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2.02.2014

A Most Pedantic Legacy

“Little Jackie Waller” was a Vaudevillian child star who took his first baby steps on the boards of theater stages across the Midwest. His babysitters were bare-breasted showgirls and his guardians were alcoholic clowns. He sang and danced both in minstrel shows and as a solo act, but his normal shtick was to interrupt the adult acts with wisecracks and stunts while winning the hearts—and cheers—of the audience.

He was diminutive, red-haired, and freckle-faced, the epitome of the Huckleberry Finn All-American boy, a new and popular archetype in the late 19th century. Was it in the Palace Theatre in Cincinnati or the Madison Theatre in Peoria that he enjoyed his first standing ovation, received his first hugs and kisses from a large-bosomed patroness, or read his first glowing newspaper notice? I have one such item; it’s the only physical reminder I have of him...



There is no known recorded or oral history of his parents. All that has been passed down is that, as the eldest, Jackie was forced to give up his musical career at the age of 11 to support his mother and siblings after the unexpected death of his father. Through his life he tried his hand at many things: a lineman, an electrician, and an inventor, but he never gave up music as a way to make extra money. He was a raw, uneducated musical prodigy. He had absolute pitch, sang and danced, wrote music, and mastered any instrument he cared to pick up, but he preferred playing drums and piano. And part of his act included playing the piano with his toes. I grew up hearing these stories from my father, a professional musician who wanted more than anything to keep his father’s legacy alive.

Intrigued by the stories my dad told me, I tried to mimic Jackie, teaching myself to play the piano upside-down, my arms crossed over my head, and by writing normally with my right hand while simultaneously writing in mirror image with my left. I inherited many of his talents, but I never mastered playing piano with my toes. I like to believe he would be proud of me all the same.

I only knew my grandfather for a few years, and I remember only about four of those. He died of cancer when I was barely eight years old, but I’ve always been fascinated with him. Perhaps it’s because I was the only of his grandchildren who looked like him. Perhaps it’s because I too was a child prodigy and loved learning to play musical instruments. Perhaps I was merely captivated by the legend he left behind. Perhaps it's because I'd simply like to play the piano with my toes.

Mag 205

19 comments :

  1. He had Tinkling Toe Syndrome! Awww, I love your Grand Dad now. Thank you for this.

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  2. Wow, talk about family history..and keep practicing playing that piano, I'd love to see that when I show up.. lol

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  3. One of my sorrows is that I never met your dad. I would have loved to have heard him tell these stories.

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  4. Ville: You loved my dad, who was just like Granddad. I know you would have loved him too.

    Gerald: I doubt I'll ever master it. Hell, I doubt I'd ever get close!

    Lynette: I wish I would have asked him more questions while I had the opportunity.

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  5. A wonderful legacy!!
    Your grand dad reminds me a lot of my dad, but my dad couldn't play the piano with his toes.

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  6. What fascinating genealogy, and what an amazing musical legacy. I find it interesting that you have inherited his musicality. My own father could play drums, coronet and clarinet. Music skipped a generation with me, but my son is inclined to play clarinet and guitar. Following in grandfathers footsteps. Enjoyed your story, nice tribute!

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  7. Rel: I think it must be a lost art form. ;) Thanks for stopping by. I love your writing!

    Ginny: Thank you. I come from a family of profession musicians and pursued my own musical career for many years. These days, however, I've turned my hand to writing about music and musicians. Thank you for leaving a comment--I love seeing new people here!

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  8. An inspired bit of biography; very well done.

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  9. I am from that neck of the woods and never heard about his person. Thanks for educating me!

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  10. Berowne & Gail: Thank you so much!

    Bekkie: My grandfather was originally from Creston, Iowa, but he also lived in Kansas and California over the years. He never attained "the Big Time", but I think he would have if he hadn't been forced to go to work at such a young age to support his family. Thanks for pooping in!

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  11. Thanks for sharing this glimpse into your family. I can't play an instrument and I so admire those who can.

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  12. This is absolutely captivating!

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  13. Lovely, Stef... My grandfather died when I was about five and was also a bigger-than-life character. He was a race horse trainer and, like you, all I have of him is a newspaper clipping. I really enjoyed reading about yours.

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  14. An enjoyable story! My father played most instruments by ear but toes is a challenge indeed!

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  15. Absolutely delightful...a pleasure to have you at Magpie, SK...

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  16. Really interesting, thank you for sharing.

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  17. Thank you all so much. I'm seriously overwhelmed!

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