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Pictured in the front row, from left, are David Rohall and John Simmons. In the back row, from left, are Rick Hardy, Larry Balsamo, Diane Cumbie, David Casagrande (a founding member, who left the band in 2012), Ken Mietus and Greg Hall. Not pictured is Brian Davenport.
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Macomb Says Farewell to the EndNotes

April 22, 2014

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MACOMB, IL – A longtime Macomb musical group is disbanding soon, but not before they perform two concerts, including one that will raise money for Western Illinois University scholarships.

The EndNotes, made up mostly of WIU faculty members, has been entertaining regional audiences since 2008. Because of retirements and relocations, band members are moving in a variety of directions.

The EndNotes will perform from 7-10 p.m. Friday, April 25 at the Macomb American Legion as a fundraiser for the WIU Centennial Honors College. Admission is $10, and all proceeds go to the College's scholarship fund. The final performance will be from 8-10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Macomb VFW. Admission is free.

Members of the EndNotes include Assistant Director of Student Activities Diane Cumbie; History Professor Emeritus Larry Balsamo; Sociology and Anthropology Professor Emeritus Ken Meitus; Sociology and Anthropology Professor David Rohall; Philosophy and Religious Studies Professor John Simmons; History Professor Greg Hall, Centennial Honors College Director Richard Hardy and Macomb resident Brian Davenport.

The group has performed together more than 150 times, including WIU college events, local fundraisers, weddings and private parties.

"Playing and performing music with the EndNotes has been one my most satisfying life experiences - It is rare for any group of musicians to stay together eight years," said Hardy. "What makes the EndNotes so special is the fact that we get along, respect each other and enjoy playing a wide variety of music - jazz, blues, country, classic rock and original compositions. I am really going to miss our weekly jam sessions and all the work that goes into performing."

Balsamo said the group began in 2002-2003, mostly playing together at events arranged by the WIU College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).

Cumbie joined the band in 2008, followed by Davenport in 2012. Being the only female in an all-male band wasn't an issue for Cumbie, she said, because all of her band mates worked together so well.

"I think that's why we stayed together so long – we were so supportive of each other," she said. "I'm surprised we were able to sustain our membership this long, considering everyone works in an academic setting and lives are always changing."

The band performs a variety of music, which Cumbie said ranges from Patsy Cline and Nat King Cole to the Doobie Brothers and the Eagles.

"We have a foundation in the community, kind of a fan base, if you want to call it that," she said. "It's mostly people who enjoy partner dancing, so we gear our music to them. We're more of a dance band than a party band or a performance-based band."

For more information on the farewell performance, visit facebook.com/events/426903990778409.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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