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ALABAMA Diamond Jubilee by Grace McGinnis and Madeline UVolsi Birmingham, Alabama, calls itself "The Magic City," and First, the organs. And then. • • The star, of course, was the 4/21 Alabama Chapter members Wurlitzer Publix #1 in the Alabama The­ the people. surely reinforced that concept atre, an organ which can play itself We came from all corners of the during the wonderful weekend (which some of us find to be pretty close country, by bus, plane and car to meet to magic). Other featured instruments in the Heart of Dixie and add our part to of October 14-16. From the were a 3/6 Kimball studio broadcast or­ the mystical mixture. Alabama supplied opening cocktail hour in the gan, a Holtkamp classical instrument, a the hosts and hostesses, artists, chauf­ Holiday Inn to the final strains once-upon-a-time theatre 3/13 Kimball, feurs, technicians, and all the behind­ a 2/24 E.M. Skinner, a 4/41 residence the-scenes workers who melded with the of the Sunday night concert, custom organ, and a 4/60 Moller. The conventioneers to complete the list of this was an escape to a world of basic ingredients in our formula are here. ingredients. magical, melkfluous merriment. Convention Chairman Gary And how does all this Jones and his committee man­ Second, the Illusic. From the song with the longest title, combine to create a aged to combine the ingredients " Reaching for Someone And Finding of three things we wve - organs, Nobody There,'' to an innovative treat­ story- book weekend.'R music and people - to create an ment of the childhood classic, "Three Blind Mice," to Lemmen's " Fanfare," unforgettable experience for there was music of every genre to include Lets take a look. each ofus. in the magic potion. THEATREORGAN JANUARY/FEBRUARY • 13 Jim Riggs signing autographs . At Right: Alabama Chapter members John Troulias and Tom Cronier at Relay House. J Bryan Black and Dr. H. E. Tibbs at Southside Baptist. Lee Erwin autographs program for "Archie " Archi ­ bald. At Right: Tom Helms, Lee Erwin and Paul Quarino at Woodlawn Methodist Church. Paul Quarino at Woodlawn Methodist Church. Freeman Andress and Buddy Boyd outside Southside Baptist. 14 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY THEATREO RGAN An early evening cocktail party set the scene for us to meet and greet old friends. Alabama chapter members , who wore red tabards so we could find them easily, were readily available to answer ques­ tions and help us find the proper exits and entrances. And when it was time to board the busses for the Alabama The­ atre, there was our old friend, Alden Stockebrand, directing and dispatching . It would truly be difficult to imagine any convention now without this impressive gentleman to guide the riders to the right busses and the busses to the right places. Convention Chairman Gary Jones welcomed the ATOS to Birmingham and to the Alabama Theatre, and then intro­ duced Jim Riggs whose rousing opener let us know that we were in " Dixie." The balance of his recital was composed of a nice variety of songs, mostly from the twenties and thirties, all played with style and class. A particular delight was the "Meter Maid March ." Late-nighters got to stay after the concert for a jam session, always an invigorating experience . Gary Jones, Pat Seitz and Lee Erwin. Saturday morning we had time for a pleasant breakfast before departing for second jam session. Lee Erwin opened what it's all about. And there are some Southside Baptist Church where Lee Er­ the event with the Buster Keaton classic, people who were so outstanding that we win and the 316 Kimball were ready to The General. Lee had been staff organist would like to include them as the "secret share with us the nostalgia of Lee's days at the Alabama in 1929, and this week­ ingredient" in this recipe for magic mo­ at radio station WAPI. "Stardust " and a end's reunion with two organs was quite ments: Larry Donaldson, the crew chief medley from Fantastiks stand out as a treat for both the organist and his who maintains the Alabama Wurlitzer; unusually inspiring. audiences. Cecil Whitmire , who spearheaded the The 3162 Holtkamp in Southside Bap­ A Sunday morning program was drive to purchase the Alabama Theatre; tist's sanctuary was played for us by planned for 75 fortunate early registrants. Freeman Andress, Buddy Boyd and Pat Samford University professor Dr. H.E. This group went to the home of Dr. Eu­ Seitz whose tireless efforts and on-the­ Tibbs and his student, Bryan Black. Bryan gene Blackstone to hear his 4141custom spot assistance made everyone 's world played Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D organ and to participate in open console. a little brighter ; chauffeurs Elaine Saun­ Minor" and the familiar Christmas tune, Others attended local chu·rch services or ders, Marty Veasey, John Troulias, Gary "What Child Is This?" Dr. Tibb's contri­ slept late and enjoyed brunch at the Gill, and Pat Seitz were always where bution was the Widor "Toccata ." Some Holiday Inn. they were needed when they were wished that this program might have We returned to the Alabama for a needed. Michael Blue produced the de­ been longer. Sunday afternoon concert by Tom Helms. sign and drawings for the program , and However, the next stop was at The Tom's choice of selections ranged from Howard Best was responsible for the Relay House (most appropriate for organ a bouyant " Put On A Happy Face" to a Woodlawn, Avondale and Blackstone or­ buffs) on the seventeenth floor of the Bir­ lusty "Birmingham Bertha" and a vibrant gans being presented at the convention . mingham Bank for Savings and Loan "Finlandia ." We all got into the act with Jerry Eason handled all the travel arrange­ building. Excellent food and a fantastic a sing-along of great old songs, and then ments for the chapter . The convention view made it quite evident why the com­ laughed our way through Harold Lloyd's committee : Louise Harless, Sadie Mc mittee had selected this restaurant. goofy antics in Hot Water. The final Clure, Linda Smith, Pat Seitz, Tom Cron­ The afternoon entertainment was at strains of " Stars Fell On Alabama " ier, Betty Johnson, Marty Veasey, Free­ Woodlawn United Methodist Church echoed through the auditorium as the man Andress , Joy Black, Thurman where Paul Quarino told us he was going console disappeared. Robertson, Larry Donaldson, Linda to try to take the 2113 Kimball back to its Dinner was served on the stage of the Whitmire, Jerry Eason and Gert Yester, halcyon days in the Grand Theatre in theatre, a sumptious array of seafood and the leavening for all the planning Norristown, Pennsylvania. The " little­ and salads that defied description. This and production, Gary Jones, who taught organ-that-could" responded in true the­ was a most pleasant time which provided us all the true meaning of the term atre style to the "Elks Club Medleys" an unusual chance for us to visit and re­ "Southern Hospitality ." from its era as well as to a capricious flect on the events of the weekend. Alabama Chapter represents the best romp with the "Three Blind Mice." The closing concert , Ty Woodward 's of all that ATOS means to all of us, and Avondale Methodist Church was the classical program at St. Paul's 4160 we wish them continued success with evening venue, and Tom Hazleton the Moller, included Ives' " Variations on their Alabama Theatre and Mighty Wur­ artist at the 2124 E.M. Skinner. His pro­ America,'' a number which must be seen litzer. gram included three Bach selections , to be believed as one passage requires Lemmen's "Fanfare " and an elegant the organist to hold on to the bench (We wish to thank the following for con­ renditionof Gershwin's " But Not For Me." while playing the melody in the pedal. tributing pictures for this coverage: Gene The Midnight Merrymakers were Fun! Ward, Madeline LiVolsi, Sonia Carlson, transported back to the Alabama for a Organs, music and people ! That's Earl Strausser , and Claire Lawrence.) THEATRE ORGAN JANUARY /FEBRUARY • 15 Larry Donaldson mans the computer that records the Buddy Boyd (left) and Dick Willson on stage at the Alabama Wurlitzer. Alabama. J , After Friday Jam Session Gary Jones, Sonia Carl- Claire Lawrence from Ohio, and Lee Erwin at the Paul Quarino, Janice and Jim Riggs at the Alabama Theatre. son, Tom Granier. Alabama. At Right: Tom Helms at the console of the Ala­ bama Wurlitzer. At Right: Texans Dave Fielder and Joe Butler at the Alabama Theatre. 16 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY THEATREORGAN Chicago area group at breakfast. Dr. Eugene Blackstone at the console of his home organ. Alabama chapter members Vince and Gert Yester, Sun­ Ty Woodward at the Moller in St. Paul's. day dinner on stage at the theatre. JANUARY/FEBRUARY• 17 THEATREORGAN .

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