TrumpetMaster - View Single Post - Reflections on Maynard's impact on me upon hearing of his passing

rktjok · 08-28-2006, 12:46 PM

When I was 16 I drove 55 miles to my first Maynard concert in Lawrence KS. You were supposed to be 21 but somehow they let us in and then WOW!
I went to see Maynard play everytime he got anywhere close to where I live.

Two years later my high school (Truman High School, Independence MO) chapter of Modern Music Masters was looking for a fundraiser. My mom helped me contact Maynard's agent and we set a date for a concert. We rented an 8000 seat auditorium, sold advertising, printed programs. Everything was set and when Maynard's roadies and band rolled into the RLDS Auditorium in Independence I was waiting. I introduced my self to several of the band members as they came in. I watched them move in, set up and warm up for a sound check for the concert that night. (One thing I forgot to tell you, if you haven't already guessed, I'm a trumpet player.) I was blown away. Here I was in this huge auditorium listening to his orchestra blistering through some tunes. One of the band members asked me what I played and I told them trumpet. I told them that I had played many of his arrangements. (My high school Show Band played several Maynard songs.) They asked if I had my horn and I told them it was in the car. They told me to go get it. I ran and got it and warmed up a little. They asked me what part I played and told them lead and first trumpet. So I got up on the risers with the trumpet players and they asked what I knew and told them Chameleon. We played the entire song. Lots of smiles, pats on the back and then they asked what else I knew. We played Gospel John and then MacArthur Park. Most of these tunes Maynard directed except for jumping in for the stratospheric parts. When we finished the whole orchestra was smiling and clapping and looking at me. Then Maynard said "You're good kid."
I was on cloud nine. I then heard someone continuing to clap. I looked out into the auditorium and saw my mom still clapping. She is the only one that can verify this story but it is true. I was the band president and after the concert I went on stage and gave Maynard a gift to remember us by. Everyone began to leave and followed the band members offstage. Maynard was already on the bus. I asked if one of them could get me an autograph. They said "Sure, go on up he will give you one." I got to go on the bus and there was Maynard laughing, drinking water. When I approached he gave me a big smile and told everyone on the bus "Hey, this kid can play." He autographed a t-shirt and concert poster I took off the wall at a previous gig.
I still have them. (BTW, we raised of $11,000 for our club.)

Years later after I got married, my wife was not familiar with Maynard. I heard he was playing with his Big Bop Band Noveau at Blue Springs(MO) High School and immediately bought tickets. She was blown away. After the gig I went down a hallway to get back stage. Somehow no one stopped me and I took my wife to meet Maynard. He was laughing and talking to band people back stage when I approached. I introduced myself and my wife and quickly relayed the above story. He said "Yeah, I remember that. That place had great sound. Wish we could play in places like that all the time." We shook hands and I thanked him for his time.

When I read that Maynard had passed the first thing I did was pray for him and then called my mom and told her. She is only person that I can share my big experience with. Thanks for reading. God Bless!

08-28-2006, 12:46 PM	#18 (permalink)
rktjok New Friend Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1	My Maynard experience... When I was 16 I drove 55 miles to my first Maynard concert in Lawrence KS. You were supposed to be 21 but somehow they let us in and then WOW! I went to see Maynard play everytime he got anywhere close to where I live. Two years later my high school (Truman High School, Independence MO) chapter of Modern Music Masters was looking for a fundraiser. My mom helped me contact Maynard's agent and we set a date for a concert. We rented an 8000 seat auditorium, sold advertising, printed programs. Everything was set and when Maynard's roadies and band rolled into the RLDS Auditorium in Independence I was waiting. I introduced my self to several of the band members as they came in. I watched them move in, set up and warm up for a sound check for the concert that night. (One thing I forgot to tell you, if you haven't already guessed, I'm a trumpet player.) I was blown away. Here I was in this huge auditorium listening to his orchestra blistering through some tunes. One of the band members asked me what I played and I told them trumpet. I told them that I had played many of his arrangements. (My high school Show Band played several Maynard songs.) They asked if I had my horn and I told them it was in the car. They told me to go get it. I ran and got it and warmed up a little. They asked me what part I played and told them lead and first trumpet. So I got up on the risers with the trumpet players and they asked what I knew and told them Chameleon. We played the entire song. Lots of smiles, pats on the back and then they asked what else I knew. We played Gospel John and then MacArthur Park. Most of these tunes Maynard directed except for jumping in for the stratospheric parts. When we finished the whole orchestra was smiling and clapping and looking at me. Then Maynard said "You're good kid." I was on cloud nine. I then heard someone continuing to clap. I looked out into the auditorium and saw my mom still clapping. She is the only one that can verify this story but it is true. I was the band president and after the concert I went on stage and gave Maynard a gift to remember us by. Everyone began to leave and followed the band members offstage. Maynard was already on the bus. I asked if one of them could get me an autograph. They said "Sure, go on up he will give you one." I got to go on the bus and there was Maynard laughing, drinking water. When I approached he gave me a big smile and told everyone on the bus "Hey, this kid can play." He autographed a t-shirt and concert poster I took off the wall at a previous gig. I still have them. (BTW, we raised of $11,000 for our club.) Years later after I got married, my wife was not familiar with Maynard. I heard he was playing with his Big Bop Band Noveau at Blue Springs(MO) High School and immediately bought tickets. She was blown away. After the gig I went down a hallway to get back stage. Somehow no one stopped me and I took my wife to meet Maynard. He was laughing and talking to band people back stage when I approached. I introduced myself and my wife and quickly relayed the above story. He said "Yeah, I remember that. That place had great sound. Wish we could play in places like that all the time." We shook hands and I thanked him for his time. When I read that Maynard had passed the first thing I did was pray for him and then called my mom and told her. She is only person that I can share my big experience with. Thanks for reading. God Bless!