Everyone A Gibsonite

Promotional photo for 1921 Gibson Mandolin Company "Catalog M". Ivers Mandolin Orchestra/Adams Plectrum Society, Adams, Massechusetts.

Members I can identify: Center Middle Row: Joseph Ivers, Orchestra leader, Gibson Mandolin Company Agent,and my Great Grandfather, Center Left Holding a Gibson F-4 Mary Ivers-Bassette, my Great Grandmother, Back Row from left: Leonore Ivers-Carmel, my Great Aunt, George Ivers, my Grandfather, Sitting in front, white dress, Doris Ivers-Hueston, my Great Aunt.

Page 21 Gibson Mandolin Catalog M: See right side second photo from bottom

Page 21 Gibson Mandolin Catalog M: See right side second photo from bottom
I recently discovered that this photo of my Great grandfather's Mandolin Orchestra appears on page 21 of the Gibson "M" catalog, published in 1921, confirming my theory that he (Joseph L. Ivers) was a Gibson "teacher-agent" or dealer, and that this photo was part of the "Everyone a Gibsonite" marketing campaign. Some of these instruments are still owned and played by Ivers family members. For example, my father Robert Ivers still plays the 1914 F4 in the center played by my Great Grandmother Mary Ivers in this photo. He also owns a 1921 H2 Mandola, no doubt pictured brand spanking new somewhere in this photo. I would love to try to contact other family members to see where some of these other instruments ended up.

Water Color "Grandfather's Mandolin" by Robert Ivers of Gibson F-4 #24532

Water Color "Grandfather's Mandolin" by Robert Ivers of Gibson F-4 #24532
Water Color Of My Great Grand Father's F4 painted by my Father, Robert Ivers. Look !!!!!!! Notice unintended ghost image of my Great Grandfather Joseph Ivers in upper left !

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Tour of Elmira Continues: Dr. “Chic”, The 2 Bobs and a Gal

The tour of Elmira, New York continues
This photo just in from my father who played this morning with his Elmira based group, "Dr. “Chick”, The 2 Bobs and a Gal" a name given to them by the activities director at the Skilled Nursing Unit at St. Josephs Hospital in Elmira, New York. They presented an Italian themed program. Columbus day is coming up!
From left to right: Bob Melnick on accordion, Tony Ciccariello on accordion, (who indecently was my dentist when I was a kid) Carrie Hopper on vocals, She has been blind from birth and is an accomplished musician and linguist. She has performed at many venues throughout the Southern Tier, and teaches Italian and German at Elmira College. And of course my father Bob Ivers on Mandolin. They've been performing for the patients and residents at this facility for 10 years, They return several times a year to entertain at this facility with seasonal themed shows.



Saturday, September 10, 2016

Whiskey Before Breakfast With My Father

Visited my parents recently at Lake Chautauqua, Chautauqua , NY and played some mandolin with my father on the front porch on a rainy afternoon. You can hear the thunder in the background. Whisky Before Breakfast. I'm still struggling a bit to learn the tune, but my father had no problem sight reading it right away. We played nice and slow.