File - The St Louis Ragtimers

50th Anniversary
September 2011
Commemorative Biography
The St. Louis Ragtimers preparing for festival week aboard the Goldenrod Showboat (June 1978).
Left to right: Trebor Jay Tichenor, Ed McKee, Don Franz, Al Stricker, Bill Mason, Glenn Meyer
The year 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of The St. Louis Ragtimers, and the band still has the
original four band members (Trebor Jay Tichenor, Al Stricker, Don Franz and Bill Mason). This
could put The St. Louis Ragtimers into the Guinness Book of Records!
Trebor Jay Tichenor started piano lessons at age five. At first, lessons were not fun but his
enthusiasm suddenly increased when Trebor was allowed to choose "Maple Leaf Rag" for his next
lesson assignment. More major turning points were soon to follow.
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Trebor and ragtime historian Russ Cassidy originated a quarterly journal called "The Ragtime
Review". Russ then introduced Trebor to Bob Darch. Then Trebor introduced Ragtime to Al Stricker.
Russ Cassidy introduces Trebor Jay Tichenor to 'Ragtime Bob' Darch (July 1959)
During the pre-Ragtimers years Don Franz was rarely seen playing music with the same group, or with
the same instrument. Don played guitar in his college fraternity band, which allowed him to stand next to
the piano player and tell him what chord to play next. "It was like shooting at a speeding target. I would
say the name of the next chord about three beats before it was to be played." Eventually the piano player
improved, and the lead-time was reduced to about two beats.
After graduation from Washington University in 1955, Don joined the Navy and served on active duty
until the spring of 1959. At an after-hours jam session at sea aboard the USS Forrestal, Don met clarinetist
and Ship's Dental Officer John "Doc" Carlson. "Doc" talked about his upcoming European tour as
clarinetist with
"The Chicago Stompers". "Doc" had just received a letter describing the status of the planned tour. The
band still needed a banjoist. Don said, "Put me down!" Two weeks later, "Doc" reported that the tour plans
had changed. Carl Lunsford was signed up on banjo, but a tuba player was now needed. Don said, "Put
me down!" Don welcomed this late change, because, "in Europe, it would be easier to find a tuba than a
banjo".
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Don and his new 'Huttle' tuba, practicing with clarinetist "Doc" Carlson (May 1959).
The 'Chicago Stompers' on stage at Club Storyville, Frankfurt Germany (June 1959).
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St. Louis Ragtimers Commemorative Biography (continued)
Don returned to St. Louis inAugust 1959 on completion of the European tour with the "Chicago
Stompers". After a year of post-graduate work in Industrial Engineering at Washington University, Don
met Al and Trebor. Don was impressed their knowledge of Ragtime and by the music resources in Trebor's
basement, which included player pianos, shelves of piano rolls, sheet music, Edison records, cylinders,
pictures, posters, and reference books.
In the spring of 1961, Don told Trebor about his upcoming two-week trip to San Francisco for Navy
Reserve duty in San Francisco. Trebor told Don to to be sure to include a visit to "Earthquake McGoon's"
to hear Turk Murphy's band. Don told Trebor and Al all about Turk Murphy's band, and his purchase of
Bob Short's Martin tuba. To put it mildly, Don began to show greater interest in Ragtime and Traditional
Jazz.
In the summer of 1961, 'Ragtime Bob' Darch performed in "The Dugout" lounge at Mickey Mantle's
Holiday Inn, Joplin Missouri. 'Ragtime Bob' asked Trebor to play one night at Mickey Mantle's so 'Bob'
could cover another commitment. Trebor invited Al. Then Al invited Don. 'Bob' approved, but said that
we should decide on a name for our group. Trebor chose"The St. Louis Ragtimers".
We completed the six-hour drive to Joplin, arriving in time to have dinner before our performance.
The Ragtimers and the audience enjoyed the bright powerful sound that Trebor created on Bob's "Cornish
Upright Saloon Grand" piano. At the end of the evening's performance we began the long drive back to
St. Louis. No one slept on the return trip. We made lists and discussed the rags and songs that we wanted
to learn, knowing that Trebor's collection contained most everything we would need. Arriving home at
daybreak we had just enough time to go straight to our day jobs. What a culture shock!
A few weeks later, Ragtime Bob' Darch organized the "Theron C. Bennett Memorial Concert" to be
held in Pierce City, Missouri (the home town of Ragtime performer Theron C. Bennett). Theron later
moved to Chicago where he became a music composer and publisher. Bennett published W. C. Handy's
Memphis Blues and several of his own compositions, including "The St. Louis Tickle" and "She Wore A
Yellow Ribbon."
Based on our performance at Mickey Mantle's, Bob included The St. Louis Ragtimers in this concert.
The Ragtimers introduced "Pierce City Rag" (Trebor's composition created specifically for this event).
Over six hundred people attended this concert. A good turnout, since the population of Pierce City was
about two hundred. (The St. Louis Ragtimers portion of this concert is included on BCD-361).
In the fall of 1961, The Ragtimers, with Bill Mason on cornet, began their first steady engagement at
the "Natchez Queen", on Gaslight Square. The Ragtimers performed just a few doors from Singleton
Palmer's Dixieland Band and Sammy Gardner's Mound City Six. The riverboat décor of the Natchez
Queen was perfect for the kinds of music the Ragtimers played. Ed Freund often performed with the
Ragtimers, and Ed recorded with the Ragtimers in 1962 (see BCD 361, 362).
Photo Credits: UMSL Photo Archive
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Gaslight Square in it's heyday.
The St. Louis Ragtimers at the "Natchez Queen" Gaslight Square (1961).
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In June of 1962, the Ragtimers played their first international engagement at "Pierre's Club 76",
Winnipeg, Canada. This popular gay nineties saloon regularly featured ragtime pianists such as Johnny
Maddox, Charlie Young, "Buckskin Bill" Seldon, and "Ragtime Bob" Darch.
The St. Louis Ragtimers at "Pierre's Club 76" in Winnipeg Canada (June 1962)
After this brief leave of absence from The Natchez Queen, the Ragtimers returned to Gaslight Square.
Later this same year, Mr. Ewing Nunn produced our first Audiophile recording (see BCD-361, 362).
In 1963, Louis Armstrong, the Russ David Orchestra and The St. Louis Ragtimers were featured in a
special benefit cruise aboard the steamer Admiral. Early in the evening, we were introduced to Louis
Armstrong, and we asked him if he would play a tune or two with our group. (Our venue was on the
fourth deck, and his venue was on the first deck in the main ballroom). Louis said, "Boys, I sure would
like to, but these legs just won't carry me up to the fourth deck!" We were thrilled to have met Louis
Armstrong and to have been chosen to play on the same program with him.
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Songwriter, Carrie Stark
with the Ragtimers
at The Natchez Queen
in Gaslight Square, 1963.
In 1963, the Ragtimers met
Mrs. Carrie Stark, daughter-in-law
of ragtime publisher John Stark.
Her 1912 composition "They
Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dawg
Around" is frequently requested
(see BCD-362).
The Ragtimers recall a special evening in the fall of 1964, when, our audience suddenly got up an left
us, to join the crowds cheering in the street. When we got the word that The St. Louis Cardinals had just
won the World Series, we decided to take a break and join the crowd
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The Ragtimers moved to the St. Louis Riverfront in the spring of 1965, following completion of the
Goldenrod Showboat restoration. On May 22 1965, the Showboat (closed since 1962) was ready for the
grand re-opening benefit party. Hollywood actress Kathleen "Kathy" Nolan returned to St. Louis to
perform on stage for this event. Kathy (along with her parents) had often appeared on the Goldenrod
Showboat stage from age two, until Kathy's move to Hollywood. Kathy's performance at this re-opening
night event re-awakened the historic Goldenrod Showboat with authentic old-time melodrama, and the
Ragtimers livened things up by providing Ragtime and Traditional Jazz before and after the melodrama.
Captain Bill Menke greets Kathy Nolan aboard
the Goldenrod Showboat (May 1965).
Following her early Showboat acting days, Kathleen
Nolan moved to Hollywood to play a variety of roles
including "Kate"in the TV series "The Real McCoy's"
and "Wendy" in "Peter Pan". Goldenrod Showboat
Captain Bill Menke began his lifetime career on the
river in 1904 working for the Riverboat Captain who
financed and operated the Goldenrod Showboat. Built
in Parkersburg West Virginia in 1909, the Goldenrod
became the largest Showboat ever built (original
seating capacity of the Goldenrod was 1,400).
Captain Bill Menke continued to live on Goldenrod
after the grand reopening in 1965. He greeted guests,
signed autographs for fans, and reminisced about the
early days when stars such as Red Skelton and Bob
Hope had performed on the Goldenrod stage.
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Showboat Vaudeville Act"
Blanche Forbes and John Gazzoli, Jr.
John Gazzoli, Jr. played piano on the
Goldenrod whenever high school,
college, or Navy commitments permitted.
He played piano music for the
melodrama, played solo Ragtime piano,
and also accompanied Blanche Forbes
and her Violin. An audience favorite was
their Vaudville rendition of "Listen To
The Mocking Bird".
Soon after the Goldenrod Showboat grand re-opening, Trebor suggested that the Ragtimers plan and
organize a Ragtime Festival aboard the Goldenrod Showboat. Frank Pierson approved, and the first
"Goldenrod Showboat Ragtime Festival" was presented August 13-15, 1965.
Goldenrod Showboat on the St. Louis Levee, home base for many Annual Ragtime Festivals.
Musicians featured at the First Annual Ragtime Festival included John W. 'Knocky' Parker, Marvin
'Smokey' Montgomery, John Arpin, Bob Wright, Mary Pearl, and The St. Louis Ragtimers. 'Knocky'
Parker also provided creative piano accompaniment for the melodrama.
In 1968 the Ragtimers completed their third recording. Clarinetist Glenn Meyer performed often with
the Ragtimers during the 1960's and the 1970's, and added a distinct ensemble sound to the group. Glenn
recorded three albums with the Ragtimers during this time (BCD-363, 364, 365).
In the Bicentennial year of 1976, the NBC "Today Show" featured the Ragtimers playing "Music of
Missouri". Ed McKee did a great job on this assignment (while Don reported for two weeks active duty
with the Navy). While in St Louis, Ed obtained his Masters degree in music, then moved to Washington
DC for a career in the Air Force Band. Ed McKee recorded with the Ragtimers in 1977. (BCD-364).
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The St. Louis Ragtimers are especially indebted to many fans and musicians who went out of their way
to help make those early Goldenrod Showboat Ragtime Festivals a success. The Ragtimers have since
enjoyed hosting over thirty years of Annual Ragtime Festivals aboard the Goldenrod Showboat.
Early ragtime festival gathering at "The Levee House" on Wharf Street circa 1967. Al Stricker,
'Knocky' Parker, Edy Anton, Trebor Jay Tichenor, Betty Redelsheimer, Marian and Eubie Blake.
Compiled By Don Franz, 2010
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The Ragtimers have a new website:
www.stlragtimers.com
The website will be the source for some new LIVE CDs & DVDs
that capture the excitement from their great festivals and performances.
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