My playing in the Army's Special Services Unit was divided into two areas. First, playing Country & Western music (which, playing wise, I had little or no playing experience) other than doing a few Square Dances while attending the High School of Performing Arts. I was introduced into the Country and Western music scene by playing with a great bunch of talented players in a group called "Pappy Burns and the Tune Twisters".

Second, I headed up to Stuttgart, Germany to join the Seventh Army's Special Services Unit playing in shows that not only featured Army personnel but, British female singers and dancers too.


Armed Forces Network (Munich)
Happy New Year

On the very first day that I joined Pappy Burns and the Tune Twisters, I was taken to the Armed Forces Network (AFN) in Munich, to join the group for my first appearance in their half hour afternoon broadcast. I was introduced as the 'Brooklyn Hillbilly'.

We toured many cities in Germany and were doing two radio broadcasts a week. One broadcast would be from the AFN studios in Munich and, the second from the closest Military hospital in the city we were performing in. Seems like only yesterday that the engineer who would travel with us would set us up in the largest hospital ward possible.

Pappy Burns was a career man (Sergeant First Class Horace J. Burns) and over the years we became quite close. One of his proudest moments was when he recorded with Patti Page. Some of my proudest moments were in just knowing the man and having him over my parent's home for a few days as he prepared for his very entertaining Bass Solo appearance on the then famous Ed Sullivan Show. I of course attended that evening's performance at the same Ed Sullivan Theater where David Letterman currently does his CBS nightly television show (Late Night). Pappy was also very proud of his brother, the late and great mandolinist, Jethro Burns who was also "the other half" of the great international Musical/Comedy Duo, "Homer & Jethro". Those of you not familiar with this great mandolinist or of Homer & Jethro will find plenty of material by Searching on Yahoo.

If by some luck, any members of The Tune Twisters happen to come across this site, PLEASE e-mail me. Here you are:

  • "Erby" - Rhythm Guitar
  • "Colonel" Tom Parker - Lead Guitar (Chet Atkins) (North Carolina)
  • Jim Clayton - Fiddle and Vocals (North Carolina)
  • Pappy - Leader an Bass (Georgia)
  • Robby Roberts - Steel Guitar and Vocals (Texas)
  • Stan T - Guitar (Brooklyn)
  • "Sheriff" Jenkins - Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar (North Carolina)


Waitin' to go on

After approximately six to seven months I went to Seventh Army Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. and auditioned for "Revue" type of shows. The personnel in these shows featured some of the Army's most talented Singers, Musicians, Comedians and Female Singers and Dancers from England. My role was twofold. I usually opened up a show with a trio (Accordion, Bass and Guitar), doing one to two songs.

After the opening, I would join The eight piece band to back up the entertainers. The names of the shows I was assigned to were: "Revue In Blue"; "Spring Fever"; and "Holiday For A Star". We traveled to many cities and with the "Holiday For A Star" show, we did one radio broadcast a week and made it into a contest among the military personnel which resulted in "the winners," winning a few days off for some fun time at the famous vacation city of Berchtesgaden, Germany. Garmish and Berchtesgaden were two of my favorite places to visit.

During two breaks between shows some of us flew to Amsterdam, Hollland and Paris. Prior to returning to the United States I vacationed in Italy and visited dear friends. So, if any of my buddies are by some chance reading this, please (please), e-mail me. It would be so great to hear from you. Here you are (those that I can readily recall):

  • Joel Camche A close friend, Terrific Pianist and Arranger.
  • Jack La Rocca A close buddy and Accordionist Extraordinaire.
  • Jim Kerr Pop Singer and close friend.
  • Joyce Mandre Singer(England)
  • Vin Van Emcee/Comedian.
  • Al callus Magician.
  • Dan Murano Opera Singer. (Baritone)
  • Jill Dunn Singer. (England)
  • Saul Jerdo Singer.
  • Bob Patrowskis Drums.
  • Gary Steel Tenor Sax.
  • Mike Elliot Bass
  • Don Summers Steel Guitar Extraordinaire.
  • Bill West Drums.
  • Windy Clown.
  • John (Joe?) Lombardo Alto Sax.