The roots of e2k can be traced back to 1922 in Willits, California, where a small-town high school principal named Ray C. Olmstead and his accordian-playing wife, Anna May, decided that the school needed a marching band. In a real-life version of The Music Man, the Olmstead’s recruited so many students to join the band that the Conn instrument company awarded the them a franchise in the booming farm town of San Jose. In 1926, the family opened the Olmstead Studio, teaching children of all ages the joys of music and dance. Soon their son, Robert, along with his two sisters were soon performing in vaudeville shows, playing multiple instruments and juggling batons while walking on a slack wire. And, thus, began the tradition of entertainment and event production that has continued to this day.
The beginning: The Olmstead Band directed by Ray C. Olmstead and Anna May Olmstead.
The 4th of July Parade, 1936.
Robert Olmstead twirling three batons. From juggling to the creation of baton twirling.
e2k's 49ers entertainment tradition begins. 1948 49ers Majorettes. The first NFL female performing group.
The St. Mary's Chinese Drum & Bell Core, directed by Robert Olmstead.
e2k founder Michael Olmstead, the beat goes on.
In 1971, Michael Olmstead produced his first Forty Niners halftime show.
