Monday, May 7, 2012

Minnesota Over 60 Band



This is a postcard-size card showing the Minnesota Over 60 Band. The back has a printed list of members and some of the places where the band had appeared. The last date on the list is 1979 which gives an approximate date of the card. This picture is more recent than any of the other pictures of the band that I saw on the internet. Earlier pictures show the band members wearing light color shirts and dark uniforms with a jacket.

The band is headquartered in Gaylord, Minnesota, but has members from a wide area. The members list on the card shows only a few members from Gaylord itself.



The Minnesota Over 60 Band had its beginning in 1953 and was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2003. The photo below is from the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and shows a 1955 date lettered on the bass drum.



The pictures of the band that I have seen show only men. The band now includes both men and women, and it is seeking new members. The New Ulm Journal published a letter Musicians wanted: Minnesota ‘Over-60’ Band seeking new members on March 27, 2012. RedwoodFallsGazette.com posted an article Minnesota ‘Over 60’ band seeking new members on February 6, 2012.

The Minnesota Over 60 Band performs in parades, at county fairs and in a variety of other venues during the summer months. It plays a variety of music including waltzes, polkas and marches. The band does not march itself, but uses a bandwagon in parades.



1 comment:

  1. Two great cards! I wish I lived closer to hear them. The postcards and photos in my collection tend to stop by the 1950s and almost all are B&W, so it's really neat to discover that some of the old band tradition continues.

    But I know a little bit about Minnesota, and I don't think there are many mountain ranges in the state like in the picture hanging behind the second band photo! :-)

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