I am a music teacher and a concert-trained pianist, as well a Model T owner. Four years ago, I put together a cd of Christmas carols that I arranged for the piano. I made it at the request of my mother-in-law, who had been badgering me for years to put something together - that was before I owned the T.

I purchased my 1927 Canadian Tudor in August, 2006 and found myself with an original car that needed basically a total restoration. It ran when I bought it, but not very well. The Carnegie brothers rebuilt the engine over the summer, and if you've read my posts, you know that I'm rebuilding the transmission. I have yet to go through the front and rear end.

Since I'm the sole breadwinner of the family and have an extremely tight budget, I have to find sources outside my teaching income to pay for to get the car running again, hence the CD. CD's are available for $10.00 and are available for purchase at

www.michiganprairiemusic.blogspot.com

If you enjoy piano music and need something to celebrate the holiday season, you will not be disappointed by this CD. Many of the songs have "hidden" themes in them - snippets from other carols played by the left hand. In "Angels We Have Heard On High," you'll hear weaved opposite the melody "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Carol of the Bells," and "Joy To The World." I tried attaching the piece, but the file was too large. If I can figure out how to compress it, I'll upload a file today.

In addition, if you have a pianist in the family, seven of these tracks are written out and I'm happy to send copies to you - just let me know which ones you want.

Thanks!

- Jim

Jim, have you thought of doing a CD of T-Era songs? Not necessarily all car-related, like "Get Out & Get Under", just popular songs of the time. There's a lot of great stuff from 1909 to 1927 by Carrie Jacobs Bond, Irving Berlin, Sissle & Blake, James P. Johnson, George M. Cohan, etc., etc.

Steve:

That's a cool idea. I'd certainly put one together if there was enough interest. I'd even be happy to write a rag exclusively for the club site, gratis. My MA was in music composition, so coming up with a melody is not an issue. I just got done writing a rag for a friend on the bass sax. It was a fun project!

The crankin' rag?

David D.
'course it'd have to be in the Joplin style!

Hmm, come to think of it, maybe the Stamp Time rag could be considered T inspired?

Joplin wrote a piece called "Stoptime" rag in 1910, in which the foot actually 'stomps' to keep time.

Now, the "Crankin' Rag" would be a good idea. Use some chromatics to simulate the cranking the car. I'd have to think of some effect for a backfire

Jim,
Stoptime was the one I was thinking of, but didn't remember what year it was written. I guess I could have gotten up and walked over to the piano and looked! (not that I can play the piece, but I do have the music!). Maybe a jumble of bass notes for the backfire?
T'
David D.

"The Little Ford Rambled Right Along" is one of my favorite T songs (at the moment). Tell how the Ford can be abused and it still will run!
The version I heard was sung by Billy Murray ca. 1915
Happy Thanksgiving, Howard

You mean this Billy Murry?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg-PndGsz6I

Billy Murray (1877-1954) was one of America's most popular singers 100 years ago. He was a star in Vaudeville, and huge star in the recording studio. He recorded prolifically for most of the major record companies. Now he's big on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0PRsUrN7eQ&feature=related

Scott-Yes,That Billy Murray.
Steve J.-Definitely that Billy Murray.

Howard

Joplin style? I thought you meant Janis Joplin
We could change "Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz" to "Oh Lord won't you buy me a Ford Model T"

Billy Murray was also an AVID amateur automobile mechanic. He was once late for a very important private "command performance" for a bunch of New York millionaires because of this. Billy was working on his car (he lived out on Long Island, NY), lost track of time, and raced to the engagement in his greasy overalls. He was late, and supposed to appear wearing white tie & tails, but he stepped up to the edge of the stage explained the whole situation in such a way that his ritzy audience ate it up. And then he sang. Everybody loved Billy Murray.

Rick Benjamin