Person Record
Images
Metadata
Name |
May, Bill |
Role |
Banjoist |
Places of residence |
Kentucky |
Sphere Of Activity |
William Clark May was born on October 2, 1924 in Dayton, Kentucky. His parents were Hugh and Florence May. He was the youngest of three children. He was raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, graduated from Highlands High School, and signed up for the Army Air Corp on his 18th birthday in 1942. He served in the 8th Air Force, rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant, flying B-24 Liberator bombers over Germany, completing 35 missions, then being honorably discharged in August of 1945. Bill along the way learned how to play guitar. The story of his taking on the banjo was that he found his father's banjo, a Tubaphone, 16-fret, Fairbanks tenor, open back, made by the Vega Banjo Company up in the home attic. To bring the banjo connection into this story, his father, whom he never knew, since his parents divorced before he was born, was his father, Hugh May, who was a Coca Cola Company employee, and was also a professional, banjo player who had his own band, the Saxobanjo Orchestra. Hugh was quoted in the 1919, July issue of Cresendo Magazine, stating his band was meeting with great success in, Newport, Kentucky. Hugh states, "It may interest you to know by using Vega Banjos, I have the best jazz music in Cincinnati and vicinity, continuing, Vega Banjos are the best on the market and I heartily endorse Them". Bill didn't state how his father's banjo ended up in the home attic area. Bill was raised with music in the home. His mother, Florence worked for the Baldwin Piano Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well playing in the evenings in local movie houses for the silent movie showings for extra income. Music was part of growing up. His grandfather, John A. Kleinbeck, a tailor, and tenor, performed in local area operas along with Bill's uncle, Tony Kleinbeck. Bill's grandmother, Barbara Kleinbeck played piano in local programs. Bill's mother's sister, Barbara Kleinbeck was also an accomplished piano and organist. She lived in the May household for awhile. Bill had the music influence throughout his growing up years. Bill was a left-handed person, thus played the banjo, guitar, french horn, and cornet. He also played the piano and organ. Bill's older brother, John May after serving in the U.S. Army as a Captain, went on to play drums and xylophone for the Clyde Trask and Russ Morgan Big Bands. Bill continued to work the tenor banjo and even teaching the tenor to his best friend from high school, Jack Mader. Bill had an idea to make a tape with Jack Mader, on tenor , a local gal friend on tenor, with Bill on tenor to record just a few numbers and sent it to Arthur Goodfrey for his listening consideration, since Mr. Goodfrey was known to play a little banjo himself. Bill eventually met, Mary Pegan and married then both, adopted their first child, son, Ernie in 1956, then their second, a daughter, Peggy in 1958. Bill was employed by the Formica Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a Personnel Foreman. In 1961 Bill was transfered to Sanford, Maine, to be an assistant plant manager. While in Sanford, Bill met Paul Moran, a very good tenor banjoist, Frank Morgan, a blind, very good piano player, Eddy Small, a very good plectrum banjoist, and Charlie Airey, a stand-up bass player. By this time Bill had switched to plectrum. He put these men together and formed his band, the, BanjoAires. Bill located a club called the Moustache Cup in downtown, Portland, Maine. The BanjoAires, performed every Friday and Saturday night. The BanjoAires even played for the Govenor of Maine, John Reed. Bill eventually was transferred back to Cincinnati at Formica. Relocating to his home town, Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Bill formed his Cincinnati version of the BanjoAires, playing for various fund raisers, private parties, and events on both sides of the river. His version of the Cincinnati area group was comprised of his mother, Florence, on piano, his son, Ernie, on plectrum, best friend Jack Mader on tenor, Jim Casey on plectrum, trombone, and piano, Bill Clery, plectrum, and Phil Stikeletter on tuba. Events included performing on the Belle of Louisville during the race with the Delta Queen for the Golden Antlers to Coney Island, an amusement park up river. In 1970 Bill went to his first, Banjorama in Sacamento, California. In 1974, Eddie Peabody was playing at the Lookout House in Covington, Kentucky. Bill knew Eddie from previous banjo events including the Sacramento program and FIGA conventions. Bill was present for all of Eddie's performances at the Lookout House, even the last night of Eddie's performing career. Bill states that Eddie had broken a string while playing a number. Eddie left the stage to change the string. When Eddie returned to the stage, Bill noticed Eddie's banjo was not in tune. Shortly into his next number, Eddie fell to the floor. Eddie was rushed to a local hospital, where he passed early the next morning. Lookhouse management asked Bill to gather all of Eddies belongings for Eddies's, son who was on his way anyway to catch up with his father in Covington. Lowell Schreyer referes to Eddie's last night in his book about Eddies life via's Bill's account of the event. Bill attended the 1974 Sacramento, Banjorama, where he was billed first on the program. Again, Bill was called again to transfer to a new position as a plant manager for Formica, in Frankfort, Indiana. While in Frankfort, Bill made contact with banjo player, Jack Davis, the, Banjo Man. Jack was playing at a Shakey's Pizza parlor in Indianapolis. Bill filled in for Jack on a number of occations. In January of 1975, Bill was asked to play for the 62nd Annual Chamber of Commerce dinner. Bill called on his tuba buddy, Phil Stikeleather from Cincinnati, to bring his 81 year old mother, Florence to come to Frankfort for the program. The Frankfort version of the BanjoAires were Bill, his mother, son, Ernie, and Phil. The program was featured the next morning on the local radio station, WILO, as well a featured article in the local paper, the Frankfort Times. Bill attended other events as the 1973 FIGA convention in Chicago, the 1976 rally in Asheville, North Carolina, the 1977 FIGA, where he and Perry Bechtel played together on their B&D Ne Plus Ultra #6's. Bill and his wife, Shirley had moved to Pearl River, New York, due to Bill's transfer as the new Labor Relations manager for Lederly Labratories. Bill and Shirley came back to manage the 1978 FIGA convention in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Carrousel Inn. At this time, Bill was serving a two year term as a FIGA Board member. Bill finally retired in, 1981, purchased a 71 acre farm in Peach Grove, Kentucky, where he and Shirley moved to begin the life of leisure. Sadly, Bill's retirement was only to last a short time. Bill passed on October 25th, 1985, at the age of 61. Bill was and still is a large influence to his son. The memories of family jam sessions, concert programs, listening to various recordings, remain constant even today. Bill May's left-hand plectrum is still playing in his families memory. Copy by Ernie May, son of Bill May |
Mother |
Florence May |
Father |
Hugh May |
Related Records
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Fretted Instrument Guild of America FIGA News May/June 2000 L. J. and Del Brown - Periodical
2004.094-0023
Record Type: Archive
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