juliet golbert - western swing society · juliet golbert& the heifer belles billy smith 1-3pm...

GUEST BAND September 3, 2016

Volume 35, Number 9 September, 2017

Juliet Golbert&

the Heifer Belles

1-3pm

Dry Creek

3-5:30pm

2017 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Officials & Staff ............ 2

President’s Message ...... 2

Jam-A-Rana Report ....... 2

Fundraiser Dinner Dance ... 3

HOF Profiles .................. 4

Mike Gross Album Review 5

Upcoming Bands ........... 5

Thank You Volunteers ...... 6

Winners ......................... 7

HOF Get in Free ............ 7

Board Mtg Invitation ..... 7

HOF Bands List ............. 8

Web Master Article ....... 8

Membership Application. ... 8

Thank You, Bands ............ 9

August Board Minutes ... 9

Special Hotel Rates ........ 9

A Toe Tappin’ Time .... 10

Celebrate! ....................... 11

Cut A Rug ...................... 12

Fun Times ...................... 13

Other WSS Orgs .......... 14

Join the Jama-A-Rana .. 14

Oorah! .......................... 14

Monthly Music Sessions .. 14

W H A T’ S I N S I D E

Billy Wilson

Pat Rowe

Chuck Cusimano

Chris O’Connell

Hollie Lane Williams

Larry G. Anderson Larry Park

Dan Whitney

Richard Chon

Chet Hastings

Gary J. Blodgett

Billy Smith

THIS MONTH’S FEATURED

HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

(Go to Page 4)

Bob Melbourne Bing Nathan

Jammers, don’t

miss our next

dance. The jam

room was a big

success again in

August. Come on

in and look me up

to get you up singing or playing.

Until Next Time, See Ya

Tony Arana (Jam Room Host)

WESTERN SWING SOCIETY MUSIC NEWS September, 2017 -

Western Swing Society Music News

is published monthly by the

Western Swing Society

Views and opinions expressed by con-

tributing authors are not necessarily

those of the editorial staff or the Socie-

ty.

Submitted articles, publicity notices

and letters not relating directly to the

Society or its members may be pub-

lished at the discretion of the Editor, as

space permits. The staff reserves the

right to edit any and all items submitted

for publication.

Deadline for Submittals:

All items, photographs, articles, and

ad’s are due to the Editor no later than

the 10th of the month.

The Western Swing Society

P.O Box PO Box 2474

Carmichael, CA 95609

westernswingsociety.net

Facebook: SacramentoWesternSwingSociety

Founded in 1981 by Loyd and Perry Jones

to enable performance, preservation and

perpetuation of the unique American art

form known as Western Swing Music.

Officers:

President, Bill Seabridge (916) 635-9310

Vice-President, Chuck Webb (916) 689-9546

Treasurer, Edward Burhans (916) 225-3645

Secretary, Olen Dillingham (916) 645-8878

Other Directors:

Tony Arana (775) 971-3070

Rex Barnes (916) 704-1566

Ronnie Elkan (916) 765-4345

Linda Michael (916) 870-7463

Dave Rietz (916) 806-0520

Staff and Committee Chairpersons:

Decorating Chair, Rex Barnes

Equipment and Staging, (open)

Historian, (open)

Jam Room, Tony Arana

Membership Director, Chuck Webb

Music Director, Ronnie Elkan/Doug Weiss

Newsletter Team: Editor, (open)

Layout and Publication: Ronnie and

Shelley Elkan,

Photographer: Donald deMars

Public Relations, Rex Barnes

Raffle, Bob and Virginia Kuykendall

Scholarship, Ronnie Elkan

Slide Show, open

Sound Engineer, Gary Blodgett

Website, Dave Rietz

JAM-ARANA REPORT

Hello out there.

Well after last

month's guest

band played at

Western Swing,

"Amazing Grace"

has taken on a secondary meaning.

Grace Clark and Swingitude skill-

fully played some old school west-

ern swing and made it sound so

sweet! I heard alot of "likes" from

the crowd and noticed a bunch of

dancers on the floor. Follow that

performance with the talented

sound of Bill Enyeart and Dry

Creek and you have the makings

of a perfectly divine Sunday after-

noon. So thanks to all these gifted

musicians who donate their music

every month to the cause.

And speaking of supporting the

cause, be sure to purchase your

tickets early for the Western

Swing Youth Fundraiser on Thurs-

day, September 28th (kicking off

our Hall of Fame weekend). We

are looking into establishing a

band of young people to play a set

of music at our dances (before the

guest band). The success of this

fundraiser is a yardstick as to how

far we can go with this project!

Western Swing music has been

around for almost a century now; a

highly respectable period of time.

It developed in the 1920's in rural

Texas and spread rapidly through-

out the southwest. Stringed bands

playing barn dances brought hard

working neighbors together on a

Saturday night for some social and

recreational escape from the

drudgeries of a long week. In the

1940's and 50's, a big band era

evolved and the people flocked to

big dance halls in large numbers

Continued on page 7

From the PRESIDENT

tel:%28916%29635-9310

tel:%28916%29689-9546

tel:%28916%29%20922-2299

tel:%28916%29645-8878

tel:%28916%29%20806-0520


BING NATHAN Inducted October 2, 2016

BOB MELBOURNE Inducted Oct. 10, 1984

Robert Bing Nathan was raised in Chicago, Illinois.

After studying double bass with Stuart Sankey at the

Aspen Festival, and in New York City, Bing attend-

ed the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he

played in the orchestra, conducted by Igor Stravin-

sky! Since moving to the Bay Area in 1965, Bing

has played Western Swing with Don Burnham and

LOST WEEKEND Western Swing Band, as well as

with artists John Shine, Notes From The

Undeground, Bravo, Rockin’ Daddy, Cool Poppa,

David Grisman, Ulysses Crockett, Darby Slick, Sad-

dle Cats, Macy Blackman & the Mighty Fines, and

also several symphony orchestras.

In 2015, LOST WEEKEND Western Swing Band

celebrates its thirtieth anniversary.

The seminal LOST WEEKEND Western Swing en-

semble, formed in 1985: Don Burnham, guitar;

Bing Nathan, bass; Keith Baumann, mandolin &

dobro; and Tony Marcus (who suggested the band

name), fiddle. I cobbled this combo together for a

weekly gig at the legendary San Francisco bluegrass

club, Paul’s Saloon.

In short order, the original LOST WEEKEND quar-

tet morphed to include Bing Nathan on bass, Bobby

Black on steel guitar, Jim Rothermel, reeds, with

Kevin Wimmer, Paul Anastasio, and Jeremy Cohen

ultimately handling fiddle chores. The Tuesday

night job at Paul’s Saloon stretched for over four

years; LOST WEEKEND garnered a reputation re-

gionally, and in 1991, for a pivotal gig at the San

Francisco Jazz Festival, I mated LOST WEEKEND

with my horn-centric NEW CENTURY JAZZ

BAND. The resulting show group became known as

the modern LOST WEEKEND Western Swing

Band.

Mark Holzinger joined on lead guitar, and Shota

Osabe, piano. The LOST WEEKEND band has rec-

orded four albums of classic and original/

contemporary Western Swing music, and the re-

cordings have received accolades nationally, and

beyond.

I like to quote the legendary Dewey Balfa who is

credited with observing: “A tradition is preserved,

Continued on page 6

1957 – Bob Melbourne began playing drums profes-

sionally with “Bob Ron Trio” in Chico CA. He

made numerous casual appearances for local organi-

zations. Weekly TV (KHSL, Chico). He played ac-

cordion, upright bass and drums and the type of mu-

sic was pop, swing, and Scandinavian.

1958-1962 – He joined local Chico union – played

in the “Continentals Band”, lead singer was Mike

(O’Day) Calkins. They played Rock ‘N Roll and

country for concerts and teen dances throughout

Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Cana-

da. The highlight during this time was a record con-

tract with Cadence Records and performance on the

Ed Sullivan Show. During this time he appeared

with Ray Charles, Rafael Mandez, Sons of the Pio-

neers, the Checkmates (LTD) and Dave Lewis.

September 1962 – July 1963 – He joined the U.S.

Air force; underwent basic and technical training.

July 1963 – July 1964 – He was assigned to a re-

mote site in Galena, Alaska. He formed his own

band called the Yukons and played country, rhythm

and blues and played on several clubs at military

and civilian sites and villages throughout Alaska.

August 1964 – January 1965 – He was assigned to

Panama City Florida where he played in a jazz trio

at the Holiday Inn.

January 1965 – January 1967 – He was in a house

band at the Bahia Beach Party and Playboy Club on

the beach, playing Rock ‘N Roll, Rhythm ‘N Blues

and Country Rock. During that time performed

with Jack Huey, Johnny Bell, Joe South, Wayne

Majors, Bobby Goldsboro, etc.

February 1967 – July 1969 – He was assigned to

Wichita Falls, Texas and was in a Kenny Brewer

house band at Sam’s Place, playing Country Swing.

Performed with Bobby Atwood, Woody Maddox,

Frank Starr, etc. and the following bands; Herb

Dooley and the Lucky Pennies, Leon Miller and the

Miller brothers, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys,

etc. Also performed with the following musicians;

Bob Wills, Bobby Boatwright, Tommy Bruce, Leon

Gibbs, Tag Lambert, Eddy Music, Delbert Clark,

Continued on page 6


UPCOMING BANDS

September Juliet Golbert & The Heifer Belles

Sep 28th Fundraiser Dinner Dance—2 Bands

Sep 29-Oct 1 3-Day Hall of Fame Celebration

November Eddie Burr & The Western Swingers

December Jim Baughman or Shelley Elkan

January

Check out Barbara Martin’s

http://www.wsmonthly.com/subscribe.html

ALBUM REVIEW by Mike Gross

Album: Welcome to Our

Vermont

Artist: Rick and the Ram-

blers

Label: Airflyte

Rick Norcross and his wonderful Western

Swing Band from Vermont have just issued

this super CD of 14 tunes, eleven of these

from a previous release of the CD with the

same title. Rick is also heard on lead vocal

and also wrote most of the tunes. Also heard

on vocals are Taryn Noelle and Dave Rowell.

Jamie Lee Thurston is guest vocalist on Wel-come to Our Vermont and Hardwick 1961.

The other three tunes from other previous

issues are Shelburne Yesterday, Green Mountain Standard Time and You Can't Get There From Here. The

album also features fid-

dle wizard Doug Reid

and the lap steel, piano

and accordion of Charlie MacFadyen. Dono

Schabner is the lead guitarist, Ian Koeller is

heard playing drums and Dave Rowell also

plays bass.

Also included from the previous release are

Rick's What Goes Around, I Rode the Ti, Paint it Like a Cow, Riding My Guitar, You Can't Make it Up, A Grill, A Bumper, Four Headlights & A $50 Bill, and LeRoy Preston's

I Heard the Highway. The remaining gems

are Here's Yer Hat, What's Yer Hurry and

from Bobby Troup's Route 66 Rick's adap-

tion, You're in Heaven. The album can be obtained for $15 plus $2.50

shipping and handling from Airflyte Records, 216

Battery Street, Burlington, VT 05401.

Mike Gross, KSEY-FM, Seymour, TX & KTNK-

AM, Lompac, CA & www.swinginwest.com

Come Join The Fun At

The Western Swing Society’s 36th Annual

WESTERN SWING HALL of FAME

MUSIC FESTIVAL Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 1, 2017

Machinists’ Hall, Rancho Cordova, California

THREE DAYS OF DANCING

AND LISTENING FUN

A Dozen Great Western Swing Bands

Morning and Night Jam Sessions

For Listening and Dancing

Hall of Fame Inductions on

Sunday, October 1st, 12:45 pm

On-Site Beverages

Lunch available Friday through Sunday,

courtesy of American Legion Post #709

Special Western Swing Room Rates at

La Quinta!

http://www.swinginwest.com

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!


Bob Melbourne Continued from page 4

July 1969 – July 1970 – He was assigned to

DaNang Viet Nam. Played country music in the

Gunfighter’s Band for numerous benefits for USO

associated functions and appeared in several clubs in

and around Viet Nam, performing with Red Sovine,

etc and Korean and Australian musicians.

August 1970 – September 1971 – He was assigned

to McClellan AFB, Sacramento California. For the

next year, he played in the Will Miller Time Band,

band members; Will Miller, Jimmy Fox and Larry

King at the Black Stallion in Sacramento. During

this time, he also played with Jimmy Synder at the

Maverick in Sacramento, Susan Raye at the Wood-

lake Inn, and the 40 Grand numerous times with var-

ious groups.

October 1971 – October 1972 – He was assigned to

Munich Germany for a year and played with Chuck

Hermann and the Western Playboys. He performed

with several German entertainers, such as Hank

West, Ed Henderson, Nipso Brantner, Mary Koeh-

ler, Sandy Foster, Kurt Rankl and Hans Urich.

November 1972 – July 1975 – He was assigned to

Wiesbaden, Germany. During that time he played in

the Sam Travis and the Rhythm Mavericks in Mili-

tary & Civilian clubs throughout Germany. He rec-

orded an album at the Studio Waldorf in Frankfurt,

West Germany and performed with a number of

German entertainers, such as; Morica Hoffman, Bill

Hoffman and those mentioned earlier. Included

were American entertainers, Tony Booth, Dave Dud-

ley, Red Sovine, Jimmy Dickens, Hank Thompson,

Hank Locklin and Stony Edwards.

July 1975 – October 1976 – He was assigned to

Riverside, California and played in a house band at

the Grands in Redlands, California, performing with

Gary Lambert, Joe Mayfus, Milt Meyer, John DeAr-

mon, etc. He also made appearances in various clubs

in and around San Bernadino County.

February 1979 – September 1984 – He was again

assigned to McClellan AFB, Sacramento, California

and played in the Will Miller Band, with band mem-

bers; Will Miller, Dave Purtell at the Black Stallion,

Pine Acres Resort, Detour Inn & Tiddley and Tex’s

Saloon. During this time, he also performed with

Little Jimmy Dickens and Dave Dudley.

Continued Next Column

Wands Jackson, Bobby Barnett, Herb Remington,

etc. Played monthly for Texas State Mental Institu-

tions and assorted community fundraising activities.

1983 – As Bob put it – “Took a long-needed vaca-

tion”

1984 – He was playing with the Dennis Barney

Band at the Country Comfort Lounge at the corner

of Bell & Raley Blvd and the Nashville West.

Bob Melbourne retired from the Air Force on 1 Oc-

tober 1984 with 22 years of service.

Bing Nathan Continued From Page 4

one generation at a time.” I reckon the LOST

WEEKEND band has shouldered its share of our

Western Swing tradition in the band’s remarkable

run.

As trail boss I don’t want to “play favorites” regard-

ing my stellar colleagues, who have each contribut-

ed mightily to the success of LOST WEEKEND for

over three decades.


Sunday, September 3, 2017

Juliet Gobert & the Heifer Belles FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT AND DANCING

President’s Article continued from page 2

as our society became more urban, especially follow-

ing World War II.

Glen Miller, The Dorseys and Benny Goodman filled

huge venues in the metropolitan areas, but not to be

outdone, some Kings of Western Swing like Bob Wills

and Spade Cooley drew even larger crowds from San

Antonio to Bakersfield. They added a horn section and

threw in some percussion to keep up with the times

and "music to dance to" has never seen a better era

since. Our goal with this fundraiser is to expose young

people to this infectious style of music in hopes of per-

petuating this "good-timin’” genre for years to come.

So pull out your credit card and go to our website or

eventbrite.com to order up a couple of tickets. Enjoy a

dinner, a dance and a Thursday night of our own social

and recreational escape with great music and old

friends!

Lastly, a thank you should never be implied. It is re-

quired to be expressed by the law of respect. So Thank

You so much to our hard working volunteers that

make our first Sunday of the month a reality. Folks

like Linda Michael, Eleanor Ford, Don deMars, Ron-

nie and Shelley Elkan, Tony Arana, Chuck Webb, Rex

Barnes, Dave Reitz, Olen Dillingham, Cyndi Lee,

Gary Blodgett, Edd Burhans, Charlie Hull, Bob and

Virginia Kuykendall, not to mention Bob, Melody and

Cora! Without these wonderful people showing up

every month, you'd show up to closed doors. They

contribute more of their time than the people on the

stage so let's not take them for granted. At the next

dance let them know how much they are appreciated

and shake a deserving hand.

Next dance we have Juliet Golbert and The Heifer

Belles. I hear this is an estrogen dominated band that,

like the Donner Party, proves that women are the

stronger of the species! We're looking forward to it

ladies! See you on the dance floor.

Board Meeting Invitation

You can attend the Society’s monthly Board meetings;

first Sunday of each month starting at 10:30 a.m. in the

Machinists Hall in Rancho Cordova.

VOLUNTEER for FREE ADMISSION

To the HALL OF FAME FESTIVAL

Volunteers don't pay for the days they work.

See Janet Jimenez or Jetta Riley for details.

WINNERS!

Please assist the ladies at the door by having your

RED MEMBERSHIP CARD in your hand as you

enter the Hall. Thank you for your cooperation.

BIG REQUEST!

http://eventbrite.com


WEB PAGE REPORT If you see this guy, Dave

Rietz, please thank him for the

incredible work he is doing on

our website:

(westernswingsociety.net).

If you haven’t had a chance to

visit it you’re missing out!

Dave is entering a complete list of Hall of Fame

members going all the way back to 1981 when our

organization was founded. It is a huge task that

takes up many hours of Dave’s time. Part of what he

is doing is retyping biographies so that they can be

put into the web page. If you have typing skills and

would like to help out we could use all the help we

can get. You can do as much or as little as you

would like and it would be a great help. Contact

Dave Rietz or Ronnie Elkan, Thanks

APPLYING FOR MEMBERSHIP AND NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION

Submit the following information in a note with your check to:

The Western Swing Society, P.O. Box 2474, Carmichael, CA 95609:

Name(s), mailing address, email address, and telephone number.

Fees (make check payable to Western Swing Society)

Individual Membership, $15 per year.

Couples Membership, $20 per year. (one address only).

Dues renew every July.

If you join during any other month, your membership fee will be prorated to align with the July renewal.

You will receive a color version of our newsletter via email. Paid membership also includes reduced admission fee at

Society music functions, and the right to vote in Society elections and on proposed By-Law changes.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

11:00 - 12:00 Chuck Hayes Tribute Band

12:15 - 1:15 Tony Arana & the Jamroom Band

1:30 - 2:30 Bill Enyeart & Dry Creek

2:45 - 3:45 Shelley Elkan & Bite the Bullet

4:00 - 5:00 Ray Poe & Pickin' Time

5:15 - 6:15 Charlie Hull & The Country Swing Playboys



9:00 - 10:00 To Be Announced

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30


12:15 - 1:15 Tony Arana & the Jamroom Band

1:30 - 2:30 Ray Poe & Pickin' Time

2:45 - 3:45 Bob Woods Swampbilly

4:00 - 5:00 Geoff Miller & the Sactown Playboys

5:15 - 6:15 Gary Campbell & the Stardust Cowboys

6:30 - 7:30 Robby James & Streets of Bakersfield



SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1


11:15 - 12:15 Shelley Elkan & Bite the Bullet

12:15 - 12:45 Setup for Awards Ceremony

12:45 - 2:15 Awards Ceremony

2:30 - 3:30 Saddle Cats

3:45 - 5:00 Hall of Fame Band

5:15 - 6:15 Gary Campbell & the Stardust Cowboys

2017 Hall of Fame Band Line-Up May be subject to change

THANK YOU, BANDS!

WESTERN SWING SOCIETY MUSIC NEWS September 2017 -

SPECIAL RATES AT LA QUINTA 15 rooms being held for us at a price of

$85 per night!

(916) 638-1111 11131 Folsom Blvd, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Between Kilgore Rd and Sunrise Blvd

WESTERN SWING SOCIETY BOARD

MEETING MINUTES

August 6, 2017 10:49 AM

Roll Call: Board members present: Ronnie, Rex,

Chuck, Edd, Olen, Bill, Tony and Linda

Guests: Don deMars, Shelley Elkan

Approval of Minutes: Minutes approved

President’s Report: The President handed out lists

of board member’s responsibilities and discussed a

system for sharing monthly duties.

Treasurer’s Report: July was a good income month

that included collections for membership and the

upcoming fundraiser. He noted that we earned

$0.17 in interest on our savings for the month.

Public Relations: Logistics of the Buck Ford fund

raiser event discussed.

Newsletter Report: none

Scholarship Report: none

Music Director’s Report: none

Web Master: Web page is up and running and the

newsletter is included.

Unfinished Business: none

New Business: Edd reported that the Sacramento

Traditional Jazz Society supports its youth band by

having a hired conductor. The board will continue

discussion at future meetings.

Adjourn: 11: 40

FOOD AVAILABLE

Thank you to the American Legion Post

#709 for providing us with delicious hot

food at our monthly dances!

September brings crisp

mornings and flaming

color to our trees. A

time when nature is

preparing to rest

through the winter.


A TOE TAPPIN’ TIME

CELEBRATE!


CUT A RUG!


FUN TIMES!



OTHER WESTERN SWING MUSIC

ORGANIZATIONS/MUSIC HAPPENINGS

Bakersfield Country Music Museum, P.O. Box

81623, Bakersfield CA 93380-1623. Call 661-366-

6003 24/7 for more information.

Buck Ford & Pure Country Band: Check Web-

site for schedule, http://www.buckford.com/

calendar/

Canadian Western Swing Music Society, Con-

tact: John York, 3565 Cambridge St., Vancouver,

BC, Canada V5K 1M3. Phone 604-299-2301.

CA Old Time Fiddlers Association, Meets 2nd

Sunday. Orangevale Grange on Walnut Avenue in

Orangevale, CA. www.cbaontheweb.org/

region_details.asp? Region 2

Cowtown Society of Western Music, Contact:

Joe Baker, Membership Director, 575-808-4111,

106 Roswell Street, Ruidoso, New Mexico 88345

Greater Arizona Country/Western Swing Associ-

ation and Hall of Fame, Inc. PO Box 953, Dewey,

AZ 86326. Contact Jim Gamble at 928-458-0714.

Lincoln Highway Band, 4th Sunday of the

month, 1-4pm, VFW POST 4647, 3300 U Street,

North Highlands, $5.00 cover charge. For more in-

formation call (916) 580-7390.

Northwest Western Swing Music Society,

Contact: Jeannie Yearian, President, 21221 174th

Ave. SE, Renton, WA 98058-9740. Meets 2nd

Sunday www.nwwsms.com

Sacramento Jazz Society, NOON to 5:00 at Elks

Lodge #6, 6446 Riverside Blvd. and Florin Rd.,

Sacramento, CA 95831. $8 for members and $10 for

non-members. Meets 2nd Sunday.

Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest,

PO Box 644, Shattuck, OK 73858. Meets quarterly.

JOIN THE JAM-A-RANA

The Jam Room is a great success and a lot of fun.

Time often runs out on the main stage for guest per-

formers but that doesn’t mean you can’t strut your

stuff. Come on back to the JR where Board mem-

ber, Tony ‘Jammin’ Arana is in charge. Bring your

instrument, voice, fans, or whatever and share your

talent. We’d love to hear you.

OORAH!

We couldn’t be more proud to have this handsome

marine, Dennis Ford, in the house! We know Jim

Ford is a proud papa and Eleanor is likewise a very

proud grandmother!

Driving Instructions to MACHINISTS HALL: From Hwy 50,

take the Sunrise Blvd. South exit and cross two lights (Folsom

Blvd. and Trade Center Drive). After crossing Trade Center, be

in the left lane and take the next left turn which is Citrus Road.

You will see an Enterprise Car Rental lot in front of you. Turn

right into the driveway just past Enterprise. You’ll see our sign,

and you are there. Park, come in and join the fun.

MONTHLY MUSIC SESSIONS

The Western Swing Society holds a music and dance

session on the first Sunday of each month, featuring

guest bands and artists and jam sets.

1:00 pm to 5:30 pm at The Machinists Hall

2749 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova, CA*

Donation: $5 for Members; $8 for Non-Members

For information, browse to

www.westernswingsociety.net *The address is Sunrise, but the driveway is on Citrus.

Gail Nelson and

young Dennis Ford,

named after his

grandfather.

Proud papa,

Jim Ford, and

grandmother,

Eleanor Ford.

juliet golbert - western swing society · juliet golbert& the heifer belles billy smith 1-3pm...

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