Dear Robbie and Jody,

Eric Bernhoft wrote the "Laclede's Landing Rag" and produced the roll
as one of the official rolls which was introduced at the St. Louis
AMICA Convention for which I was chairperson.  If anyone has not heard
the roll, he or she is missing a treat.  The rag itself is reminiscent
of the area with its cobblestone streets, steep hills and the
incomparable Muddy Mississippi at its foot.  If you listen to the the
themes that run through the rag and experience the area, you will
understand how very descriptive the piece is.   I'm sure anyone coming
the Laclede's Landing Ragtime Festival will hear this roll as it is
treasured by the folks putting on the Festival and is one of the reasons.

However, Eric told me that he had not originally written the music for
the roll for that part of the St. Louis area and wanted to name it for
Laclede Street where many of the hotbeds of Ragtime (saloons) were
located in St. Louis.   On a plane either to or from New York he had
the St. Louis AMICA convention registration and saw that the featured
band organ rally would be in the Landing -- hence it got its name.

This is a wonderful example of a new composition using a classic form
that was made possible.  A major goal of the St. Louis AMICA Convention
Committee was to stimulate new rolls and new music for our beloved
automatic instruments and give them an audience.  We are hoping that
the torch will be carried on by other AMICA Conventions as well.

Thanks for being so prompt in putting my introduction in MMD.
I specially thank all of you who have already responded to plea
for help.

Waiting by the river,

Cynthia Craig

Cynthia_Craig@CHS.clayton.k12.mo.us