I don't often speak up; I mostly just absorb the good advice from all
the fine people here.  The discussion we have been having recently
about how to interest people in mechanical music has often times hit
a sour note with me.  And some of the attitudes that some people have
had are the main problem.

I think it was Terry Haughawout that taught me an important lesson.
He said there are two ways you can display a band organ.  You can
restore every nick and chip, use original type paints, and keep it in
immaculate condition in your showplace.  There maybe five new people
will see it a year.  The other method means slapping some paint on it,
keeping it in a trailer and hauling it around for hundreds of new
people to see it.

Here's the point: you risk the instrument due to road hazards, the
elements, less than ideal listening conditions, _but you reach people!_

Not everyone is going to like band organ music.  Myself, I'm not
that into music boxes, although I still have an appreciation for the
craftsmanship, the artistry, and the stewardship of the collectors.
It seems that most people have left organizations due to, as my friends
across the pond would say, "toffee nosed" attitudes.

I've also heard some disparaging comments about including children at
some of the events.  Guess what?  I got my first look at an orchestrion
while running around a Shakey's Pizza restaurant hopped up on root beer
and Laurel and Hardy.  When I was eight my grandma took me to the
House On The Rock museum.

When I was 31, my wife took me to Virginia City, Montana.  I think it
was three years ago, at a band organ gathering in Cleburne, the COAA
folks recognized us from other shows, and while we were not members,
invited us along to the private collection viewing.  Sounds like a
funeral, huh?  It was anything but!

I am almost finished with my John Smith Universal 26, and I have had
numerous requests from private shop keepers to play in front of their
shops.  I'm in Azle, Texas, and there are many smaller touristy town
squares nearby.

Am I going to make a buck at it?  Probably not.  If I make one little
kid dance, or one stare in wonder, or maybe make one struggle to turn
the crank, then it is worth it.

If anybody in the area just wants to meet for coffee, and swap some
stories, pictures, or woodworking techniques, please contact me.

Ted Konetski
Azle, Texas