For years a sign hung next to the piano, painted on a piece of plywood in a variety of lettering style explaining "OUR ORCHESTRA IS not HERE SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY". This sign was originally commissioned for a tavern in Joliet, Il by the name of the Derby.
The Derby was owned by Char "the Irishman". He wasn't really Irish, but that doesn't affect this story. Char was a bit of a scavenger and trader by nature, having once traded some horses for a Stutz Bearcat which he then sold in a claiming race at the local fairgrounds because an automobile didn't seem practical at the moment. Char took odd jobs during the depression, and prohibition, to make ends meet such as driving the bread wagon, trading and recycling horses and whatever else a healthy man could do.
On one of his trips, an old tavern was being renovated, or perhaps razed, so poking around, he noticed the large backbar, complete with stage. He arranged to have the bar trimmings removed and transported to the Derby where they were installed with little modification. Customers were duely impressed with the gleaming hardwood, polished mirrors and etched glass light fixtures.
The Derby, however, was no place for musical entertainment, it was a neighborhood tavern where working men, police and firemen mingled with politicians and businessmen in an easy atmosphere to smoke cigars and share a drink. It began as a question and quickly progressed to a joke, what time did the band start? Regulars would make up show times for visitors passing through and spin yarns of the amazing talent that frequented the tiny tavern. But the idea of good-natured teasing depends which side of the joke you're on and some did not take kindly to waiting around for hours to hear a band that would never show.
Finally, an old buddy and painter presented Char with the sign to clarify the entertainment situation at the Derby. In lettering that gets progressively smaller the further one reads, much like a legal contract, the reality of entertainment at the Derby.
OUR ORCHESTRA IS not HERE - Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
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