One Job is Not Enough
Biographical sketch of alumni Loonis McGlohon. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: McLearin, Jack."One Job Is Not Enough," Alumni Bulletin, Volume VIII, No. 1, April 1954.
Some of us think that when we put in our eight hours and our five days, we've had it.We like to go home, take our shoes off, play with the kids, watch television, sleep -- or maybe just look off into space. Not so with Loonis McGlohon. This versatile young man needs more than 24 hours in the day.
Loonis has a full-time job with the Southern Railway in the Safety Department.He says this is his vocation. Perhaps he doesn't consider his other activities as work, but I do.
He directs the choirs of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, both the chancel choir of 38 voices and a recently organized chapel choir of 27 voices. He also serves on the Board of Deacons. He is the pianist and arranger for the Billy Knauff Orchestra, a top-flight aggregation.In both later capacities he has a national recognition, and was named recently in the February issue of "International Musician." Another magazine features him in a forthcoming article "How A Television Show is Born." The name Loonis McGlohon is almost a legend among jazz musicians throughout the country. He has consistently turned down offers from Johnny Long, Jimmy Dorsey, Dean Hudson and other bands, preferring to remain in Charlotte with his wife and two children. He ahs written arrangements for Tony Pastor, Jimmy Dorsey, Universities of Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Alabama Polytechnic Institute and various Army and Marine bands. Some of his original compositions were contracted by Sammy Kaye.
Such a schedule as this woudl seem to be enough for any three individuals, even allowing for the intensive drive seeming to be a part of those who are touched with the spirit of music. But not for Loonis.
Beginning the latter part of April, Loonis will be featured in a new television series over Channel 3, WBTV. The vehicle is tentatively entitled "Pictures At An Exhibition."The show will represent a modern, sometimes abstract, format designed for relaxation and listerning. Along with recorded music, Loonis' modern and original piano style will be featured against a Daliesque set designed by Mark Raskovitch. This is Loonis' second venture into television, having been seen on "Tap The Barrel," the Atlantic Ale show of two seasons ago.
When interviewed in his office recently, Loonis seemed to be a bit reticent to talk about himself. He was busy arranging for auditions with a yet un-named girl vocalist to appear on the new show. However, I did learn that he is trying to find a free weekend so that he and his family can visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Max McGlohon, in Ayden, NC.His piano teacher, Miss Virginia Cooper, also lives in his home town.And he added, "Maybe she would help me brush up on my scales."
Lonnis McGlohon -- graduated East Carolina with a BS degree in 1942; majored in Business Education and minored in French.
Billy Knauff also attended East Carolina.
