Bill-
 
One of the managers MAY have told you that the Paramount Music Palace was
not closing, but I can tell you that a couple of the owners have told me of
the demolition plans, and discussed the sale and removal of the organ.  By
the way, the two people who told me of this were among those who did not
want to sell, and the discussion was with regrets, not to start malicious
rumors.
 
One of the owners informed me of the entire history and current situation in
detail just a month ago.
 
While I was there last Saturday night, I purchased a Paramount coffee mug,
and the lady who sold it to me remarked that it would become a collectors'
item when they closed.
 
Carlton Smith, local theatre organ restorer par excellence, and I discussed
the evaluation of the instrument and what it might actually bring on the
current market, just two days ago.  Carlton used to be here on the list, but
may have logged off.  Otherwise he could verify this.
 
The Paramount Music Palace has indeed been having troubles on and off for a
couple years.  The present group which owns it is primarily comprised of
organ enthusiasts and the Paramount organists, all people who have not only
monetary interest, but preservation interests at heart.  I was told that
after much effort, they finally got the place turned around and operating
slightly in the black and that the real disappointment was for the group to
decide to give up when things were just starting to look like they might
make it go.
 
In all of the remarks made to me during the past week, from the organists
Dwight Thomas and Bill Vlasak, and from people closely involved with the
organ, there was not one mention of any "ray of hope" that the Paramount
might be saved.  All this just does not sound like a rumor to me.
 
Allen Miller
    (who is highly saddened to see any publicly played pipe organ "go")