What replaced the Fairground Organ?

Nothing really replaced the Fairground organ in Europe. The Fairground organ is still in great need amoungst collecters,showmen,amusment rides. The question really poses for the hobby in America. The Speacker has become quite domanite(althougth some carousels are reverting/converting to band organs). The hobby in America really need's to step up in getting some of the older organs, that are still being abused, playing again and well taken care of. Does any body have any thoughts on this? Cordially: -Justin Senneff

i only ever see them used in rides at steam rallys. How i ment was like, as a once modern device. Because a grammaphone is no where near load enough, and I cant think of any other competers of its age

Well Midi has not replaced the book/roll etc, and nor will it(I wonder if the organ customers thought the same thought only with the invention of books and rolls replacing the barrel). Nothing really replaced the fairground organ in that manner either(as far as modern electricity). Mechanical music in general(especilly mechanical organs), can still be considered a technological up, to a certain extant. Cordially: -Justin Senneff

What replaced te fairground organ? The successful electric amplification of pre-recorded music introduced effectively in 1925. Period.

Still the fairground organ is in great demand in Europe.

Justin, Wishing or imagining it so won't make it so and this really is not true. Some instruments may get carted along with certain fairs but in the world of the general travelling fairground they have no serious commercial place any longer nor have they for decades. People don't crowd around to hear Mr Gavioli's newest 112-key wonder any more. They don't even crowd around at Dorset Steam Fair anymore - quite unlike the early preservation years riding on a wave of nostalgia. It's just an extra lorry of expensive, expensive to maintain, old junk to drag along that draws not one cent of extra revenue to a commercial modern fairground. We love them but why would a commerical operator want one? They have no place working in conjunction with any modern-era ride whatsoever. Outside large fairs with the odd historic gallopers and some family nostalgia for dragging one along I've never seen one yet in any regular fair. Nor am I likely to. Fact. This is 2008 not 1908. regards Adam

Fairground Organs
Like the Flying Lady hood ornament on a Rolls Royce, there are still showman who look at their fair organ as the hallmark of their show. In America, Jimmy Drew of the James H Drew Exposition prizes his fine Bruder Band Organ and takes it with him on tour. http://www.centuryindustries.com/band%20organl.htm I had the pleasure several years ago to display this organ at a MidAmerica MBSI Chapter organ rally in Columbus, Indiana. I had a great time with it!!! Joining Jimmy is the Cumberland Valley Shows with a large Carl Frei, and Astro Amusements with a large Stinson, Royal American Shows kindly lent their fine 89 key Gavioli for display at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI. The thrill of an organ even extends to Amusement Park owners..... Rhoda Krasner of Lakeside Park, Denver prizes her 157 Wurlitzer that has been in her family since it was new. Hersheypark, Kennywood, Knoebel's Grove, Cedar Point, and others still prize their band organs on the carousels. Both Cedar Point and Knoebles have multiple band organs in their parks! http://www.knoebels.com/ Then there is de Efteling Park in the Netherlands with their fine organs...... Showmen in Holland, Germany, and Switzerland still prize their fine Ruth's Bruder's and Gavioli's. To the wealthy Showman, the fair organ is a matter of ego, history, and pride. For them it is still the Flying Lady on the Rolls Royce!!! I know what I am talking about since I have tried to buy organs off some of them and have received a FLAT NO!!!!!

I have to say that no one gives a damn when organs are exhibited at rallies, fetes and even fairs, they just walk past. and more often than not, the appearance money doesnt cover the cost to go to all these places. Although like Tim said, Amusment park love an organ. Lightwater Valley used to get our Ruth along for a fortnight or so, but recently we have not been able to do this, shame, because I never was old enough to go. Having said all this. At Stokesley Show we managed to pull a huge crowd, even when there was no dancing or singing, just the gavi playing.

I do know personally a few large amusement park owners and, over the years, I have suggested them adding an organ to this or that attraction. Ultimately it's cost, less space for other things and in this day an organ just is not a draw anymore. Tens of thousands of pounds for nothing back really. Enthusiasts don't see things from the perspective of a commerical outfit which has to pay salaries and overheads and also turn a profit and invest in upkeep and new equipment. Some historic fairgrounds family operaters do indeed, as I mentioned and Tim mentioned, travel instruments for personal family history reasons. The fact that Tim was unsuccessful in purchasing an instrument from them doesn't however indicate their undying love of the instrument merely the fact that no deal was done. Everyone has their price and, as we have seen in recent years at GDSF, some instruments that one thought would never be sold for just such family historical connections were indeed sold when the price offered was sufficiently unrefusable. Amusement parks are very different beasts however to UK travelling fairs. What may find a place in an amusement park (there are several in the UK with organs) will not necessarily be true for a UK travelling fair where staff, haulage costs, weather forecast, insurance, profits, building-up time are more critical. Tim, everybody has their price whatever they say so you'll just have to offer 'em more money next time methinks! The US dollar is creeping back a little in recent weeks! There is hope! LOL! regards Adam

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