ATLAN TA C HAPT ER ,

A MER ICAN T HEAT RE O RGAN SO CI ET Y

Nov. 2017 At lanta Chapter, Amer ican Theatre Organ Society

Jul-17.pubJune 2017 Upcoming Events List.docx

Each year I try and come up with something unique and different in how we use our beloved musical instrument the theatre organ. This year the Allen GW4 with yours truly at the console will be featured as a solo instrument and as an ac-companiment instrument to vocals, piano and this year, drums! Fea-tured friends will be Travis Cottle

who has his own Marietta pit band that has now provided live accom-paniment for several Strand stage productions. Travis will be singing

and playing piano. Abby Carter and her boyfriend Michael Rossi will

perform the latest two James Bond movie themes accompanied by pi-ano and trumpet. Mr. Michael Rossi Sr. will be providing drum accom-

paniment and Mike's twin sister Mel is going to play Clarinet to a classical piece with pre-recorded orchestral accompaniment! Finally,

returning for her 6th show will be our ATOS Favorite, Catherine Moulton, singing several great vo-cal pieces as she wowed our audi-ences in the past. To cap off the af-ternoon will be Jake Carter. Back by popular demand this 13 year old

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RON CARTER AND FRIENDS 6TH ANNUAL PROGRAM

SUNDAY AFTERNOON NOVEMBER 12TH 3PM AT THE

CARTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER!!!

(Continued from page 1) will play a 5-song Star Wars medley on the Carter's GW4 theatre organ." As you can tell from the photo he collapsed on the organ bench after many hours of practice!!!! To cap off the afternoon, Donna Carter will pro-vide her sumptuous refreshments af-ter the program as everyone visits with friends, sits on the open deck or goes to the lake on a beautiful fall afternoon. Of course open console on the Allen will be offered! Doors open at 2:30. The Organ..

The Carter’s music room which can seat nearly 100, was spe-cially designed to house the Al-len GW4 Theatre Organ. This in-strument has 16 channels of au-dio, 33 digital ranks, and uses the larger more powerful Allen Speaker Cabinets with a wide frequency response. Ron has meticulously voiced the instrument to the room so that its sound is both warm and inviting, but also can go from a whisper to a roar when needed. The speakers are housed in three different cases with the solo and main divisions to right and left, 30 ft apart and the percussion divi-sion in the center- just as in the movie palaces of the 1920s. This instrument really “sings” is what Ron has heard the most from listen-

ers. With the addition of Allen’s Vista Navigator, the organ now has six tibias, four voxes, and numer-ous other organ and orchestral voices to include the 32-ft Diaphone! Parking... There is plenty of on street parking in the Lake Somerset Subdivision but PLEASE only park on correct side of the street in the direction of traffic so that emergency vehicles can pass if needed!! Directions to the Carter’s..

The Carter’s live 6 miles west of the Marietta Square at 219 Lake Somerset Drive, Marietta, GA 30064, off of Bob Cox Road. Take Whitlock Ave (SR120) west. Whitlock becomes Dallas Highway and at about 6 miles, watch for the Racetrack gas sta-tion on the right at the intersection of Bob Cox and Dallas Highway. Turn right onto Bob Cox and go to the 2nd street on the left. Turn left onto Lake Somerset Drive. The Carter’s live at the 8th house on the left, (219 Somerset Drive). If you get hopelessly lost, call 770-428-4809.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN!

2020 ATOS CONVENTION COMING TO ATLANTA

The Board of Directors of the Atlanta Chapter has voted once again to ask ATOS to "Come on down, y'all" for a convention here in Atlanta. The ATOS Board has accepted our bid, and we will host the convention in 2020. Lee Lanier and Tim Stephens will act as Co-Chairmen of the convention. Ken Double, although no longer President of ATOS, is assisting Mike Kinerk in convention efforts and will be directly involved as a liaison be-tween the national organization and the chapter. What could make this event truly special is that about the time OUR convention is wrapping up, the AGO National Convention will just be starting, and yes, BOTH here in Atlanta! We are already at work with our classi-cal counterparts in planning and staging so that we embellish and enhance, not conflict, with our plans and events. ATOS will gather in Los Angeles in July of 2018; and in Rochester and Buffalo, NY in 2019. The entire world of the pipe organ will descend upon Atlanta in July of 2020. We will be in touch about planning, committees, and execution so we can surpass the spectacular success of 2013! As they say in broadcast-ing, Stand by for more!"

President’s

Message…

A Weekend

of Loss

As most of you have no doubt heard by now, our Atlanta Chapter has suffered the loss of two of our most treasured members, both Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, both of whom were immensely fun to be around and shared their unique personalities and talents with all of us. Bob Fountain was recovering from serious injuries suffered in a car crash when he died unexpectedly at the rehabilitation center from causes that are yet to b determined. We had just seen Bob at the Walt Strony concert on the Grande Page, where he rose triumphantly from his wheelchair and was welcomed back to our midst with the cheers of everyone there. Bob was the last charter member of our chapter from the original incarnation formed in the early 1960’s. He has been

entertaining Atlanta audiences for longer than perhaps any other current Atlanta musician with his masterful organ playing and accompaniment skills. Even though Bob was a part of our founding, he was still active as a board member of the chapter up until his injury and we were ready to welcome him and his contributions back next year. Bob requested that there be no funeral service but that we all gather and celebrate his life at McKinnon’s at a future time. That event will be announced as soon as it is set arranged. Those of you who have special memories of the unforgettable Mr. Fountain may send them to me and we will have a special newsletter to include all the stories and a closing chord that will recount the story of his life. I certainly have one myself. And Elsie McKoon – I have called her the Grande Dame of our chapter – passed away the same weekend after fracturing her hip a few weeks before. Miss Elsie was also unforgettable – who could forget the afternoon when she came dancing out of the her

bedroom with long beads on and took Doc Simmons hand and pulled him to his feet to dance with her (along with his cane) as John McCall played his Latin-themed composition. Only Miss Elsie could have gotten away with such an act during a concert! She and I formed a friendship that I greatly valued. There was no one in our chapter more encouraging to young (and not so young) artists as she was and one was always aware of the depth of her musical acumen when she offered a compliment. Witty, delightfully acerbic at times, determined, and a true steel magnolia, she was a treasure who contributed much to the history of our organization, and to her community. Miss Elsie was laid to rest and the day following, her life was celebrated in a beautiful service at Newnan First United Methodist Church.

Stay in touch

Larry D

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John McCall in Concert John McCall in Concert at the Forker Memorial Wurlitzer. Sunday, November 19 at 2:30 pm Sponsored by the Manasota Chapter. ATOS. Call 229-560-7540 for further information. Free Admission.

Atlanta Chapter, ATOS - Membership Application

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Membership Category (check one): ____ Patron ($300 and up) ____ Sponsor ($200 - $299)

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Send Newsletter via email: ____ Yes ____ No Please make check payable to Atlanta Chapter, ATOS

Mail to: Atlanta Chapter, ATOS, Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 426, Marietta, GA 30061-0426

NOV . 2017 P AGE 4

Mike Rossi Sr.

Renkosik Takes a Walk(er) !!

Sunday, October 15th, 2017, at 3:00 P.M, members and guests of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society gathered at the residence of member Ted Barnett for the first At-lanta concert by one of ATOS great up and com-ing artists – Mr. Nick Renkosik. Ken Double greeted everyone and provided information on our artist and host, and the famed Walker RTO-335 (formerly of the Bucky Red-dish camp.) Then, Tim Stephens told (or warned ?) us of upcoming events. Ken introduced Nick – and the afternoon musical was afoot….“No Business Like Show Business / Hooray for Hollywood” served as a great lead-in for what was to follow. “Something's Gotta Give” evoked the memories of two great songsters – Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. Nick then let us in on one of his personal fa-vorites – “Love Is Here to Stay” from the great songbook from the Gershwin kids. A novelty selection, “Rain” (1927) show-cased the playful side of the Walker. “My Silent Love” (1930s ballad was per-formed for a friend of Nick’s and was heartfully presented.

The rhythm squad got busy and offered a tempting call for “Ten Cents a Dance.” Nick next featured a Gershwin Medley: “Of Thee I Sing” / “Clap Your Hands” ( w verse) / “Bess, You is My Woman Now” / “Swannee” / “Rhapsody in Blue.” Gershwin would be proud !! One of the most heart-felt songs from ‘South Pacific’ – “This Nearly Was Mine” let us hear the dramatic capabilities of artist and instrument and it was a good team !! A visit to the Latin school of rhythm and song came in the form of “Jalousie.” Pure envy !! As an encore selection, “Dengozo” was of-fered and it was a great closer – and left everyone only wanting more. You are coming back again, Nick? Yes ???!!! The goodies and open console followed the program. Once again, the Walker and new talent offered a very satisfying afternoon and thanks to Ted for making this event possible for the rest of us !!

Offered by Biz E. Body, a completely unbi-ased ear! Remember, the walls / kitchen / and cats have ears!!

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