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| Central Florida Accordion Club Featured Member, December 2003 |
| Fran Reed |
| "ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I EVER DID WAS BUY AN ACCORDION AND TAKE LESSONS. HAVE MET SO MANY NICE PEOPLE AND GREAT ACCORDIONISTS THROUGH THE F.A.A. AND CFAC." |
Fran was born and raised in
Fulton NY, a small town
between Syracuse and
Oswego. Her musical
background includes piano
lessons at age 7, and violin
lessons the next year. She
was in the orchestra, chorus,
and the church choir. Fran
also participated in various
cantatas sponsored by the
combined Fulton churches.
I
Fulton NY, a small town
between Syracuse and
Oswego. Her musical
background includes piano
lessons at age 7, and violin
lessons the next year. She
was in the orchestra, chorus,
and the church choir. Fran
also participated in various
cantatas sponsored by the
combined Fulton churches.
I
Fran's maternal grandfather
played the 'fiddle' and an uncle
played the violin. "Many nights he
would come over and we both
played violin and Mom played the
piano. There was always 'live
music' in the house".
Fran is retired from the Orange
County Fire and Rescue division.
She worked as a permit analyst /
building technician.
played the 'fiddle' and an uncle
played the violin. "Many nights he
would come over and we both
played violin and Mom played the
piano. There was always 'live
music' in the house".
Fran is retired from the Orange
County Fire and Rescue division.
She worked as a permit analyst /
building technician.
| CFAC Meeting July 2003 |
| Fran is pictured here seated in the front row, third from left |
| Fran got a very late start playing the accordion. Friends from Fort Walton came to stay with her for the first Florida Accordion Association SMASH in 2001. They had a ticket for her and Fran attended with some reluctance and with lame enthusiasm. When she started listening to some of the fine musicians, her attitude changed. She found herself looking at the accordions for sale. Fran says "Over and over, there were trips to the parking lot to have one played so I could hear how it sounded". By the end of the evening, she decided to purchase a 72 bass Davido. Her friends thought she had lost her mind. Fran says "the next day when I attempted to play it, I had to agree with them". Late in January 2002, Fran called Vince Aleandri and he agreed to give her lessons at her home. "Vince is an excellent teacher. He deserves a place in heaven for his patience". Before the accordion came into her life, Fran tried to swim at least a mile each day at the nearby YMCA. That has been cut back, but remains her favorite form of exercise. |
| With Vince Aleandri, March 2003 |
| With Greg Taillon, June 2003 |
| Fran ventured 'out of the closet' and made her stage debut at the March CFAC meeting with teacher Vince backing her up. "I was petrified and my knees were locked together so tight you could not have slipped a paper between them -- not the best playing position". During the performance, her left hand could not locate middle 'C' and Vince covered for her. "Wow, what a nighmare that was". In June, Fran's son along with several friends took her to Chapter's to hear the "Porchdogs". Greg Taillon, the band leader, asked her to sit in and play a set with them on his 48 bass Hohner. Fran was not familiar with Zydeco / Cajun music, but she played chords and had a great time. Fran is a regular at CFAC meetings and enjoys performances by the members. "This always puts me on a high so that I come home and practice. Can't figure out whether 'Destin', my Yellow Lab, is singing with me or getting even for leaving him alone all evening". "SONNY TIRPAK HAS COME BY AND PRACTICED WITH ME A FEW TIMES, WHICH HAS HELPED. SYLVIA AND TOM YOST HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTING ME TO AND FROM ALL THE MEETINGS AND OTHER ACCORDION FUNCTIONS. THANKS TO YOU ALL........." |
