The Alferd Packer Memorial String Band is named after the gold prospector\/guide turned cannibal Alferd Packer. Packer was the only American ever convicted of cannibalism. In the fall of 1870, five miners in Alferd’s charge headed for the Colorado gold fields. They ended up in Alferd’s stomach! At the conclusion of the trial, the judge’s exact words were, “Alferd Packer, you voracious man-eater, there were only seven Democrats in Hinsdale County, and you done et five of ’em.”<\/p>\n BAND MEMBERS<\/strong><\/p>\n __________________________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/strong>Alferd Packer the 1800’s Gold Prospector, Guide & Cannibal:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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<\/a>Lauralyn Bodle<\/strong>
\nFiddle, bass & vocals<\/em>
\nLauralyn has degrees in math and psychology, and for her Master’s theses in architecture helped design and build an energy efficient home. She teaches Italian at the University of Kansas.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/em>Matt Kirby<\/strong>
\nHammered dulcimer, accordian, snare drum, bodhran, vocals and vocal impressions<\/em>
\nMatt’s picture is in the American Heritage Dictionary (American Heritage, 2nd college edition) next to “dulcimer”. He is an artist by trade, with a degree from the Kansas City Art Institute. He plays the hammered dulcimer that he designed and built.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Steve Mason<\/strong>
\nFiddle, Guitar, Bass, Mandolin and Vocals
\n<\/em>For a day job Steve Mason is a luthier: one who repairs, improves and creates stringed instruments. To make a guitar he starts with a tree and carves away everything that doesn’t look like a guitar. He has a degree in Biology and he’s only five years of graduate school and a dissertation short of a PhD.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Mike Yoder
\n<\/strong>Guitar, mandolin, bass and vocals
\n<\/strong><\/em>Mike admits to being the former chief photographer at The Lawrence Journal-World newspaper. Some of his photographs can be seen in the books “America 24\/7” and “Kansas 24\/7”.<\/p>\n