RAIN WASHES OUT CONCERT BUT NOT TRIBUTE TO BANDSMAN HOMER GILBERT

Lightning flashed and sprinkles that became a drum beat of rain began falling as the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band played "Thunder and Blazes March" Wednesday night.

That's how "Homer Gilbert Day" began. Despite the rain, it ended with a standing ovation for the trumpet player from both his band mates and drenched members of the audience.

Gilbert, who will play his last concert for the band next week, was honored at the Capaha Park Bandshell for his 72 years of membership in the band.

The rain drove all but diehard audience members away or to nearby shelters but the band played on, at least for awhile, to get to Gilbert's honors.

"Usually if there's one drop of water we're out of here," said conductor Ron Nall.

State Sen. Peter Kinder was there with a resolution in Gilbert's honor passed by the Senate. Mayor Al Spradling III also presented a proclamation declaring "Homer Gilbert Day" in the city.

"It's appropriate that you are Mr. Muny Band," Spradling said,

Another honor came from Hillary Schmittzehe, executive director of VIP Industries, who thanked Gilbert on behalf of "the orthopedically handicapped community." Besides being Mr. Muny Band, Gilbert has been well known for fitting orthopedic shoes.

Schmittzehe said his work was especially valuable during the polio epidemic of the 1950s.

Finally, Nall and the band presented Gilbert with a collage drawing depicting him through his years of being a dance band leader and member of the municipal band. The drawing was by Margaret Randol Dement, creator of the city's "Wall of Fame."

"When we retire, we depend on our memories," Gilbert told the remaining audience. One of his memories, he said, is of being a member of "one of the finest municipal bands in the nation."

Another is of his grandson, whom he taught to play music.

Because of the rain, Gilbert didn't get to play his scheduled solo in "Original Dixieland Concerto," and he didn't get to hear his grandson, Nashville singer-songwriter John Ramey, perform as the evening's special guest.

But he did conduct another appropriate march, Sousa's "The Thunderer."