(Caps Outsider)
Longtime Caps organ player Bruce Anderson announced on Facebook and Twitter tonight that the Caps’ game day entertainment team will no longer be using the organ at games.
[From the Post: Capitals discontinue live organ music, ending Bruce Anderson’s 22-year run]Anderson had been playing for the team for 22 seasons, and sometimes played for the Wizards (which stopped using the organ a couple of seasons ago). This past season, the Caps introduced a new production crew, which changed up much of the game entertainment with different songs, gimmicks, and ultimately, less organ. A few seasons ago, his booth had been moved from directly next to the General Manager’s box, to a makeshift room outside the press box.
Some of Anderson’s most popular tunes, not just on the organ but also on the synthesizer, included ‘Let’s Go Caps,’ ‘Shout,’ ‘Cantina Band’ and ‘Luck be a Lady.’ He even took requests sometimes and snuck in those songs.
Once, he played with a hand injury. A backup organ player, Terry Martindale, was in house just in case, but Anderson powered through.
“No regrets – I have a Stanley Cup ring – an Emmy -great Winter Classic memories – getting a shout out from Doc Emrick -plus getting to watch Ovi for most of his career and some cherished friendships,” Anderson wrote on Facebook.
We here at Caps Outsider have gotten to know Anderson over the years and wish him the very best. Here is a video we made of him several years ago when he invited us into his booth:
From the Baltimore Sun: As Capitals organist, Lutherville’s Bruce Anderson is playing in ‘uncharted territory’
