Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Trade Publication Reference To My Great Grandfather As Orchestra Leader

From  THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW Dec 18, 1920

MANDOLIN ORCHESTRAS POPULAR
Many New Organizations of That Type Being
Formed in Various Localities
Banjo and mandolin clubs and orchestras are
on the boom, judging from the number of new
organizations reported. Thomas J. Shuter, who
is a member of the faculty of the Institute of
Musical Art, London, Ont., has organized a
mandolin orchestra of fifty players. C. H. Merritt
has organized a mandolin orchestra of fourteen
members in Pateros, Wash. W. K. Bauer,
mandolin teacher in Hartford and Willimantic,
Conn., is making progress in organizing a 100-
piece mandolin club in Hartford, Conn R. Holloway
reports live interest in mandolin music in
Michigan City and La Porte, Ind., where he is
organizing mandolin orchestras. J. L. Ivers, of
Adams, Mass., writes of a big mandolin orchestra
in the process of organization.





Scanned copies of The Music Trade Review available for viewing and download at : Arcade-Museum .com

Got To Touch A Piece of Gibson History

I've been fortunate to have had work a few weeks ago as a backline tech on an IBM corporate show in Grand Cayman, and enjoyed working with among others, The Steep Canyon Rangers and Stave Martin for several performances. I had some nice conversations with the band and crew in general, and specifically with SCR mandolin player, Mike Guggino. So before their last performance, Mike walked back stage and handed me his July 9, 1923 Lloyd Loar signed f5. (owned by Steve Martin, on loan to Mike)
Unfortunately for me (but fortunately for everyone else standing there) I couldn't really play it because there was an IBM executive presenting a talk on stage about 10 feet away. Not to mention I was really self conscious about my novice playing ability especially with Mike, Steve Martin, and the the rest of the Steep Canyon Rangers and their engineers all standing there in a space about the size of an elevator. Anyway I did get to strum a few quiet chords, and pick a scale or two, so I can truly say I've played a Lloyd Loar signed f5. Mike and the rest of the band and crew were all really cool and Mike was especially gracious with his time for my questions about the mandolin.