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 For
those of you who think that the Big Band era is a thing of the past,
guess again! There is a new 18-member band that was formed earlier this
year, and it is catching the attention of Royal Harbor residents.
It was only last May when Jane Woodruf, a resident of the community, got
together with five other residents in the main room of the Recreation
Center and decided to form a hillbilly band. Jane was inspired to form
the group after seeing some of the hillbilly instruments on a steamboat
cruise. They publicized their intentions, and as a result, the hillbilly
band, called the Swamp Stompers, bring out their "instruments" and play
their favorite old time music.
Jane is the present Director, and she has earned the nickname "Swamp
Lady Jane"
as she leads the band during weekly practices on Wednesday evenings.
Some of the band's selections include The Wabash Cannon Ball, Camptown
Races,
Working on the Railroad, Tavern in the Town, Walking the Dog, Itchy, and
Old Time Religion.
A sound system provides the musical background, and band members use all
kinds of improvised items to add to the music. One can recognize the
washboards, sticks, bells, whistles and frying pans, but closer inspec tion
shows that more unusual items have been added. A gut bucket serves as a
bass fiddle, kitty litter containers are used as drums, toilet floats
are used as shakers, and metal chicken feeders from the barn are used to
enhance the sounds. For one selection, band members use plastic "hands"
which slap together to the beat of the music. A German folk instrument
called a Boombah is also included.
The Swamp Stompers recently performed at the "Welcome Back Fall
Festival" on October 24 and they also held a Christmas Birthday Party in
November. They plan on providing their unique music to local nursing
homes and other facilities as a gesture of good will.
One of the benefits of participating in the group is taking part in the
fun that band members have at rehearsals and performances. They enjoy
"hamming it up" with each other and look forward to meeting each week
for their practice sessions.
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