SHERIDAN MUSICIANS
By Malcolm Hutton '47

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      Music was an important part of the lives of the early pioneers.  Caleb Evans settled on a ranch northeast of Sheridan in 1893.  He brought with him 3 horses, two cows, a box of chickens, assorted furniture, and a fiddle.  In the late fall, when the crops were in, he invited all the neighbors from 40 miles around to come to his home for his special oyster stew and a night of dancing.  They came by horseback and team and wagon, with kids, blankets, and instruments.  They moved all the furniture out of the living room and  Caleb got out the fiddle.  There was a guitar, a mouth harp, and some drums.  They danced till daylight, had a big breakfast, hitched up their teams and headed for home.  Caleb was my wife 's grandfather.

   I had the pleasure of visiting with one of Sheridan' s most outstanding musicians, Marvin Fritz (piano, organ).  He came to Sheridan, after a stint in the Army, in 1947 to play with Eddie Neibour (sax) and Dick Saunders (trumpet and guitar) at Kelly's bar, which burned down later that year.  He and Eddie moved to the Crescent Hotel where they played with Bobby Mock (drums).  They also played at the Halfway House (now Golden Steer) and the Buckaroo (Town and Country).  In the mid fifties he played at the Elks with Red Hall, Saunders, and Chuck Custis (drums).  A few years later they moved to the Sheridan Inn and added Don Diers (trombone), Bill Sare (trombone), Dr Fen Downing (guitar), and Alan Bourne (base fiddle).  In the late 60's they moved to the Golden Steer  and were joined at times by Bill Rathburn (guitar), Herbie Calkins (trumpet), Jim Calkins (drums), and Kenny Calkins (drums).     

    Bud Benth (organ, piano, accordion, guitar) played at the Crescent Hotel Bar in the 40's and later became manager of the Elks Club where he played for many years.  He also played at the Legion.  Alf Lindborg (accordion, organ) followed him at the Elks.  I remember a wonderful afternoon listening to Bud Campbell (guitar) play and sing his quiet western songs.   Jim Niner (guitar)and Jimmy Koltiska (guitar, mandolin) should be in Nashville. 

    Alan Bourne said Sheridan has always had a Big Band around. The Sheridan Quadrille Orchestra, The Dixie Dudes, The Stardusters, and King Davis  come to mind as the bigger ones.  Lyle Corey and Duke Downey had medium sized ones.   Monarch Polka Band and the German Schnitzel Band are Polka bands.  Some of the members were Ralph Berger (piano), Bob Ross (drums), George Klepinger (guitar), Bruce Badley (trombone), Ned Avery (trumpet), Rod Bisbee (trumpet), Gary McKnight (sax), Shirley Frickey (piano), George Leopold (banjo), Grunk Grunkmeyer (trumpet), Dave and Diane Knudson (trumpets), Arial Downing (trombone), Dale Hoffman (tuba), Mickey O'Connor (piano), Marguerite Johnstone (singer), and Bob Wilson (director).

    Jo Ann Boyd Scott, 1953: I am wondering if there are band or chorus members out there still playing/entertaining? I know in the class of 1953 we had a great trumpet player, Emmanuel ( Chic) Dunne. His band entertained us several times. It seems Atley Ralston (1951) continued with it, not sure though. I know for sure that Mildred Russell (1953) is still giving flute lessons in Billings and played for some years in the symphony there. She also has a threesome that plays for weddings and special occasions. How many more out there?

Dave Stevenson '63' contributed: When I was attending the schools of Sheridan, there were a lot of bands and musicians. Allen Born and Marvin Fritz are some of the very few who still play with some regularity. I still play 'slow bass'. Fingers won't work as fast as in the past. I'm wondering if some of the classmates are still playing or have quit and the instrument is collecting dust. I talked to Gary Galbreath and he hasn't played in years. The organs are stored in the garage. I haven't heard from Jim Sollars, but the last I knew he hadn't played either. I did listen to Nick Birchby once this spring at the old-time  musicians' jam session. He still plays beautifully. I still play a little country and 'old' rock/roll, but am not in practice. I was just wondering if any are still at it??

Jo Ann Boyd Scott, 1953, added:  I meant to add our most talented musical classmate of 53, Martha Powell. I found in the records Martha was accompanying vocalists on the piano back in the 6th grade. (probably before that) As I remember, Martha attended Juliard School of Music and has many, many accolades in the music field. Martha, I am probably messing this up...help...I doubt there is a song anywhere Martha can't play! Anyway, I am in great awe of her abilities.

Martha C. Powell, 1953, replied:  Jo Ann, Thanks for the compliment. I do enjoy playing the piano and organ. Now who has organs locked up in a garage? What is to become of them? I just returned to Louisville after a couple of weeks in Sheridan. Saw Alan Bourne in Kendrick Park. He is emcee for all the Tuesday night band concerts. Also saw Mr. Avery at one of the concerts. Didn't recognize anyone else. My brother Ben (class of 1959 or 1960) drove a station wagon with my mom (101 years young) and me as passengers from LA to Sheridan. Enjoyed two performances of Shakespeare in the Park (one in Sheridan, one in Buffalo) and one night at the rodeo. At the rodeo during the opening exercises, alternating drum and bugle corps guys and Indian gals carried out the largest U.S. flag I've ever seen. They held it as one would hold a sheet--at four corners and all along the sides. Such fun! My mom travels in a wheelchair so we sat in "wheelchair row" at the rodeo--good seats toward the front and down on the end. I mentioned to someone at the Sheridan airport that mother was going to be 101 and a half on the day after we traveled from SHR to Louisville. That person e-mailed or otherwise communicated with every United Airlines' employee from Sheridan to Louisville. The captain on the next two segments announced mother's upcoming "birthday"; people sang to her; a stewardess in Washington, D.C. left the plane and bought a piece of cappuccino cake for her, and even the check-in-counter and baggage claim personnel greeted her with "Happy Birthday"--all the way from Denver to Louisville. I ask--how could so many people be notified and respond so quickly. Jane, if you run into a United Airlines' employee, thank them for me. I don't know how to find a phone number for a local ticket counter--all I see are 800 numbers. Thanks Ann. P. S. I did mean to say that I attended Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

Martha Jane Rice, 1956, replied: Martha and all: Your story is marvelous! This is a story Bob Wilson, "Man About Town", himself 87, would like. I am going to give it to him and I'll bet we hear something of it on the radio here in Sheridan! Do you remember him, Martha? He was newsman for KWYO in the 50's.

Nancy Jane Guster Isaacs, 1961, requested: Please share your memories about dances at the Eagles, Elks, YWCA, and the country dances at Dayton, Beaton Beach (Arvada), Buffalo, Ladore, etc. I met my husband at an Eagles dance.

Mary Bocca Dowling, 1943, responded: Boy do I remember the dances at Ladore and Kelly's Bar, also at Story. Ladore would have big name bands come thru on one night stands so we saw Vaughn Monroe, Dorsey and others. It was so great. Also New Year's and Christmas dances at the Elks. Then of course there was the Crescent Hotel where Eddie Neibaur played...That was music!

Nancy Jane Guster Isaacs, 1961: I remember going to Ladore once or twice in the sixties. One time I ordered a drink and I thought the waitress asked if I was cold enough and I said yes. I couldn't figure out why she was asking that. She was really trying to ask me if I was old enough which I wasn't. I had a great time that night. Oh, I got my drink.

Malcolm Hutton, 1947, reminisced a bit as follows: I remember the dances at the Elks club. I joined the Elks in the early 50's. Everybody in town went there and the dances were packed. Dues were $5 per year and if you went to the Wednesday night meetings, they had a keg of beer and cold cuts and once in a while, shrimp. I figured I got my yearly dues back every meeting. The dining room was going strong with a big lunch crowd and Saturday night dinners. My dad played organ music during the dinners. On dance nights they set up a bar on the second floor, and the main floor bar and lounge were full too. I don't know how we ever made the Thanksgiving dances. We went to the Scrutchfield's for a big dinner at noon, went to Hutton's for the evening turkey, and then got dressed up and went to the Elks and danced till the wee hours. Everybody went to the Elk dances whether you were a member or not. In the late 60's they decided they would lock the doors and only members could get in and the Elks just kind of lost it's pizzazz. They quit the lunches and the big dances and I survived the whole thing without a DUI.

Aretha Jane Willis Hartman, 1955, wrote: Hey Malcolm, Do you know what ever happened to Sidney McIntosh? He played drums and his mother played piano for a lot of the bands around town. He was from the class of 1955 too, but is not on the list of the Sheridan Express. Joined the Navy right out of high school. Really good drummer! Jon

 There are many more, we have only scratched the surface.  Music has been a big part of world history and of every small town in America and a wonderful part of my life.