The Ballpark Organists

[Elvis]

Found a Wonderfull Link:

http://www.ballparktour.com/Organists.html

I grew up listening to Helen Dell in Dodger Stadium. She was great!

[Soxphotos]

Thank you for the link! Growing up with the White Sox, I foundly recall the days our family would arrive early for batting practice in White Sox Park (early 1970's). Nancy Faust would play song after song from the time the gates opened until the game was over. Hopefully baseball officials will keep the live organ music. In Chicago, the canned music blasted every 2 seconds is really bad. Nancy Faust is heard about 1/3 of the time. I wonder if stadium organists are being phased out everywhere.

For a sample of Nancy's music circa 1973 (and soon 1972), visit WWW.Chicago-Baseball-Photos.com Type letter 'F' then select Nancy Faust.

If anyone has sound clips from other stadiums it would be neat to hear them!

[west coast orange and black]

maybe the detroit tiger fans can straighten me out to this: on

i recall somewhat fuzzily that the organist at detroit, doing the 1968 world series against the st. louis cardinals, hit the keyboard just as denny mc clain was going into his motion. the sudden, loud blare caused mc clain to pause his motion, which resulted in a balk.

mickey (i got three) lolich and co took that series title, but i am pretty certain that mlb, before the following season, instituted rules governing when and when not an organist (or the team's sound system) could play music.

does anyone have better info on this?

[baclightning]

maybe the detroit tiger fans can straighten me out to this: on

i recall somewhat fuzzily that the organist at detroit, doing the 1968 world series against the st. louis cardinals, hit the keyboard just as denny mc clain was going into his motion. the sudden, loud blare caused mc clain to pause his motion, which resulted in a balk.

mickey (i got three) lolich and co took that series title, but i am pretty certain that mlb, before the following season, instituted rules governing when and when not an organist (or the team's sound system) could play music.

does anyone have better info on this?

I just checked the boxscores for all seven games of the 1968 WS, and no balks were committed by either team during the entire series. McLain did not have any balks during the 1968 regular season, either. He was well known for playing the organ however, even recording a couple of albums...

[DODGER DEB]

WE grew up listening to OUR GLADYS GOODING everday at OUR EBBETS FIELD, in BROOKLYN!

I have been to most of the ballparks and have heard many organists, but I will tell you that OUR GLADYS had a unique style, that was hers alone, and she always made her organ music "grab you"....which it did, everyday!

SHE was truly ONE OF A KIND!! :dance

c.

[Dizzy]

I wish that I could have lived in that era. The music that they play at Busch Stadium almost ruins the game for me. I have to bring a headset radio to avoid it.

[WillieKamm]

Nancy Faust is great and I think the White Sox are phasing her live music back in a little bit at the ball park. The canned music at all sporting events these days really leaves a lot to be desired. :evil is how I feel about that. By the way, do any old time Chicago fans here remember organist Shay Torrent, who worked for the White Sox in the fifties and sixties? :) Shay and Nancy were and are the real deal. I envy you old time Dodger fans. I would have enjoyed hearing Gladys Gooding. I wonder are there any old newsreels or play by plays where she is recorded for posterity?

[DODGER DEB]

Nancy Faust is great and I think the White Sox are phasing her live music back in a little bit at the ball park. The canned music at all sporting events these days really leaves a lot to be desired. :evil is how I feel about that. By the way, do any old time Chicago fans here remember organist Shay Torrent, who worked for the White Sox in the fifties and sixties? :) Shay and Nancy were and are the real deal. I envy you old time Dodger fans. I would have enjoyed hearing Gladys Gooding. I wonder are there any old newsreels or play by plays where she is recorded for posterity?

Gladys did infact make a recording, in the 50's, of OUR TEAM SONG "FOLLOW THE DODGERS" which she played as EBBETS FIELD opened each day. I have a 45 record of it. It was sold at OUR EBBETS FIELD.

I have seen it listed on e-Bay a few times, so perhaps you could keep an eye out for it.

c.

[Elvis]

After leaving the White Sox, Shay Torrent moved out west and became the organist for the California Angels in 1965 -- Where he remained until his retirement in 1986.

[west coast orange and black]

I just checked the boxscores for all seven games of the 1968 WS, and no balks were committed by either team during the entire series. McLain did not have any balks during the 1968 regular season, either. He was well known for playing the organ however, even recording a couple of albums...

thanx for straightening me out, baclightning. as i said, my recollection is fuzzy on this one. i gotta go look this one up rather than rely on my diminishing brain cells, because i know that a balk occurred and led to the rule creation.

maybe i tapped into mcclain because of his organ playing. haha. thanx again.

[Soxphotos]

Shay Torrent is pictured in a Hammond Times publication from 1960. It featured the new Hammond organ installed in Comiskey Park. The organ used to be placed in a perch in the center field bleachers. I think he came up with a few songs on the Sox in the 50's or 60's. The Hammond organ company used to really promote the fact that their equipment was used in comiskey Park.

[Chisox73]

Nancy Faust also put out a record of her organ music in the late 1970s.In 2005,Faust will be entering her 36th season as White Sox organist. :clapping

[tonypug]

Regarding Gladys Gooding, any of the tapes of old Brooklyn Dodger games include her doing the National Anthem and playing before during and after the game.

[LetsGoBucs]

Thanks for the link! I think with the new generation of ballparks and the state-of-the-art age coming along, ballpark organists are a forgotten part of a trip to the ballgame

[ColtscorrAL]

Gladys Gooding played "FOLLOW THE DODGERS" when the team took the field. Does anyone know of a link where I can hear that song again? She also played a similiar song for the Rangers when they took the ice. I loved the organ music.


Gladys Gooding is the answer to the trivia question WHO'S THE ONLY PERSON TO PLAY FOR THE DODGERS, RANGERS & KNICKS. :atthepc

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Gladys Gooding played "FOLLOW THE DODGERS" when the team took the field. Does anyone know of a link where I can hear that song again? She also played a similiar song for the Rangers when they took the ice. I loved the organ music.


Gladys Gooding is the answer to the trivia question WHO'S THE ONLY PERSON TO PLAY FOR THE DODGERS, RANGERS & KNICKS. :atthepc

Hello there are alot of brooklyn dodgers games out there on AUDIO CASSETTE AND CD. and they are from ebbets field with gladys gooding playing the organ. you mention about the NY RANGERS you should checkout this new group about the old madison square garden and the polo grounds group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/POLOGROUNDS1962
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/madisonsquaregarden1925

there is not alot out there from games played at the old MSG to hear her organ music from the old garden.up in canada they have a playoff hockey game from the old garden and part of another game from there. maybe one day they will show them on tv TAKE CARE DONALD DETROIT MI :waving :clapping

[ColtscorrAL]

Thanks for the help and info. Joined the MSG group. :atthepc

[jimmy cheese]

Gladys did infact make a recording, in the 50's, of OUR TEAM SONG "FOLLOW THE DODGERS" which she played as EBBETS FIELD opened each day. I have a 45 record of it. It was sold at OUR EBBETS FIELD.

I have seen it listed on e-Bay a few times, so perhaps you could keep an eye out for it.

c.

Deb,

Was that the song that started "The infield, the outfield, the catcher and that fellow on the mound".

[1995hoo]

Deb,

Was that the song that started "The infield, the outfield, the catcher and that fellow on the mound".
I think that was the third line, wasn't it? "Follow the Dodgers, the Dodgers around; the infield, the outfield, the catcher and that fellow on the mound."

[DODGER DEB]

I think that was the third line, wasn't it? "Follow the Dodgers, the Dodgers around; the infield, the outfield, the catcher and that fellow on the mound."

GLADYS played OUR SONG EVERY DAY at OUR EBBETS FIELD and it went like this....

THERE'S A BASEBALL CLUB IN BROOKLYN
A TEAM THEY CALL "DEM BUMS"
BUT KEEP YOUR EYE RIGHT ON THEM
AND WATCH FOR HITS AND RUNS.

Chorus

SO FOLLOW THE DODGERS
FOLLOW THE DODGERS AROUND
THE INFIELD, THE OUTFIELD,
THE CATCHER, AND THAT FELLOW ON THE MOUND.

OH THE FANS WILL COME A RUNNIN'
WHEN THE DODGERS GO A GUNNIN'
FOR THE GAME/PENNANT/SERIES THAT THEY'RE FIGHTING FOR TODAY -

SO DODGERS KEEP SWINGING
AND THE FANS WILL KEEP SINGING
FOLLOW THE DODGERS HOORAY!

Thanks for asking, jimmy cheese, and welcome to BBF!

c.

[jimmy cheese]

Those of you who patronize Ebbets field on a regular basis should get a kick out of this. I'm watching an old rerun of What's My Line last week and a little man with a tan suit comes out and signs in. I instantly said to my daughter "I know this man, I've seen his face a hundred times". She says "this show is from the fifties, he probably looks like somebody you knew. Well when they flashed his occupation it said "sells hot dogs at Ebbets Field". I can't remember how many I bought from him. At the end of his stint on the show he told John Daley what a wonderful man Harry M Stevens was. It was a riot!

[wamby]

Regarding Gladys Gooding, any of the tapes of old Brooklyn Dodger games include her doing the National Anthem and playing before during and after the game.

I have the 1949 World Series on tape and I'm sorry to say but I thought Gladys Gooding's singing of the national anthem was terrible. But I have to admit that I have very rarely heard the anthem sung well. If it must be played, I think it should played as an instrumental.

[tonypug]

I have the 1949 World Series on tape and I'm sorry to say but I thought Gladys Gooding's singing of the national anthem was terrible. But I have to admit that I have very rarely heard the anthem sung well. If it must be played, I think it should played as an instrumental.
We never said she could sing, but she plays the organ very well. When us old Brooklyn fans hear her voice, it's the most beautiful voice in the world because it brings us back to Ebbets Field and some wondeful memories.

[64Cards]

The organ music is getting phased out here too. Playing extremely loud head banger rock or rap between innings, it's hard to to have a conversation w/the person next to you, without having to almost yell. At Rams games in that awful dome, during the tv timeouts, they blast commercials over the pa. At least at home I have my remote. Click.

[tonypug]

The organ music is getting phased out here too. Playing extremely loud head banger rock or rap between innings, it's hard to to have a conversation w/the person next to you, without having to almost yell. At Rams games in that awful dome, during the tv timeouts, they blast commercials over the pa. At least at home I have my remote. Click.
For some reason baseball teams seem to think they have to create the same atmosphere as there is at NBA games. It's two different worlds, but as we know right now MLB is in denial.

[wamby]

We never said she could sing, but she plays the organ very well. When us old Brooklyn fans hear her voice, it's the most beautiful voice in the world because it brings us back to Ebbets Field and some wondeful memories.

The organ playing is indistict in those broadcasts, but I'd be willing to bet it is good though.

I would like it if the ballparks would go back to organ music, the crap you hear now is terrible.

[ColtscorrAL]

I have the 1949 World Series on tape and I'm sorry to say but I thought Gladys Gooding's singing of the national anthem was terrible. But I have to admit that I have very rarely heard the anthem sung well. If it must be played, I think it should played as an instrumental.

Did you ever hear Harry Cary :crazy do "Take me out to the ball game?" That was the most horrible sound in the world, yet it never failed to give me goose bumps. :atthepc

[Cubs_all_the_way]

Thank you for the link! Growing up with the White Sox, I foundly recall the days our family would arrive early for batting practice in White Sox Park (early 1970's). Nancy Faust would play song after song from the time the gates opened until the game was over. Hopefully baseball officials will keep the live organ music. In Chicago, the canned music blasted every 2 seconds is really bad. Nancy Faust is heard about 1/3 of the time. I wonder if stadium organists are being phased out everywhere.

For a sample of Nancy's music circa 1973 (and soon 1972), visit WWW.Chicago-Baseball-Photos.com Type letter 'F' then select Nancy Faust.

If anyone has sound clips from other stadiums it would be neat to hear them!

Man, thanks so much for that link. I just laughed so hard I cried listening to a few of the Harry Caray audio clips. Search C for Carey and go listen to the audio clip titled, "1974 Opening Day," about halfway down on the right side. Hilarious.

Thanks again....

[Captain]

Greetings all:

First post so be patient.

I grew up a John Kiley fan playing his Hammond X-66 at Fenway, which I actually played before a game back in 1977 with John's permission. My 15 minutes of fame.

Anyway, here's what I'm seeking and was wondering if anyone could help me.

As a kid, I would watch any game I could at Fenway to hear John Kiley play. Unfortunately, there was always talking going on of tv announcers so I could not really hear much of what I wanted. The only time there was no talking so I could here the organist was, "Star Spangled Banner". It was about the first song I ever learned!

Here's the question. Does anyone know just how I would go about possibly obtaining a copy or two (or three) of some of these old tv broadcasts so I can hear John Kiley play the anthem again. I've thought about contacting the Boston TV folks, but don't know if that's the way to go or not.

Any suggestions out there are really, really appreciated. Today I play an 3 manual theatre style organ.

Patrick

[snoris]

Nancy Faust also put out a record of her organ music in the late 1970s.In 2005,Faust will be entering her 36th season as White Sox organist. :clapping

Nancy also played the organ at Chicago Stadium for a few years in between Ron Bogda (Al Melgard's successor) and current Blackhawk organist Frank Pellico. She got really good at mastering that extremely difficult and complicated instrument.

I had a few Al Melgard albums and sent her some tapes. She appreciated getting them and sent me a really nice letter in response. Very classy lady, outstanding organist.

[snoris]

Greetings all:

First post so be patient.

I grew up a John Kiley fan playing his Hammond X-66 at Fenway, which I actually played before a game back in 1977 with John's permission. My 15 minutes of fame.

Anyway, here's what I'm seeking and was wondering if anyone could help me.

As a kid, I would watch any game I could at Fenway to hear John Kiley play. Unfortunately, there was always talking going on of tv announcers so I could not really hear much of what I wanted. The only time there was no talking so I could here the organist was, "Star Spangled Banner". It was about the first song I ever learned!

Here's the question. Does anyone know just how I would go about possibly obtaining a copy or two (or three) of some of these old tv broadcasts so I can hear John Kiley play the anthem again. I've thought about contacting the Boston TV folks, but don't know if that's the way to go or not.

Any suggestions out there are really, really appreciated. Today I play an 3 manual theatre style organ.

Patrick

Patrick:

I'd contact the Bruins first, then WBZ-TV. I think they had the local TV rights before cable came into existence and might have an old tape or two stuck away somewhere......

[Candlestick60]

Jane jarvis Shea stadiums "Queen of melody" she was the best!!!! C60

[driver62]

I' heard that GABP plays organ music during Sunday games. I have no idea if it's live or recorded. Can someone verify this?

[MATHA531]

What great memories this thread does bring back to a bygone era...

Of course we no longer hear or see the national anthem on broadcasts or telecasts for the most part....it's good commercial time; every so often say for an opening day we get the anthem sung by some professional singer. At Shea Stadium the usual thing is somebody singing the anthem without any accompanying music.

Gladys Gooding...on the Brooklyn Dodger forum a year and a half ago or so Dodger Deb dug up a link to an old recording of "Follow the Dodgers" as played by Gladys Godding at Ebbets Field (along with a vocal group singing the words)...brought back weird memories. Also it is quite true that Ms. Gooding sang the National Anthem as well as played it on the organ before Dodger home games.

After the theft of the Brooklyn franchise, I used to hear her at MSG III when I attended Ranger games. Her repertoire started 15 minutes before the players came out for the warm up (or 45 minutes before the opening face off with the warm up a half hour before the opening face off)...her standard repertoire started with Follow the Dodgers (even though they no longer existed) followed by Dixie...when the Rangers hit the ice for the warm up she played a song known as the Ranger victory song and then, in those days of the 6 team NHL had a song for each of 4 of the remaining 5 teams (she played for Canadiens their themse song as played at the Forum les Canadiens sont la, the Bruins theme song (Paris), for the Red Wings she played I want to go back to that farm, for the Black Hawks it was Chicago, Chicago what a wonderful town...she had nothing for the Leafs who didn't seem to have a theme song at the Gardens)....one day in 1963 I whent to a Ranger game and the whole repertoire weas different...somebody named Virginia Thomas was playing the organ...it turned out Gooding had died that afternoon (BTW in those days when she played the National Anthem they had somebody else sing it...and even when a Canadian team was playing, only the US Anthem was played).

In 1964, Shea Stadium opened and their original organist was named Jane Jarvis (too bad Gooding had died, wonder if the Mets would have used her...they had no organist when they played at the Polo Grounds, they played canned music)....Jane Jarvis stayed for a while and wrote a song for the Mets to supplement "Meet the Mets" which went something like this, "The New York Mets are on the way, Let's go Mets"..."Three cheers for all the boys that play, let's go Mets".."Each player is a star, (don't remember the rest of the words)...if you ever get a tape of the 1969 World Series you'll hear that song as the Mets took the field.

It's too bad what goes on now...I can't stand watching Met games on television and listening to that idiotic "Everybody clap your hands" they seem to love.

But I guess as we all age, we're just not with it anymore....

[skobabe8]

Nancy Faust is heard less and less in Chicago and I know alot of people, including myself, are pretty upset about it.

[Elvis]

I' heard that GABP plays organ music during Sunday games. I have no idea if it's live or recorded. Can someone verify this?

It's live. Jack Doll is the organist at GAB. He used to be the full-time organist at Riverfront Stadium.

[driver62]

It's live. Jack Doll is the organist at GAB. He used to be the full-time organist at Riverfront Stadium.

Thanks for the info, Elvis. I was sure I read that somewhere but couldn't remember where. Old age fogs my brain every now and then.:laugh

[PeteU]

Am I the only person who finds the ballpark organ music to be one of those lost baseball traditions that should just stay lost?

Occassionally, an organist can be somewhat witty--the one at the Marlins games used to do a "song association" for the names of the visiting batters when they are called up to bat.

But for the most part, I just find the organ to be dull, repetitive and unnecessary. If I wanted to hear good organ music, I'll stick with church.

Just my opinion. :twocents:

[SBBL]

Am I the only person who finds the ballpark organ music to be one of those lost baseball traditions that should just stay lost?

.
.

Yes

[skobabe8]

Am I the only person who finds the ballpark organ music to be one of those lost baseball traditions that should just stay lost?

Occassionally, an organist can be somewhat witty--the one at the Marlins games used to do a "song association" for the names of the visiting batters when they are called up to bat.

But for the most part, I just find the organ to be dull, repetitive and unnecessary. If I wanted to hear good organ music, I'll stick with church.

Just my opinion. :twocents:

I think alot of todays organists do that.

[Solair Wright]

I think that playing recycled ("live") music at ballparks can be borderline copyright infringements. I only hope it can get dropped and organists can come back in full force, because the only music I am growing up is Ernie Hays, and even he's getting time reduced because of the rubbish they play at Busch Stadium. If it's to appeal fans, then it might not appeal the RIAA.

The recycled, non-organ version of the "Charge" song they play in AT&T Park and Citizens' Bank Park should be labeled as copyright infringements. Whoever composed that song won't be happy if he/she/they found out people played that version without permission.

Okay, I may sound insane, but the "recycled," borderline copyright infringement rubbish has got to go. Wrigley Field is probably the only ballpark today that has a full-time organist without being hampered with the recycled music.

Edit: Who was the organist at Yankee Stadium that passed away a couple years ago? I can't think of his name.

[2Chance]

Who was the organist at Yankee Stadium that passed away a couple years ago? I can't think of his name.
Eddie Layton. He was the first organist at Yankee Stadium, from the time they brought the organ in for the 1967 season. Played for three decades, with a break from 1971-77, retiring at the end of 2003. He chose his successor, Paul Cartier, but despite having a new organ, with all the pre-recorded stuff it is used much less today.


Sorry for dredging up this old thread, but I had a bunch of trivia written on scraps of paper that I'm trying to get rid of. Organ music is just part of it.

April 26, 1941: Roy Nelson becomes baseball's first organist when he sits down to play at Wrigley Field. (Somebody contact Leo D! He says it was at Ebbets Field in 1938.)

Gladys Gooding, who played the organ at Ebbets Field for 15 years, provided a version of "Say It Isn't So" when the last out was recorded there in 1957.

John Kiley broke into the "Hallelujah Chorus" when Carlton Fisk hit his dramatic game-winning home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.

[Gary Dunaier]

Eddie Layton. He was the first organist at Yankee Stadium, from the time they brought the organ in for the 1967 season. Played for three decades, with a break from 1971-77, retiring at the end of 2003.

Here's a CD Yankee fans might be interested in...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KSF2388XL._AA240_.jpg

[jimmyjimjimz]

Eddie Layton. He was the first organist at Yankee Stadium, from the time they brought the organ in for the 1967 season. Played for three decades, with a break from 1971-77, retiring at the end of 2003. He chose his successor, Paul Cartier, but despite having a new organ, with all the pre-recorded stuff it is used much less today.


Sorry for dredging up this old thread, but I had a bunch of trivia written on scraps of paper that I'm trying to get rid of. Organ music is just part of it.

April 26, 1941: Roy Nelson becomes baseball's first organist when he sits down to play at Wrigley Field. (Somebody contact Leo D! He says it was at Ebbets Field in 1938.)

Gladys Gooding, who played the organ at Ebbets Field for 15 years, provided a version of "Say It Isn't So" when the last out was recorded there in 1957.

John Kiley broke into the "Hallelujah Chorus" when Carlton Fisk hit his dramatic game-winning home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.

Eddie Layton retired?

I thought he died.

The new guy sounds nothing like him, by the way. Couldnt they just record him playing and when he died/retired, they coulda played the recordings of him instead?

[The Monument]

Eddie Layton retired?

I thought he died.

The new guy sounds nothing like him, by the way. Couldnt they just record him playing and when he died/retired, they coulda played the recordings of him instead?

Jim,Eddie retired then passed away not long after. I like your idea about playing some of his recorded bits. They do it with Robert Merrill and Kate Smith. Considering how infrequently the organ is used, all they would need to do is have a progammer put it on. It's not like it was when Eddie would play something appropriate for the moment at the drop of a hat. I also think they should use Bob Shepard recordings if he ever retires.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Jim,Eddie retired then passed away not long after. I like your idea about playing some of his recorded bits. They do it with Robert Merrill and Kate Smith. Considering how infrequently the organ is used, all they would need to do is have a progammer put it on. It's not like it was when Eddie would play something appropriate for the moment at the drop of a hat. I also think they should use Bob Shepard recordings if he ever retires.

It would be really hard to have Bob Shepard recordings when he retires/dies, because there's new guys comming into the league and on the team every year. If they spliced sounds of his voice together, it would sound like a robot, but they COULD have a recording of him saying "Welcome to Yankee Stadium" and stuff like that.

[The Monument]

That's what I was thinking Jim. "And for the world champion New York Yankees..."

[willisraverchk77]

Eddie Layton. He was the first organist at Yankee Stadium, from the time they brought the organ in for the 1967 season.

Eddie was the second. Toby Wright was the first (1965-66)

This is a clipping from the 1966 Yankees Yearbook

http://www.ballparktour.com/John_Kiley.jpg

Toby also was the Yankees organist from 1971-77.

[Gary Dunaier]

It would be really hard to have Bob Shepard recordings when he retires/dies

I would be very interested in buying an audio CD of Bob Sheppard public address announcements. Ideally, he'd go into a recording studio (for maximum sound quality) and recreate some of the great lineups and other various and sundry announcements and admonishments. Add some echo and (very little) crowd noise in post-production to simulate the effect of being at the Stadium, and I think you'd have something every Yankee fan - well, I'd better change that because I'm not a Yankee fan I'm a Mets fan, so let's make it "every ballpark fan" - and I think you'd have something every ballpark fan would treasure.

[The Monument]

I watched Game 3 of the '78 Series on Yankees Classics tonight. It was a treat to see DiMag thow out the first pitch, but also to hear Bob Shepard's voice loud and clear introducing Joe D. It made me realize how Mr Shepards voice has changed with age.

[2Chance]

Eddie was the second (organist at Yankee Stadium). Toby Wright was the first (1965-66)

This is a clipping from the 1966 Yankees Yearbook

http://www.ballparktour.com/John_Kiley.jpg

Toby also was the Yankees organist from 1971-77.

Welcome to the Fever, and thanks for the correct info.

[nymdan]

Here's an article about Shea Stadium organist Jane Jarvis, who was displaced by the recent crane accident:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/nyregion/22jarvis.html

[Aviator_Frank]

Does anyone know that name of that little ditty Jane Jarvis played just before the Mets took the field each night? It seemed like the Mets waited until she got to a certain point in the verse just as they came out of the dugout each time.

Her renditions of Oh Canada, a few bridge notes she played next then the SSB was the best ever.

I'm glad to see she's OK. She's a great talent.

[JT7]

For those who live on the west coast and remember going to Dodger Games begining in the late 80's or 90's, you would hear Nancy B Hefley and the Dodger Stadium Baldwin organ. She still plays today, but very limited. Mr. McCourt is little by little phasing her out. As much as I am an Angels fan, I totally disagree with the ousting of Peggy Duquesnel. She used to be the stadium organist there, but apparently during the Disney era she was ousted. Rumor has it that Nancy B. Hefly plays at Angel Stadium while the Dodgers are on the road.

[nymdan]

Jane Jarvis was at the Mets game yesterday and took down the number for the Shea countdown.

[StanTheMan]

I have a high quality mp3 of Ernie Hayes playing "Here Comes The King' (Budweiser) at old Busch Stadium. When you listen to it you travel back in time and see Ozzie, Willie, and Whitey Herzog.....

PM me if you are interested....

Cheers,
Bryan

[Aviator_Frank]

Jane Jarvis was at the Mets game yesterday and took down the number for the Shea countdown.

Gary mentioned on TV of Jane's version of "Let's Go Mets" but one thing I'd like to add here is that if you have the Essential Games of Shea DVD set, in game 4 of the 69 Series both that intro and PA man Jack Lightcap are all there for the listening.

[mrakbaseball]

I' heard that GABP plays organ music during Sunday games. I have no idea if it's live or recorded. Can someone verify this?

Jerry Frank supplies recorded Hammond B-3 organ sounds at Safeco.:cap:

[Matito]

Its a shame that, as far as I know, the Rays no longer use live organ music. One of the highlights of my childhood baseball memories was singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" with Brad Trumbull on the organ.

[Greg B.]

Reviving this thread... elsewhere on the site I found this wonderful feature on former Expos organist Fernand Lapierre and I thought others would enjoy it:

http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/clips/3284/

Once you get past the pretentious-sounding reporter it is a lot of fun. Lapierre embellished the game with lots of little sound bites throughout. He was great and added a lot to the atmosphere at Jarry Park and Olympic Stadium.

Also, you can find clips of him on YouTube playing both ballpark songs and other tunes... just search "Fernand Lapierre".

[RedTornado]

This is my first post on the site and I have enjoyed catching up on many of the threads, especially on the Ballparks page. Looking forward to participating in these discussions.

For organists, I'd add the late Paul Richardson to the list. He was a fixture at Veterans Stadium for many years and I believe he also played some at Yankee Stadium as well.

[ajohnson1252]

Unfortunately, after attending the Kansas City Royals Home Opener, the live organ music has been replaced with the dreadful pre-recorded stuff that is played throughout the game. Listening to the live organ music was such a part of the game experience, that is now lost at Royals games in 2009.

[atdy17]

There are way too many teams that use prerecorded organ music.

[Yankees12]

There are way too many teams that use prerecorded organ music.

Seriously. If it were up to me, the amount of canned music at a ballpark would be kept to a minimum, and the organ would provide the rest of the soundtrack for the game. Wrigley Field is great for this.

I'm glad to see that the organ made the trip over to NYS. Too bad it's not used as much (I wish they used it far more before the game, for the national anthem, in between innings, etc.).

[Philtration]

Nancy Faust also put out a record of her organ music in the late 1970s.In 2005,Faust will be entering her 36th season as White Sox organist. :clapping

Nancy has a great sense of humor and she could pull out a song for the right occasion at the drop of a hat. Hard to believe that she has been here that long now.

Damn! Time really does fly.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1338/749001060_18fe53b7ed.jpg?v=0

[ChineseDemocracy]

The difference between stadium organs and arena organs is astounding.

Ballpark organs are mellow, whereas when you watch a basketball game at MSG or Staples, you feel like you're at a Bach concert or church.

[Aviator_Frank]

The difference between stadium organs and arena organs is astounding. One word: acoustics.

Open air music has a sound all its own. I've listened to symphonies at both opera houses and at the Hollywood Bowl (an outdoor venue) and it's like night and day.

[ChineseDemocracy]

Definitely, but also I'm thinking they use different settings?

I don't have much experience with keyboards and organs, but I would imagine they pull some knobs or push some buttons to get the desired effect...

[Aviator_Frank]

Organs have tons of settings (called stops). Those levers along the console control both manuals and the pedalboard. You can add and subtract voices to the point an organ can sound vastly different.

Different brands of organs sound quite different as well even with the same stops set, as you can probably imagine. Dodger Stadium used to have a Conn, now it's a Baldwin and the sound is vastly different.

[Yankees12]

One word: acoustics.

Open air music has a sound all its own. I've listened to symphonies at both opera houses and at the Hollywood Bowl (an outdoor venue) and it's like night and day.

Hence why pipe organs generally are a bit lackluster outside. With ballpark organs, they're over the PA system which is designed for the outside - pipe organs are, of course, not designed for that.

[jnakamura]

Different brands of organs sound quite different as well even with the same stops set, as you can probably imagine. Dodger Stadium used to have a Conn, now it's a Baldwin and the sound is vastly different.

They switched to a Roland from a Baldwin a few years back. And in between the Conn and Baldwin it was a Hammond.

[SJLT252]

When I went to the Islander game yesterday, I noticed that when the organ music was playing, I was able to hold a conversation, but when the rock music played, it became impossible to do the same thing. After a while your head hurts because of this. I wish the teams would just stick to the organ.

[J.R.]

Most ballparks are awful aural experiences anymore. The exceptions are, of course, places like Wrigley that still give the organ its due, and the rare park like Turner Field that has a professionally rendered "score."

GAPB is wonderful on Sundays when the organ is in control. Not so much when they play their (awful) canned organ sounds and whatnot.

[Aviator_Frank]

You want a horrible example of canned organ music, for many years (from the early 80's to 2008) they played a clip at Shea Stadium of that rising scale that leads up to the da-da-dadah-dadah-CHARGE! and I swear the last note of the recording was a missed note.

You'd think if they were gonna record a cartridge that would be used so often they'd get it right.

[The House That Ruth Built]

When I went to the Islander game yesterday, I noticed that when the organ music was playing, I was able to hold a conversation, but when the rock music played, it became impossible to do the same thing. After a while your head hurts because of this. I wish the teams would just stick to the organ.

The Isles play great organ music, and they play it quite often (although it's still a dying breed). Paul Cartier (who is also the Yankees organist) plays for the Islanders. I think Eddie Layton also played at the Coliseum for a few years.

[Yankees12]

Most ballparks are awful aural experiences anymore. The exceptions are, of course, places like Wrigley that still give the organ its due, and the rare park like Turner Field that has a professionally rendered "score."

GAPB is wonderful on Sundays when the organ is in control. Not so much when they play their (awful) canned organ sounds and whatnot.

I never understood why GAPB installed an organ just to play it on Sundays. Play it every day!

[McDodger]

Nancy Bea Hefley :clapping

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd9trsVGpgc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQVb9ChdzNI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEZaQnIc1wE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnAEZ3-325M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB8HVt_3VQs&feature=related

[Mary Ellen]

Jane Jarvis on the Thomas organ.

[Aviator_Frank]

I don't know if this has been posted here, but I found this interesting little clip of Eddie Layton from 1996.
Ahh, the sound of the Hammond Colonnade resounding through the concrete canyons of old YS.

Note: for those of you outside the NYC area, ABC resides on channel 7, hence the At Bat number 7 on the scoreboard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-uOz00oW8c

[Rob R]

Jane Jarvis on the Thomas organ.

At the ripe old age of 93, Jane Jarvis seems to be playing with a different organ these days. :laugh

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w241/fafafooey69/22jarvisspan.jpg