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Post by richard on Oct 17, 2005 21:27:08 GMT -5
Do you remember this group? I have more pictures and will try to get some information.
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Post by Robert Lay on Oct 18, 2005 8:57:21 GMT -5
Bill Hawes referred me to this picture. Yes, everyone from that era remembers Spike Jones and the City Slickers, and the class of '48 certainly remembers the Jr. City Slickers.
Bob Lay CHS '48
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Post by richard on Oct 20, 2005 19:43:01 GMT -5
Hello again!
I received a couple of e-mails from Jerry Records. He received the e-mails from a friend that had been in contact with Mr. Tom Thompson. He says that the picture I posted was one of the earliest pictures taken of the Junior City Slickers and were taken in his parents’ home. At one time they purchased some wild plaid fabric at the Seymour Woolen Mills. Suits were made with this fabric by Ralph Taggart’s mother. Tom said, “that she seemed to have as much fun making the suits as we were having.”
The sound of the Junior City Slickers was not similar to Spike Jones and his City Slickers. It was the exact sound as the Junior City Slickers lip-synced to Spike Jones’ records. The Junior City Slickers never performed with the Spike Jones group. Tom’s group was asked to appear in a movie with the Spike Jones group. Spike Jones and the City Slickers were in a few movies, but the movie that the Junior City Slickers were to appear in never reached production.
Legal problems impersonating Spike Jones were never a concern as the group had his verbal okay. Tom recalls once receiving a picture post card from Spike as he was coming down the steps of the plane and holding his new young son. The message said, “Dear Tom, Thought you might like to see another Jr. City Slicker.”
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nancs
HCI Forum Board Member
Posts: 948
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Post by nancs on Oct 21, 2005 7:10:00 GMT -5
Hi, and love this thread. Great job, Richard!!!! Hope that others add their memories of the Jr. City Slickers. Nanc
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Post by richard on Oct 21, 2005 19:49:52 GMT -5
Bill Hawes, and a member of the Junior City Slickers sent me the following information. Tom knew Spike personally so that is why there was no problem using his name. Bill said that he and Ed Shumway met Spike in person when they and Tom took a train to Chicago to attend one of his shows. Bill said his activities with the Junior group were mostly in the Sound Department.. He traveled all over the state of Indiana and regrets that he wasn’t able to continue with the group as they traveled to other states. LeRoy Silva became the head of the Sound Department after Bill departed the group! LeRoy went on to earn his PHD in Electrical Engineering at Purdue.
Bill said he enjoyed traveling with the band as each performance in a Theater allowed him to see the big 35MM arc lamp projectors in operation and study the sound system. Bill said, "Every projectionist I met was a friendly person and taught me much when time permitted."
My note: After serving in the Mideast with the Army, Bill retired after 30 years with Bell and Howell.
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Post by richard on Oct 25, 2005 8:32:02 GMT -5
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Post by David Sechrest on Oct 25, 2005 12:24:44 GMT -5
Richard, GREAT pictures of this "one of a kind" music ensemble from the past. Was Tommy Thompson the same as the man who owned the old Camera & Hobby shop in the 25th Street Shopping Center? I wonder if any Junior City Slickers music is out there anywhere. Think any of the original band members have any recordings? To have Spike Jones as their mentor said everything about the band. Spike Jones was nuts, and I hope that, wherever he is, he takes that as a compliment and high praise. Spike Jones and his City Slickers played all types of instruments, and in this case, it would be safe to even throw in the kitchen sink here! All were accomplished musicians. By the way, Frank Sinatra even played with the band early in his career. The best way for me to describe this "novelty" music to someone who's never heard it before is to say, picture a Looney Tunes cartoon in your mind, then throw in a music track and absurd sound effects. For those of you that have never heard Spike Jones And His City Slickers, I've included a song he "butchered" from the Nutcracker Suite: Dance Of The Flowers. Besides being an accomplished musician (Spike could play many instruments) and bandleader, Spike Jones was one of the best musical satirists. Wonderful pictures, and a great job, Richard. I hope you provide more info about this band!
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Gregg
HCI Forum Board Member
Posts: 80
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Post by Gregg on Oct 25, 2005 15:10:03 GMT -5
David, Tommy Thompson was, indeed, the same man who owned "Camera and Hobby." He was a very nice man. When he hobby shop was first opened, he drove a BMW Isetta-300, and I think it had the name of his shop painted on it.
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Post by richard on Oct 30, 2005 16:13:35 GMT -5
Hello all! Where do I start? First of all let me say that I received the picture I posted from one of the members. I’ll call him “my contact” and he called Mr. Tom Thompson, the leader of the group, to confirm some information. Mr. Thompson’s comment was that most of the information was on page 401 in the History of Bartholomew County Indiana, Volume II. This book was copyrighted in 2003 by the Bartholomew County Historical Society.
I know nothing about copyright laws so I’ll just highlight the page of information that’s in this book. Hopefully, with Tom Thompson guiding me to this book, I’ll not end up in Court.
Tom Thompson, son of Glenn and Louise Thompson of Columbus, and his buddies were Spike Jones fans. The Junior City Slickers were born after World War II, and developed their own act. The run lasted from 1946 to 1950. Most of the group played real musical instruments. However, the shows were pantomimed. The first performances were at school convocations. They then performed in Columbus and then in nearby towns.
One performance was at the state convention of the Lions Club in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and the Kiwanis Club in Indianapolis. A June 6, 1947-gig in the Columbus High School auditorium was billed as a “100 Minute Musical Depreciation Revue — Musical Madness at its Best, presented by Tom Thompson and his Junior City Slickers.”
Miss Alta Redmond and Miss Edna Folger were official chaperones for the teenagers. Member Ed Shumway wrote all checks and kept the books for the group. Other members were Lew Essex, Bill Meyer, John Beatty, Gerald Lee Wiley, Sam Smiley, Charlie Snyder and Bill Mihay. Jean Givens joined the group as comedienne soloist. Bill Hawes was in charge of the amplifying system, and Lee Everroad was the stage manager. Other members were Fred VanGilder, Roland Hultsch, LeRoy Silva, Don Vogel, Jerry Reeves, Bill Daniel, Maurice Hamilton, Jerry Deiwert, Ronnie Williams, Kenny Harker, Dale “Bub” Wright, Steve Cline, Carol Hultsch and Angela Castell.
One show was priced at 40 cents per person and was sold out. Others wanting to attend had to be turned away. The 1,100-seats at the Crump Theater were also sold out. The group purchased new stage curtains from profits from the public shows.
The Evening Republican mentioned a guest spot in July 1948. The Toppers, a vocal quartet from the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music in Indianapolis was quite popular. Along with smooth numbers they sang was ‘Daddy Get Your Baby Out of Jail’. The Toppers were led by Columbus brothers Ross and Don Barbour. They were two of the original members of The Four Freshmen which formed September 20, 1948. Tom Thompson recalled that he handed the quartet 10 dollars for their appearance.
In 1949 Spike Jones signed Tom Thompson and his group to a five-year contract to continue to perform under his sponsorship. For three summers the group performed their zany shows in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. The venues included Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island, Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh, Hershey Park and the Murat and Indiana theaters.
Among favorites of the Junior City Slickers were “Chloe,” “Glow Worm, “ ”Black Magic,” “Holiday for Strings,” “Love in Bloom,” “Cocktails for Two,” “Hawaiian War Chant,” “Leave the Dishes in the Sink, Ma” and many others that could be turned into broad comedy.
Volume II can be purchased at the Bartholomew County Historical Society, 524 Third Street, Columbus, IN 47201.
Those living in another location can visit the Bartholomew County Historical Society web page by using the link below. Click PRODUCTS/SERVICES on the left of the home page to purchase this volume,
www.barthist.com/barthist.html
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nancs
HCI Forum Board Member
Posts: 948
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Post by nancs on Oct 31, 2005 9:04:30 GMT -5
Super job, Richard!!!!! And thanks for this trip down Memory Lane!!!! Nanc
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Post by David Sechrest on Oct 31, 2005 14:31:54 GMT -5
Richard
Thanks for posting this information. I've really enjoyed the pictures, especially. I don't foresee any problem with your text. You've noted your reference, as well as provided additional information not covered in the article in Volume II.
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Post by Gail on Mar 8, 2006 15:31:48 GMT -5
I am so thrilled to hear this story about the local City Slickers! Tommy Thompson lived just down the street from me and I even dated Tommy's son Rick without ever knowing or hearing this story!!! Thank you for enlightening me. I have fond memories of both families and life on the lagoons. Gail
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Post by richard on Oct 26, 2006 21:07:13 GMT -5
Ed Shumway passed away last night. He had lung and heart problems for quite sometime. His wife Carolyn had been staying with him for several days and nights and said he passed away in his sleep.
It has been several years since Ed lived here but I am sure you all have a lot of good memories of Ed and the things he was involved in.
After living in Florida many years he moved a year or so ago to Ft. Mill, S.C.
Mr. Shumway was a member of the Junior City Slickers
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RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
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Post by RER on Oct 29, 2006 11:16:19 GMT -5
"Former Junior City Slicker Dies"
Don Edwin Shumway
Charlotte, N.C.
Don Edwin "Ed" Shumway, of Charlotte, N.C., died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006, following a very complicated and lengthy illness. He was born in Columbus, Ind., son of the late Mary and Donald Shumway. He married Carolyn Hood in 1968, who survives him.
Ed began his career as a sales representative with Arvin Industries following graduation from Franklin College. He remained with Arvin Industries until 1975. He began a second career as a stock broker for Smith Barney when the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. in 1975 for the health of their only child, Edwin, who courageously battled cystic fibrosis until his death in 1987. Ed retired from Smith Barney in 1996.
Recently Ed and Carolyn returned to the Charlotte area where they enjoyed being with friends. One of Ed's greatest pleasures occurred during high school and college where he was an original member of the Junior City Slicker.
He is also survived by nephews, Bobby Hood and his wife, Tracie, of Apple Valley, Minn., Brent Hood of Charlotte, N.C.; and many special supporting friends.
The family will receive friends Monday, October 30, at 12 p.m. at McEwen Funeral Home in Mint Hill, N.C. Funereal service will follow at 1 p.m. in the chapel at McEwen Funeral Home. Interment will be at Sunset Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Kiwanis where Ed served as a past president and was a lifelong member. Send donations to Kiwanis Youth Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 2462, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33302.
Arrangements were made by McEwen Funeral Service Mint Hill Chapel in Charlotte, N.
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nancs
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Posts: 948
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Post by nancs on Aug 23, 2007 8:04:44 GMT -5
It is no small wonder that I get side-tracked going through the things my mom saved, and even better than that, what she managed to pack into that 'Beverly Hillbillies two horse trailer' for our move to California!!!!!!!!!! Within a box, I found this program from a Junior City Slickers presentation. In reading some of the 'history' included in the program, I suspect that I first saw the group when they presented their production for the Lions Club at a family night. Seems to me that performance was at the Donner Center, and the group used bedsheets as the curtains. Enjoy. AND you really have to read carefully the actual 'program,' as it does sort of give you an idea to the, yes, 'wacky' presentation. Nanc
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Aug 23, 2007 8:10:09 GMT -5
Nanc
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nancs
HCI Forum Board Member
Posts: 948
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Post by nancs on Aug 23, 2007 8:13:12 GMT -5
Nanc
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nancs
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Posts: 948
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Post by nancs on Aug 23, 2007 8:19:45 GMT -5
Short of having seen a Junior City Slickers performance, some of the above 'history' gives you a bit of an insight. Nanc
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Aug 23, 2007 9:22:54 GMT -5
Oh what a riot this group of "silly guys" was! The understatement of the decade! Not sure exactly where I saw the Junior City Slickers, it could've been at the Shelterhouse program at Donner Park or would they have performed at a convo for us in high school? No idea, but I can hear their clanging, pounding, guns shooting, etc. in my mind right now. They were a "CASE" let me tell you. Did you notice that both Ross and Don Barbour were in this group? I also notice that a friend of mine...Fred Van Gilder....was their Master of Properties. (Later in his life, Fred and his wife Ruth lived across the street from my mom and dad on 19th Street.) What "wonderful memories"! Thanks Nanc!
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Post by richard on Sept 23, 2008 19:44:12 GMT -5
Below is a scan from the back of one of several new pictures I’ll be posting in the next few days. It appears this was stamped using a rubber stamp.
All of these scans are the Courtesy of Tom Thompson.
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