Mystery calliope songs

Jon, I don't have a clue as to the names of those two delightful tunes and will anxiously await the announcement of the of winner of the Snickers Bar Grande. But I want to say that the calliope on the Belle sounds as perfect as a calliope should or could sound in this video and I do love the sound of a calliope. The folks in charge of the Belle are to be commended for maintaining this wonderful instrument and Dave Morecraft, a living legend, should also be commended for building this magnificant instrument.

Jon, the second tune sounds like a variation of "If You Knew Susie". Never heard the first one before. Nice video, though.

John, you're right in that the second song shares almost the exact same chord structure as "If You Knew Susie!"

Ted: I couldn't agree more about the quality of Dave's work, which is all due to the amount of care and detail that go into each instrument he makes. The steam pressure on the BELLE's calliope is a bit much for my taste, especially at the riverfront with all the close reverberations. But if you're right up by the whistles with earplugs in or earphones on, it sure sounds sweet!

Are these the little known introductory verses to very familiar tunes?

Good guess, but no. Here's a hint: both tunes were written specifically for the calliope!

Guess you've stumped the chumps. The only sort of written for calliope tunes I know of are the Queen Rag and Caliope Rag, but those tunes don't match. Are these older tunes, fairly new compostions, and/or maybe written for circus calliope?

Lexie is spot on! The tunes are both "new," one more than the other. The first one was written by our own Capt. Clarke "Doc" Hawley, sometime in the late 50s. Still taking guesses on the name of the tune for that big Snickers bar!

The second tune was written by yours truly for the Great Circus Parade this summer in Milwaukee. It's called "Play that Ol' Calliope." Both of these tunes are unique in that they are designed to take advantage of the 32-note range of the steam calliope.

Jon, that is a very fine tune you composed! I enjoyed trying to "Name That Calliope Tune" even though I was completely clueless on both of them since I don't recall ever having heard either of them before this.

Thanks for the kudos, Jazzou! I'll be adding another Doc Hawley original soon, one that genuinely has no name. But the answer to the first song still awaits!

Oh, let's see...The Avalon Romp, Tramping on the River Rag, Jazzy Paddlewheel, The Doc Two Step....?

One last hint: it's named for the two main notes of its primary melody.

G, G sharp? Or GG? That's if the video is pitched right. I would have guessed CC before listening to the video. I thought of a few other titles: Doc's Holiday, I Can't Believe I'm Getting Paid To Do This Cakewalk.

And the answer is (drumroll please)....

"GA-GA"

Doc first played this song on the AVALON fifty years ago and he named it after the white keys used in its main melody. It's a very simple two-part melody with no verses but a darned catchy refrain!

Lexie, all fantastic names! Might use one of them for the third song, to be uploaded shortly. I'll upload both the original recording and my new recording of it - which, unfortunately, will only be on my digital keyboard rather than the real thing.

There's been some interest in "Play That Ol' Calliope," so here are the words:

I want to go to that show
where steam whistles blow
So please, Perfessor,
Play that calliope!

Hold on to your hats:
a Nichol or Kratz
will play sweet music
Oh me oh my-o-pe!

Now circus folks
might call you a dope
if you don't say it
"cally-ope"

But there is only one way
makes sense to me,
So play that ol' calliope!

If anyone would like a lead sheet with the melody, lyrics, and chords, email me or PM me and I'll send you a PDF.