BILL FRENCH BAND WILL PERFORM HERE

Bill French is looking forward to his band's return to Cape Girardeau.

The Bill French Band is comprised of members of the former Jack Staulcup Band, a noted orchestra from past years that made appearances at several night clubs and hotels throughout Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky.

"Many people recall the Staulcup band," said French during a visit to the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau recently. "Every member of my band played with Staulcup at one time or another."

French's band will play at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau for a dance sponsored by the Rotary Club on March 28.

"The Bill French Band is the old Jack Staulcup Band," said Robert I. Morrow, who is chairman of the annual dance.

Staulcup played regularly at the Purple Crackle Club in East Cape Girardeau, Ill., the Rainbow Club at Springfield, and the Irvin S. Cobb Hotel in Paducah, Ky., playing tunes ranging from "The Blue Danube" to "Old Mona" or "Alley Cat."

Staulcup, who played his music for more than a half decade, died in 1985, but his big band sound lives on through the French band.

A lot of the tunes Staulcup played are still in the 600-plus repertoire of the French Band.

"There has been resurgence of the big band sound and dance music like we play," said French. "We're playing before larger crowds, and we're receiving bookings."

French's band makes regular appearances at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., a private club at Birmingham, Ala., and a monthly appearance at Herrin, Ill.

"We usually see a few Cape Girardeans at the Herrin, Ill. appearance," said French. "It'll be nice coming back home," said French. "We're on the road so much."

French played with Staulcup in 1941 and 1942, and later played occasionally with the Staulcup Band in 1946 and 1947.

When Staulcup died in 1985, he had several bookings on schedule, said French. "We kept the band going until all the commitments were filled."

The Band later became the Bill French Band.

"We have a heavy schedule of appearances," said French. "Within the next month we'll play in seven states."

French said all of the band members were retired.

"Our youngest band member is 63 years old," he said.