for the orchestra. Even though the genre of music, had largely fallen out of favor in popular culture. Key to this success, is that the band held a virtual monopoly on big band music between St. Louis and Nashville during this timeframe. 1973-1989 In 1973, Staulcup achieved his dream of having his orchestra perform at the famed Roseland Ballroom in New York City for a several week engagement. Unfortunately, this was at a low point in both the ballroom's and New York City's history. Staulcup found the area around 52nd Street crime infested, and had his wallet stolen during his time there. On the returning plane trip, he suffered a heart attack. Upon landing in Paducah, he immediately was taken to a hospital, where he recuperated over several weeks. The band kept going during his absence. Staulcup returned to the band, but was limited to a few vocals, and mainly served as a front man who often mingled among his fans during the performance. In May 1985, Jack Staulcup died at age 77, after a lengthy bout with pancreatic cancer. His widow, Ethel Staulcup, kept the band going for several years. The band was now fronted by Bill French, a long time sideman. Mrs. Staulcup had viewed the band as a source of supplementary income. However the hassles involved, and the decreasing number of bookings, made the venture more trouble than it was worth. Several issues were at play: The style of music had very little of a remaining market. Most of the musicians were now retired educators, with lucrative pensions, who viewed the band as nothing more than a weekend hobby. The dedication of French to conduct the business side of the operation was drawn into question. Another issue was the aged Dodge extended van, that served as the band bus. The van presented a potential civil liability to the Staulcup heirs if an accident would occur. Upon advice of her son, Mrs. Staulcup decided in 1989 to cease operation of The Jack Staulcup Orchestra. Legacy The legacy of The Jack Staulcup Orchestra is that it operated continuously for 60 years, when many of its more famous contemporaries disbanded, or at least took a hiatus, at the end of the big band era. The orchestra provided big band dance music, to a region of the country, where live performances of the genre were otherwise unavailable. Recordings The recordings of