1964-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1964 September Voice | Page 10

PROFILES ^ SOUNDS OF THE CELEBRATION peAT"^ from dixie Featuring JIMMY RICHARDSON By Gloria L. Spencer There are many distinct sounds of the Celebration . . . the clip- clop of the horses hooves, the com­ mands of the riders to the horses, the voice of Emmett Guy over the microphone, the rumble of the ap­ plause from the stands . . . but, one sound that is ever constant from the minute the flag horse goes through the gates until the last class has been tied ... is the sound of the Hammond Organ from the center of the ring. This is an ac­ cepted tradition of the Celebra­ tion ... so natural that without it, the Celebration would not seem the same. And behind this sound is a man, who for 18 years has been providing music for horse shows all over the country, Mr. Jimmy Richardson. Jimmy Richardson was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, 39 years ago and has been playing the piano for 30 of those years. About 18 years ago he purchased a Ham­ mond Organ, specifically for his horse show activities and is still playing this same organ. It has 10 been transported over one-half mil­ lion miles to horse shows from Miami to Canada and from the Eastern coast to Kansas City. Jimmy plays for Gaited and Walk­ ing Horse shows alike. The spec­ tators tap their feet to his rhythm, the horses as they are walking or cantering seem to be keeping time with the music, but Jimmy has learned to change the tempo of any melody he plays to keep a steady beat with the horses feet. Jimmy does not own any sheet music, but rather learns from lis­ tening to a song played or hum­ med. He plays most popular and country music, changing styles during a tune to keep pace with the showring activities. He grew up going to square dances and says that it is a rare coincidence that the Walking Horse gait and the square dance step (also so very popular in this Tennessee area) are very identical. Among his many other activi­ ties, he operates the Nationwide Insurance Agency in Shelbyville; owns and operates the Shelbyville School Bus System; he has a Ten­ nessee Real Estate License and is a partner with his brother, Fred Richardson, who renovates antique organs and pianos. Also, he and his brother own a private recording label, MARCILE, that has eight lp albums that are custom pressed using R.C.A.’s finest materials. They have plans to establish direct dealorships to record shops in towns throughout the country. The records now in circulation are: “Jimmy Richardson and His Swing­ ing Hammond Organ,” Jimmy Richardson Plays The Organ Ten­ nessee Style,” “Silver Anniversary Music,” “Jimmy Richardson Ram- blin On The Organ,” “Jimmy Ri­ chardson and Sounds of the Cele­ bration,” “Sweet With A Beat, “Jimmy Richardson Plays Santa Claus Songs” and “Jimmy Richard­ son Plays Just Plain Ole Organ.” Jimmy is married to the former Margaret Brown from Charlotte, North Carolina. They live in Shel­ byville with their two children; VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse