THE J. A. MACKE ORCHESTRA

by J.E. (Butch) Macke

Entry T73 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

The Macke Orchestra 1930's L-R - Frank, William,
Keith Orris, Leo, J.E., Cecile and Joe Macke

The J.A. Macke Orchestra started in Coon
Rapids, Iowa in 1920 with seven (7) or more
members, with others joining later.

Members and instruments played by the
original orchestra were - J.A. Macke -
Violin, Frank Macke - Drums, Bill Macke
- Banjo & Saxaphone, Carrie Sumner -
Piano, Keith Orris - Trumpet, J.E. Macke
- Saxaphone & Clarinet, Leo Macke -
Trumpet, Harold Sumner - Banjo, Windy
Ocletree - Trombone, Doc. Churchill -
Clarinet.

They played Square Dances, Waltzes and
Fox Trots.

Some of the numerous places in Iowa where
the orchestra played were - Coon Rapids.
Bayard, Casey Audubon, Gutherie Center,
Menlo, Exira, Carroll, Panora, Stuart, Viola
Center and Phancler. At Phancler they had
a woman's fight right on the dance floor,
which was something. Hair pulling and
swearing.

We played for the Grant County Fair dance
at Hyannis, Nebr. in 1930. Oren Keller
booked us to play.

The Mackes moved to Nebr. in 1931 due
to better climate. J.E., Bill & Cecile Macke
started playing in and around Mullen, Nebr.
in 1932. We played for many barn dances and
also at peoples homes.

Later the following players joined the
orchestra, with their instruments, at Mullen
- J.A. Macke - Violin, Frank Macke -
Drums, Bill Macke - Banjo & Saxaphone,
Cecile Macke - Piano, J.E. Macke -
Saxaphone & Clarinet, Leo Macke - Trum-
pet, Don Macke - Saxaphone & Clarinet,
Laurence Jones - Banjo.

The Macke Orchestra played in the follow-
ing Nebraska towns, Mullen, Hyannis, Ash-
by, Seneca, Halsey and other places.

Some of the music we played were: - Beer
Barrell Polka, Waltz You Saved For Me,
Baby Face, Missouri Waltz, Five Foot Two,
Margie, Happy Days Are Here Again, Mona
Lisa, Jealous Heart and many, many more.