About Ice Follies music conductor Paul Walburg

The following dialog is taken from an interview in 1999 with guitarist/studio-musician, Jay Graydon.

(Mid 1970's) "When the Ice Follies or Holiday On Ice show came to town each, once a year for two weeks performing at the Forum), along with a full time conductor, they carried key players (lead trumpet player and rhythm section minus guitar). As to augment to a 'big band', many of the players in the Valley College stage band were called for the gig along with some top notch pros. I played this gig twice a year for about three years. Only one rehearsal before the first show and I clearly remember the first rehearsal (the first time I played the gig) since I learned two things quickly - how to play in 'cut time' as well as how to fold and turn pages quickly".

"This gig was non stop reading! On the weekends, there were two shows on Saturday, and three on Sunday. The other nights were single shows. I can't remember if there was a night off. As much as the gig was serious work and a total burn out on the weekends, the musical education was priceless!". "Since the shows traveled to some towns where they could not pick up quality musicians, before the season started, Paul Walburg (conductor for Ice Follies) would 'pre record' stuff like guitar parts and any other key parts per instrument."

"After the first year on the gig, Paul called me as to record the important guitar featured stuff. The sessions were intense since so many styles of music needed to be recorded in a short period of time. The instruments used were electric guitar, steel string acoustic, gut string acoustic, banjo, mandolin, and other odd plectrum instruments. When playing the Holiday On Ice show, the traveling piano player was Bobby McFerrin!  Yes, the incredible singer himself!"