After Bebop A Lula: Utica Bands 50's 60's

[Clipper]

Imagine the fights in Alaska? NO. Ya think there were bar fights in Alaska with all the pipeliners and loggers up there? Can't imagine such a scenario, haha.

Bill was an excellent pilot when I knew him. I have not seen him in probably 20 years. He loved Alaska, and even when he lived in Sauquoit he vacationed in Alaska every year and hunted up there.

I remember one night at the Pub when a kid named Sparky (since deceased) was in a fight in the bar. He was a big kid, and always fighting. Well, he kicked some asses, and later went out and passed out in the passenger seat of his friend Dave Freeman's el camino, with the window down and his head out the window.

It seems that the victims of his beating came out and found him in this compromising position, and proceeded to beat the hell out of him while he could not get his feet under him and get out of the car, LOL. He was the son of the man I ran the farm for, and he arrived in the barn the next morning looking like he had fought George Forman. I ran the farm because he hated it and could not stay sober enough to milk the cows in the morning dependably. haha. I saw his face and cracked up, thinking that the bully got his due, ahha. Sparky died a few years ago from complications from diabetes. He, as most of us do, had outgrown his wild younger days. I cannot criticize of condemn his ways, as he was a carbon copy of myself when I returned from Viet Nam, with a drinking problem and a piss poor attitude.

[jon hynes]

'Old Blue' Folk Troupe Heading For Big Time

^{By CHUCK ROBIE BOOTH}

The Windgate Singers a trio of Utica and New Hartford collegians whose record, 'Old Blue', has sold well in the Northeast, are aiming for full-time professionalism.

"We're thinking constantly of full-time folk singing. That's our goal." said Jim Hanna.

They may get their "big break" next month when they headline a "package Hootenanny" which will tour New York colleges and high schools.

* * *

[jon hynes]

THE WINDGATES are: Hanna, a former part-time professional rock 'n' roller, who has been playing guitar since he was a sophomore at New Hartford Central School.

Janet Brazinski, a Utica College sophomore who was active in Utica Free Academy choral groups and has worked as a solo banquet singer. She developed an interest in folk singing in the early stages of the craze and appeared a couple of times in public with Shirley King as a team, "Shirl and Jan" She is a member of the Utica college Choir.

Bob O'Donnell, who began folk singing and playing guitar as a New Hartford Central School freshman, has appeared professionally as a soloist since he was a junior and has made live radio appearances. Both Bob and Jim teach guitar at Excelsior School of Music.

* * *

[jon hynes]

BOB HAD BEEN trying to interest Jim in forming a folk singing group since they were high school seniors.

"I first really considered it last summer." Jim said. "I got sick of playing rock 'n' roll in dives. For the most part, the music was just noise. Not that the money wasn't better in folk music too.

"There's a bit more meaning in folk music. Rock 'n' roll competition is sort of cut-throat. In folk music everybody's willing to learn from somebody else."

* * *

[jon hynes]

DURING THE summer, Hanna, O'Donnell and Amy White gave several programs as "The Gaslighters." When Miss White returned to Potsdam State University College, where she is a music major at Crane School, the men decided to form "The Windgate Singers" and conducted several auditions. Miss Brazinski won.

Since then The Windgates have cut several records, one of which has been released and has sold several thousands copies, have appeared on television (Channel 9. Syracuse) and have made professional appearances on the average of thrice a week. Their recording company is Aegis Records, a new North Utica firm which will soon release another single waxing and an album which will include "On the Road" a Jack Kerouac inspired original written by Bob and Jim.

* * *

[jon hynes]

THE SINGERS rehearse from five to 45 hours a week, depending on there appearance and recording schedule. Doesn't this raise havoc with studies?

"I don't find it difficult even with a full class-load." said Janet. "I've been able to maintain good grades. It just means I budget my time."

Janet said if the group has a chance to go full-time, "I would take aq year or two off. But only with the reservation that I'll come back to finish my education, I wouldn't want to cheat myself out of that." She hopes to become an interpreter and is majoring in German.

"I'd like to stay in music as long as I can make a living in it." Hanna said. "Then I'll turn to printing and advertising, which is my major at MVCC."

Bob is devoting full-time to music now and said he would "completely exhaust all ends in folk music, and then return to college, perhaps a junior college, and eventually try to get back into show business, any branch of it."

* * *

[jon hynes]

THE SINGERS get their material by "just listening to everything we can . . . we might use it as-is or we might rearrange." Jim said.

We practice with a tape recorder to make any changes we feel are necessary." said Jan. "All three of us will discuss what might be improved or deleted. We use some written lines."

"There are also commercial considerations." Hanna noted. "WE will have to please the crowd."

[dgriffin]

Jon, nice find.

Some thoughts:

Jim: "There's a bit more meaning in folk music. Rock 'n' roll competition is sort of cut-throat. In folk music everybody's willing to learn from somebody else."
I hadn’t thought of that. My piano would have been even more superfluous than it was becoming. I would have headed to blues, maybe?

“ … an album which will include "On the Road" a Jack Kerouac inspired original written by Bob and Jim.”
Do you think Willie Nelson stole their idea?

Jim:” … stay in music as long as I can make a living in it." Hanna said. "Then I'll turn to printing and advertising, which is my major at MVCC."
Must have been after I knew him; didn’t know he went to MVCC. Maybe nights. I do remember he was at RIT for a semester. He and I loved ink, that’s for sure.

“"There are also commercial considerations." Hanna noted.”
Jimmy’s forte, actually.

[jon hynes]

The Windgate Singers on Stage

Jim Hanna left - Janet Brazinski - Bob O'Donnell

[jon hynes]

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[jon hynes]

Gene Rice also taught Guitar at The Excelsior School of Music

[jon hynes]

Oct 12, 2008 16:03:31 GMT -5 @dgriffin said:

Jon, nice find.

Thanks Dave. Another find quite by accident. Jim Hanna. I was looking for Jimmy and Jimmie. Found under Excelsior. Who knew.

Lots of typing though. I have to learn to use two fingers in order to speed things up.