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When younger I loved to take a Wurlitzer Style 145 band organ out
for the public.  Our Corpus Christi "Bayfest" street festival was
tops in the 1970s and '80s when it was free and featured local talent.

Rolls of old waltzes and polkas attracted crowds on Friday and Saturday
nights; they danced on the street corner 'til midnight.  One lady at
a food booth would complain about the "noise", but if I shut it down
then other food booth people would say, "Turn it back on, your music
attracts customers!"

During intermissions at the Summer Melodrama Theater, ragtime tunes
were most popular on our Western Electric "G" roll coin piano, especially
"Chromatic Rag" and "St. Louis Tickle".  At other events old, lively
Mexican tunes seemed most popular.  I would disconnect the cutoff so the
xylophone played continuous for effect with Mexican rolls.  On my grind
organ "Teddy Bears Picnic" is most popular tune, by far.

It depends upon the instrument playing, the make up of the crowd, the
event, and the season.  Do not play classical music on a 145 band organ
unless you want all to leave -- and in a hurry!

Dale Gunnar
Corpus Christi, Texas