Munch...

So, this is my Grandpa on my Father's side, my Dad's Dad. James Robert "Bob" Montgomery, nickname "Munch" origin of his nickname is unclear. Born December 13th, 1911 on the Lett family Homestead, south of Sandwich, Illinois. His Father, Ward Pease Montgomery, age 32. Mother: May Belle Fitzgerald Montgomery, age 30. (Ward Pease Montgomery was an talented musician and artist / illustrator).
1926-1928: Purchased first second-hand snare drum with $5.00 from paper route.
1928: Began playing dance jobs using his expanded drum set, added to during high school with money from the Fisher Bakery job in Aurora, IL.
1931: August, Contracted polio of the lower extremeties following a long hot day, having had a headache all day and playing a band job. Doctor Lindbergh, Osteopath, and his family aided him with fluids, fruit and massages. Recovered from polio enough to be able to walk independently and play drums - but never to run again.
October 22, 1932 his Band, The Fidgety Five, won first place in the district finals of the WLS Radio / Paramount Radio contest at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL, winning $75 and an opportunity to perform before a live audience on the air on November 20, 1932, at the WLS Radio Studios in Chicago, IL.
1932-1933: He and His Band played at small clubs like the Prima Gardens in and around the Fox River Valley, ala Geneva and Aurora, IL.
1935: November he Left Artie Collins' Band to play with Harold Menning's band.
In 1940 August 28 he Recorded on a Silvertone Label disc; "Exactly Like You" and "Medley: Whispering / On The Alamo / More Than You Know" with vocals by Bob on the Medley. The band he recorded with is unknown.
1941 in De Kalb, IL he went to work for Montgomery Ward's in DeKalb. He rented a room in the home of John and Martha McMenamin on Augusta Avenue. He befriended Victor McMenamin, son of John and Martha, and met one of Victor's sister, Barbara Jean. He would eat his evening meal at "Punk's Cabin", a tavern and eating establishment in downtown De Kalb. An evening meal at "The Cabin" cost $ .75 in 1941. Robert Married Barbara (my grandma, she turned 90 in October 2008) in 1943 while earning $35 a week. In 1946 my Dad was born. In 1978, March 12 My grandpa dies of prostate cancer, and is buried in St. Mary Cemetery, De Kalb, IL, on March 15. I was only 4 years old at the time, but I have some fond memories of BBQ's at the house in DeKalb, IL, laying on a blanket with him at a picnic beach party, playing with the drums in the basement & standing next to his hospital bed at the house. He was a great artist and I still have one of his piece from when he was in high school.

Sorry for the long boring post, I just came across the photo in my computer. Sorry to bore the Seven of you.

As of the time of the end of this post I am currently listening to "Weakness" by McRad from the "Public Domain" soundtrack 1988 (a skateboard video by Powell/Peralta)