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In
the area in front of the main entrance to the prison there was a
nice band stand. On Sundays the prison band, entirely composed of
inmates, would put on a band concert. There were benches nearby and
the local people and their friends and guests would enjoy an hour or
more of good music.
The
players, dressed in snappy uniforms would emerge from the inside of
the prison walls and line up and march one block to the east gate of
the reservation where Duffy's Post was located, and then return to
the band stand for the concert. They usually played a John Phillip
Sousa march while parading. They had programs printed for the concert
and offered a nice variety of selections. They would also have a few
vocal selections by soloists.
Many
years later, when Clinton Duffy was the Warden, the prison band was
offered a weekly spot on KFRC radio of San Francisco. It was quite
popular and featured a three minute talk by the Warden. Naturally,
their theme song was "Time On My Hands". At the time they
held the highest "Hooper Rating" on the air. They broadcast
from inside the prison.
Author:
William J. Duffy, Jr.
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