Stardust Ballroom Opens in Harmony House Restaurant, Venice, Florida

Big Band Sounds From New Stardust Ballroom, Venice Florida


In 1958 Mickey Ashley's dance band played for my 14th birthday party. We cleared out the garage on Bayou Road in Greenville, Mississippi and danced to the tunes of Stardust, Tenderly and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. I was mortified that my father and his friends would be invading my space since my generation was clearly into this new kid from Tupelo by the name of Elvis. Remember the days when you wanted your parents to disappear?

Now a hundred years later I'd give anything to have that night back and listen to the music performed by Mickey (my Daddy), Uncle Barbee on piano, Big Boola Woods and Raymond Schultz. I was so excited when I read today's Herald Tribune article about Harmony House Restaurant in Venice opening a dancing ballroom.

Stardust was my father's favorite song and brings back so many memories. Daddy gave up his first love "music" in 1945 for stability and a regular job, playing gigs on the side returning to Greenville. He had to leave Greenville, as a youngster when the 1927 Mississippi River floor, forced families from their homes. His first professional job playing his sax was in a tent show at $20 a week traveling the southern circuit.

Several years later, with one suitcase and $3 in his hand, Daddy hitchhiked 755 miles from Wheeling, WV to New York City. He held a job as dishwasher during the depression and played with a rinky-tink band in a Brooklyn burlesque house. Two months later, without a job (the band folded), he walked down Broadway and saw a fine looking gentleman on a corner. It was the day's famous trupet player and bandleader, Clyde McCoy. Daddy chased Mr. McCoy to a pool room and invited himself into a game of pool that landed Daddy a job with Mr. McCoy playing his sax, recording records including the renowned Sugar Blues. He lived his dream. Few musicians did in those times.

One of Daddy's students of music in the Mississippi Delta plays Stardust for me when I visit the area. It will be wonderful to experience the Stardust Ballroom regularly to hear the music of a bygone era. Kudos to Harmony House Restaurant and the residents who came up with the idea. I hope to meet you in Venice and dance to big band music and the "wa wa" sounds of Clyde McCoy.

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