Simpler Sounds: Mr. Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band

An opportunity to revisit the musical sounds of another time and place will be offered today when Mr. Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band takes the stage at the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

"The band will give one of the most heartwarming, beautiful performances you'll ever see," said Bob Cerchio, assistant director at the River Campus. "It's a re-creation of not only the music of a different time, but also the warmth and feeling of a turn-of-the-century hometown."

Mr. Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band is an affectionate re-creation of a small town band that existed in Lynchburg, Tenn., from 1892 until about 1914. The "modern" version of this band began touring in 1978 and has performed in concert halls throughout the United States and Canada and has delighted audiences at music festivals, music educator conferences, and for civic and private events.

Cerchio said he still has fond memories of booking the Silver Cornet Band when he was in charge of Shryock Auditorium at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. "I booked the band during their first years of touring after listening to them on tape," he said. "It was the only show I've seen where everyone -- everyone -- who was leaving the show was smiling."

Described as a time-traveling excursion to an era, the performance by the 12-piece Silver Cornet Band will include props such as a white gazebo and a homey rocking chair, which symbolize a time when life moved at a less hurried pace and when a warm summer evening was spent in the park with friends and neighbors.

"The setup is that the band is made up of local musicians who play for the town," Cerchio said. "The show is set in Lynchburg, Tenn., but it could actually be any American town in the late 1800s and early 1900s when music at the gazebo was the only entertainment available."

The Silver Cornet Band is a brass band with a drummer under the direction of the joke-telling "Perfesser," who serves as host for the evening. The songs that will be performed include "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "How To Build A Band," "Nola," a medley of Stephen Foster songs and, for their closing number, "Amazing Grace."

"The music that the band plays is superb," Cerchio said. "You just don't hear those songs anymore."

Cerchio said he guarantees the audience will enjoy the performance by Mr. Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band.

"If anyone really doesn't like the show, they'll get their money back," he said.

The performance by the Mr. Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Bedell Performance Hall. Tickets are on sale for $22 and $16 and may be purchased at the River Campus box office, 518 S. Fountain St. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 651-2265 or by visiting rivercampusevents.com.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address: 508 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO