VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Festival missing sidelined Olympia stars

By LARRY VAUGHT
Sports Editor

If you have ever been to the Great American Brass Band Festival and are going back this weekend, you should notice something missing.
Actually, there will be two Brass Band fixtures missing.
Edgar Smith and Ernest “Doc” Watson are the only two out-of-town musicians who have performed in the first 13 festivals as part of the popular Olympia Brass Band. 
However, both will still be back in New Orleans Saturday when Olympia makes its traditional march in the parade and then closes the evening with its special style of music that so many have enjoyed over the years here.
“Danville is one of my favorite trips,” said Smith via telephone from New Orleans. “It’s so much fun every time. I’ve never missed and never wanted to miss.”
Watson undoubtedly felt the same way based on how he always enjoyed himself here.
Physical problems forced both Smith and Watson to stay home today while younger musicians boarded a plane for Danville. Watson has had a back problem. Smith has a lung problem.
“I almost passed (died),” Smith said. “I’ve been in the hospital a lot since the festival in Danville last year because I’ve been real sick.
“I kept thinking I might get better in time to come back to Danville, but it didn’t happen. I cherish all the years I’ve been to Danville. I have so many friends there now.
You can’t help but make friends there because all the people are so friendly from the time you arrive until you leave.”
Fortunately, I’ve been able to count Smith and Watson as friends. I’ve been able to help transport the Olympia Brass Band during their weekends here for several years. 
That has given me the chance to see the personal side of the talented, fun-loving musicians.
It also taught me that many, including Smith and Watson, know a lot about sports. Once they learned I was sports editor here, they always shared their varying views on different sports teams and stars with me. Over the years we had some lively discussions that I certainly was looking forward to having again this weekend.
“We did have some good conversations,” Smith said. “It’s part of what I like about being out. You get to talk to people, and almost all of us in the band also love sports.”
Smith predicted the Olympia Brass Band would put on another crowd-pleasing show this weekend. He regrets he won’t be at the church service Sunday morning and be able to see familiar faces, including the Rev. Norman Hagley.
“Rev. Hagley was such a good guy and always had wonderful sermons. I think he always fretted about whether we would show up on time, but he was a joy to work with 
and even now that he’s not in charge of the service I was still anxious to see him,” Smith said. “The church service and the Saturday night picnic when we could really let loose were really special.”
Smith’s commitment is something young athletes should copy. The Olympia Brass Band is over 100 years old and he feels compelled to help younger musicians extend the band’s legacy.
“It’s up to people like me and Ernest to make sure the band keeps going,” Smith said. 
“We both came out of the same neighborhood. He played rock-n-roll and I played some other music, but he got me into New Orleans music and we’ve been together ever since.”
Smith wished they were going to be together here this weekend. Unlike some spoiled athletes, he takes commitment seriously and likes to play where people are
expecting to see him.
“I’ve not slept some nights knowing this (festival) was on the agenda,” Smith said. “This is one trip I really wanted to make. I’m not hurting physically, but I’m hurting mentally.
“We all like going where we are wanted. It’s like a sports team playing in front of the home fans. It was always so heartwarming to come to Danville because of the people 
we knew and it’s the people who make the festival what it is. Everybody tried to accommodate us and we always tried to give them a show they would remember.
“Missing Danville is a hard pill to swallow. We’ve been to every one. Maybe the Lord is just trying to tell me and Ernest to slow down. No one had a better time in Danville than us. But tell everyone I’ll be back. I’m down, but I’m coming back.”
Words only a true champion can utter — and mean.

This story ran in the Advocate on June 13, 2003.