Earl V. Wilson

Earl V. Wilson is the man who, sometime between 1940 and 1950, put on a show he called "phono hash and canned corn" to display his many phonographs. In his show he introduced countless school children to the beginnings of recorded music. The photo above is taken of his stage with some 30 phonographs set up for presentation. After a disabling car accident all but two of Earl's machines were sold. Two of them to our own Jim Noble who hopes to one day follow in Earl's steps.

The Final Finale

by Earl V. Wilson

Said an old, old man near the finish;
"I have lived for many a day,
My life has been one of fulfillment;
I like to think of it that way.

To be sure, I have seen rough water;
I have feared inevitable doom:
I wondered if someplace in Heaven,
There remained one empty room.
Bear in mind I'm not complaining,
On the contrary, things have been fine;
It's just that you're up and then down,
You don't go on one straight line.

I have felt that I was concerned,
That I shoudldknow when I was licked;

But invariably from out of no-where
Would come an idea that clicked.

So let me alter the picture a bit
Because there were better times;
When even a clap of thunder
Would sound like beautiful chimes.

My child!...let's call it bitter sweet,
Up and down will balance each other;
You'll tread these opposite levels in life;
It's nature...respect your Mother."

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