Nick & Knobby

Nick builds his own bass drums and organizes a digital bass drum band with Knobby as an integral member. The story includes a French baker whose ultimate survival depends upon the band. One of the main characters in this story is based on the author's friend Mario Grossi, owner of MARIO'S MUSIC STORE in Lancaster, California. Felix Mayerhofer, born and raised in Port Chester, NY, in 1930, is the son of the late Simon & Maria Mayerhofer. Simon was a respected professional linguist & Maria a reputable choir director for Corpus Christi Church for 35 years. At age 19, Felix attended Juilliard School of Music on full scholarship. While practicing one day in his hotel room, he was interrupted by a knock on the door and was offered a job to go on the "road" with the Ina Ray Hutton-Randy Brooks Band. He also played with Bobby Byrnes & Sonny Dunham until the Korean War. His 552nd Air National Guard Band was stationed at March Air Force Base (CA) for 2 years. Upon his discharge, his sister, vocalist Scottee Marsh, and her lead trumpet husband, Carl Erca, got him a job with the Bernie Cummins Band. He also performed with the Ray McKinley Band until he joined the hit Decca Records recording band, Eddie Grady and the Commanders. He received his B.S. in Music Education from the SUNY, Potsdam. He then worked with the Allen Keller Trio in Florida, New York City, Las Vegas and Reno. While in Reno, Felix joined a jazz-pop group, Nancy Lee and the Bachelors. They were headliners in Lake Tahoe & Reno casinos before performing at the Dream Room on Bourbon St. in New Orleans for an extended stay. After that he played with a variety of bands. He toured and recorded with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians for a year - until he met his future wife, Shirley Wagner (Wagonseller), a professional dancer at Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe. Felix and comedian-musician Bobby Day formed a comedy team, "The Unpredictable Day and May," which toured for a brief time. Felix taught in the Palmdale School District for 27 years teaching concert and jazz bands at all levels until his retirement. While teaching he received an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. Since retirement, he has written 36 children's stories.

Nick and Knobby take their bass drum act to Mexico City, where Knobby accidentally gets involved with a bull in a bullring. This wonderful drum-playing dog becomes a national hero to accolades of "Olé!" from the local aficionados. Children also learn a few words in Spanish.(Age Level – 7-10) Felix Mayerhofer, born and raised in Port Chester, NY, in 1930, is the son of the late Simon & Maria Mayerhofer. Simon was a respected professional linguist & Maria a reputable choir director for Corpus Christi Church for 35 years. At age 19, Felix attended Juilliard School of Music on full scholarship. While practicing one day in his hotel room, he was interrupted by a knock on the door and was offered a job to go on the "road" with the Ina Ray Hutton-Randy Brooks Band. He also played with Bobby Byrnes & Sonny Dunham until the Korean War. His 552nd Air National Guard Band was stationed at March Air Force Base (CA) for 2 years. Upon his discharge, his sister, vocalist Scottee Marsh, and her lead trumpet husband, Carl Erca, got him a job with the Bernie Cummins Band. He also performed with the Ray McKinley Band until he joined the hit Decca Records recording band, Eddie Grady and the Commanders. He received his B.S. in Music Education from the SUNY, Potsdam. He then worked with the Allen Keller Trio in Florida, New York City, Las Vegas and Reno. While in Reno, Felix joined a jazz-pop group, Nancy Lee and the Bachelors. They were headliners in Lake Tahoe & Reno casinos before performing at the Dream Room on Bourbon St. in New Orleans for an extended stay. After that he played with a variety of bands. He toured and recorded with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians for a year - until he met his future wife, Shirley Wagner (Wagonseller), a professional dancer at Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe. Felix and comedian-musician Bobby Day formed a comedy team, "The Unpredictable Day and May," which toured for a brief time. Felix taught in the Palmdale School District for 27 years teaching concert and jazz bands at all levels until his retirement. While teaching he received an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. Since retirement, he has written 36 children's stories.

Knobby and Nick have a variety of wildlife adventures in the mountains on their way to the East Coast in their family motorhome, then find additional excitement while fishing in the ocean. (Age Level – 7-10) Felix Mayerhofer, born and raised in Port Chester, NY, in 1930, is the son of the late Simon & Maria Mayerhofer. Simon was a respected professional linguist & Maria a reputable choir director for Corpus Christi Church for 35 years. At age 19, Felix attended Juilliard School of Music on full scholarship. While practicing one day in his hotel room, he was interrupted by a knock on the door and was offered a job to go on the "road" with the Ina Ray Hutton-Randy Brooks Band. He also played with Bobby Byrnes & Sonny Dunham until the Korean War. His 552nd Air National Guard Band was stationed at March Air Force Base (CA) for 2 years. Upon his discharge, his sister, vocalist Scottee Marsh, and her lead trumpet husband, Carl Erca, got him a job with the Bernie Cummins Band. He also performed with the Ray McKinley Band until he joined the hit Decca Records recording band, Eddie Grady and the Commanders. He received his B.S. in Music Education from the SUNY, Potsdam. He then worked with the Allen Keller Trio in Florida, New York City, Las Vegas and Reno. While in Reno, Felix joined a jazz-pop group, Nancy Lee and the Bachelors. They were headliners in Lake Tahoe & Reno casinos before performing at the Dream Room on Bourbon St. in New Orleans for an extended stay. After that he played with a variety of bands. He toured and recorded with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians for a year - until he met his future wife, Shirley Wagner (Wagonseller), a professional dancer at Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe. Felix and comedian-musician Bobby Day formed a comedy team, "The Unpredictable Day and May," which toured for a brief time. Felix taught in the Palmdale School District for 27 years teaching concert and jazz bands at all levels until his retirement. While teaching he received an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. Since retirement, he has written 36 children's stories.

Knobby not only gets "crowned" by a Baltimore Oriole baseball when the President of the United States tosses the first pitch of the season, but manages to sleep in the Lincoln Room and rescue the Queen of England in the White House. (Age Level – 7-10) Felix Mayerhofer, born and raised in Port Chester, NY, in 1930, is the son of the late Simon & Maria Mayerhofer. Simon was a respected professional linguist & Maria a reputable choir director for Corpus Christi Church for 35 years. At age 19, Felix attended Juilliard School of Music on full scholarship. While practicing one day in his hotel room, he was interrupted by a knock on the door and was offered a job to go on the "road" with the Ina Ray Hutton-Randy Brooks Band. He also played with Bobby Byrnes & Sonny Dunham until the Korean War. His 552nd Air National Guard Band was stationed at March Air Force Base (CA) for 2 years. Upon his discharge, his sister, vocalist Scottee Marsh, and her lead trumpet husband, Carl Erca, got him a job with the Bernie Cummins Band. He also performed with the Ray McKinley Band until he joined the hit Decca Records recording band, Eddie Grady and the Commanders. He received his B.S. in Music Education from the SUNY, Potsdam. He then worked with the Allen Keller Trio in Florida, New York City, Las Vegas and Reno. While in Reno, Felix joined a jazz-pop group, Nancy Lee and the Bachelors. They were headliners in Lake Tahoe & Reno casinos before performing at the Dream Room on Bourbon St. in New Orleans for an extended stay. After that he played with a variety of bands. He toured and recorded with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians for a year - until he met his future wife, Shirley Wagner (Wagonseller), a professional dancer at Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe. Felix and comedian-musician Bobby Day formed a comedy team, "The Unpredictable Day and May," which toured for a brief time. Felix taught in the Palmdale School District for 27 years teaching concert and jazz bands at all levels until his retirement. While teaching he received an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. Since retirement, he has written 36 children's stories.