The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-09-09
OUR BAND IS
LOUDLY PRAISED
BY FAIR GOERS
People Attending Blue Grass Fair Are
PrOfuse In Their Complimentary
Remarks on Our Great
Band.

Band.
Thursday nights Lexington Leader
said:
TO stop near the grandstand at the
Bluegrass fair grounds and watch the
expressions on the faces of passersby
as they pause and exclaim, isn't that
some band" or, THAT certainly is
splendid music" is to realize that the
Maysvllle Boys Band, better known as
the Kentucky Cardinals, Is proving to
be one of the attractions of the fair
program.
Organized In February. 1919, by the
man who Is now manager, Colonel ].
Barbour Russell, and other interested
Maysville citizens, to give all school
/ boys of that city who desire 1t free
education in music, this group of
| musicians is perhaps one Of the most
unique in the country, At the present
time the band is composed Of forty-one
pieces, the age of the musicians vary
ing from 10 to II years and averaging
1871 years.
The only requirement for member
ship in the band is that its members
purchase the best instruments avail
able, according to Mr.. Russell. The
boys are trained under the direction
Of George d. Barnard, of Ardmore,
Okla, a prominent musical director
whom the Musical Messenger" calls
a doctor" of music because of his
ability to put the finishing touches on
pieces written by various composers.
That the organization is accomplish
ing its purpose in giving the Maysville
boys an education Is shown by the
ability of the soloists in the band at
the present time. Chief among these Is
]. Barbour Russell, Jr., IA years old,
and the son of the band manager.
Young Russell plays the cornet and so
popular was his playing at the Sunday
night concert that he was compelled to
respond to three encores, playing
"Humming" for the first, "Margie" for
the second and whispering" for the
third. Another prominent cornet solo,
in the band is Allen Wood, also a IA
year old boy.
At Christmas a real Santa Claus
visits these boys for at that time the
proceeds gathered by the organization
in its different concerts Is divided
among the members. All expenses of
educating the boys in music are paid
by Maysville people and in turn all
concerts given by the band in that
city are conducted without charge.
In order that the bays may receive
the best of care in making their vari-
GUS trips the band employs automo-
biles for transportation, engaged the
best hotels and carries physician,
DR.. P. G. Smoot, to look after their
health. In cases where the band is on
trip when Sunday arrives those in
charge of 1t see that the boys avail
themselves Of the opportunity Of at
tending Sunday school or church. Mr..
Russell said.
The band is trained for concert work
alone and consequently does no
marching. Two distinct types Of uni
forms are used, the blue ones being
worn during the day and the red coats
and white trousers at night.
Up to the present time this year, the
band already has played at four fairs,
including the Bluegrass fair. Others
on the schedule were the Ohio State
fair, where the band was rated as one
of the best on the grounds, the Ewing
fair and the Germantown fair. Many
requests are made for the band to play
in different cities and at the present
time contract to take the band to SYRIA
cuse, N. Y, and San Francisco, Calif.,
are being considered.
Mr.. Russell, as we'll as other Mays
vile people who have attended the
Bluegrass fair to see their home town
band play, are strong in their praise
Of the hospitality shown the boys while
here. The band has been extended the
privileges of the Country Club, has in
vitations from the Lexington Club and
in addition has been entertained by
various local concerns.
As an added attraction on the pro-
gram being given by the band 1t will
be Joined Saturday by the sub-band OF
forty-seven pieces which is known as
the Horse Shoe Band" and is COM
posed Of boys who have been trained
six months only. This band will give
| separate concerts and also will Join