" Banjos In Action" The Oakland Banjo Band

"Banjos in Action" - Playing for Fun and Entertainment, Anywhere - Anytime The Oakland Banjo Band 1966  The Oakland Banjo Band, a local nonprofit founded in August 1964, was composed of a diverse group of musicians including attorneys, dentists, a supermarket manager, realtors, prison guards, doctors, and even a deputy sheriff. The popular band played for lodges, social clubs, hospitals, shopping centers, and at many other venues. Notes on container: SSLC 8966-A Glenn Davis, Director Donna Olesen, Co-leader and Featured Vocalist First Recording by the Oakland Banjo Band - June 10, 1966 SIDE ONE 1. Any Time 2. Bye Bye Blues and Cuddle Up a. Little Closer 3. Bye Bye Blackbird 4. Sweet Georgia Brown 5. Who's Sorry Now 6. It's a Sin to Tell a Lie SIDE TWO 7. Linger A While 8. Ain't She Sweet 9. Are You from Dixie 10. Goodbye My Coney Island Baby 11. Wabash Blues 12. Yes Sir, That's My Baby Now Recorded at Sierra Sound laboratories, 1741 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley, California. Recording Engineers: Robert de Sousa and Roy Ward The Oakland Banjo Band was organized with seven members on August 14, 1964, and held weekly rehearsals for the first three months in a local piano studio. The Band gained members steadily, and in December, 1964, moved to hold its rehearsals in alarge private dining room at the Straw Hat Pizza Parlor in San Pablo, California, and presently plays there in a large private room each Thursday evening from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. On June 21, 1965, the OAKLAND BANJO BAND was incorporated, and qualified as a California non-profit corporation. Since its inception, more than 110 members have joined the Band. At each rehearsal we have three singers, electric bass guitar, standard electric guitar, stringed bass, bongos, glockenspiel, eight tenor banjos playing single string lead, about fifteen plectrum banjos playing full melody in chords and approximately fifteen plectrum and tenor banjos playing chord accompaniment. We use five microphones and a 40 watt amplifier with three 12" speakers We play more than 450 standard and popular tunes from the 1890's to 1966. The Band members include eight women, three attorneys, two dentists and three psychiatrists, two doctors, a guard from San Quentin, a deputy sheriff from Napa, the Sales manager for one of the largest bread baking companies in the area, realtors, insurance men, the owner of two large supermarkets, and men and women from every types of business and occupation. The members vary in age from 14 years to 67 years. The BAND plays out at least once each month for charitable and business organizations, lodges and clubs, and received form $50.00 to $15000 as a donation for each playout, depending upon the length of the entertainment. We have played form 30 minutes to five hours. This money goes into our "Hospital Fund" and is turned over to the Children's Hospital of the East Bay before the close of our fiscal year. Incidental expenses of the Band are paid from dues of $1.00 per month per member. The Band has played for two Masonic Lodge groups, the Christmas party of the Helmet Club of the Berkeley Fire Department, Jewelers' Night at the Richmond Elks Club, Southern Alameda County Shrine Club, Cerebral Palsy Assn., St. Moritz Ice Skating Club, Kellogg Federal Credit Union, Omega Nu Sorority, Napa, State Hospital, Southland Shopping Center First Anniversary Celebration, Sleepy Hollow Recreation Association, Tanager Unit of the Mt. Diablo Therapy Center, Old Timers Baseball Association, Heather Branch of the Children's Hospital, etc. The banjo is making a strong comeback. It is an exciting instrument, particularly when used to play full melody in chords. The banjo lost its popularity in the early 1930's as the radio microphones could not pick up the high tones of the banjo. The deep tones of the guitar could be picked up and the guitar took over. In the past 20 years, the microphones have been steadily improved and the banjo is rapidly coming into its own again. In this area, banjo bands have been formed in Reno, Sacramento, Pleasant Hill, Oakland, Fresno, Fremont and San Jose. GLENN DAVIS, organizer and director of the OAKLND BANJO BAND, is a local Attorney, who commenced playing banjo in high school in 1920, stopped playing about 1934, and resumed playing banjo in May 1964. DONNA OLESEN, our featured vocalist and co-leader of the Band , is a dental nurse by profession, a vocalist and violinist by avocation. We predict a fine musical future for her and her lovely voice. All of the members consider their participation in the activities of the OAKLAND BAJO BAND as enjoyable relaxation. They are all enthusiastic banjoists and derive great pleasure from playing this fine musical instrument.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.