30 - Interview with Richard Birkemeier: The Americus Brass Band Then and Now

The Early American Brass Band Podcast

Episode 30 is our conversation with Dr. Richard Birkemeier of the Americus Brass Band. We discuss the historical Americus band from Georgia as well as the current Americus Brass band, their past recording projects, movies and tv shows, and touring shows.

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Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress.

Episode Structure:

• 2:00 - Richard's musical background and how he got involved with early American brass bands

• 5:52 - The beginnings of The Americus Brass Band at Cal State Long Beach, acquiring instruments

• 9:24 - The Historical Americus Brass Band from the 19th century

• 18:25 - African American brass bands after the American Civil War

• 22:14 - Why the present day Americus Brass Band chose to model themselves after the historic band

• 25:30 - Movie and TV projects the Americus Band was involved in: Gettysburg, Glory, North and South

• 30:49 - Specific stories about North and South and Glory. Recording Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and Disney's Hidalgo

• 37:18 - Recording Music of the Civil War, the album's reach and impact

• 43:29 - Americus' touring shows

• 48:49 - Response to the touring shows

• 58:05 - Where you can find more about the Americus Brass Band

• 59:01 - Closing thoughts

• 1:00:45 - Featured Album: Americus Brass Band, Music of the Civil War