Doug Boilesen, 2008
Betty Ann took piano lessons when she
was a young girl. She later made sure that each of her children took
piano lessons with Sister Bev and myself taking lessons from Mrs.
Dale Underwood and Brother James taking lessons from Donna Key. Bev
would later use Donna Key's secret chicken recipe for decades -- the
"secret" after you browned the chicken was to put it in
the oven with a mixture of Campbell's cream of chicken soup and sour
cream).
Grandma Barr purchased the Elba Church
of the United Brethren's pump organ in 1958 for $8.00 when the church
decided to only use their piano for services. Grandma Barr put it
in their parlor with the intention that I would 'perform' for them
when we visited. Between the pumping and my early lesson's playing
I don't think they got their money's worth but I'm sure my Grandma
Barr would have disagreed.
The first piano our parents had (which
was purchased so that I could take lessons) went into their Eastridge
house's basement and the turn was so tight at the bottom of the stairs
that Dad literally took the upright piano apart to get it around the
corner and into the basement.
The following are sheet music that Betty
Ann saved and took wherever she lived.
"Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny,
Oh," 1939.
"Silver Threads
Among the Gold," 1935.
"Sweethearts on
Parade," 1937.
"Falling Waters,"
1936.
"Let Me Be Your
Umbrella," 1927.
"Home on the Range,"
1935 by Calumet Music Co., Chicago, Illinois.
"Sack Waltz,"
1936.
Little Old Sod Shanty
on the Claim, penciled in Betty Barr 1940.
"I Don't Want to
Walk without You," 1942.
"Always," 1925.
Axel and Betty were married on August 25, 1946 and "Always"
was their wedding song.
"Carols for the
Family," 1953.
Betty Ann kept a diary and the March
10, 1941 entry reads: "I listened to radio and practiced music.
I'm trying to memorize "Blueberry Hill."
"Blueberry Hill,"
1940.
Other
Betty Ann Barr Stories
