taught himself to play by earl our attempts to save the theatre in recent The same fate that had brought the years. No small part of our success has Straders and the Simontons together now been as the home of ''Riders Radio The­ seemed to deputize Dick as the Straders' atre" where this radio show tapes their mentor in the often-times hair-raising at­ shows each month for later broadcast to tempt to secure the instrument. Thanks to a Public Radio network. Dick's wise counsel and moral support, We know Jack best as a dedicated organ­ the former RKO Paramount Theatre organ man. His background as a radio on-air was delivered to Straders' home in May personality is less known. 1961, and was tuned and playing by Nov­ By the age of 17 Jack's interest in the ember of the same year. With Dick's in­ comparatively new medium of radio had troduction to Henry Pope of Los Angeles, infected him for many years of active work the project was completed. in the medium. Jack received early educa­ This Wurlitzer was a bit special. The tion in the drama field at Shuster-Martin lot on which the Paramount Theatre was School of the Drama which was attended built had been owned by Mrs. Howard by many who went on to dramatic tri­ Wurlitzer and she built this theatre and an umphs (including Tyrone Power). Later attached shopping area on the site. This he attended the Cincinnati College of was a busy transfer point for streetcars of Music with classes in the Radio Depart­ the day since about half of the city's cars ment. Here he received first-hand experi­ passed this spot. Legend has it that the or­ ence on the air since several days each Cincinnati's gan builders at the Wurlitzer plant at North week he worked as a student at WLW Jack Strader Tonawanda, New York, knew when Radio. building it that it was for Mrs. Wurlitzer by Hubert S. Shearin and some additional TLC had gone into It was the indelible impression that its manufacture. One obvious feature on those grand and glorious Golden Days of this organ is a set of tuned sleigh bells. Radio made on him in the thirties, plus With the Wurlitzer as a living, breathing the myriad voices of the pipe organ then magnet the Straders' residence become the dominating much of radio programming, birthplace of the Ohio Valley chapter and that led Jack Strader into a career in both soon the chapter had a project. That was radio and organ. A Cincinnati native, Jack the installation of the Mighty Wurlitzer, was entranced by the signature themes for from Cincinnati's then doomed RKO many familiar radio programs of that era. Albee Theatre, into a new home in Emery Many organists specialized in the art of Theatre uptown at Walnut Street and setting the mood of a given program. This Central Parkway. required not only able technique at the It is in this setting each weekend that the console, but also the ability to coordinate chapter operates the theatre offering nos­ with directors, actors, announcers and talgic films from Hollywood's Golden Era sound-effects experts in the studio. These plus an occasional silent with organ ac­ were the days of the studio organ, as they companiment. The Wurlitzer is played were called, a cross between the larger regularly before each film, at intermission, theatre organ and a residence instrument. and also "plays out" the audience at the That mellow voice in those early days close. The placement of the organ cham­ Jack Strader Mayh ew & Peper ph oto had a definite impact on Jack Strader. bers at the rear (or "upstage") area makes In August 1959, Jack and his wife Joan tours of the chambers after each show Jack was privileged to have worked at had the good fortune to meet the late practical and popular. WLW when it was known as 'The Nation's Richard C. Simonton, his charming wife While Jack is an accomplished organist Station." At that time it had a blast of Helena and their family on a trip aboard occasionally appearing as a member of 500,000 watts power - the highest ever the Steamboat Delta Queen. (This was our organist staff, his regular responsibilities used by an AM station in the United prior to Dick becoming the major owner are two-fold. As a former radio newsman States. There were 10 studios, including of the steamboat company.) Jack's great and announcer he prepares telephone tapes three for its sister station WSAI. More grandfather Captain Jacob Strader was for the theatre answering machine where programs were sent by WLW to the net­ among the pioneers of the steamboat trade people can learn our theatre schedul~ 24 work than they took from the network. circa 1818. During this trip a friendship hours a day. Also he prepares Public Ser­ Their drama department was never equaled with Dick developed, given their mutual vice Announcements for radio use. Cap­ by an independent station. Here Jack interests in pipe organs as well as steam­ sulizing such information into short seg­ learned more of his trade "on the job," boats . ments can only be done by a radio man performing with such actors as Bob Mid­ In this same time frame Jack learned used to getting the message across in few dleton who went on to Hollywood and that one of Cincinnati's cinema palaces words. movie fame. Anything less than '1etter­ located just out of the downtown area was These radio tapes are run locally by perfect" could never get on the air. This facing closure due to poor attendance. The WVXU-FM, the station of Xavier Univer­ was the "high" period of WLW's owner­ question of what would become of the sity. Both Jack and Joan have worked very ship by Powell Crosley, Jr. The Crosley Balaban-style, 15-rank Wurlitzer organ closely with Dr. James C. King, manager name became known nationally on radios, rang like an alarm bell in Jack's mind. of the station. WVXU-FM has worked to refrigerators, and the first "mini" car - After all this was the instrument Jack had publicize the merits of Emery Theatre in the Crosley.

28 • MAY/JUNE 1991 THEATRE ORGA N WLW was called 'The Cradle of the Their contributions to the work of the Valentine O>ncert Stars" since in this period artists like the chapter started in a major way after the Mills Brothers, Fats Waller, Doris Day, decision had been made to move the Albee at Renaissance Jane Froman, Andy Williams, Red Skelton, Theatre organ to Emery Theatre. This by Virginia White Eddie Albert, and Red Barber had started was about 1968, and in the ensuing eight The marquee of the Renaissance Theatre receiving national exposure. Also, a young years the organ was completely rebuilt in Mansfield, Ohio, said 'Valentine Organ organist working at WLW was beginning and then reinstalled in Emery, using only a career that would lead him later to the volunteer member labor. Concert with Bob Ralston." But Mother Arthur Godfrey show and theatre organ By the time the installation and "Shake­ Nature forgot to read it. She sent us one of her good sleet and snow storms about greatness. It was here as organist of the down" period were completed they had noon on the 14th of February. long-time Moon River program that Lee donated to the chapter over a quarter But Bob's followers are a sturdy, persis­ Erwin was first acclaimed. million dollars in equipment. A deserted, tent group. When the doors opened about Jack next worked at WKRC as a staff forgotten theatre jumped to life with the announcer doing the announcing jobs of building of a spacious modem projection 500 people came in to get warm. And that they did because the love songs flowed that day ranging from the kitchen shows, booth, two rebuilt 35mm Simplex projec­ from the Hollywood Wurlitzer. poetry, and commercial announcements tors, a brand-new 16mm projector and a Of course ''Funny Valentine" was his as Waite Hoyt re-created Reds' ball games new Hurley movie screen. Other aid riser. Then his years with Lawrence Welk from wire reports received in the studio. ranged from "bricks and mortar" items to showed that he has learned hundreds of From there he became Chief Announcer various mechanical equipment. And all tunes. "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life" being at WCPO with studios on the 38th floor this for a theatre that never had had an one that we don't hear too often, and the of the Carew Tower, Cincinnati's highest organ. organ can bring out its mellow chords so building. His work included interviews at Emery had been built in 1912 for the beautifully. the Albee Theatre with visiting stars in­ Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra which in The grand piano got its share of lime­ cluding the big-band leader Sammy Kaye, 1937 moved to Music Hall. It had never light. It being Bob's first instrument at a and Ina Rae Hutton who, with her orches­ had a pipe organ so its layout was woefully very early age he dearly loves the classics tra, was appearing at the Albee. Jack also lacking in chamber space. It was solved was the announcer for "remotes" from by placing the chambers upstage across and does them so well. One of the high­ lights of the evening was a recitation of various supper dubs in the area. One night almost the whole width of the stage. Since Old Glory. While sitting on a stool beside Jack thought his radio career would come some acousticians have placed Emery in a fluttering flag, he gave us a story of how to an untimely end when the car in which the fine company of concert halls like it had taken us through many a battle and he was riding with the engineer got stuck Carnegie Hall, the organ and the theatre is still waving in Saudia Arabia. Then he on railroad tracks enroute to an assign­ have been a perfect marriage. Without played several patriotic marches both at ment. They made desperate attempts to going into acute detail, the Straders' con­ the piano and the organ. push, kick, and otherwise influence the tributions included many other expenses While here, Bob had taken his morning car to start as frantic whistle blasts from involved in the whole organ installation. walk around the city and found our newly an approaching locomotive sounded loud Nothing comes easy in operating a movie constructed Carousel building. By late and clear. At the last possible moment the theatre on a regular basis - shows on spring it is to be filled with 48 hand-carved car started and they made it safely off the Friday and Saturday nights continuously figures. Mansfield is now the home of the tracks. since 1978. Jack's part starts with receipt only company still doing hand carving. One night a trek from the 38th floor of the film schedule for the coming two This all reminded Bob of the wonderful studios of WCPO to the lower floor Coffee months. Joan researches from her film music from the Broadway show Carousel. Shop led to a chance meeting with the library pertinent facts and interesting bits The organ can give us the tinkling sounds cashier who was attracted to his compli­ about each film. Then Jack prepares the of the merry-go-round and then the rich cated-looking chronograph watch - a copy for both radio and the telephone tape. tones of the tibias in ''You'll Never Walk "must" for timing announcements. And Once prepared, the copy is then voiced in Alone." they have been conversing ever since in­ his well equipped voice-over studio in his Everyone had a chance to stretch their cluding the '1 Do's" in October 1944. home. This professional work again is part vocal chords with a sing-along. It proved One last call at radio stations was a of the Straders' continuing help in making that the old standards and their words are stint at WCKY. Here he worked with some our presence at Emery Theatre a success. never forgotten. And we were in good of the finest stars the local radio scene Note to any chapters looking for a Jack voice. ever had. During this time their daughter Strader of their own: we doubt is there is All in all, it was a warm way to send Jackie was born. Then several older family another like him who combines fine talent the patrons back into the cold and, hope­ members passed on, and Jack left the full­ as a "voice-over" master, interest and fully, safely to their homes. We want them time radio business to handle family talent in theatre pipe organs, and the to return and bring a friend or two on responsibilities. imagination to help the chapter cut its May 19 for Father Miller. The Straders' interest in organs has not own spot in the local entertainment picture. We11be at the door waiting for you. been limited to the theatre organ variety. He has been a rare asset to Ohio Valley Through their Strader Organ Awards they ATOS! (continued .. .) have maintained scholarships for students at theCollege-Conservatory of Music of the Univer;sity of Cincinnati. They also The greatest moments of the human spirit donated a new Balcolrn and Vaughn pipe may be deduced from organ for the Watson Recital Hall. For a number of years they sponsored the Strader the greatest moments in music. Organ Series in which great organists AARON COPELAND, 1954 and organs were featured.

THEATREORGAN MAY/JUNE 1991 • 29 Later, a -high school teacher introduced gramrning of the organ. As a field engineer, him to a group of enthusiasts who were he performs the same procedures on radar dedicated to saving classic theatre organs. systems. These unique organs were designed to Theatre organs are complex systems, simulate the orchestras that once accom­ and restoring them is a challenge. Some panied silent films. Buddy has been an ac­ have up to seven keyboards, 32 pedals, tive member of the American Theatre and thousands of pipes and chimes. The Organ Society (ATOS) ever since. smallest pipe can be a quarter inch long and the largest up to 64 feet. Buddy explains that he typically replaces '1n restoring these the thousands of wires originally required organs, I apply to operate an organ with only 25. These handle the control functions that drive the state-of the-art systems in the organ chamber, where the technowgy to sound is produced. Through apprenticeships with electronic instruments that are and pipe organ builders, Buddy learned the organ's intricate operations. 'With my 100 years old. " job, I have traveled extensively, which has given me an opportunity to meet a lot of As the use of theatre organs declined, people who are willing to share their Buddy became more determined to work knowledge about organs." for their upkeep, refurbishment and place­ The Baltimore group is not the only ment for public enjoyment. An affiliate of club to which Buddy lends his services. a group working in Baltimore, Buddy is He works weekends and vacations to re­ Budd y Boyd one of 130 people restoring an organ that store nine different organs throughout the (The following is reprinted from Indicator, will be placed locally. country. His projects include organs in the Westinghouse Company magazine.) '1n restoring these organs , I apply state­ Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee of-the-art technology to instruments that theatres and the William Penn estate in Promoting Theatre Organ are 100 years old," says Buddy. '1 do the Reedsville, North Carolina. in Maryland electrical and mechanical engineering de­ 'Tm just a frustrated musician," says sign and repair. It's an engineering skill Buddy. 'Working on the organs gives me Buddy Boyd Helps that requires artistic talent to select the access to play them after hours when no pipes based on how I think they should one is around." And it gives movie audi­ Revive Movie Theatre sound." ences a chance to rekindle fond childhood Buddy's specialties include the installa­ memories as they wait in anticipation of Grandeur tion, checkout and computer software pro- show time. Although childhood memories are im­ portant in everyone 's life, it is easy to become distracted by routine responsibili­ ties and lose sight of these early visions. But for Field Engineer Buddy Boyd , what began as a childhood fascination in a Richmond , Virginia , theatre has grown into a lifelong pursuit. Thanks to his engin­ eering skills, he has been able to bring his vision - restoring theatre organs - to life. '1 grew up thinking every big theatre in the country had a pipe organ. When I left Virginia , I realized they were not as com­ mon as I thought , and I wanted to do something about it," says Buddy . Listening to organ melodies while he waited for movies to begin made such an impression on Buddy that it inspired him to begin restoring organs , an activity he has not been involved in for more than 25 years. Buddy , who always considered himself a "music buff ," was introduced to his hobby at an early age. At 15, he was asked by a friend to help move a player piano , which had a valve system similar to a pipe organ. He ended up helping to refurbish the instrument and began rebuilding player pianos regularly . Buddy Boyd uses his engineering skzZ!sin his spare time to restore theatre organs.

30 • MAY/JUNE 199 1 THEATRE ORGAN An English pump organ, built in 1906 Skating Rink by the Farrend Company, was installed at N yona Lake at the opposite end of the rink along with two electronic keyboards, a turntable for by Barbara Cranston records, and microphones for vocalizing At Nyona Lake, near the little com­ (which he also does very well). A few the­ munity of Macy, Indiana, is a dream come atre seats add to the decor, with shoe true for my cousin , Weldon Turnpaugh. skates in various sizes available for the One day a 50' semi pulled up to his lake­ family and neighbors to enjoy. front home and unloaded a number of Weldon's latest venture is the building coffin-like boxes. The neighbors thought of a calliope. This little gem will no doubt he had gone plumb crazy! have a part in the annual Circus City The truck, in fact, contained a 2/7 Festival in Peru, Indiana , in July . Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparling pipe organ What will this creative cousin do next? which had been built years ago in Cleve­ Probably add more ranks to the organ. land, Ohio, and was purchased by Weldon Although he doesn't read music, it has al­ from a church in Indianapolis. The organ ways played a large part in his life, and it was stored in a garage while Turnpaugh will be fun to see what comes next. Wel­ built a 30' x 50' roller-skating rink in his don would love to hear from or meet any backyard. As soon as the chest was moved ATOSers who are interested . His phone into the rink , a labor of love began. number is 219/ 382-4195.

Farrand pumporgan in Turnpaugh n:nk. We/,don Turnpaug h al his synt hesizer. Turnpa ugh '.sca llio p e.

musical family and church community as According to Anderson , Lewis will pre­ Don Lewis Signs On major forces in his life. As a young man sent workshops on Music Technology in as Rodgers Consultant he studied piano and organ and at 15 be­ Worship for Choir Directors , Pianists and Well known musician / lecturer Don came the accompanist for the Mt. Enon Organists; Increasing Church Music Pro­ Missionary Baptist Church playing for gram Effectiveness wtih MIDI; and cus­ Lewis will be leading workshops on music seven choirs . tomized workships for individual needs technology and worship for Rodger s In­ As a student at Tuskegee University, of churches / organizations. strument Corporation dealers according to Lewissang in and accompanied the famous Lewiswill Rick Anderson , Rodgers Director of present highlights of his work­ Tuskegee Institute Choir under the direc­ shops at the 1991 Gospel Music Workshop Mar keting. tion of Dr. Relford Patterson. He organ­ of America Convention in Salt Lake City , Originally from Dayton , Ohio , Mr. ized and directed the first USAF ROTC Utah, August 11-15. Lewis grew up with mus ic, electronics, a Chorus on campus. Rodgers Instrument Corporation , Hills­ Mr . Lewis continued to participate in boro , Oregon , USA, is one of the world 's gospel, liturgical and inspirational music largest and most prestigious builders of as a choir director, pianist and organist at pipe and classical electronic organs and a various churches ranging from Baptist to noted builder of classically voiced digital Episcopal. keyboards. Rodgers organs are featured He has been active as a guest lecturer in prominent concert halls such as New and through his "Say Yes to Music" pro­ York City 's Carnegie Hall; Philadelphia's gram has reached more than 100,000 Academy of Music ; and the St. Francis young people in schools, introducing them Cultural Complex in Caceres , Spain. Tens to the power of music and music tech­ of thousands of churches have purchased nology . Rodgers organs including Seoul Korea 's As a studio musician, Lewis has worked Full Gospel Church (world's largest church) with such greats as Quincy Jones, Michael and many of the largest and most presti­ Jackson , Billy Preston , Sergio Mendez gious churches in North America. Thou­ and Marvin Hamlisch. In 1990, Lewis re­ sands of additional Rodgers organs are in­ leased his own album 'Mood Rainbow " stalled in homes throughout North America which is a collection of "spiritual " music. and the world.

THEATRE ORGAN MAY/JUNE 1991 • 31 ELEANOR COSGROVE I wanted my project to be about music. All kinds of music. But, I soon learned that my suuject was too large. I needed to focus my re5earch. So, since this was to be about my cultural heritage, I decided to see what I could learn about American music. Editor's Note: I learned that there are only two instru­ a moving picture. I soon learned that, just as Eleanor Cosgrove, age 14, ments indigenous (and I learned the word Paul Quarino told me, there is no school researched and prepared this indigenous!) to our country: the banjo and where one studies how to become a theatre project for her eighth grade the theatre organ. And, since I study the organist; there is very little written about Social Studies/Language Arts piano and since most of the music I've studied theatre organs and theatre organ music. The this far is by German or Russian or Italian computer file at the library did not list much. class at Robert Gray Middle composers, learning about an American Like the organists who want to study theatre School in Portland, Oregon. keyboard instrument interested me! And, organ, the person who wants to study the Her teacher, Georgia Liapes, was my great grandfather, Eliot Gilmore, was a subject must find people who know its history intrigued by Eleanor's topic theatre organist. I had grown up hearing and "pick their brains." The people in ATOS because it had not been previously stories about his playing for the silent films. are the keepers of this story. They are ~eep­ researched by any of her students. My grandmother, Grace McGinnis, is the ing alive a music that might have been lost to Eleanor's display was editor of the national publication: TI-IEATRE my generation. They do it by word of mouth accompanied by a theatre organ ORGAN, is involved on many levels with . . . by preserving instruments . . . by appren­ tape recording made for her by the local and national chapters of the Ameri­ ticing themselves to older organists who Bob Shafter on his home organ. can Theatre Organ Society and loves to listen know more than they do. While I found Her proud grandmother shares to, talk about and be around theatre organs quite a bit of information in the library of the and theatre organ music. So, from the time I editorial office of the ATOS THEATRE OR­ it here wz"thyou .. . was six weeks old, I cut my teeth (really) on GAN, I learned most from interviews and the theatre organ music at the Organ Grinder from conversations with organists. I learned in Portland. (Well, actually, I cut my teeth about the seven theatre organs in Portland - on the pizza crust while listening to the organ most of them I have been to see and hear. I music!) I began my research by reading copies learned that of the 95 original installations in of the THEATRE ORGAN and these words this country, one is in Oregon. I learned a lot stayed with me: about my grandfather and what it was like "Music in itself i5 one beautiful picture for my grandmother growing up in the De­ after another, but for the organi5t to pression but still being able to go to the interpret what he sees into music i5 a theatre every week because her daddy was difficult task. To become a picture organi5t, the organist! I learned about the magic of the one must have vivid imagination." music in the theatres when the films were Ralph H. Brigham , Strand Theatre, New York silent. And, I learned that if our past is not to be lost, we need people who care enough to I understood just what he was saying! preserve it and write about it and tell about it. know how it feels to have those times when And, I am glad that what I have learned I words fail to express what music can say. I might be able to share someday and a little wanted to know more about this music that bit of what I now know about American took the place of words when it accompanied Theatre Organs and the music will be saved.

32 • MAY/JUNE 199 1 THEATRE ORGAN