Entry of the Gladiators (Thunder and Blazes)

Kevin got me thinking about the old music, and I was looking for something, and found a series of songs performed on player piano via those perforated rolls.

My grandparents had a player piano, and about 50 rolls for it. We loved playing it as kids - we had to pump the pedals to run it. The song lyrics were printed on the margin, so you could sing along if desired.

This was down at Ismay Trading Post in the Four Corners area.



My mother would get someone to give us a ride down there early in June, and come get us in July. We were homesick and bored - no TV, no telephone, and we were too young to do needlework. We weren't very old when my grandfather decided the piano bothered him so we couldn't play it any more, but I've never forgotten how much we enjoyed it.

After that, we entertained ourselves by reading the hundreds of Reader's Digest Condensed Books my grandad got at an auction, and sometimes my uncles would let us ride along with them as they did the farm and orchard chores.



My grandparents and their 9 children, 1969, their 50th wedding anniversary.

Thanks again, Kevin.