View Full Version : Kalamazoo
Jim Garber
May-09-2006, 10:17pm
Truly amazing...
This was on the back of a letter from 1907 that enclosed a Gibson letterhead.
Jim
I saw that auction. The receipt for the mandolin was interesting as well.
PhilGE
May-10-2006, 11:51am
There's a wonderful old-time band (including a mandolin) from Kalamazoo named the Celery City Sod Busters.
Jim Garber
May-10-2006, 1:42pm
Looks like Jim Cooper is the mandolinist.
Jim
Paul Hostetter
May-10-2006, 3:38pm
And whoever it is has the sense to play a Gibson. Wouldn't it be weird if he played a Flatiron?
George Booth would love that wiring job by the bassist's hand.
http://www.lutherie.net/booth.jpg
glauber
May-10-2006, 3:48pm
I learn something new here every day. I never would have guessed that celery is famous!
PhilGE
May-10-2006, 4:38pm
Yup, that's Jim Cooper on mandolin, Marilyn Branch on bass, Richard Whitfield on fiddle and Pete Humphreys on guitar. And I'm pretty sure that IS an old Gibson he's playing around on, though it might be a Kalamazoo. They played for our contra dance back in April. Good band that's getting better and better.
Jim's a mighty find old-time mandolinist. He and Richard play lead together for a nice "twin" sound. How do you know Jim, Jim?
-Phil, lurking about... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Jim Garber
May-10-2006, 5:07pm
How do you know Jim, Jim?
Phil:
I don't know him -- I found his name on Ted Crane's dance musician's list as part of that band.
I used to play plenty of old time mandolin in my younger days.
Jim
Bill Halsey
May-10-2006, 11:06pm
Kalamazoo was indeed known as the Celery City, way back when. Great to see that photo of the Sod Busters -- looks like they're playing at Bell's Brewery. Proud to have been a member of the Rimfire Ramblers with Pete & his brother Tom, back in the early 70s. Pete & Jimmy are fine musicians, and were for years 2/3 of the fine band, The Lonesome Moonlight Trio. Pete has the best voice for this stuff I've ever heard or sung with, and a wonderful sense of the absurd, as well. Can't wait to get back there and have a tune with them.
Oh, and you should see Marilyn dance -- prize-winning clogger.
Darryl Wolfe
May-10-2006, 11:10pm
This thread could never be complete without commentary by BillBows. Our membership would be astounted to know Mr BillBows actual contribution to the real KLMZoo deal. Thanks Bill
PhilGE
May-11-2006, 11:37am
Thanks for the info, Bill. The band is actually playing at our contra dance in Goshen, IN. (http://godancing.org/) I first heard the Lonesome Moonlight Trio perform gospel tunes on a Sunday morning at Breaking Up Thanksgiving (Chicago area old-time music and dance fest). That was many years ago and the first time I remember seeing/hearing Pete. I learned about Jim and the band through Marilyn and our clogging connections.
-Phil