Paul Eakins

about

Paul Eakins love of antique music machines began in the early 1950's on a cold, gray November day in Lincoln, New Mexico. Headed for Tucson, he and his family stopped to see a "Billy the Kid" museum. They had to go through the empty La Paloma Bar to get to the museum. Passing through the Bar, Paul saw a Regina Music Box and a Nickelodeon with an "Out of Order" sign stuck on the front. Paul commented to his family, "I believe if I got hold of one of those, I could make it work." That was the beginning of Eakins passion for old music machines. Finding, restoring and displaying what became the greatest collection of fully restored automatic music machines soon became an occupation for Eakins. The collection ranged from small electric pianos to large fair organs and all sized machines in-between. In the early 1950's, Eakins and his wife, Laura, opened the Indian Trading Post as a tourist attraction. It evolved into the Gay 90's Village with the War Drum Restaurant, and a few other businesses in the vicinity of the Museum. In 1966, the Museum was relocated to 320 South Broadway in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, and renamed the Gay 90's Melody Museum. It closed in the early 1970's. Eakins collection became world famous and he appeared at many fairs and on many television programs such as Gary Moore's "I've Got a Secret", the NBC "Today Show", Play Your Hunch on NBC, Mike' Wallace's "P.M." Show, "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and several television specials. His machines

top songs

albums

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Fair Organ Favorites Vol.1 Carousel Music: The Darling Madam Laura, Gavioli Carousel Organ

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The World's Most Famous French Gasparini Carousel Organ: Gypsy Queen Carousel Organ

Big Top Carousel Band Organ (Official Release)

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Circus Carnival Calliope

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Christmas Music Box Favorites

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The Greatest Music Show on Earth, Vol. A

Carousel Organ Archives, Vol. 1: Merenghi Carousel Organ & Bruder Fair Organ

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Nickel Music (Official Release)

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The Queen of Kings Island, Vol. 2

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Nickel Music: The Sound of the Nickelodeons

Old Time Circus Calliope

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More From The Gay 90's Village (Official Release)

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