I have exposed more people to automatic musical instruments than most
people with band organs. I play my street organ at festivals and other
events throughout the Middle West. I go out an average of eight times
a year. I have played at Coney Island, in a German restaurant in the
East Village of Manhattan where no band organ could ever go. At an
organ rally with big organs I can attract as many people to my street
organ as any band organ can.
I try to entertain people using puppet monkeys and other types of puppet
animals. Most people with big organs just turn them on and let them
go. Small organs can play at festivals where they would not want a big
organ because they are so loud. In fact, I play at several festivals
each year where no band organ would be wanted.
Another reason I can attract more people is my selection of music,
which is classical mixed with some standard popular music. I can get
a greater variety of music for my organ than most big organ people do
not have, except for those willing to punch their own rolls.
Gary Craig
|