Murray, Utah. A sleepy suburb of the greater Salt Lake Valley. Otherwise known as the "hub of Salt Lake County". It lies at the center of the Salt Lake Valley, and is home to some 40,000 people. Maybe more. Years ago, it was 30,000. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Murray High School was where I attended the last three years of my pre-college education. At the time, it was a 3A school (in Utah, schools are given a status between 1A and 4A, dependent on amount of students) school, and not even one of the biggest schools in the valley. It has since made national, if not world headlines, thanks to one young man.... DAVID ARCHULETA.
That's right, last year's AMERICAN IDOL 2nd runner up, David Archuleta, was (at the time) a student of my alma mater. During the season of American Idol, there would be footage shot of young Master Archuletta, as he participated in parades, and events at Murray High School. BUT, did you know that Murray High's musical connection goes back beyond young David?
30 years, back...
When I was a student at Murray High School, there was a couple of members of the faculty named, BILL and MARY JANE SIEBENBERG. Now, for most of you, this won't mean a thing. But for one or two of you, this name may sound familiar.
What could it be? Oh... wait...wasn't there a guy in SUPERTRAMP named, BOB Siebenberg? Why, yes there was. Actually, for most of his career with Supertramp, Bob Siebenberg went by the name, BOB C. BENBERG. It wasn't until 1982's "FAMOUS LAST WORDS", that Bob donned his birth name, and went by Bob Siebenberg. So, what does this have to do with Bill and Mary Jane? Well, Bob was the ONLY American member of Supertramp (at the time), and the brother of Murray's baseball coach, Bill Siebenberg. You would never know (it wasn't an advertised fact), but you would always wonder why nearly every member of the coaching staff had Supertramp tour shirts.... hmmmm... (scratches chin). Before I leave the MHS/Supertramp connection, there is the question of MARY JANE Siebenberg. "Goodbye, Mary... goodbye, Jane... will we ever... meet again?" A coincidence? Or the inspiration for some of the best known lyrics EVER to come out of that band? Will we ever know? Probably not...
Now, let's fast forward into the late 80's to early 90's. What possible "musical" connection did Murray High School have, back then? Well, let me tell you...
Do you all remember a catchy little ditty, recorded way back in the late 60's, called "MR. BOJANGLES"? Do you remember the band that recorded it, called NITTY, GRITTY DIRT BAND? One of the leading members of this legendary Country/Bluegrass/Rock band, is a gentleman by the name of JOHN McEUEN. He was the banjo/fiddle/"all things string instrument" leader of the band. Anyhow, in the late 80's, he packed his kids up and left NITTY GRITTY. He chose to settle in the quiet community of Murray, Utah. What prompted this, I don't know. Anyhow, during those years of his absence, he raised a few handsome young boys. Two of them have gone onto recording careers, with one of them even making it onto the third installment of the legendary "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN" series, where the band collaborated with the biggest names in Americana/Bluegrass music. JONATHAN McEUEN has continued on, collaborating with his cousin, the son of JEFF HANNA of NGDB. The two released a major label Country album, under the moniker "HANNA/McEUEN". So, although not known by most people, there have been TWO Murray High alumni that have released major label albums.
There you have it, folks... the Murray High Musical Connection. Interesting, eh? So, amid all the silly rumours (like Stevie Nicks going to Olympus High School, in SLC), there are some interesting FACTS. Even if I am the only one interested in them...
Murray High School was where I attended the last three years of my pre-college education. At the time, it was a 3A school (in Utah, schools are given a status between 1A and 4A, dependent on amount of students) school, and not even one of the biggest schools in the valley. It has since made national, if not world headlines, thanks to one young man.... DAVID ARCHULETA.
That's right, last year's AMERICAN IDOL 2nd runner up, David Archuleta, was (at the time) a student of my alma mater. During the season of American Idol, there would be footage shot of young Master Archuletta, as he participated in parades, and events at Murray High School. BUT, did you know that Murray High's musical connection goes back beyond young David?
30 years, back...
When I was a student at Murray High School, there was a couple of members of the faculty named, BILL and MARY JANE SIEBENBERG. Now, for most of you, this won't mean a thing. But for one or two of you, this name may sound familiar.
What could it be? Oh... wait...wasn't there a guy in SUPERTRAMP named, BOB Siebenberg? Why, yes there was. Actually, for most of his career with Supertramp, Bob Siebenberg went by the name, BOB C. BENBERG. It wasn't until 1982's "FAMOUS LAST WORDS", that Bob donned his birth name, and went by Bob Siebenberg. So, what does this have to do with Bill and Mary Jane? Well, Bob was the ONLY American member of Supertramp (at the time), and the brother of Murray's baseball coach, Bill Siebenberg. You would never know (it wasn't an advertised fact), but you would always wonder why nearly every member of the coaching staff had Supertramp tour shirts.... hmmmm... (scratches chin). Before I leave the MHS/Supertramp connection, there is the question of MARY JANE Siebenberg. "Goodbye, Mary... goodbye, Jane... will we ever... meet again?" A coincidence? Or the inspiration for some of the best known lyrics EVER to come out of that band? Will we ever know? Probably not...
Now, let's fast forward into the late 80's to early 90's. What possible "musical" connection did Murray High School have, back then? Well, let me tell you...
Do you all remember a catchy little ditty, recorded way back in the late 60's, called "MR. BOJANGLES"? Do you remember the band that recorded it, called NITTY, GRITTY DIRT BAND? One of the leading members of this legendary Country/Bluegrass/Rock band, is a gentleman by the name of JOHN McEUEN. He was the banjo/fiddle/"all things string instrument" leader of the band. Anyhow, in the late 80's, he packed his kids up and left NITTY GRITTY. He chose to settle in the quiet community of Murray, Utah. What prompted this, I don't know. Anyhow, during those years of his absence, he raised a few handsome young boys. Two of them have gone onto recording careers, with one of them even making it onto the third installment of the legendary "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN" series, where the band collaborated with the biggest names in Americana/Bluegrass music. JONATHAN McEUEN has continued on, collaborating with his cousin, the son of JEFF HANNA of NGDB. The two released a major label Country album, under the moniker "HANNA/McEUEN". So, although not known by most people, there have been TWO Murray High alumni that have released major label albums.
Hanna/McEuen w/ Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Jonathan McEuen is the gent with the dark hair, dark shirt
There you have it, folks... the Murray High Musical Connection. Interesting, eh? So, amid all the silly rumours (like Stevie Nicks going to Olympus High School, in SLC), there are some interesting FACTS. Even if I am the only one interested in them...
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