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Mickie McDonald in Memoriam

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Members of the East Bay Banjo Club were very saddened to learn of the loss of Mickie McDonald on January 5, 2014. Mickie was one of the stalwart members who rarely missed our weekly practices or Club performances. She was always thrilled to sing or harmonize with others the songs that the club performed, and she knew the words to more songs than probably anyone else in the club. She took great pride in never needing music to play a song. Her jovial nature and her desire to decorate for parties made her a natural candidate to organize the annual Club end of the year party. Her relentless search for old original sheet music yielded the foundation for many arrangements in our music book today.

She had deep and genuine concern for anyone in the club.  It wasn’t uncommon for her to call and inquire about a member’s well-being when they missed a number of practices or were known to be experiencing troubled times. On several occasions, she would visit members in the hospital or their homes to cheer them up and let them know they were not forgotten. For years, she presented members with their birthday card that she had signed by all members she could locate. Mickie had a particular fondness for our youngest members, and would sometimes present them with stuffed animals.
She will be remembered for her passion for the music our club keeps alive, her jovial nature, and for her genuine concern for the well-being of members of the club.

Salem Lutheran Playout

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September 17, 2013

Reporter: Bud Pearce
Photographer: Linda Myers & Bob Nelson

The crowd grew in numbers as the banjos rang out in the “Gathering Area” at the Salem Lutheran Senior Center in Oakland, CA. Betty David led the strummers playing tunes that were well known to smiling faces in the audience. After the performance, several residents approached the club members with lots of questions about the banjo, and expressed their gratitude for the chance to hear traditional jazz with lyrics they knew well enough to sing along as the vocalists sang the tunes.
The performers were honored to have jazz trombone legend Bob Mielke in the audience. Bob Mielke worked with, or sat in with, some of the traditional jazz legends like Turk Murphy, Lu Watters and Bob Scobey to name just a few.
The “Top Ten” performers of the day included: Tom Brunetti, Debra Hodson, Bud Pearce, Kit Nelson, Betty David, Terry Horner, Phil Myers, Linda Myers,
Diane Malucelli, and Bob Malucelli.

Providing moral support and mingling with the audience was Bob Nelson. Bob also helped capture some significant camera angles.

Kensington Playout

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August 25, 2012

By: Bud Pearce
Photos By: Bob Nelson
Video By:  Karen Hefter

A large crowd arrived early to enjoy the music that is not only familiar to them, but brings a smile to their faces as well! Nineteen members performed at this gig, most sporting straw hats. With Betty David at the lead, we quickly played through most of the tunes on Show List #1, and completed the hour with folks asking for more.

It’s clear they loved us because people spontaneously danced!

East Bay strummers included: Mickie McDonald, Don Granberg, Jesse DeTorres, Bud Pearce, Kit Nelson, Betty David, Chris Lardge, Bob Hodson, Deb Hodson, Phil Myers, Linda Myers, Karen Hefter, Guy Black Sheila Welt, Ardie Jarrett, Herb Moore, Ken Williamson, Bob Malucelli, and Diane Malucelli.

Bob Nelson photographed the event and sold CDs while Georgette DeTorres provided moral support.

 

“Bill Bailey” and “Just Because” from East Bay Banjo Club on Vimeo.

Stoneman Village Playout

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June 28, 2013

By: Bud Pearce
Photos and video by: Bob Nelson

What a better time to have an ice cream social than on one of the hottest days of the year! With the temperature in the triple digits outside, the EBBC strummers got the residents of Stoneman Village Senior Center in a patriotic mood by performing a mixture of patriotic tunes and some good old traditional jazz. The residents seemed to enjoy the performance as much as the ice cream! The crowd rose to their feet on the last song, “God Bless America,” ending the performance with rich applause to our final bow.

Gearing up the audience for the approaching 4th of July holiday were EBBC members Guy Black, Tom Brunetti, Betty David, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Garry Kerr, Mickie McDonald, Phil and Linda Myers, Kit Nelson, Bud Pearce, and Ken Williamson. Bob Nelson assisted with set up and took care of the photography and video.

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Yankee Doodle from East Bay Banjo Club on Vimeo.

Delta Hawaii Memorial Park Playout

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May 11, 2013

By: Don Granberg
Photos by:  Linda Myers

We got started a little late, but we started out by playing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “Bill Bailey” to a crowd of 100 to 150 people. We played from 7:40 to 9:10 pm to the enthusiastic crowd. We had dancers from the crowd enjoying themselves doing waltzes, the can-can, and slow social dancing.  The crowd clapped to the songs and sang along to many of their favorites. We had 12 members playing out their hearts.  Garry Kerr, Ardie Jarrett, Sheila Welt, Don Granberg, Dina Melamed, Mickie McDonald, Phil Myers, Linda Myers, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, our leader Betty David, and our dazzling Bass player Guy Black all attended this play out.  Guy was also our main man for set up.  Dina as well as Don entertained with their washboards.

Delta Hawaii Memorial Park PlayoutDiane and Bob at the Delta Hawaii Park Playout

Bill Cooper – In Memoriam

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Bill Cooper

August 26, 1950 to April 4, 2013

The Eastbay Banjo Club lost a large part of its heart and soul when we learned of the sudden passing of Bill Cooper, our dedicated Music Director since 1978. Bill’s passion for the banjo and traditional jazz music inspired many, many others to learn and then promote the joys and happiness the banjo brings to the world. He raised the spirits of countless numbers of people while leading the club on stage and during practice. He accepted and encouraged banjo players of all skill levels to practice and perform the music he and the audiences loved. Bill was not only a highly accomplished banjo player, but arranged all the music for the club. His rich collection of arrangements will be played to the delight of audiences for years to come.