[ Ref. Art Reblitz in 170716 MMDigest --

Responding to Art's question, "Has anyone seen it recently,"  I have!
I am the one Gordon Lipe sold his National calliope to, fulfilling
my fascination with calliope music.  I coined the name "Painted Post
Calliope Co." since I lived in Painted Post, New York, at the time.
For the record, the calliope is a National Model B, Serial No. 1005,
and the truck is a circa 1920 Model TT Ford.

Art did a wonderful arrangement of McDonald's theme song, "McFavorite
Clown" (allegedly written by Barry Manilow), which sounded just right
on the calliope.  The rolls were punched by Mike Kitner.

The tie-in with McDonald's was the brainchild of one of their
advertising agencies.  When Ronald McDonald appeared at a store he
would arrive riding on the truck, sitting at the keyboard mimicking
playing while the theme song played by roll.  It was fun, too for my
young children, who took turns riding along.  They were dressed in
McDonald's themed clothes and would answer "from McDonald Land" if
asked where they came from.  The fun stopped in 1988 when McDonald's
changed themes and stopped paying royalties for the McFavorite Clown
theme song.

Gordon told me that Art had tuned the pipes, and quite often listeners
would comment on the fine tone, which they did not expect from a
calliope.  I once had an Ithaca music student stop by to play Bach
organ music on the keyboard, which was wonderful.  Unfortunately it
was not recorded.

Bob Bruce
Chester Springs, Pennsylvania

 [ "McFavorite Clown" 1974 theme song as kid's place mat
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/17/07/17/170717_201611_McFavorite_Clown.jpg