Kings of the Grandstand

Kings of the Grandstand
© copyright 2015

Contact Info:
Billy Kemp - 615-947-7183
billykempmusic@gmail.com

Release date: September 1, 2017

Composer: Billy Kemp and Jeni Hankins
Publisher: Willbilly Music, BMI- Lulu Wall Music, BMI

Piano - Billy Kemp
Banjo - Billy Kemp
Horn Arrangement - Billy Kemp

Billy's Notes:

When I was growing up my Dad would take me and my brother to the horse racing tracks in the Baltimore area. We would go to beautiful Bowie, lovely Laurel and pretty Pimlico. I was always struck by the horses, the jockeys, the colors, the sounds as well as gamblers themselves. There were two areas for the horse players, the clubhouse and the grandstand. The clubhouse was enclosed with heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer and fine dining. The grandstand was open air, exposed to the elements. There were bleachers you could stand on and cheer your horse on to the finish. Between the clubhouse and grandstand was an area called the paddock, where the horse players could take a close look at the horses. This was where the jockey, the trainer and the owner would go over last minute strategies and the jockeys would mount up. They’re off…

Note to DJs

Kings of the Grandstand (5:28) Slow to medium rubato arrangement for voice, piano, banjo and a horn section at the finish line. Nostalgic, heartfelt, dream-like and fuzzy. A reflection on classism at Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore.