Dear Editor:

Leroy J. Rider was his given name, but to the members of the NORTHEAST VARIETY BAND, he was -BUDD. That's capital B and two DD's, as he would soon tell you after he met you.In his earlier years, Budd played upright bass with several of his Polka and Country bands, but his love of the banjo brought him to play with The Lehigh Valley Variety Band, The Keystone String Band, The Happy Mummers String Band, The Country Gentlemen and a band that he himself named, The 3-and one Band, three banjos and one accordion.Budd tried to make every sit-down concert and especially the parades, but if he did not make a gig, it was because he was the caregiver of his beloved wife, Dorothy, who did crochet work, and knitted many items that she gave away to spouses of our band members.Dorothy passed away on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2005.Budd's greatest joy seemed to be playing at Meuser Park and in any parade and his favorite tune was Bye, Bye Blues in "C" as he would yell.Budd played his last gig at the N/E Variety Band Holiday Party in New Mahoning on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 and he passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, at age 86.We loved Budd very much and will miss seeing his right hand flying over his Bacon and Day banjo.Ken Clauser,treasurerNortheast Variety Band, Allentown