[Dixielandjazz] Bill Gunter

[Jerry Gordon]

Bill was a very good friend and a wonderful guy. I miss him to this day.

 

Jerry Gordon

Troy, NY

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Pat Ladd
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 5:58 PM
To: Jerry Gordon
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Bill Gunter

 

Amongst some old papers I discovered this poem.

The background is that shortly after I joined this list about 14 years ago I
had a tilt at a contributor, one Bill Gunter. I had the temerity to
criticise his use of the English language. I didn`t know at that time that
Bill was a teacher of languages at a very high level in the American
Educational system. Something like University level I think.

We had  a brisk exchange of posts and we became closer after our little
differences of opinion.

When Bill came to the UK with the band he stayed with me and we became
friends and he sat in with us in Bath with his washboard and vocals...

I should explain that my father started a Builders Merchants business in
1939 and had retired when I took over in the 60`s  After Bills return to the
States I wrote a parody which started

 

Along came, Bill

An extraordinary guy...

 

Bill responded with this. 

 

When Pat was a Ladd he served a term

Stocking shelves in a hardware firm

He stacked the wood in the lumber yard

And never did complain though the work was hard

 

He stacked the wood in a style so grand

That now he is a drummer in a nice jazz band

 

At stocking shelves he made such a name

That manager he soon became

He made the schedules in ahand so fine

And kept the inventories of the hardware line

 

He learned to count to four I understand A now he plays percussion in a nice
jazz band

 

At managing he earned an award

And got bumped up to the Executive Board He made good decisions and the
company grew And everybody prospered before he got through

 

They did so well with his guiding hand

That now he plays the drums in a nice jazz band

 

He finally came to retirement day

And he did pretty well with his severance pay And the people all around
remember him still And point to his house at the top of the hill

 

And now he's known throughout the land

And he gets to play the drums in a nice jazz band

 

So children listen if you will

If you want to rise to the top of the hill Get yourself a  job in a hardware
store And learn to count from one to four

 

If you can count up to four with either hand You can be a drummer in a nice
jazz band.

 

(or maybe a washboard player)

 

Respectfully submitted

 

Bill "Gilbert" Gunter

 

Cheers

 

Pat Ladd

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