We begin the month of May with an outreach program wherein we shall be getting to know the instruments near Ridgecrest, California. Our mission began with the first forray into the world of the Mighty TPO in Southern California, the First Annual Poor Man's Pipe Organ Convention of 2007, held at the Granada Theatre in Old Town Kern, Bakersfield.
Also in this month's news, the Founding Father of Walnut Hill Productions, Fred Willis, had an accident in his home on Friday, the day before the Convention. He fell while walking into the kitchen and the Bone Doctor had to call 911 for assistance. Fred was quickly taken by ambulance to the Ridgecrest Medical Center, a small but high-tech hospital serveing the Kern County area. He was admitted and diagnosed before we left for Bakersfield to attend the Convention.
First Annual Poor Man's Pipe Organ Convention
May 5th and 6th at the Granada Theatre
Old Town Kern, Bakersfield, California
Granada Theatre in Old Towen Kern, Bakersfield, California.
On Saturday, May 5th at 8AM, the doors of the Granada Theatre in Old Town Kern, Bakersfield opened to greet theatre organ enthusiasts to a first time annual event of historic perportions. Theatre Owner Jim Spohn had this to say about the event. We quote him in blue text below:
Hear Ye Hear Ye: First Annual Poor Man's Pipe Organ Convention, May 5th, 2007...
Most Theatre Organ events turn out to be quite costly. My aim is to have an event that is affordable and fun. The Granada Theatre in Bakersfield is having what will be called "The Poorman's Pipe Organ Convention" on May 5th, which is not a convention at all. I am opening my 643 seat theatre to all organ buffs who would like a chance to play a real theatre pipe organ in an actual working theatre.
The Lobby of the Granada Theatre.
For those who would like to try their hand at playing a short silent movie, I will have my projectionist on hand to run a variety of 3 to 5 minute clips of silent movies. Some movies will be on film from the booth projectors, and some will be from DVD on a digital projector.
Carbon Arc Projector at the the Granada Theatre.
This is all about fun and not stuffedshirtedness. I will have food available at the snack bar and liquor available at the drink bar. There is no charge for this event. However, the food and drink will be for sale. This is not a public event, but rather, it is for all my personal friends...YOU!!
The Snack Bar of the Granada Theatre.
This event will run from 8AM Saturday Morning May 5th all night through Sunday at 5PM. It's like a pajama party for organ nuts (I can not
be responsible for lost Teddy Bears.)
This is a crappy little neighborhood theatre with no balcony, built in 1927. The theatre did not have an organ originally. If you would like, BRING A SLEEPING BAG AND FIND A PLACE TO CRASH. I must warn you that the stage is small and the floors are concrete.
The Auditorium of the Granada Theatre.
Come and play the pipe organ and drive everyone else nuts. Come play a short movie, or come just to drink and listen!! There are hotels and restaurants with in a reasonable distance. Fast food joints are with in a mile. Make it an afternoon trip from your house.
The organ is a four manual Robert Morton console connected to a 4/24 WurliTzer/Morton Theatre Pipe Organ. Everything on the instrument runs on wind, including myself. Not all the organ may be playing at the time but at least seventeen ranks will be playing, which is MORE than enough for that size theatre. (There is a Post Horn.)
The console of the Granada Theatre's Mighty Pipe Organ.
The specifications of the organ change on a regular basis. A stop list and description for the instrument is available. I make no false illusions. There are some ivories missing from keys that I may or may not get around to replacing by then. I will knock the organ into some semblance of tune but there will be no concert tuning. It's just like the organs in theaters used to be, "A piece of crap". The bottom line is that I can play it, and I'm not even an organist! So there is no reason that you wouldn't be able to play it and have fun.
The artists for this event are YOU, the attendees. If you want to play and want to come practice beforehand, please call me.
The Granada Theatre is original to 1927. All restrooms are upstairs and there are NO handicapped restrooms available in the theatre. It is important the I have some idea of how many people to expect, so please contact me at
james.spohn@ge.com
or cell phone (661)330-6733 and RSVP.
The Theatre is at 616 Kentucky Street in Old Town Kern, Bakersfield, California.
Friends and players of the Granada Theatre's Mighty Pipe Organ.
Seated, Lucy Spohn. Jim Spohn, in front, Greg Rister (left) and Russ Ashworth (right).
Representing Walnut Hill was Cyrus Roton, the Bone Doctor, and Russ Ashworth.
Jim and Lucy Spohn welcomed over fourty TPO enthusiasts from around the country and beyond to come and share the fine 4/24 Mighty WurliTzer/Morton Theatre Pipe Organ as players and listeners.
But the Granada Theatre adventure was full of many wonderful surprises which will be revealed in a future feature. It was also a chance for the Bone Doctor, and Russ Ashworth to reunite as brothers again as they remembered the founding of WHOC two years ago in Pasadena.
We made many new friends, rekindled old friendships, and all in attendence during this historic gathering had an absolute boat load of fun. Lucy Spohn was most warm and gracious as she kept the delicious consessions coming and the happy smiles abounding. Her hamburgers rule, along with her kindness. And Jim backed her up all the way with his enthusiasm and generosity. We shall miss this lovely couple until the next time we stop in at the Granada, hopefully long before next year. Simply put, I love that place and the folks who own and run it. Sheer joy, it is.
Doc's next door neighbor, Ernest Todd, took him to Bakersfield early Saturday morning. They stayed the night at the theatre and came home on Sunday evening. Todd's Z-Car ensured a speedy but very safe trip. He was highly impressed with the organ, the theatre and silent movies, all being the first time he has witnessed these things up close. We have pictures of Todd standing among the tall boys in the chambers. He is the newest member of WHOC and has found a new passion, the King of Instruments.
The Poor Man's Pipe Organ Convention will run each year, so now is the time to mark your calender for a date with one of the TPO world's best kept secrets and loveliest of musical gems, the Mighty 4/24 WurliTzer/Morton Theatre Pipe Organ Jim Spohn built. Make plans to attend the Second Annual Poor Man's Pipe Organ Convention of 2008 today! We shall be seeing you at the Granada next year. If all goes as planned, this will become an event in Bakersfeield, California not to be missed, no matter how far one must go to get there.
The Walnut Hill Production Team attended and had the cameras and recorders rolling to document the event. Look for this instrument to be featured in August 2007.
We made some recordings using the Samson Zoom H4 and took dozens of photos using two digital SLR cameras, our trusty Canon Power Shot S2-IS and the Kodak D70 belonging to Fred Willis. We were unable to get video, however, because the laptop was not available as a file repository. Some of these are posted below. There are more to follow. Stay tuned as we sort through this new material and post more here in the days ahead.
Members of WHOC that played the massive instrument were Cyrus Roton, Russ Ashworth, and the Bone Doctor. All were recorded and photographed. We did not get video this year, but next year we will do a much deeper coverage of the event now that we know what to expect.
Exerpts From The Bone Doctor's Sunday Performance
The Bone Doctor at the console of the Granada Theatre's
4/24 Mighty Robert Morton/WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
- My Father's World
Playing time = 3:25, files size = 3.18MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Never Grow Old
Playing time = 2:53, files size = 2.67MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Noodling on the way to the Steel Guitar Rag
Playing time = 4:06, files size = 3.81MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Norwegian Wood
Playing time = 2:45, files size = 2.56MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Wildwood Flower
Playing time = :, files size = .MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Playing time = 3:25, files size = 3.17MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Saint Louis Boogie
Playing time = 3:01, files size = 2.80MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
Exerpts From Dean Cook's Sunday Performance
Dean Cook at the console of the Granada Theatre's
4/24 Mighty Robert Morton/WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
Two fine musicians, Dean Cook and Greg Rister, blew our socks off as they played the huge instrument in concert and silent movies with masterful skill. Several other enthusiastic folks took a go at the old gal, including her builder, Jim Spohn, who plays quite well indeed. First up is some material from Dean Cook's Sunday show.
- Puttin' On The Ritz
Playing time = 2:36, files size = 2.42MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Moonlight Serenade
Playing time = 4:13, files size = 3.91MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Marche`De Zacatecas
Playing time = 4:32, files size = 4.19MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Bridge Over The River Kwai
Playing time = 4:10, files size = 3.86MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Besame Mucho
Playing time = 3:12, files size = 2.96MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Sabre Dance
Playing time = 2:40, files size = 2.48MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
Exerpts From Greg Rister's Sunday Performance
Greg Rister at the console of the Granada Theatre's
4/24 Mighty Robert Morton/WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
- Unforgettable Medley
Playing time = 9:49, files size = 9.05MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- Track 2
Playing time = 3:01, files size = 2.80MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
- If I Loved You
Playing time = 3:59, files size = 3.69MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
Exerpts From Jim Spohn's Performances
Jim Spohn at the console of the Granada Theatre's
4/24 Mighty Robert Morton/WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
- Track 1
Playing time = 5:52, files size = 5.42MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
Founding Father of Walnut Hill
Hospitalized After Fall at Home
Fred Willis, the founding father of Walnut Hill.
Upon returning home, Doc and Todd stopped in to visit Fred Willis as he was settling in at thr Ridgecrest Medical center where he will remain until he recovers from the surgery performed on the big toe of his right foot.
On the 4th of May, Fred fell and could not get up. There was no way that
Doc could get him to his feet, and after seeing te color of his skin, called 911. The city responded with paramedics and an ambulance. They began immediate medical treatment even before leaving for the hospital. Fred was admitted as soon as they arrived at the Center early that evening.
Surgery was performed in the morning of the following day, on a Saturday. Due to irreversable infection and complications caused by advancing diabetes, the toe was amputated. There are other complications the doctors must evaluate, monitor and treat before Fred can come home, but Todd took Fred the "Easy" button Fred keeps near his residence workstation to remind him to pray with us for the miracle of healing and a safe return home.
Fred was excited to hear the news surrounding the Convention and he was glad to see Todd and Doc safely home. We were relived and glad to see Fred alive and reasonably well, on his way to a speedy recovery in the capable hands of the good people at the Ridgecrest Medical Hospital.
Fred was relocated from Ridgecrest Medical Hospital to the Desert Knoll Convalescent Hospitalin Victorville, California. The doctors expect him to stay there for at least four and a half weeks. Depending on a number of factors, his stay could be longer. We will keep you informed as we lean more about his condition in the days ahead.
On Thursday, May 17th of 2007, Cyrus Roton and the Bone Doctor ventured down to Victorville to see Fred at the Desrt Knoll Convalescent Hospital. He was of good cheer but still woozy from the infection. The nurse changed the bandages on his toe while we were there and the would is healing, but it is mending slowly due to his diabetes. Fred's recovery time is now estimated to be around four to six weeks. His brother Paul will be flying down from Washington State in two weeks to held get Fred's house ready for his return sometime between June and July if all goes well.
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