December, 1927. Several members, including Dr. Truss, took a turn at playing the Rodgers. On October 26th, the writer journeyed to Marietta to play for the Atlanta Chapter at Ruby Red's (formerly the Music Grinder Pizza Emporium). The 3/24 Wurlitzer was in excellent shape and the members eHAPTERNOTE~ of the Atlanta Chapter were very gracious hosts. Even though the Sun­ day concert was the purpose of the trip, an impromptu visit to Walt Winn's warehouse on Saturday night proved to be one of the high points. the basement of one of our members. Let us know what's The organ once graced the Temple October brought another type of happening in YOUR Chapter/ Theatre in Birmingham and was re­ entertainment (and exposure) for the moved in the '50s before the theatre Alabama ATOS. The Alabama The­ Send Photos and News to: was torn down. Restoration will be­ atre and Cinema Unlimited began GEORGE THOMPSON P.O . BOX 1314 gin as soon as a permanent location showing a series of classic motion SALINAS . CALIFORNIA 93902 is found. pictures that will run through early Chapter members enjoyed our December. The organ is played every Deadlines September meeting at the home of night and for matinees on W ednes­ Jan . 1st . for Feb ./ Mar . Dr. and Mrs. Orian Truss and had an days, Saturdays and Sundays. The Mar . 1st . for Apr ./ May opportunity to prowl through the writer, resident organist for the Ala­ May 1 st . for June / July mountains of pipes and chests down bama, plays a 30-minute show prior July 1st . for Aug ./ Sept. Sept . 1st . for Oct ./ Nov . in the basement. This really gave the to the start of the movie. Billy Evans Nov . 1st . for Dec ./ Jan . members a first-hand look at what is filling in two nights a week and was in store for us. Also in the Truss Barry Norris is playing for matinees. home is the large Rodgers Trio organ The theatre opens an hour before the that Mrs. Lillian Truss played for the movie starts so that people can take ALABAMA delight of so many before her death. tours of the gorgeous building. Lin­ A good time was had by all in Mrs. Truss, the mother of Dr. Truss, da Whitmire is present to answer Birmingham in August when we had was organist for many years at the questions about the organ and the the fall concert a little early. Our art­ Alabama Theatre, as well as many theatre, as well as to arrange special ist, Bob Ralston, could not appear at other theatres in the Birmingham tours for school groups that wish to our regular fall concert in October, area, and played the big Wurlitzer on come back to the theatre at a later so we decided to go ahead with the the opening day of the Alabama in date. concert in August, despite vacations and back-to-school disadvantages. With a minimum of advertising, we filled almost every seat in the beauti­ ful Alabama Theatre ... atten­ dance was right at 1,900 happy peo­ ple . the largest and most success­ ful concert this chapter has ever held. Our 4/20 Wurlitzer held the audi­ ence spellbound for two hours as the talented Bob Ralston used his ten fingers to weave a magic spell over the mass of people. Tony Richards, a young singer, sang several numbers with the organ. His smooth voice, coupled with the huge Altec back­ stage speaker, and the mighty Wur­ litzer proved to be a real crowd pleaser. Bob Ralston is a fine organ­ ist and has proved to us that the peo­ ple will turn out in great numbers to see and hear him. We are diligently seeking a new home in which to install the 4/ 46 Moller pipe organ presently stored in Tony Richards and Bob Ralston capture the hearts of the people of Birmingham, Alabama . DEC. 1980 / JAN. 1981 THEATRE ORGAN 35 The people of Birmingham are program was presented in Laurel, Grinder. It is now Ruby Red's and proving that the theatre organ is very Mississippi, the following Saturday the accent is on Dixie music, like its much in demand and has certainly at the 3/ 13 Robert Morton and a namesake in Underground Atlanta. not been forgotten, at least not here Steinway grand at the Jeff Seale No matter the name, Winifred's the in Alabama. We are appreciative to Studio. There never were, nor will same!! Plitt Theatres for giving us the op­ there ever be again, hosts like the The Atlanta Chapter wants to say portunity to show the people of Ala­ Laurel hosts: Tuddy Soley, Senton Happy New Year to all its friends in bama just how beautiful our mighty Granberry and Sam Lindsay. Ruth ATOS. Wurlitzer is. McDonald was due back in Atlanta JANE TORELL CECIL WHITMIRE early and could not stop at Birming­ ham, Alabama, on the way home BEEHIVE from Laurel. But, Trevor Bolshaw Members and their guests were ATLANTA presented a perfect solo concert at hosted by Cal and Annette Christen­ Hector Olivera, an adopted Bertha in the Alabama Theatre. In sen in their beautiful Emigration Georgia Cracker, was one of the At­ spite of the late arrival, the members Canyon home on Sunday evening, lanta Chapter's Highlights of 1980. of the Alabama Chapter gave us a September 7th. Joann Harmon, He gave us two brilliant concerts in warm, neighborly welcome. Krehl King, Lowell Boberg and Bill March at Dick Weber's Music For those who made the trip to Hagey are professional members Grinder in Marietta. Winifred (a hear the 2/9 Pilcher tracker in Grif­ that displayed their talents at the 2/ 6 3/24 Wurlitzer) and Hector seemed fin, Georgia, in June, the "up close" Wurlitzer organ. Refreshments were to be made for each other, particu­ experience with a tracker-action in­ served and open console was enjoyed larly during the Sunday concert. Al­ strument was an education. July by all so desiring. It was announced so, in March, Dennis James came to brought Ruth and Dolton McAlpin that the 2/7 Robert Morton that had Atlanta to inaugurate Dick Weber's to Atlanta from Starkville, been removed from the Colonial 4/17 Page at Walt Wynn's Ware­ Mississippi, accompanied by his Theatre, Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 1957 house. At this concert, members be­ Laurel compatriots: Msrs. Soley, and was installed in Jack Reynold's came aware of a brand new installa­ Granberry and Lindsay. This lawyer residence, was for sale. Two of our tion in a unique setting. An empty cum organist put Winifred through guests, Jim and Don Clark of Og­ warehouse makes for superb acous­ her paces and his "Old Black den, Utah, immediately purchased tics. What is surely becoming a Magic" sent chills up and down my the organ and are in the process of in­ custom are the Saturday night spine. stalling it in their home. Musicales presented by Bob Van Linda and Cecil Whitmire traveled Sunday evening, October 26th, Camp at Walt's Warehouse. The to Atlanta in October from Birming­ was the date for our annual business welcome mat is out to all members of ham. Cecil played Dick Weber's meeting held at the home of Lowell National. When in Atlanta over a Winifred at what was The Music Boberg in Draper, Utah. Gene Brein- weekend, come by and join us. And in April - another Inaugural Concert! This time on the 3/26 Frump (Moller /Standaart) at the Brookhaven United Methodist Church by Sue Walker Goddard. The name Frump was coined by its three owners: John Tanner, James Thrower and James Jobson. In­ cluded in the program were "Suite in C" by William Russell, "A Trumpet Minuet" by Alfred Hollins and Diane Bish's adaptation of Beet­ hoven's "Joyful, Joyful" from the Ninth Symphony. In May, Trevor Bolshaw arrived from England and a whirlwind of ac­ tivities surrounded him! The Fox Theatre was the first occasion we had to hear Trevor and Ruth McDonald of Georgia State University play their program of solos and duets at the Mighty Moller and a grand pi­ ano. It's hard to pick one favorite. These two gifted artists' talents were made for each other. A lot of the credit must go to Joe Patten as the organ never sounded better than it Beehive Chapter officers (L to R): Clare Briggs, secretary/treasurer; Wayne Russell, 1980 chairman; Gene Brein­ did on May 4th. Basically the same holt, 1981 chairman and Mack King, 1981 vice chairman, at Lowell Boberg's Conn 652. (Clare Briggs Photo) 36 THEATRE ORGAN DEC. 1980 / JAN. 1981 holt was elected to the office of raunchy) and "Chattanooga Choo­ ly, and Sunday, October 5th, found chairman, Mack King as vice chair­ Choo." An audience of some 350 a nice group of members and friends man, and Clare Briggs was reelected happy souls enthusiastically received at the home of Maurice and Carol secretary/treasurer for the year her offerings, with a standing ova­ Finkel in Shelbyville, Indiana. Here 1981. tion at the end of the concert. Cathy we were entertained with piano and After the business portion was ad­ responded with a beautiful hymn (it organ music . Their home was out­ journed, open console was enjoyed was a Sunday). fitted with several musical instru­ at Lowell Boberg's Conn 652 organ. ments in the organ and piano line. CLARENCE E. BRIGGS Kurt Schackel and Carol Finkel gave us a duo concert on twin baby grands in the living room.