Tom Obermeier

The Casaloma Ballroom and the Book of Dreams Tom Obermeier

Meet Orville Hatcher, born to a poor farming couple in Oklahoma, circa 1918. Orville was a product of his environment which included the dust bowl, a dysfunctional family, the depression and the Big Band era. His dreams included a little blonde haired girl, and swing dancing with that pretty girl. But when circumstances come in between him and achieving his dreams, he must make choices, and the choices he makes defines Orville as the person he becomes. In the pursuit of his dreams Orville travels to New York City and the Savoy Ballroom, Kansas City and its nightclubs, Los Angeles and the Palomar Ballroom, and finally, St Louis and the Casa Loma Ballroom. He meets Frankie Manning, Lester Young and Billie Holiday of the Count Basie Band. He seeks acceptance in the swing world of the 1930's and leaves a trail of death and devastation, affecting the lives of many, now and years later. Fast forward to 1999 and the vintage swing revival and discover what has changed in the world. Have we learned the lessons of the past or are we bound to repeat the same mistakes over and over again? Dreams can be wonderful rewards when fulfilled and terrible disappointments when unrealized. This is a story of how our dreams shape us as the dreams of a poor farm boy in the 1920's and 1930's shaped him and influenced others years later. Join Jerry Russell and Ann Brill in the third installment of their adventures together in The Casa Loma Ballroom and the Book of Dreams.