As Creepy As Clowns

Dark Clouds Rain Down Tears Washing Away Swirling Colors From The Clown's Face..

STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - THE MUSIC MEN - FEATURING THE MUSIC MEN

Good Monday morning gang and welcome back to Stuck In The Vinyl Again. With the school year starting back in a lot of places, we thought it would be fun to feature this local piece of music, Featuring The Music Men by The Music Men. This is a album made in approximately 1963 -64 for that year's winner of the Key Club International Talent Contest, the Music Men. The album is autographed by the arranger, Henry Fletcher, and features a group of high school boys playing instrumental versions of hit songs going back to the 1920s. Their gimmick was that all the musicians played multiple instruments and would switch off during the set. I'll include the write up that's on the front cover and a link to a bio of Henry Fletcher as well as the names of the students, in case anyone local, knows or knew them. Thanks and have a wonderful day back at school !

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"The Music Men had their beginning in May of 1958, getting together in the Bartow High Scholl band for the purpose of rehearing a seventh grade assembly program. The group of students played it's way through five years of banquets, service club meetings, parties, school assemblies, dances, concerts, and many other programs, always leaning toward the field of variety entertainment.

"In preparing for the state and international Key Club Talent Contest in 1963, The Music Men believed that an unusual idea, combined with talent, would have the best chance of success. The idea of changing instruments during a tune without missing a beat was offered by Ben Girtman, who played both piano and and drums in The Music Men's test entry. A five minute sequence of "Peter Gunn", "Darktown Strutter's Ball" and "When The Saints Go Marching In", with a few bars of "Yankee Doodle" and "Dixie" inserted for variety, was cleverly arranged for ten instruments by Henry Fletcher, with Henry playing cornet and piano. Doug Spencer drummer, doubled on guitar, while Billy Walters, who usually plays trumpet, played drums and ukelele as well. Mike Varner, saxophonist, did a fine job on both alto and tenor sax, and Tommy Clements, youngest of the group, soloed on trombone, trumpet, baritone, and bass horn.

"Recording variety of hit tunes from as far back as the 1920's, The Music Men have included their prize winning sequence and offer this album for your listening and dancing pleasure."

Side 1 :

Ostrich Walk

Mr. Sandman

My Blue Heaven

Peter Gunn ; Darktown Strutter's Ball ; When The Saints Go Marching In

Autumn Leaves

Night Train

After You've Gone

Pagan Love Song

Side 2 :

Rock - A - Beatin' Boogie

Ja Da