Sunday, September 23rd, 3:00 pm Ken Double playing the newly-installed Allen GW-IV at his town home.

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1 Atlanta Chapter, American Theatre Organ Society Atlanta Chapter member and ATOS CEO Ken Double will host our September program in his town home at 1615 Defoors Walk NW, Atlanta on Sunday, September 23rd at 3:00 pm. Ken will be both host and artist for this program introducing us to his newlyinstalled Allen GW-IV which was just acquired through the help of Tommy Drake in Orlando and Jeff Ayers here in Atlanta. It arrived on July 17 and the unique installation has been sound tested with his neighbors. The six-inch concrete firewalls Ken Double between the town-home units do the trick. You cannot hear a peep in the unit next door. He says he is looking forward to having the chapter over and introducing the latest GW-IV in the neighborhood. We of the Atlanta Chapter may lead the nation as we already have Allen GW-IV s at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre plus the Burud, Carter and Polglase residences. Sunday, September 23rd, 3:00 pm Ken Double playing the newly-installed Allen GW-IV at his town home. Thank You Bucky At the conclusion of the Fabulous Fox Organ Weekend in 2004, the Walker Residence Theatre Organ Opus 1 was moved from the Georgian Terrace Hotel to Mableton to the residence of Bucky Reddish. In August of that year, Dave Wickerham performed the inaugural concert on the new and groundbreaking instrument and that was a start of an unforgettable era of music in Atlanta. Bucky and his Walker have, for the last eight years, been a central part of one of the greatest periods in the history of the Atlanta Chapter of ATOS. The artists that have appeared at Bucky s during this time include Mr. Wickerham, Jelani Eddington, Lew Williams, Danny Ray, John Lauter, Donna Parker, Ken Double, Larry-Douglas Embury, Chris Elliott, Richard Hills and young artists Mark Herman, Donnie Rankin, Nathan Avakian, David Gray and others a virtual Who s Who of the theatre organ world. It was at Bucky s and on the Walker that our own John McCall played the program when the chapter presented the first of its Lifetime Achievement Awards, bringing many of our fathers and mothers, as John Tanner called them, together for the first time in many years to be honored by the chapter. Each August for the past few years, in celebration of his birthday, Bucky has given the theatre organ world a gift, each year bringing together a group of artists to perform at his now About the artist Ken Double, a native of Chicago, is a gifted theatre organist, vocalist, entertainer and former professional radio and TV sportscaster. Ken has performed all over the world and was the broadcast announcer for the Atlanta Knights. In addition to his hundreds of concerts, Ken has numerous CD s to his credit. In addition, he is cochair of the 2013 ATOS convention to be held in Atlanta. Ken, who is President/CEO of the American Theater Organ Society, is active in efforts to raise the visibility and awareness of the Theatre Organ, one of the great uniquely American musical instruments. Directions to Ken s on Page 2 legendary Bucky s Birthday Bash. The celebration this year served as a fitting and unforgettable conclusion to the eight years of music in Mableton as Bucky prepares to move to his hometown of Butler in southwest Georgia. Jelani Eddington, Mark Herman, Donnie Rankin and Ken Double, regulars at the Birthday Bash, returned this year and to that estimable list were added Dave Wickerham, returning for the first time since 2004 to conclude an era that he began, and David Gray of Glasgow and London. David was on a vacation tour of the United States and extended his visit so that he could be back for the special event. And what an event it was, impossible to adequately describe, for all superlatives fail in the face of such great artistry. The individual performances were only exceeded by the times when two, three and four of the artists performed together. Jelani was able to hear David Gray for the first time in six years, and David and Dave Wickerham met for the first time. As much as we enjoyed what was happening, the artists enjoyed listening to and working with each other. Among the favorite moments for this author were Donnie Rankin (organ) and Jelani Eddington (piano) offering the Warsaw Concerto, and David Gray in a stunning transcription of A Night on Bald Back Row Mark Herman, Bucky Reddish, David Gray, Ken Double, Jelani Eddington & Donnie Rankin. Dave Wickerham in front. (Continued on page 5)

2 Atlanta Chapter, American Theatre Organ Society P.O. Box 426 Marietta, Georgia AC/ATOS is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501.c.3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Chapter President - Randy Hendry Vice President - Bob McKoon Treasurer - Rick McGee Secretary - Tim Stephens Newsletter Editor - Elbert Fields Associate Editor - Wanda Carey Fields Chapter Correspondent - Larry Davis Ads or announcements for this newsletter: Contact Elbert Fields at or elfields@yahoo.com Thanks for the Donation Mr. Jay Forlini 1790 S. Johnson Ferry Road NE Atlanta, GA Come support the Earl Smith Strand Theatre as it features the Atlanta Chapter's Mighty Allen Theatre Organ. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at or on the web at www. earlsmithstrand.org. Classic Film Series Organ Pops pre-show 30 minutes before show time Saturday September 1st, 8 pm BACK TO THE FUTURE (Please note: This is a free screening!) Saturday September 15th, 8 pm CASABLANCA Patriotic Show Salute to America September 7th, 8th and 11th at 8 pm and a Sunday afternoon matinee at 3 pm on September 9th. Come see and hear another high energy show with great songs about our wonderful country. Earl Reece has done it again with non-stop singing and dancing using great local talent!! Organ pops pre-show and patriotic sing-along 30 minutes before show time. Tickets are $20 ATOS members $10. Please note the special show on the evening of Tuesday, September 11th as we celebrate the strong determination of the American SPIRIT!!! Silent Series Continues Sunday October 14th, 3 pm NOSFERATU accompanied by Ron Carter Sunday November 25th, 3 pm PANDORA'S BOX accompanied by Ron Carter Alfred Hitchcock Film Festival Organ Pops pre-show 30 minutes before show time Friday November 2 THE BIRDS Friday November 9 NORTH BY NORTHWEST Friday November 16 PSYCHO Bucky says Thank You to: Allison and Mike, Andy and Bruce & Randy and Steve for their help with his Birthday Bash. DIRECTIONS TO THE HOME OF KEN DOUBLE ADDRESS: 1615 Defoors Walk NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, PHONE: From Downtown headed north, or off 400 South to 85 to 75 north I-75 to Howell Mill exit, then turn right onto Howell Mill From the north/marietta area, I-75 South, Exit Howell Mill and turn left At first stoplight, Collier (see McDonald s) turn left Travel 1.2 miles to stoplight at Defoors Rd (see Patrick s BBQ), turn left Travel ½ mile to the town home property on the right- DEFOORS WALK (your landmark is on the left a one-story white cinder block building at the corner of Rhomboid St and Defoors. Turn right into the driveway From Buckhead... Peachtree Road south to Collier (see the Texaco gas station you can only turn right). Follow Collier approximately 3 miles past Howell Mill (McDonald s) then follow as above CARPOOL IF POSSIBLE. PARKING IS LIMITED. Park on Rhomboid Street or park on the OUTSIDE curbs on either side of the complex Defoors Walk is in the first inner courtyard, far side to the right. At the Defoors Walk town homes, there are only 5 specifically assigned parking spots which may or may not be available. On the outside perimeter on either side of the complex, there are spaces for 7-8 cars on the OUTSIDE EDGE/CURB - not the inside edge. Thus, vehicles can park on the property. Cars can also park on RHOMBOID STREET, just across from the entrance to Defoors Walk town homes.

3 Page 3 Theatres of Georgia with Pipe Organs: Part 11 Theatres of Macon: Part Two By John Tanner When I first started this article on the Macon theatres I really did not have much information on any of the organists who had played in these theatres, With the largest organ being only seven ranks it would seem that the instruments that were available in Macon would not be enough to create a hot bed of theatre organ activity. However, during the 1920's, the Rialto, Capitol and Ritz theatres would show that there was indeed quite a bit going on at those two-manual consoles. When the Rialto opened in August of 1921, Miss Mytle McGowen came down from Atlanta to play for the opening week. Miss McGowen was a veteran of accompanying films; she had played at the Tudor, Forsyth, and Rialto theatres in Atlanta for the past several years. After the opening week, Miss McGowen returned to the Rialto in Atlanta, Mrs. Frank Zelie Concert Organist" would take over at the Rialto's Robert Morton. Mrs. Zelie would be billed as the organist until November 1921, when a Mrs. McConnell, again another "Concert Organist" would take the bench. Later on Miss Elizabeth Haddock would be featured as one of the Rialto's organists, but not in ads. By 1922 the Rialto ads would only indicate that the music was being provided by the Famous Rialto Orchestra and Organ. In April of 1928, the Rialto would install Vitaphone equipment which would allow for synchronous sound to go along with the film. On April 16th sound films came to the Rialto. Although the Capitol theatre by 1927 could boast of having had two organs, none of the organists who played, had received any billing. When the re-modeled Capitol opened in September, that all would change. Before the theatre re-opened Miss Elizabeth Haddock was hired away from the Rialto. She took some time off to go to Rochester, New York where she studied organ for six weeks. She had also taken the time to get married, so now the billing for her would have to change. When the Capitol re-opened it was now Mrs. Noble Arnold at the mighty Wurlitzer. Some readers may recognize the name; for Mr. Noble Arnold would "Together," "The Song of Flame," "The "The go on to become manager of the Atlanta Straw Vote," "Down South," First," "Rosy of Killarney," "My Varsity Fox theatre from 1951 to Girl I Cling To You," and Memories of France." Not only did Al Williams accompany films and play popular songs of the day he also played a series of programs entitled, "The Music Masters Series" in which music of some of the great classical composers were featured. The series included such composers as Franz List, Richard Wagner, Joseph Haydn, Mozart, Nevin, and Schumann. The week of September 23, 1928 was Anniversary Week at the Capitol. This week of programs featured the films "The Night Watch" starring Billie Mrs. Noble Arnold (Macon Telegraph) Dove, and "Two Lovers starring From September 1927 to April Ronald Coleman and Vilma Banky. A 1928 Mrs. Noble Arnold and a Mrs. big musical extravaganza on stage Rousseau would provide the organ entitled "Birthday Cake" featuring Geo. music at the Capitol. In April, Al Armes and the "Georgians" Orchestra, along with artist from the Publix Unit Williams would be at the organ. Although Mr. Williams was only Shows. One of the Publix Artist was the nineteen years old when he started playing at the Capitol, he already had quite a "Golden Voiced Organist", Julia Dawn resume. He had studied for two years at who was currently performing at the the Chicago College of Music and was Howard Theatre in Atlanta. It s always nice to find out inforassociate organist at the Missouri Theatre in St. Louis, then before coming to mation about the organist that played the Capitol, was organist at the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville. Some of the featured pieces that Al played for the Capitol audiences where: Julia Dawn The Golden Voiced Organist (Macon Telegraph) Mr. Al Williams (Macon Telegraph) (Continued on page 4)

4 (Continued from page 3) during the twenties, so here is the biography that was published in the Macon Telegraph; " Julia Dawn, widely known organist and soprano, will be one of the outstanding attractions at the Capitol this week in the theatres anniversary program. The "singing organist," one of two in the country, it is said, is termed the "Golden Voiced Organist," and comes to Macon with a lengthy list of successes in some of the largest theaters in the country. Miss Dawn will be heard here in vocal numbers as well as at the console, in a double-barreled arrangement that has scored hits throughout the South. She has enjoyed popularity in Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, and other theater house centers of the Publix system. Miss Dawn, for many years a head-liner on the B.F.Keith circuit, and later a stellar attraction on the United Booking Office, and is a featured performer of the Publix Unit Shows. Although still well within the twenties, Miss Dawn has trooped the land extensively. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Miss Dawn has the distinction of being judged "the most beautiful woman of the American stage," by Flipe Chaves, Mexico's most noted master of crayons, in a census of the country's beautiful stage femininity. Miss Dawn comes from a celebrated Scotch family, who in the early days, came to America and settled in New York. Her people were of the Scotch nobility, but Miss Dawn decided to become just "plain American" and follow her chosen profession of the stage. After a Broadway engagement in a Comestock and Gest production, Miss Dawn became identified with Rector's cafe in New York, where she earned the title of the "Girl from Rector's," as she is widely known." After the Anniversary Week celebrations were over, Al Williams would continue as organist until the week of December 16, During the week of the 23rd, Mrs. Rousseau would present a special "Christmas Novelty." When the Ritz opened in January of 1928, the "Mighty Voiced Robert Morton" would be presided over by Miss Cecile Ryals. Before coming to the Ritz, Miss. Ryals had played the piano at the Forsyth Theatre in Atlanta, when Mrs. Page 4 McGowen was playing the Smith Seeburg organ. In 1921, Miss. Ryals would play the Kimball organ at the Rylander Theatre in Americus Georgia. Miss Ryals would play at the Ritz until the week of August 19, The week of September 2, 1928 would find Wallace (Mac) MacManus at the console. Mac would play at the Ritz through December of One of the pieces that Mac was known to have featured at the organ was "Oh You Have No Idea" as part of the musical program for the film ""Free To Love" starring Clara Bow. By January of 1929 all the theaters in Macon were now showing films with either synchronized music from a Vitaphone type system which would soon give over to films that had a synchronized sound track. The movies in Macon could now talk. When the movies learned to talk, the theatre managers put most of their advertising energies in promoting a film with sound, Although the theaters still offered live music for a while, it was not the focus of the advertising and there are no ads after January of 1928 for organ music at the movies. This does not mean that there was no organ music, it was very common for the organ to be used into the thirties to provide special music before the films and this may have been the case in Macon at least until the effects of the stock market crash in October of 1929 would really begin to be felt by the movie going public. The Lyric and the Palace theatres where gone by the mid 1920's and the fate of those two organs is unknown. The Rialto remained open until November of It re-opened a month later as the Fine Arts Theatre, several years later the Fine Arts would close and the owners of the property demolished the auditorium portion of the theatre to Interior of Rialto in 1960 when it was being redecorated to open as the Fine Arts. Notice the steep slope of the floor. (Macon Telegraph) build a parking lot. The owners did, however, decide to leave the handsome facade of the building intact, and it still graces Cotton Avenue, as it has done since Behind the facade you can still see the beams that held up the balcony and projection booth. Exterior of Rialto in 2007 Notice cars parked in the lobby (John Tanner) Close-up of facade detail (John Tanner) View behind Rialto facade showing beams that once held the balcony (John Tanner) Rialto s Robert Morton in 2011 (John Tanner) Side view of Rialto console Notice low profile (John Tanner) (Continued on page 5)

5 Page 5 (Continued from page 4) It is not known when the organ was removed, but the organ made its way to Acworth, Georgia to a relative of chapter member Norma Simmons, In 1979 Atlanta Chapter members, the late Charles Walker, Mary Thrower, and the author, one Saturday afternoon, removed the organ to Herschel Harrington Studio in Atlanta where the organ would become the bases of Charles' "Mostly Morton". Currently the organ is in storage and is the only one of the Macon theatre organs known to still exist. The Ritz Theatre closed in the late 50's and the building is now used as the home for Theatre Macon. The fate of the organ is unknown. View of right side wall showing one of the Organ chambers. (John Tanner) Exterior of Capitol shortly before new marquee was installed. (John Tanner) Exterior of Ritz in late 1940 s. Exterior still has Spanish flavor. By the 1950 s all Spanish treatments will be removed. (John McCall) The Capitol closed as a movie theatre in the 70's but had been used off and on as a live entertainment venue. In 2006 the theatre went through a major restoration and for a brief time, theatre organ music was once again heard at the Capitol. Not from the Wurlitzer, but from chapter member John McCall's 317 Allen. Close-up of cartouche above stage on Capitol s proscenium arch (John Tanner) The Wurlitzer was removed in the 60's by the late John Bagley, also a member of the Atlanta Chapter ATOS. The only thing of note here is that John had hired young man from Buford, Georgia to help take the organ out and drive the truck. This young man would later gain fame on some of the local radio stations by telling a story about a catfish he had caught in Lake Lanier. He later went on to be one of the regular stars of the TV country western variety show, "Hee-Haw." I wonder what kind of story Junior Samples would have told about taking a Wurlitzer organ out of the Capitol? The current fate of the Capitol Wurlitzer is not known at this time. The 135 went to the York Theatre in Chattanooga, and then in 1969 went to a Mr. Bob Hill in Macon. The 160 may have been the organ that was in the late Mack Watson's home in Tucker, Georgia back in the early 1970's. Since the publication of part one of the Theatres of Macon, in the last newsletter, several bits of information have come to light regarding the Criterion theatre in Macon. It has been discovered that the Criterion had a Reproduco, this instrument looked much like a player piano which indeed it was but it also had two sets of organ pipes located in the bottom of the case. These were usually a stopped flute and a quintadena, or sometimes a viole. These instruments were very popular for the smaller theatres, which from some of the ads I have found that listed purchasers of the Reproduco, quite a number of these instruments were sold throughout Georgia. Another bit of information concerns Miss Blanche Kell, who was listed as the organ soloist at the Criterion. She later married and became Mrs. Blanche Kell Hood. She was also one of the charter members of the Southeastern Chapter of the ATOE which later became the Atlanta and Alabama Chapters of ATOS. Our member Bob Fountain remembers one of the first chapter meetings years ago at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Georgia. The church had a transplanted Wurlitzer Style E theatre organ. Clay Holbrook and Arli Sutherland (also charter members now deceased) had done some work on the organ and reset the tremolos so that the organ was more theatrical in sound. After several members had tried out the organ, Blanche asked the minister if it would ok to play the "Beer Barrel Polka". To which the minister replied, "With the work your group has done on this organ, you can play anything you want!" So she did! Blanche Kell Hood was in the music business and ran a music store in Atlanta for a number of years. She had a long life, born in 1898 and passed away in Well that is about it for the Macon Theatres and their organs, I am sure as time goes by more information will come to light, but for now its time to leave Macon and head down to Columbus, Georgia and see what was going on down there. Stay tuned. John Tanner Though neither is possible, one thing is for sure. The joy of Mountain. Then Donnie and Mark (organ) joined Dave these musical events and this time in the musical history will Wickerham and David Gray (piano) for a rip-roaring, last forever in our memories and the history of the chapter. breathtaking Stars and Stripes Forever. Forever. That s the right word. The day could have gone Larry Davis on forever and we would have been happy. More than that, we wish that this era of music in Atlanta could go on forever. (Continued from page 1)

6 Page 6 Free Thomas Trianon Organ It's a Trianon 3 manual spinet with 25 note pedal board and Spanish oak cabinet. It has a built-in Leslie speaker. Almost everything works. A few stops are missing on the upper manual, and 2-3 pedal notes don't play, but my guess is those are a matter of dirty or bent contacts. All you have to do is come pick it up in Lawrenceville close to the Mall of GA. Thanks. Bill Thompson A Very Special Announcement "Classical Jazz" Starring The Larry-Douglas Jazz Trio and Friends At Churchill Grounds Jazz Club The first Sunday of each month starting Sunday night, October 7 Two shows 8 and 10 pm This promises to be an exciting evening as Larry-Douglas, Organist in Residence at the Fabulous Fox, showcases his other side as a jazz pianist/vocalist with Drummer Ben Bailey and Craig Shaw on Bass AND YOU LL HEAR FRIENDS FROM ATLANTA S JAZZ FAMILY jamming ON STAGE! At Churchill Grounds famous Whisper Room where jazz is heard, and drinks and food are delicious! Despite the nonsmoking policy, the music will be SMOKIN HOT!! Help spread the word about First Sunday's, At Churchill Grounds! For details, call or go to churchillgrounds.com. First Sunday's, October 7, November 4, December 2, January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7 for you to plan. Upcoming Meetings & Events (Mark your Calendars) September 21 (Friday), 7:30 pm, Ron Carter to accompany the silent Harold Lloyd film "Safety Last" at the Sacred Heart Cultural Center in Augusta, Ga. Come early at 6:30 pm for a reception in Ron's honor for his 10th year in accompanying silent films at Sacred Heart. September 23 (Sunday), 3:00 pm, September meeting at the Ken Double residence with Ken playing his newly-installed Allen GW-IV. October 13 (Saturday), joint program with AGO at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Square in Marietta. Multiple artists and time to announced. November 10 (Saturday), 2:30 pm, John Clark McCall at the Forker Memorial Wurlitzer, "Your Packard Hit Parade" 2nd Edition at Grace Baptist Church, Sarasota, Florida, no admission--all are welcome. The concert is sponsored by The Florida Packard Club in conjunction with its annual meet in Sarasota. In addition to an afternoon of hits from selected years from (Packard's years of production), you might see some fancy examples of Detroit's very best in the parking lot! November 18 (Sunday), 3:00 pm meeting. Variety Show at the Ron & Donna Carter residence. Atlanta Chapter, ATOS - Membership Application Name Phone Address City State/ZIP Do you own an organ? If so, description Membership Category (check one): Patron ($300 and up) Sponsor ($200 - $299) Contributor ($100 - $199) Donor ($36 - $99) Basic ($35) Student ($17.50) Send Newsletter via Yes No Please make check payable to Atlanta Chapter, ATOS Mail to: Atlanta Chapter, ATOS, Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 426, Marietta, GA