Back in the 70's I and another organist were the organ players for the Muskegon Mohawks hockey team. The other player was my teacher and we each took about half of the games.

Before the game people are wandering around and not really paying much attention to what you are playing. Then they announced that the "Star Spangled Banner" will be played by Tom Cavanaugh. All of the sudden 5000 people turn around and become quiet. I started to play and I LOST MY PLACE. I hung on a note at the end of a phrase for what seemed like forever, found my place and finished.

The fans would walk past the organ and say things like "what did you do with the money your folks gave you for lessions?" The theme song for when the Mohawks scored a goal was "Somethings Gotta Give". I would play that after a goal and the fans would say "You can play that but not the National Anthem?"

I practiced that tune for I'll bet a hundred times and never needed the music for it again.

Tom

[This message has been edited by Tom Cavanaugh (edited 03-20-2007).]