Now playing: Band of Bird brothers reunites to play in Knapp
By Wally Smetana, Editor Emeritus
Monday, July 28, 2008 12:06 PM CDT
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Click to enlarge image
For their parents’ (Fred and Anna Bird) 25th anniversary in 1962, the Bird “boys” had this photograph taken, featuring Bill on trombone, Bob on saxophone, Gary on drums, Dale on trumpet, cousin Larry on bass tuba and Keith on accordion.
Submitted photo/For Dunn County News
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After an hiatus of some 40 years, the Birds Dairyland Band will play for an old-time dance today (Sunday, July 27), from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Knapp House located west of Menom-onie on Highway 12.
The decision to return to a dance hall is a response to requests heard from their many fans.
“It’s a way to go back to the good old days,” said Bill Bird, a band member and one of five surviving brothers.
Patrons of the ice cream social sponsored by Men-omonie’s Peace Lutheran Church were entertained by the band last Thursday evening.
That night, the band numbered five. Today (Sunday), it will be a six-piece band.
The five brothers — Dale, Bob, Keith, Gary and Bill — will be joined by a cousin, Larry, of St. Paul, Minn.
“Gary will be on sax Sunday,” Bill said of the brother who presently resides in Spring Valley and retired recently after teaching music 36 years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The university is some 40 miles from Pittsburgh, Pa.
Asked to play
According to Bill, the band was extremely busy during the 1955 through 1966 period, playing for wedding dances and other special events throughout the area.
“Actually,” he continued, “our beginning might be traced to our brother, Mel, who is deceased, who started playing the tuba while in high school. Then Keith got an accordion, and Gary began playing the drums.
“All the time, we were encouraged to practice by our dad, Fred, who was our biggest fan,” Bill said.
“Initially, the band played for school and community events,” Bill continued. “Then, one day, we were approached by Maggie McIntyre, of Wheeler, who asked us to play for a dance. That was our beginning.”
(Maggie and her husband, Bob, were active members of the Wheeler community for many years and promoted many events, especially Fourth of July celebrations.)
“Back in 1955, I was 17 years old. Gary was about 10. Because we were so young, our parents had to go with us when we played for dances,” Bill remarked.
Sunday’s adventure was undertaken, in part, because of Keith’s return to his home town from South Carolina.
“It’s a one-time deal,” Bill commented. “We had requests from a lot of folks.”
When asked what prompted their musical careers, Bill responded. “We have asked ourselves that question many times.”
Regardless of the answer, the oomp-pa-pa of the Birds Dairyland Band will be heard again Sunday. Come and enjoy.
Wally Smetana can be reached at (715) 235-3411. |
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