What if you wrote a musical about your hometown, and they made a movie of it? Would anybody come? Well, Meredith Willson wrote one, and the crowds came in droves. In 1962, The Music Man, starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones, premiered in Willsons hometown, Mason City, Iowa (River City, as re-christened in the movie). There were 90,000 people that attended. And Willson himself led a 600-strong marching band down the city streets as they tootled their way through 76 Trombones. Set in 1912, The Music Man is all about huckster Harold Hill, who travels from town to town selling musical instruments and organizing boys bands, even though hes bereft of musical training. Hill stays one step ahead of the law, until true love with a local librarian trips him up, over Fourth of July weekend in River City. If The Music Man seems true-to-life, thats because, for the most part, it is. Meredith Willson was born in River City (er... Mason City) in 1902. As a visit there reveals, he seems to have remembered absolutely everything about his hometown. Theres the public library (the setting for Marian the Librarian), the leafy footbridge where Harold Hill romanced Marian Paroo and the restored Willson home, with its uncanny resemblance to the shows Paroo residence. Today, in Mason City, Iowa, there is Music Man Square, a 10-million dollar learning center for music students of all ages. Its streetscape authentically re-creates the set of the Warner Brothers film, from barbershop to bank to billiard parlor. Its museum has a vast array of Meredith memorabilia (donated by his widow, along with a sizable financial contribution). On display are his piano, a Grammy, and even his Presidential Medal of Freedom, plus, of course, lots of Music Man artifacts, including, suspended from the ceiling, 76 actual trombones. Chatfield, Minn., my hometown, has a long history of community theater presentations. In 1982, I was spending the summer there, playing Harold Hill in The Music Man. Shows were presented in cavernous Potter Auditorium. With its basketball-court-sized stage and audience seating for 900 (roughly half of Chatfields population), practically anything imaginable can be brought to giant-size life in Potter. For The Music Man, that meant a cast of 75, a live horse hauling the Wells Fargo Wagon, and the 40-member Chatfield Brass Band marching onstage for a grand finale rendition of 76 Trombones. Then Chatfields own music man had an idea. Attorney Jim Perkins, founder of the Brass Band, suggested What if Meredith Willson himself came to town? A call was made, and breaths were held. What would the response be? Luckily, years in California hadnt diminished Willsons native Iowa thriftiness. Hed been contemplating a visit to the Mayo Clinic in nearby Rochester. If Chatfield paid for his plane fare and hotel room, attendance at The Music Man could be arranged, handily combined with doctor visits. Since Merediths health was extremely precarious, his wife, Rosemary, warned us not to expect too much. He would wave to the crowd when introduced, but as for anything else, well. On Aug. 12, 1982, the curtain rose on The Music Man, Chatfield-style. Beforehand, a frail but smiling Meredith Willson was honored with a standing ovation from the packed house. The show moved along energetically and tunefully. Then came the finale. The Chatfield Brass Band appeared, accompanying the lively vocals of 76 Trombones. The entire cast marched up the auditorium aisles. I led the gang, oversized drum majors baton in hand. When we reached the seats occupied by the Willsons, Rosemary beckoned me over. You know, she said, I think Meredith would like to join you. I held out my baton. The years dropped away, as Meredith Willson grabbed it, and happily led the performers back onstage. By now, the audience was on its feet, lustily singing along, as Mr. Willson energetically conducted one and all through the songs rousing conclusion. Was there an encore? You betcha. The Music Man Square in Mason City, Iowa, is open from 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, except on major holidays. For more information, visit www.TheMusicManSquare.org. Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann. Photos by Donald-Brian Johnson, except as noted. Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous books on design and collectibles, including Postwar Pop, a collection of his columns. Hes played Harold Hill more than once. Please address inquiries to: donaldbrian@msn.com.