[Dixielandjazz] Stan Freberg

[Bill Dendle]

Rick Fay and Jackie Coon told me a wonderful story about Stan Freberg, which
is part of the autobiography that Rick Fay either wrote or was writing
toward the end of his life. Jackie and Rick were working in a show band
called Red Fox and his Jazz Hounds (not the famous Red Roxx), which was in
need of a new guitarist/banjoist. Rick and Jackie wanted Stan on the band,
as he was so funny and creative, but he wasn't a player. Somehow they
convinced Red Fox that he was, and got him the job. As they traveled about
the country, doing shows here and there (mostly there, as they hadn't been
here yet {Victor Borge, 1950})Stan spent his nights in the hotel room
desperately practicing chords. Onstage, he kept his right hand a good two
inches away from the strings (I can hear Tom Wiggins suggesting that it
would be best if all banjoists played this way:)). The band managed to cover
for Stan long enough for him to become ingratiated with Red, and when, at a
rehearsal, Red asked to hear the guitar part alone, Stan had to confess that
he couldn't yet play. He stayed on the band, and eventually learned to play
enough to accompany his "singing."
The details may not be completely accurate, but the story is basically
sound; much like my banjo playing.

Bill Dendle