Paul Karlstrom Papers, 1935-2014

By Rachel Johannigmeier and Celia Faux

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Collection Overview

Title: Paul Karlstrom Papers, 1935-2014

ID: 26/20/206

Primary Creator: Karlstrom, Paul (1920-2014)

Extent: 2.0 cubic feet

Arrangement: Organized into three series. Series 1 consists of band publicity and photographs, and is organized chronologically and/or alphabetically where this information can be identified. Series 2 consists of records from the American Federation of Musicians, and is organized by document type and then chronologically. Series 3 consists of correspondence and news regarding Paul Karlstrom's personal and family life, and is organized by subject.

Date Acquired: 08/23/2016. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Alumni, American Federation of Musicians, Big bands, Gaburo, Kenneth, Law, College of, Medicare 7, 8 or 9

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of publicity photos, promotional flyers, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and an LP sound recording documenting Paul Karlstrom's music career between 1958 and 2014. Karlstrom was an University of Illinois alumnus and former instructor at the College of Law. The photographs include handwritten descriptive notes that identify the individuals in most of the images. The photographs and documents also explore Karlstrom's musical experiences with many of the different bands that he performed with including the Everett Cathey, Red Maxfield, Andy Hasnon, Dick Shelton, Wayne Karr, Dick Cisne, Johnny Bruce, and Medicare 7, 8, or 9 ensembles as well as the Paul Karlstrom and his Orchestra dance band whose members included Robert Schallenberg and Ken Gaburo. In addition there are publicity photographs of various big band musicians dating between 1934 and 1954.

An addition to the Paul Karlstrom Papers was donated to the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music on May 18th, 2018 by David Monk. The addition consists of one folder of band publicity and photographs, nine folders of records of the Champaign Federation of Musicians (CFM) and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), a ledger book of dues paid to the AFM, and two folders of Paul Karlstrom's personal and family papers.

Biographical Note

Paul Karlstrom was born Jan. 3, 1920, in Peoria, the son of the Rev. Ossian Leanard and Mabel Olivia Karlstrom. His family moved to Rankin, where his father passed away in 1926. Mr. Karlstrom graduated from the University of Illinois in 1942 and was drafted into the Army. He was aboard ship with the intended invasion force when the atom bombs were dropped on Japan. After discharge as a first lieutenant with occupation forces, he entered the U of I Law School, graduating in 1950. He opened his law office in 1951 on the U of I campus. In 1950, he married Doris June Case of Arcola, who passed away in 1998. He had three sons, Ron, Scott and Kirk (Pam) Karlstrom; two grandchildren, Krista (Clayton) Overstreet and Kai; and one great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn. He was a member and president of the Champaign Exchange Club and a member of the Champaign Kiwanis Club, and served on the Board of Trustees of Augustana College in Rock Island for eight years. He was a member of the Champaign Chapter of the American Federation of Musicians since 1937, serving as secretary since 1966. He also served on the law committee of the International Musicians Union and was president of the Illinois Conference of Musicians. He taught law with the U of I College of Engineering for 27 years, retiring as lecturer emeritus. He was a member of the Illinois Bar Association and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He was a member and past president of the University Club. He was organizer and first president of the Campus Businessmen's Association. Mr. Karlstrom began his music career while in high school, playing trumpet at dances in the area with a small group from Hoopeston. Upon enrollment at the U of I in 1937, he found Champaign-Urbana to be a musician's paradise, with five or six full-sized bands playing for the many ballroom dances at fraternities, sororities, Huff Gym and many local ballrooms, including the rooftop of Robeson's Department Store. He also played summer venues in Colorado, Michigan, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Upon returning from the military in 1946, he formed his own band, Paul Karlstrom and His Orchestra, which continued until 1959. In later years, he switched to valve trombone and played a number of dates with Medicare 7, 8 or 9, and continued to play with the group Bud's Band, entertaining local nursing homes weekly.

He passed away on March 19, 2014.

Subject/Index Terms

Alumni
American Federation of Musicians
Big bands
Gaburo, Kenneth
Law, College of
Medicare 7, 8 or 9

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: An addition to the Paul Karlstrom Papers was donated by David Monk on 05/18/2018.

Access Restrictions: Box 2 is restricted to protect the privacy of performers connected to the Champaign Federation of Musicians and the American Federation of Musicians. Please contact the Director of the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music for futher information regarding access to this content.

Acquisition Source: Gift: Scott Karlstrom

Acquisition Method: Papers transfered from the Champaign County Historical Archives on August 23, 2016 with Scott Karlstrom's permission.

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Band Publicity and Photographs, 1834-2014

Consists of photographs, promotional flyers, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and an LP sound recording documenting Paul Karlstrom's professional involvement in music between 1958 and 2014. Publicity photos of big band musicians from between 1934 and 1954 are also included.

Box 1

Folder 1: Newspaper Clippings and Letters-Paul Karlstrom, 1958-2014: Includes article that includes picture of Paul Karlstrom and his Orchestra circa 1958 that includes Robert Schallenberg and Ken Gaburo.
Folder 2: Publicity Photos-Paul Karlstrom, 1934-48
Folder 3: Publicity Photos of Various Bands, Groups, and Individuals, 1934-54: Folder includes the identified following performers: Hal Denman; Dick Cisne Band; Everett Cathey's Band; and Red Maxfield's Band.
Folder 4: Publicity Photos-Various Bands and Groups, undated: Folder includes the identified following groups and performers: Ace Brigode and His Virginians; Adrian Rollini Trio; Al Donahue and His Orchestra, Al Sky's Band; Ambassadors of Note; Ben Bradley and His Orchestra; Bill Oetzel and His Orchestra; Bill Shelton and His Orchestra; the Blackwells and Their Music; Bob Norman and His Orchestra; Bobby Swain and His Orchestra; Boyd Raeburn and His Orchestra; Bud Roderick and His Orchestra; Byron Dunbar and His Orchestra; Carl Ravazza and His Orchestra; Chuck Bischoff and His Orchestra; Claude Hopkins and His Orchestra; Clyde Trask and His Orchestra; Dale Lyman Orchestra; Del Courtney and Mary Jane Dodd; Del Courtney and His Orchestra; Dick Cisne and His Orchestra; Doc Scott's Band; Don Adams and His Orchestra; Don Bestor and His Orchestra; Duke Ellington and His Orchestra; Eldon Baron and His Orchestra; the Five Jokers of Rhythm; the Frankie Leonard Orchestra; Gene Trimble and His Orchestra; George Olsen and His Music of Tomorrow; George Rank and His Orchestra; Grady James and His Orchestra; Homer & Jethro; Irv Given and His Orchestra; Jack Carson & the Rhythm Wranglers; Jack Russell and His Orchestra; Jack Everette and His Orchestra; Jack Staulcup and His Band of the Southland; Jim Current and His Orchestra; Ken Ketchin and His Orchestra; the Korn Kobblers and Their Orchestra; Larry Lonney's Band; Leon Vogel's Band; Leonard Keller and His Orchestra; Lyle Mitchell and His Orchestra; Marty Roberts' Big 4; Marv Mytar and HIs Collegians; Maxine and Her Orchestra; Noble Sissle and His Orchestra; Paul Kenney and His Orchestra; Phil Levant and His Orchestra; Pinky Tomlin and His Orchestra; Ramon Ramos and His Orchestra; Ran Wilde and His Orchestra; Ray North's Band; Red Maxfield and His Orchestra; Red Roberts and His Orchestra; Rhythm Rangers; the Three Sophomores; The Three Twins; Tony di Pardo and His Orchestra; Verle Bogue's Band; Walt Loftiss His Trumpet and His Orchestra; Will Bradley and His Orchestra; Will Osborne and His Orchestra; John Paddoch, George Morey, Joe Pagano, and Phil North; and Otto Henry, Henny K. Moha-Sidney, Harry H. Reifsteck, and Orville A. Leischner-Fisher.
Folder 5: Publicity Photos-Various Individuals and Vocalists, undated: Folder includes the identified following individuals and vocalists: Al Grabs (Drummer, Larry Lonney's Orchestra); Al Pierson; Andy Hansen; Ann Scott (Dick Cisne and His Orchestra); Ann Sheer (Wayne Karr and His Orchestra); Bernard Vance; Bill Karney (Dick Cisne and His Orchestra); Bill Otto; Bob Barnes; Bob Jackson; Bobbie Lee (Wayne Karr and His Orchestra); Boyd (Curly) Meyers (Jack Staulcup and His Band of the Southland); Carl Davis; Charles Brinckley; Charles Romine; Dick Crady (Dick Cisne and His Orchestra); Dori Glenn (Dick Cisne and His Orchestra); Dorthea Woods; Earl Leugoont; Eddy Duchin; Gabe Robinson; Gary Wilson; Hank Messer; Homer Alexander (Rual Forsythe and His Orchestra); Jan Honn (Dick Cisne and His Orchestra); Jan Savitt; Jo Pierson; Joe Berns; Joe McCartney; John Cranford; Johnny Moore; Johnny Rinaldo; Julie Murphy (Bob Norman and His Orchestra); June Christie (Bill Oetzel Band); Lorraine (Ben Bradley and His Orchestra); Mary Hadfield (Bill Shelton and His Orchestra); Mary Jane Dodd (Del Courtney and His Orchestra); Maxine; Ralph Copsy; Rita Kaye (Lu George and His Orchestra); Roy Ellis; Rual Forsythe (Rual Forsythe and His Orchestra); Sherrily Niles (Walt Loftiss and His Orchestra); Sherry Martin; Shirley Kruse (Dick Cisne and His Orchestra); Stan Sterbang; and Thurman Peague.
Folder 6: Newspapers and Flyers-Various Bands, Groups, and Individuals, 1939-94: Includes the following identified groups and performers: Chuck Granger and His Orchestra; the Three Twins; Tiny Hill; Lee Maxfield Orchestra; Marty Roberts; Rio Dial; Frank Jennings; Paul Mendenall; The Lehner Sisters; Mike Woolridge; Checkerboard Squares; Bob Norman and His Orchestra; the Hal McIntyre Orchesstra with Pete Bennett; Englund and His Orchestra; Richard Orr and His Velvet Music; Stan Kenton; Lawrence Welk; Les Brown; Harry James; Ray Anthony; Freddy Martin; Orrin Tucker; Sam Donahue; Woody Herman; LeRoy Anthony; Jerry Gray; and Medicare 7, 8, or 9 (with Tom Birkner and Dan Perrino).
Item 1: LP Once Over Lightly by Johnny Bruce and His Orchestra, 1970

Box 2: Restricted. Access through Archivist for Music and Fine Arts Only.

Folder 1: Correspondence, News, Photographs, and Documents, undated: Materials regarding Medicare 7, 8, or 9, and local music events

Oversize Portfolio Case 1: Photo Collage-Grand Lake, CD, Wayne Karr Orchestra, 1939

Series 2: Local and Regional Champaign Federation of Musicians (CFM) and American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Records, 1981-2005

Consists of one ledger book and nine folders containing contracts, project recommendations, correspondence, dues ledgers, member lists, and other records documenting Paul Karlstrom's work as secretary and attorney for local and regional chapters of the CFM and AFM

Box 2: Restricted. Access through Archivist for Music and Fine Arts Only.

Folder 2: Correspondence, Newsletters, and Documents, undated: Materials concerning local and regional chapters of the CFM and the AFM
Folder 3: American Federation of Musicians Contracts, 1994-1996
Folder 4: American Federation of Musicians Contracts, 1997-2000
Folder 5: American Federation of Musicians Contracts, 2001-2004
Folder 6: Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund Memos, Performance Schedules, and Correspondence, 1986-2004
Folder 7: Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund Project Recommendations, Contribution Submittals, and Payroll Agreements, 1991-1995
Folder 8: Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund Project Recommendations, Contribution Submittals, and Payroll Agreements, 1996-1998
Folder 9: Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund Project Recommendations, Contribution Submittals, and Payroll Agreements, 1999-2005
Folder 10: Dues Paid and Owed, 1993-1997: Ledgers and Records from the CFM and AFM
Folder 11: Records of Dues Paid to Champaign Federation of Musicians, 1973-1997: Cards recording members' dues paid and owed. Of particular note is John Garvey's membership card, containing a note documenting his resignation.

Box 3

Folder 1: American Federation of Musicians Ledger Book, 1981-1995: Ledger book contains union dues paid by AFM members between 1981 and 1989. Also included in the book is a photograph from the 1995 American Federation of Musicians Conference.

Series 3: Personal and Family Papers, undated

Consists of two folders of correspondence, newspaper clippings, certificates, and guest lists documenting the personal and family life of Paul Karlstrom

Box 2: Restricted. Access through Archivist for Music and Fine Arts Only.

Folder 12: Correspondence, Guest Lists, and News Clippings, undated: Materials concerning Paul Karlstrom Homecoming Jam Session Parties
Folder 13: Correspondence, News, and Documents, undated: Materials concerning Paul Karlstrom Personal and Family Life