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Show T ahc alt iikc (Tribune Siife Halloween Masks With Makeup W-- 2 Ki(h' Dilemma: Books s. Candy V-- 1 - l,ie She knew Biimh i record trail By Nancy Hobbs Lifestyle Writer Leo D. Palmer was once told that Metropolitan Opera tenors would be envious of the tones in his voice. The compliment came from none other than Lawrence Tibbett, baritone for the Metropolitan Opera for 16 years. Tibbett, as well as Edward Johnson, manager of the company at that time, asked Palmer to travel to New York for an audition with the opera. I was a young man, in debt clear to my eyebrows at the time. I couldnt afford the trip. I hoped to someday, but Im not a city guy. I had a farm to keep and a family to raise. They kept me plenty busy, Palmer says. Now, at 74, Leo D. has no regrets for his decision. He and his late wife, Lucile, reared eight children in a family where love, affection and music were most important. (The Palmers had 10 children. Two died in infancy.) Has Family Admiration Palmer, widowed seven years ago, is now the pinnacle of admiration by his own children and 104 grand- - and His first is a recent addition to the Palmer clan. Its nice when you can say you hold Intermountain heavyweight horse pulling competitions. the love and respect of all your children and grandchildren. t His Clydesdale horse team, Dan and Queen, is one of the strongest in local I think I do, Palmer said. competition, Palmer said. He trains That respect and admiration are due them daily by hitching them to a wagon in the music in a large part to having and traveling the streets of South home, Palmer believes. The demands Jordan. of farming crops, raising hogs and Raises Horses, Hogs of a herd and horses dairy keeping cattle also played a part in earning that After nearly 60 years of pioneering and farming, Palmer still accepts the respect. spread. Palmer placed the importance of a chores to keep up his Besides his Clydesdale stock, Palmer singing career behind the responsibilities of raising his family and owns 35 saddle horses and upwards of ranching. Even so, he found time for 75 hogs. the most rewarding thing in He turned down an offer to sell part of singing his life next to love, h . .confesses. his lower acreage for a race track and For nearly four years, beginning in golf course. That land is cattle pasture. the early 1930s, Palmer crooned as KSL Selling hay is a sideline job the Radios Lone Star Ranger on live amiable Palmer seems to enjoy. Cusradio broadcasts twice a week. He was tomers are new people to meet and a member of the Salt Lake Symphonic welcome to his home. Choir and debuted as a dramatic tenor Palmer says hes ready for some in a solo performance at Kingsbury time now, though. easy 1934. in Hall still got a lot of fire left in me, T.ve He became a popular attraction at you savvy? local nightclubs and rodeos where he But now I go to bed when Im tired sang Western and operatic selections. when Im rested. Sometimes and I knew 200 songs from memory that I getsoup feel heavily obligated with work it I could stand up and sing before a becomes burdensome. It used to be fun microphone, Palmer says, reflecting breaking horses; now its an effort. on the demands of an entertainment Even so, hell never give up his farm is an 50 almost That career years ago. and the mementos of his life there. accomplishment. Theres no price tag on those. Palmer doesnt remember how the Lone Star Ranger title evolved. It kept him personally anonymous in that role, although that wasnt necessarily his preference. n Voice Is Church friends and neighbors are well aware of Palmers musical abilities, however. His voice has congratulated newlyweds, mourned the dead and greeted friends around the state for decades. What he claims is an innate gift should not be guarded selfishly, Palmer believes. As long as even one person feels the power and feeling of his tones, the song is valuable. I was bom with my voice. I sang before I ever talked. Now I sing because I love it. I sing from my heart. I dont mean to be a braggadocio, but I think my voice is just as good as it ever was." As Palmer describes the skills of singing, he demonstrates the art of a . ' : , ? Well-Know- voice. well-traine- d vr nt' u i' rt vv : 4 t tr- V ' ; v.v r Yv.v i.i. l. ' LV-.e- , - Tones should explode," he says, finishing the phrase with the colloquial, You savvy?" that intersperses his speech. Singing takes a lot of intelligence, vitality and endurance. The musician writes the music, a lyricist writes the words but the singer has to tell the story. Album of Ballads - r ... H I t Palmer made his first professional of sabred songs in 1966, by an album of Western ballads in 1968. Both were on the Lone recording .i I followed ; Star Recording Company label owned by Palmer and his children. Century Music Company, Vallejo, Calif., is currently putting together three more albums of Palmers recordings. Palmer and his daughter, Rita (Mrs. Jack) McKee, South Jordan, spent several weeks in Vallejo recently recording 67 songs for album selection. Mrs. McKee, Palmers accompanist, has worked with her father for the last 40 years. They have practiced regularly, three days a week, throughout his singing career. Her father maintains the farm he and his bride bought when they married in 1923, Mrs. McKee says. Its one of few large farm areas in South Jordan that hasnt been sold for subdivision. Hi s still an spark in rommuni ty activities, fanny reunions and 1 !v. "V v A;'v ' , v f , f 5 il ; 'I "(I , ih i' ,, ; . v v , v 6; ? , vb r.v'; . v . ,v. ib ' V ' I. ; ci ' , -- ,., ' ? . i. - I il 'tt ;s J |
