Concerts On the Lawn

Backgroom Gang  

The Backroom Gang was formed in 1970 at The Abbey, a pizza parlor on 14th Street in here Traverse City. It is now home of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Dennis Huntley, who played trombone, put an ad in the paper looking for musicians to form a band, and Dave Campbell showed up with his banjo, Paul Price with his cornet, Gary Routsong with his tuba and Linda Huntley was on piano. The only thing missing was a percussionist. The story goes that when Denny inquired if anyone in the crowd played washboard, Flip Sinkule, who was in the audience with his date, said that he did. Flip went to his car, brought in his washboard and climbed up on stage. He spent the rest of the evening playing with the band; his date went home alone.

Why is it called The Backroom Gang? The Abbery pizza parlor had two rooms. The front room was the "family friendly room" where no adult beverages were served. The Backroom was where one could also get alcoholic beverages. It does not take a genius to figure out where the band wanted to play. Hence, the Backroom Gang.

The present members, with their approximate ages and when they joined the band are..

Hal Fisher - Tuba (76), joined the band in 1975; former band master at Suttons Bay HS.

Don Frost - Drums and Washboard (79), started subbing in 1979 (although he was part of the band in Ann Arbor that became the BRG in 1966-69) regular member in 1985; retired OB-GYN.

Fred Szpzepanski - Piano and Lead Vocalist (67), joined the band in 2005; Music director for St. Francis Catholic Church in TC.

Bill Bramer - Clarinet (79), joined around 2005; worked at NSA and his job was so secret he forgot what it was.

Doug Hansen - Banjo and Vocals (65), joined around 2016; professional musician and classical guitar player.

Mike Hunter - Trombone (67), joined in 2022; well known trombonist and arranger and educator.

Kevin Smith - Trumpet (65), joined in 2023; music educator.

Jan Fisher (wife of Hal) and Kerry Secrist - Singers, joined in 1978.