Volume 20 Number  1                                                                                                                                     January  2010

Local 674    -    American Federation of Musicians

Quarter Notes

Message from our President, Joe Buttram

           The New Year finds Local 674 in very good shape with a strong membership working steadily and effectively on a number of important issues. A number of these issues will comprise the agenda for our next meeting, set for February 14, 2010, at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Lewisburg, WV. Please join us as we continue our work to promote the role of music and musicians in our community and region.  I look forward to seeing you.     Joe

.Questions or comments? E-mail us at afmlocal674@suddenlink.net or call 304-645-2658

 

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Meeting

         The first quarterly meeting of Local 674 will be held on Sunday,  February 14, 2010 at 1:30 PM in  Lewisburg, WV at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre.    Light refreshments and beverages provided.   Please plan to attend.

                                  Member Profile:  Bill Walz

                 In July of 1948, the Populaires were asked to perform for a gathering of hotel managers at a studio at Carnegie Hall on 57th Street in New York.  One of the managers was Mr. Eugene Voit, head of the Schine Hotel Chain.  Mr. Voit later contracted the Populaires for the coming season at the Boca Raton Hotel.  Mr. Voit left the Schine Chain and joined The  Greenbrier as Resident Manager under Mr. Ed Lawless.  Mr. Voit  contracted the Populaires and requested that they join him at the Greenbrier for a two week period.  That two weeks period turned into 41 eight month seasons.  The co-incidence is that there was a Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV, one of three in the country, and the Populaires did several concerts there in the early 1950s.  

             Bill Walz, together with Bill Sloane, started the vocal and instrumental group, The Populaires on January 11, 1946 and almost immediately the group was featured on both NBC and CBS Radio and Television Networks.  They also performed in major hotels and clubs around New York City and around the country.  In 1948, the group went to Boca Raton, Florida to entertain in the new Cathedral Room.  In April of 1949, they went directly to the World Famous Greenbrier Hotel to christen the new dance floor in the Old White Club and to stay on for a period of two week engagement which was extended to 41 seasons.  The length of the Populaires’ engagement at West Virginia’s Premier Resort was as unique as the approach the group continuously gave to the up dating of material as the blending of their voices and instruments into the Populaires big sound.  During the winter months away from the Greenbrier, the Populaires appeared at leading hotels and clubs thought out the United States and Canada.

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        Dues Time: I have enclosed a dues mailer for your 2010 dues.  The dues for Local 674 remain at ninety-nine dollars ($99.00).  Also, keep in mind that the membership at a recent meeting lowered the maximum (caps) on work dues from $150.00 to $100.00 for our members who do a lot of work. So the most any member will pay in total fees for the year will be $199.00.  Gary Williams