The Rescues of the "Madam Laura" Band Organ

Here is a wonderful segment from the January 2008 episode of SOUTHERN ROUTES from WKNO TV in Memphis, Tennessee. This segment features the story of two rescues of "Madam Laura" , the 1890's Carousel Organ, first by Paul Eakins, and then by his grandson, Chris Carlisle, some 40 years later. This segment was so successful that a whole 30 minute episode was aired in April 2008. You can see more about "Madam Laura" and many more band organs,other mechanical music machines and recordings at WWW.BANDORGANMUSIC.COM. Special thanks goes out to Debbi Robertson and Vincent Astor for all of their hard work in producing this great segment.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• band organ
• fairground organ
• paul eakins
• gay 90's village
• gay 90's melody museum
• madam laura organ

[anglerfly]

Why did you erase your video of it?

[kazombie]

@anglerfly Someone put a nasty remark on it...besides, it wasn't meant to be a permanent video... as I get it in better playing shape I will add more videos.

[anglerfly]

Its called madam laura because of the wife

[kazombie]

Yes.....My grandfather named it after his wife, Laura.

[Wurlitzer157]

Do you have actual footage of this beautiful organ playing?

[kazombie]

Yes, I sold about 20 books of music out of the 44 I got witht he machine..but I had Aurthur make some new books.....he did all of those, However I do have some recordings of some of the older books that were not made by Aurthur Prinson.

[acoustics101]

What a great story-and not that far from home!

[Modeltnick]

What a great story! I remember this organ when it was at Bellm's Cars of Yesterday in Sarasota, Florida.  The Bellms were friends with the Eakins' and Walt Bellm ended up with several of the Eakins machines. Walt passed away about a year ago and is really missed by all who know him. Thanks for the great story. Who would have known the story?

[GermanStreetOrgan]

Who carved her??

[Wurlitzer157]

@anglerfly

Lucky you, he just got Hot Lips Hooligan!

[Wurlitzer157]

@kazombie

Who?!

[anglerfly]

@kazombie Its in very good shape, I don't really know what happened to it, BUt I think that I don't know who put a nasty remark on it ( Maybe because its out of tune ) But its fine, madam laura is ok.

[anglerfly]

Were do people find paul Eakins organs for sale?

[JFrancescon]

What a great story!