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Congratulations to my dad, Tom Eshelman, on completing his first 50 years of playing the tuba! (He started young!)

Here's to the next 50,

Kent

Congrats Tom!

Congratulations Tom!

Congrats!

Thanks guys - I'm honored to be congratulated by such a distinguished group (btw - who are you iiipopes?).

So let me briefly share how things were in 1956 -

Kent's right, I did start young. I went to public elementary school in Summit, NJ. They offered free instrumental music lessons to 4th graders during school hours. Students were allowed to list 3 choices for instruments. I got no guidance or help from my parents. My first choice was, naturally, saxophone!?!? My third choice tuba. I don't think anyone had listed tuba as a choice for a long time so they jumped on my 3rd choice. I was issued an Eb tuba that hadn't been touched for years. We gave it a bath in the bathtub. The lessons were group lessons, but since I was the only tubist, my lesson was a private one from our bandleader (a percussionist) named Roy Fullmer. I began to identify with the tuba right from the start and have been a tuba devotee/nut ever since - strictly amateur. Mr. Fullmer did know enough to urge me to go see Bill Bell when he gave a concert nearby at Montclair State Teachers College in 1958.

Some name-dropping (1962-1965): my high school (Cleveland Heights Ohio) had a wonderful band and an even more remarkable orchestra. I played in a tuba section with a future symphony tubist, Bernie Guzik. He had a long career in Kansas City and Tulsa, until it folded. James Fox (of the James Gang) played drums. Harry Sargous and Marilyn Zupnick played oboe and English Horn. I crossed paths with Kathy Brantigan at one point.

Can I humbly share also that I think I inspired 4 others to become tubists - my two younger brothers, and son Kent and daughter Elizabeth. Son Jon is a professional musician too - never studied tuba, but he's played in a bunch of TubaChristmas's with us.

Yea, Tom! Keep playing! See you all at TUBACHRISTMAS Columbus!

Tom Eshelman wrote: Bernie Guzik. He had a long career in Kansas City and Tulsa, until it folded.

The Tulsa group has recently restarted with smaller numbers. Time will tell if it keeps flying. And Bernie is still the local guru.