds" (quote taken from the link above).<br /></p><p>Mark Prophet died February 26, 1973. Upon his death, his widow Elizabeth took over the leadership of the organization, changing its name to Church Universal and Triumphant. <span class="w">Shortly</span> <span class="w">after</span> <span class="w">her</span> <span class="w">husband</span>'<span class="w">s</span> <span class="w">death</span>, <span class="w">Prophet</span> <span class="w">married</span> <span class="w">Randall</span> <span class="w">King</span>, <span class="w">a</span> <span class="w">staff</span> <span class="w">member</span>. <span class="w">This</span> <span class="w">marriage</span> <span class="w">lasted</span> <span class="w">seven</span> <span class="w">years</span>. The Four Winds Organic Center closed in 1975, and an auction was held to sell off the contents. There are references that Elizabeth Clare Prophet left Colorado Springs a short time later (although some reports say 1979-1980). She died in 2009.<br /></p><br />Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-78241262742655930132021-12-27T07:00:00.082-08:002021-12-27T07:00:00.205-08:00Blind Tom - "One of the Greatest Wonders of the Age"<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg983sONGT45FfeZ5S-_MurRCbPTavdh0J6za2k29e-ofixicPwOkj9eK1r_NNEsj2YwPY4juWIibWjfKpJDdcyhQq5E33j73UCvfCPpjJhbwQxPqTZrhD5H9DDsA4iJqdQw6YfZvbdVOhhJEDfo7da12f6ThpwzMBBaYYlugxsL1ap5-DHMxFOrwvJ=s1039" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1039" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg983sONGT45FfeZ5S-_MurRCbPTavdh0J6za2k29e-ofixicPwOkj9eK1r_NNEsj2YwPY4juWIibWjfKpJDdcyhQq5E33j73UCvfCPpjJhbwQxPqTZrhD5H9DDsA4iJqdQw6YfZvbdVOhhJEDfo7da12f6ThpwzMBBaYYlugxsL1ap5-DHMxFOrwvJ=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p>NOTE: This piece is also published in the January 2022 issue of the <a href="https://pueblohistory.org/" target="_blank">Pueblo County Historical Society <i>The Lore.</i></a></p>
<p>In the early stages of Pueblo’s history, live music entertainment was limited to the Choral Union, Pueblo Cornet Band, or the newly formed city orchestra. On occasion, a “traveling troupe” would pass through on the way to a larger venue. Nationally known musical acts often limited their tours of Colorado to Denver, or Colorado Springs.
</p><p>In May 1878 the <i>Colorado Daily Chieftain</i> announced a concert by “the greatest musical prodigy living,” the visually-impaired pianist, Blind Tom. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5iSRSXD8I_OqhE5W1rgWrTvja5Hl9VaClNHjB0_WGT60_ytHE2PGhzGe4E5UphKp10Dj0KfEaxS91IqIOrPdUyGIaYiz1rUNh0bnjCV_ulPnHwQ0vErLeM_RYWSF65vvhjP85HpfStd8VA_Jc4z4Ct4yBP1MdiVWhcTFM6xrFkT6ld9DMP4GDpeBI=s1121" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="787" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5iSRSXD8I_OqhE5W1rgWrTvja5Hl9VaClNHjB0_WGT60_ytHE2PGhzGe4E5UphKp10Dj0KfEaxS91IqIOrPdUyGIaYiz1rUNh0bnjCV_ulPnHwQ0vErLeM_RYWSF65vvhjP85HpfStd8VA_Jc4z4Ct4yBP1MdiVWhcTFM6xrFkT6ld9DMP4GDpeBI=s320" width="225" /></a> <br /></p><p>At 29-years-old, Tom Wiggins had already been performing, for almost 20 years. Growing up as a slave, along with his mother and father, he was often hired out by Georgia plantation owner General James Neil Bethune to entertain his antebellum friends. His ability to audibly memorize thousands of pieces of music, and then play them back on a piano, was considered “a wonder.” He was quickly marketed as a P.T. Barnum-style freak, with often cruel advertising of him as a transformation from an animal to an artist. As word quickly spread about his abilities, he would leave the plantation and travel the United States, often performing four shows a day, making about $100,000 a year for General Bethune, who acted as Tom’s co-manager.
</p><p>By 1873 he had arrived in Denver, for four nights at the Guard Opera House, his first appearances in Colorado. “Blind Tom’s engagement here was a rich treat to all who heard him,” the reviews read.
</p><p>In Pueblo, the Colorado arrival of what would become one of earliest African American musical superstars would only receive a small newspaper mention. “Blind Tom, the negro musical monstrosity, who has been astonishing large audiences in the principal cities of the United States, is giving entertainments in Denver. The metropolitans are wild with excitement, of course,” the <i>Chieftain</i> noted. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3saLHJFmAbLvO8NkRKT7VUeEx1jRLCi51UfIy5KjkTq6wpWyBZfkCzII0XKH0I8rPzhq7U0npgNBaDHwmajMfIPrEiCEXeMR7ekHyl30l-o21kwWuEy38UZ0UYtE65hrg5dMvqmE4gPBZE72_GLW5ZAS3Df7R_hKFCT2uden2umaKIr3448rir1Jw=s1075" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="752" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3saLHJFmAbLvO8NkRKT7VUeEx1jRLCi51UfIy5KjkTq6wpWyBZfkCzII0XKH0I8rPzhq7U0npgNBaDHwmajMfIPrEiCEXeMR7ekHyl30l-o21kwWuEy38UZ0UYtE65hrg5dMvqmE4gPBZE72_GLW5ZAS3Df7R_hKFCT2uden2umaKIr3448rir1Jw=s320" width="224" /></a></p><p>As Wiggins popularity grew, he began writing his own compositions. Sheet music pieces were sold at his shows, as souvenirs for attendees. Titles included “The Battle of Manassas,” “Blind Tom’s March,” and even a novelty piece “Sewing Song,” where the piano imitates a sewing machine. For reasons unknown, later Blind Tom pieces used composer pseudonyms including Professor W.F. Raymond, J.C. Beckel, C.T. Messengale, and Francois Sexalise.
</p><p>In 1878 he made his way back to Colorado. His tour included Denver, Colorado Springs, various mining towns and finally, Pueblo. The news of his long-overdue local appearance included a more glowing description of his abilities, as compared to the “musical monstrosity” narrative, five years earlier. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv-BZqSaKtz3fMGovVSQwsTIpn_TArJz5PxuGkpNlOuP-ZFeH2KASwaIuL7zFrYyfyNu5f5I9_W-rIHpuGxm8GNszxcRp3xPSH67GDXbfz2B9fCqgiRkGDB-w4r5dOL2xfdJGmHpZmz7UFRgtNuzZ7DRq6Y6jXlEybv8xBCGgADMOoy4cZIptQOhKs=s1120" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1120" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv-BZqSaKtz3fMGovVSQwsTIpn_TArJz5PxuGkpNlOuP-ZFeH2KASwaIuL7zFrYyfyNu5f5I9_W-rIHpuGxm8GNszxcRp3xPSH67GDXbfz2B9fCqgiRkGDB-w4r5dOL2xfdJGmHpZmz7UFRgtNuzZ7DRq6Y6jXlEybv8xBCGgADMOoy4cZIptQOhKs=s320" width="320" /></a> </p><p style="text-align: center;">May 15, 1878 - <i>Colorado Daily Chieftain </i><br /></p><p>“Mr. Theodore Warhurst, the avant courier for Blind Tom, made us a pleasant call yesterday. This musical prodigy will entertain our people on the night of May 16. He is, undoubtedly, the greatest musical prodigy living.” May 1, 1878 – <i>Colorado Daily Chieftain
</i></p><p>His Pueblo concert was considered one of the most anticipated events, that year. The local paper ran daily ads, and promotional stories which bordered on equal parts public relations enthusiasm and side show hype. “Blind Tom, one of the greatest wonders of the age, will visit our town on the 16th. There is hardly anyone in the country unacquainted with this musical prodigy. He is perfectly blind, who has not the mental capacity sufficient to attend to his own wants, and hardly sufficient to understand even a common place conversation, yet he is the perfect master of the piano.” As reported in the May 9, 1878, issue of <i>Colorado Weekly Chieftain.</i><br /></p>
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</p><p>His sold-out, standing room only concert, at Chilcott’s Hall had patrons standing out in the street, hoping to hear the event. “Quite an audience thronged Santa Fe Avenue and Sixth Street last night, in the vicinity of Chilcott’s Hall, to listen to the playing of Blind Tom. They made some noise, and appeared to appreciate the performance fully, as well as those in the hall.”
</p><p>But not all of the reviews were supportive of Wiggins’ performance. While classical concert attendees applauded his musical skill, many were confused over the “side show.”
</p><p>“We had the pleasure of hearing the musical prodigy Blind Tom on Thursday evening. We didn’t fully appreciate the program, as too much time was taken up with Tom’s foolish speeches. Such a musical wonder should not be exhibited for such nonsense. The fault is not in the performer, for he is especially fond of the very highest order of composition, but a general audience likes a popular program, better.”
</p><p>Little did anyone know about the behind-the-scenes management of his career. General Bethune’s son had taken over bookings of Wiggins, and promoted him as a novelty act, or “a human parrot,” as one critic wrote. When John Bethune died in a train accident, in 1884, his ex-wife Eliza took custody of Wiggins.
</p><p>Wiggins would return to Colorado, in 1895. He would play Pueblo, one last time on January 18, at the Grand Opera House. Sadly, his visual impairment, odd stage antics, and lack of communication continued to be highlighted, for the sake of ticket sales.
</p><p>“A helpless idiot, with scarcely sense enough to know when he’s hungry, or to feed himself when he’s hungry, yet endowed with a musical gift far beyond the average musician,” noted a story in the January 15, 1895, <i>Colorado Daily Chieftain</i>.
</p><p>The concert included a variety of musical selections, including his own compositions. He also included “piano imitations” of various other musical instruments and sound effects, to a receptive audience. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf7U90h3L1tFHfP9MxlEBum114NghqOpcWIA35Z4LGGc7yt3Hnf3nTpYm-yPZzYm4U2qbBeqcwxwdHyWmXu31gvLfzeGaJZ6znuOkPA7nM1tLDpzT9vKGi4NXPiO9GTCM7Z8prD43K72T1g4RYdaFZRui-gA0ok358SNAKHmMYivEokPaEyeuAv1T5=s1088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf7U90h3L1tFHfP9MxlEBum114NghqOpcWIA35Z4LGGc7yt3Hnf3nTpYm-yPZzYm4U2qbBeqcwxwdHyWmXu31gvLfzeGaJZ6znuOkPA7nM1tLDpzT9vKGi4NXPiO9GTCM7Z8prD43K72T1g4RYdaFZRui-gA0ok358SNAKHmMYivEokPaEyeuAv1T5=s320" width="249" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">January 18, 1895 - <i>Colorado Weekly Chieftain</i></div><p>A glowing review of the concert, published by the <i>Chieftain</i>, downplayed any previous behaviors which were deemed a novelty act. “It would be a multiplication of words to attempt to describe the wonderful talent for music this man has. There never has been his equal. In his playing of high-class compositions, he displays his marvelous memory and appreciation of the fine phrasing in them. His playing is perfect.”
</p><p>In April 1908 Tom Wiggins suffered a major stroke. He died the following June. He was buried in the Cemetery of the Evergreens in Brooklyn, New York. His story has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, songs (Elton John’s “The Ballad of Blind Tom”) and artistic murals. The residents of his hometown, Columbus, GA., erected a commemorative tombstone for him, 68 years after his passing.
</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-29296682878017580192021-12-20T07:00:00.025-08:002021-12-20T07:00:00.229-08:00A Denver Christmas LP and the Mysterious Death of Bobby Bizup<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirZC-bkyoNfRPONuvneO-dmkG4KJIGAL0M3utO5R8x7noi-_jCGyYQ-kiM_u2dI6ZOMYK_tmDd3uC57tmYjws4HjDWvhcd5OqbiEGTKFrItZgxH67ZbEiCcFLlKgaaYS3RNu0BwEzKcptgxJ_8ldvoxXh1I3UnHXqXeUa2zJ8X_MiGsRs_V38djZYn=s1856" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="1780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirZC-bkyoNfRPONuvneO-dmkG4KJIGAL0M3utO5R8x7noi-_jCGyYQ-kiM_u2dI6ZOMYK_tmDd3uC57tmYjws4HjDWvhcd5OqbiEGTKFrItZgxH67ZbEiCcFLlKgaaYS3RNu0BwEzKcptgxJ_8ldvoxXh1I3UnHXqXeUa2zJ8X_MiGsRs_V38djZYn=s320" width="307" /></a> <br /></p><p></p><p>There is no easy way to segue a Colorado Christmas record with the story of a suspicious death of a child, but sadly these two go hand in hand. Just giving you a heads-up that this post takes on a (very) disturbing note.<br /></p><p>The Cathedral Choir was founded in 1912, by the late Rt. Rev. Joseph J. Bosetti (1886-1954). It was based at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (located at 401 E. Colfax), and made up of a volunteer group of Denver-area men and boys, from Catholic parishes around the city. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0__XvZxz3u5MPrdida9-M1pM20E2gQpJXPhiXRoHVQlGL_cOyFL8iM0Hcp2M0XXegXjsoA-80bSAN1lTYU8G0Q48FZtfc634b-gJwLqVCqS90It1VIAJWaYEIspcm_rXWoyjVv4umneglLLlX_l3PsmTTe3iWAXaJOSJa9l3zjJx57Kw6LppLLX7l=s2980" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="2021" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0__XvZxz3u5MPrdida9-M1pM20E2gQpJXPhiXRoHVQlGL_cOyFL8iM0Hcp2M0XXegXjsoA-80bSAN1lTYU8G0Q48FZtfc634b-gJwLqVCqS90It1VIAJWaYEIspcm_rXWoyjVv4umneglLLlX_l3PsmTTe3iWAXaJOSJa9l3zjJx57Kw6LppLLX7l=s320" width="217" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monsignor Richard Hiester<br /></div><p></p><p>This 1964 LP credits Monsignor Richard Hiester, who took over the group after Monsignor Bosetti passed away. The album features the voices of 64 men and boys, who perform classical Christmas selections. Vocal soloists include Mike Hannigan, William Trinnier, Rose Enevold, and Ray Kellogg. It features organist Alan Hobbs and harpist Helen Lunn. No clue on the bulldog pictured on the front cover.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwAIYfn6jEJ3BPuzkyPm-WkpEw_5-GBEPi7yGhwwgacR94lY4uNhdRWV70Qabow1DVc90eU37m9AD6NEYH_nEUNjGNFOFvI12CPucW4kaBI_btW6S6EOOAwY8OQp7ag2pfIoYmtPCSoJU16uzbPmDGtCBjxg_7RTcp5-NJpQjMpbla7dP0Ktf4PJY5=s2457" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2229" data-original-width="2457" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwAIYfn6jEJ3BPuzkyPm-WkpEw_5-GBEPi7yGhwwgacR94lY4uNhdRWV70Qabow1DVc90eU37m9AD6NEYH_nEUNjGNFOFvI12CPucW4kaBI_btW6S6EOOAwY8OQp7ag2pfIoYmtPCSoJU16uzbPmDGtCBjxg_7RTcp5-NJpQjMpbla7dP0Ktf4PJY5=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/SilentNight.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to "Silent Night"</a></p><p>Now for the horrific connection.</p><p>Rev. Hiester's name would be linked with the death of Bobby Bizup, the ten-year-old, hearing-impaired boy who went missing at Camp St. Malo, in 1958. Hiester was the camp director, at the time. While he was never implicated in the case, the death cast suspicion on other priests, who worked at the camp. To this day, nobody has been charged with a crime. Bobby's partial remains would be found, in 1959. In a bizarre twist, a skull was discovered in the possession of <span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Tom McCloskey, the son of Dr.
Joseph McCloskey – a prominent member of the Catholic Church and a
close friend of the Rev. Hiester. The skull has been turned over to the FBI, which is conducting a full forensic evaluation.<br /><br />Joseph McCloskey died in 1980, and Tom McCloskey said he took possession of the skull a couple of years later, unaware of its history.</span><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto"></span></p><p>Earlier this year, Denver's <a href="https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/bobby-bizup-skull/73-40ab340e-6db2-431d-bf97-1baf8cf1d034" target="_blank">9News</a> called attention to the unsolved case, which continues to intrigue the public, 63 years later (link to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8IdcrZWuM0">9News documentary</a> on the case) According to the investigative report, <span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto">"Father Hiester told reporters
that Bobby had been fishing and had failed to follow a counselor and
other boys back to the main lodge for dinner. A search party went out
that night, and within days hundreds of people, aided by bloodhounds and
aircraft, were in the woods looking for the boy." </span><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto">At
the same time, National Park Service documents obtained by 9News show that "Rev. Neil Hewitt discovered the bone and piece of clothing on July
3, 1959. However, Father Hiester didn’t report it to the park service
until three days later, on July 6."</span><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" dir="auto"></span></p><p>Monsignor Hiester died in 1993. He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery. <br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427986142200806158.post-15507263783899825232021-12-13T07:00:00.002-08:002021-12-13T07:00:00.213-08:00Merry Christmas From The Colorado Public Service Company Employee Choir <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLrd9AdztUQZf8NL-fFgzx0EJqYAtxgsuPw6Gx3dit2T7xQpeCuJmWkiAYWNW3C_o9NURpdn2w04C-w2mbAuZvICMbWhUNJOym5iBfHPfjWtMjhnNIeB6pGJjMGg3d1jgioPoDeKV5QyBM11Og5x-78lgLPiYCEQBEfs5iOARTnRVvkArHK2rKLxLr=s351" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="339" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLrd9AdztUQZf8NL-fFgzx0EJqYAtxgsuPw6Gx3dit2T7xQpeCuJmWkiAYWNW3C_o9NURpdn2w04C-w2mbAuZvICMbWhUNJOym5iBfHPfjWtMjhnNIeB6pGJjMGg3d1jgioPoDeKV5QyBM11Og5x-78lgLPiYCEQBEfs5iOARTnRVvkArHK2rKLxLr=w256-h265" width="256" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here's an interesting holiday find - a 1963 single-sided 10" promotional Christmas record from the Colorado Public Service Company employee choir.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgowsV3UoJeycCArWu6vHnwv27JY2x0AlDSlyLnxHUFVY12PbOJsxZ6ZdD8KWvDZJqLpZGvMllV76VdPaaOjGiS9w59ZkQ6yavY6gq5V6wdknAWy5SOYfaLtwYt4zGAH8MwXdDLFW9oILDVLEBeqU6A-O0venT_FF7XYWEt8FkuYpLlwxTBcR7e0s68=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1657" data-original-width="2048" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgowsV3UoJeycCArWu6vHnwv27JY2x0AlDSlyLnxHUFVY12PbOJsxZ6ZdD8KWvDZJqLpZGvMllV76VdPaaOjGiS9w59ZkQ6yavY6gq5V6wdknAWy5SOYfaLtwYt4zGAH8MwXdDLFW9oILDVLEBeqU6A-O0venT_FF7XYWEt8FkuYpLlwxTBcR7e0s68=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.elkbugles.com/music/PublicService.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to the intro (additional information at :43) </a><br /></p><p>Conductor Forest Fishel (1899-1982) was the choir teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School, and later head of the music department at the University of Denver. <br /></p>Lisa Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875917778330468605noreply@blogger.com0