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"The Open Chair" 2002
by Ray “Rajko” Ranic

It was time for the musicians to begin the Tamburitza “jam” session. Each November for nearly 20 years the American Serbian Club in Tonawanda, NY has hosted friends and family from the Cleveland, Ohio area, and in July, Cleveland hosts the Buffalo community. During one of those overnight excursions, where the objective is to eat, drink, have good fellowship, listen to the sounds of Tamburitza music, and if you are one of those fortunate enough, an open invitation is extended to all musicians present to join in the annual musical festivities. It is two days of jam-packed fun and music memories. If you blink, you could miss it-it seems to go by so quickly.

I’m usually ready to start playing but with family and friends present I was the last tamburash to join the group of musicians congregated and ready to play. There was one open chair left for me. It is the same chair I have sat in at the Serb Club for the last ten years and as long as I can remember.

I was struck by the open chair. The quality and leadership of the tamburashi present is a venerable who’s who of names, faces, personalities, and talent that have graced our tamburitza community for decades. To my right-Mr. Alex Machaskee-past president of the Tamburitza Association of America, president and publisher of The Plain Dealer (Ohio’s largest newspaper), world communicator, and Hall of Fame tamburash whose list of accomplishments are mind boggling.

To my left–Mr. Vlad Popovich, Balkan Serenaders, Duquesne University Tamburtizan, Hall of Fame tamburitzan, TAA Presidential Award recipient, outstanding brac and cello musician-with military and business credentials of the highest order.

Across from me–Mr. Charles Smilinich, Balkan Serenader, Hall of Fame tamburash (75 years no less!), successful retired business owner, outstanding singer, primas and bugarija player.

Mr. Dusan Brankov-outstanding tamburtiza craftsman who visited from Vojvodina and also played the entire session (truly a gentleman)-Mr. Charles Vukovic, Balkan Serenader (as steady as they come)-whose humor and anecdotes are a constant delight and source of enjoyment. Mr. Milt Arlow (brother of Bobby (Brots) Arlow both members of the Continental Strings and TAA Presidential Award recipients.

Mr. Steve Mraz–tamburitza craftsman and maker of strings (whose story of family survival during an Ohio explosion is a miracle), and more musicians such as Lex Machaskee (the next generation), my brother Bob (Bozhi) Ranic, Mike and Rudy Kristich, Steve Swagel, Ron Conrad, Don Milosovich, Milo Wuslich and son Mark Wuslich. Other TAA Hall of Fame recipients Matt Rebrovic and Andy Kosovich are just two of the fine musicians who have joined us in song over the years.

I took my seat and as we began a random selection of songs I began to think of the open chair. How fortunate I was to be with these fine musicians. Several of them legends in their own right. Each of us walked a certain path to get to that seat. Sadly some of the chairs weren’t filled. My mind drifted back to 1972 when I played with the Balkan Serenaders shortly after the passing of Nick Germanovich.

Then again to 1989. No one has forgotten "Mr. Tambura"-Nick "Tillie" Klaich whose voice and personality were second to none and whose name graces the Tillie Klaich endowment fund at Duquesne University. His legacy lives on and his name is remembered by the Balkan Serenaders as "Tillie Klaich’s Balkan Serenaders."

Another empty chair was left by Peter Milosovich in January of this year. I thought of our bass player Chuck Vukovic whose recent loss of a brother touched us all in the Buffalo community - and yet – another open chair by Bobby “Brots” Arlow – who left his seat earlier this year-whose laughter, personality, and bugarija graced The Continental Strings Orchestra for 40 years – a remarkable achievement – sadly missed by family and friends. Without Bobby we didn’t do Ej Gumbari, nor the laughters of the Arlow brothers in a rousing rendition of “Zikino Kolo”.

Maybe another time. Yet each tamburash played on - setting aside the heartache from those moments-or by playing - ease the pain of loss – by giving the gift of music. I remembered a time when Tillie was playing shortly after the passing of a brother and I asked him “how do you do it?” He looked me square in the eye and said “Hey Kum – that’s show biz!” Memorable words to last a lifetime.

As the mists of time swirled among the tamburashi there was a moment in the future not yet formed-but in the making-of tamburashi serenading the Cleveland crowd back to the bus as is our custom and the shouts of well wishes and goodbyes-all done too soon. And with my brac-in one hand-reaching up to a window to say goodbye to my sister-her hand touching the window of the bus from her seat and my hand reaching out touching the outer window-our hands separated by the glass-but not by love-and the impact of the moment is etched in memory and heart and I remember the 40 years we were separated and it hurts as the bus leaves-but more important-I am thankful for this moment and the time I have been given-each hug-each note-each song-every moment is important and cherished-my blessing complete.

I took my seat to do what I always try to do-play hard – play from the heart and enjoy the blessings of the tamburashi in song, for time has a way of becoming the great equalizer – taking tamburashi to a new land – a new dimension – leaving in its wake – an empty chair or chairs.

These chairs and voids are hard to fill – hold many memories and take a lifetime of dedication to bear the ripest of fruits – and it is the souls of tamburashi – past, present, and future that fill these chairs.

As I took my place among the tamburashi – filling the last open chair – I could hear Tillie yelling, Ori! Bobby Arlow’s laugh during Zikino, and in my mind’s eye I wondered about Marko and Adam Popovich, Pete Mistovich, Karl Schutzman, Steve Paulich, Steve “Beau” Markulin, Tony Markulin, Lou Markulin, George Skrbina, Dave Zupkovich, Dan Cugalj, Charlie “Blaze” Blazina, Janika Balasz, and an endless list of tamburashi since past – passed but not forgotten.
I guess in heaven God needs musicians and tamburashi and just maybe - there are no open chairs – just room..... for one more.

Zivili,

Ray “Rajko” Ranic

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