Back in the 1970s, there was no Southeast chapter to the MBS so a group
of us who were in the music machine hobby decided to form the Central
Florida Music Society to fill the void.  We met each month at a
member's home and later we would put on public displays in shopping
malls and at the Central Florida Fair.

We had one member who had a player piano that was extremely easy to pump
and another who had a small cabinet nickelodeon.  These plus other small
instruments including music boxes, organettes and wind up phonographs
made up a nice rounded out display.

We all took turns manning the display and we all helped with the moving
of the instruments.  It was the group effort that made these shows
possible and these shows helped to bring more people to the hobby.
We tried to get people to interact with us by letting them sit at the
player and pump the rolls or put the coin in the slot of the coin
piano.

Several of our members were recruited from the shows.  Public exposure
to these instruments is the key to keeping our hobby alive and growing.

These shows are hard work but if a group works together, the work
becomes enjoyable because you are with friends who share your interest
and you may end up making a few new ones.  It's great to see the band
organ rallies that are now becoming more popular but more is needed.
I don't hear much about displays of the other types of instruments.
I know that the piano-type instruments are not easy to move but if
a group pitches in then it is not so bad.

It's important to have something for everyone.  My first love is band
organs but that is not everyone's cup of tea -- music boxes,
phonographs and whatever else that is appropriate must be included.
MBS chapter members have the perfect opportunity to put on these shows.
AMICA members as well as other groups could do much to promote our
interest.

One side benefit was that I received several player restoration jobs
from this exposure.  Other members sold an instrument.  There is
certainly no shame in conducting a little business at these shows as
long as your business practices are honest and do not reflect negatively
on the group you are representing.  The main thing is have fun.

Bob Moore
Orlando, FL