Fall, 2001 - Volume 44, Number 3

2001 International Champion Chorus - New Tradition, Northbrook, IL

DID YOU SEE THIS?

Additional Convention Coverage on Page 4

2001 International Champion Quartet - Michagan Jake DIXIE DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM

President VP Contest & Judging Young Men In Harmony Jim Sams (Doris) Don Lang Bob Dickson (Andria) 679 W. Warwick Oaks Ln P. O. Box 923 2805 Coxindale Drive Collierville, TN 38017 Millers Creek, NC 28651 Raleigh, NC 27615-3872 H - (901) 861-0676 H - (336) 973-8686 H - (919) 676-8354 W - (901 226-5750 W - (336) 973-8686 [email protected] Fax - (901) 226-1110 [email protected] [email protected]

Historian Bill Lester VP Events 1045 Seven Springs Circle Secretary Jack Donaldson (Sharlene) Marietta, GA 30068 Noah Funderburg (Mary) 7328 Fairview Road H - (770) 565-2854 1610 Harmony Lane Corryton, TN 37721 [email protected] Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 H - (865) 687-1533 H - (205) 758-5980 [email protected] B - (205) 348-4509 Fax - (205) 348-5680 Society Board Member [email protected] Wayne Brozovich Immediate Past President 4546 Glenbrook Lane Thom Hine (Carla) Palm Harbor, FL 34683 4212 Bretdale Run H - (727) 944-5500 Treasurer Kennesaw, GA 30152 Fax - (727) 939-1178 Curt Douglass (Celeste) H - (770) 419-7405 [email protected] 2695 Long Lake Terrace FaxX - (770) 419-7405 Roswell, GA 30075 [email protected] H - (770) 992-557 [email protected] Editor - Rebel Rouser Ron Hesketh (Joyce) VP Chorus Director 3010 Caldwell Rd. #207 Development Ashland City, TN 37015 H - (615)792-1623 VP Music & Performance Larry E. Deters (Sue) W - (615) 871-4500 X2287 1009 Highland Rd Drayton Justus (Sue Ann) [email protected] 500 Bethany Woods Dr Brentwood, TN 37027-5509 Temple, GA 30179 H - (615) 373-4507 H - (770) 562-9629 W - (615) 327-5332 [email protected] H - (770) 513-0182 Webmaster W - (800) 426-0569 ext. 81518 Patrick Thomas [email protected] 920 Split Oak Dr. Antioch, TN 37013 VP Marketing & PR H - (615) 361-6131 Frank Cristina (Diane) W - (615) 665-7637 VP Chapter Support & 9565 Inavale Dr [email protected] Leadership Training Brentwood, TN 37027-8222 Jim Nappier (Judy) H - (615) 781-2814 PO Box 1179 Fax - (615) 834-6708 Clayton, NC 27520 [email protected] H - (919) 553-6748 B - (919) 553-7103 [email protected]

VP Member Services VISIT THE DIXIE DISTRICT Fred Hinesley (Elizabeth) WEBSITE AT 29 Chatuachee Crossing www.ddspebs.org Savannah, GA 31411 H - (912) 598-2977 [email protected]

DEADLINE CLARIFIED Deadlines for the Rebel Rouser are approximately four to five weeks before the publication reaches the membership. Please keep this in mind when planning advertisements for upcoming shows. Deadlines are the 15th of January, April, July and October.

PAGE 2 REBEL ROUSER FALL - 2001 DIXIE DISTRICT - VISION THE EDITOR’S PAGE To be the best “cotton-picking” district within By Ron Hesketh the Society in every conceivable way by promoting excellence in barbershop quartet singing throughout the states within the can’t allow this issue to go by with- geographic borders of the Dixie District. out describing this past International I Convention from a “behind the scenes” perspective. I have attended six DIXIE DISTRICT - MISSION of these in my 10 years of To provide support and assistance to the barbershopping and this one will remain members and chapters of the Dixie District in in my memory for as long as I live. fully developing and realizing their individual chapter missions, to conduct conventions, I was privileged to be your daily bul- A sincere congratulations goes out festivals and other events at which members and to all the Dixie competitors for their per- chapters can share and enjoy their common love letin editor and, believe me, in spite of for barbershop harmony, to conduct schools and the hours this position required, I was formances. The Big Chicken Chorus, other educational events at which members and still able to sample some of the great- Four Voices, Riptide, Overture, Low others can learn and improve their musical skills, ness that walked the halls of the ven- Down Sound and my own personal fa- to support a wide-range of charitable activities, ues. vorite, Starstruck, you all should be and to widely promote barbershop quartet extremely proud of your performances. harmony in communities throughout the District. Thanks to the fantastic job of the I was blessed to witness the semi-final headquarters staff in providing their web performances of Four Voices and Rip- Advertising Rates cast of all contest sessions as well as tide and I could not have been more 1/8 Page $30 each of the Sing! Perfor- proud. As far as I am con- 1/2 Page $80 cerned, this “Tin Eared 1/4 Page $60 mances. I can attest first Full Page $120 hand to the value of these Prognosticator” believes that ALL RISE FOR A Quartet Cards $10 per issue sessions. If it weren’t for this Four Voices out-performed 15% discount for camera ready copy. STANDING Michigan Jake that night. Enclose check payable to Dixie District, coverage, I would have OVATION ! SPEBSQSA, Inc. missed some of the greatest (I’m exercising my editorial Mail to editor: privilege right now) Ronald Hesketh singing ever to grace the 3010 Caldwell Rd. stage. In fact, as a side note, Unit 207 I, along with countless others, demand a Also, a hearty congratulations is in Ashland City, TN 37015 repeat of the acapella festival. The next order for Tim Reynolds and his fellow time I will attend in person. (By the way, members of Riptide , who, in spite of The Rebel Rouser (USPS 770) is published Lee Singers , you were awesome, even everything that could have distracted quarterly by the Dixie District Association of over my computer speakers. “ALL them from their appointed duty, WOWed Chapters of the Society for the Preservation and the crowd Wednesday night at the Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in RISE!” for a standing ovation!) America, Inc. Subscription rates are $3 per year quarterfinals. (It’s a good thing that and included in the annual dues of $13. Standard they are so young and possess the Class postage paid in Nashville, TN. Office of I had predicted an attendance of publication is that of the Editor, listed below. 12,000 to this event and am disappointed necessary vim, vigor and vitality, not that we didn’t reach that lofty figure. I to mention the focus, to pull it off the POSTMASTER, please send address changes to way they did. Is it true that triplets are Rebel Rouser c/o may be prejudiced, but I believe that Ron Hesketh, Editor those who did not attend missed prob- now permissible in barbershop? Also, is 3010 Caldwell Rd., #207 Ashland City, TN ably the greatest competition this soci- it true that they are already forming a 37015 group of their own called Triptide?) I (615) 792-1623 ety has ever witnessed. I could not have asked for a more competitive group of would need to be given a thousand lashes Articles with no byline are choruses and quartets. My hat is off to if I didn’t offer my best wishes to Tim’s contributed by the Editor Northbrook and the New Tradition Cho- wife Amy and their precious additions rus . From the time I witnessed their last Owen Clay (O. C.), Stephen Allen and Cover & convention photos military based theme performance, I Braden Joseph. We’re looking forward courtesy of the SPEBSQSA web knew they were destined to win. I guess to their attendance in Chattanooga this site & Dan Proctor, being second so many times eventually fall. Sunshine District has its reward. Wanted - Roving Reporter - FULL CREDITS - call or email me for de- FALL - 2001 REBEL ROUSER tails. PAGE 3 2001 A BARBERSHOP ODYSSEY PHOTO GALLERY

“Clay” & company displayed their broad talents and showed all in attendance FOUR Voices why they should be finalists!

Are we sure there are only singing. WOW, what a finish!

The college quartet chorus could have competed at any level. How many Dixie District quartet members can you find?

Congratulations Y’ALL for a fabulous 16th place finish. Overture These guys to don’tme; they appear performed to betoo showed them that the Dixie Starstruck district is full of talent. well! Think of it, an 11th place finish! Do we have another ELVIS in the district, or is someone just giving us LIP service? PAGE 4 REBEL ROUSER FALL - 2001 2001 A BARBERSHOP ODYSSEY PHOTO GALLERY

Low Down Sound captures a third place medal! They didn’t sound that low down to me!

Behind the Scenes action also included

our very own WEBCAST! MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 12 HEY! I thought this was supposed to be an “ACAPELLA” convention.

FALL - 2001 REBEL ROUSER PAGE 5 SHARE THE WEALTH By Jim Sams, Dixie District President

hat a way to celebrate our humorous satire. Congratulations to all very first International of our competitors for being W convention of the new outstanding ambassadors for Dixie! millennium! Dixie had the opportunity to share our wealth of support and I hope you will all join me in southern hospitality, and we “did welcoming two men as new committee ourselves proud”! chairs to our District Leadership Team. Dick Lord has agreed to serve Major kudos go out to Charlie as our District Harmony Foundation communicate with every chapter on a McCann, the convention chairman, Chairman effective immediately. Dick regular basis to develop a system of Larry Deters, the vice-chairman, the is a very capable leader and long time information exchange between the Nashville Chapter, whose members barbershopper from the Marietta District Leadership Team and the and wives made up the convention chapter. I am sure you will be hearing chapter boards. In many cases I am committee, and all the great volunteers from Dick very shortly. And the not getting any response at all from the from across Dixie who gave time and newest father of triplet boys in the chapter presidents. effort to make this convention one of Dixie District, Tim Reynolds of the the best ever. I continue to get emails Marietta chapter and outstanding lead I would ask that whenever you from all over the country about what a of Riptide, has joined our Music and receive an email from me that you at great time everyone had. Performance team as the Chairman of least acknowledge receipt of the email the Association of District Quartet whether you have any input or not. Enough cannot be said about all of Champions. We are looking for great This will assure me that you are at our competitors who represented Dixie things from both of these men, and I least receiving my communications. If during convention week. Riptide and applaud them for stepping forward any of your chapter presidents would the Big Chicken Chorus did double during this time to help make a prefer to have these emails sent to a duty by performing at SING festival difference in Dixie. Thank you, different recipient in your chapters for and in the contest. Low Down Sound gentlemen! dispersal among chapter members for and Starstruck stood out in the college comment and discussion, please let me contest and gave us all a chance to Membership growth and retention know. applaud all of their outstanding continues to plague the Society in performances. This should encourage 2001. I had the opportunity to sit in on a We are interested in your each one of us to comb our college new member retention class in successes and need to know about campuses for more talent to compete Nashville led by Bill Lyle , the areas where you need help. We have a for the 2002 MBNA College Quartet orientation coordinator of the Vocal world of resources to lay at your door Contest. Majority. It was a real eye opener and if you will allow us to “share our led me to believe that our chapters are wealth”. But we are most interested in For the first time in Dixie history, not doing all they can to bring back and your input and comments about the we had three quartets in the top twenty retain visitors and new members. We direction our District is going. and two in the top five. Once again we are missing the boat in the small details applaud Overture , Four Voices, and that make these potential long-term Along this same line, Thom Hine , Riptide for their outstanding members feel a part of the chapter our Chairman for the Strategic Long performances. family. If your chapter is interested in Range Planning Committee, is reading more about how this program preparing an online survey to be sent And what more can be said about is so successfully being used by the out to all of our chapters for their input. our inimitable Big Chickens ? As VM and how your chapter can retain I would ask that these surveys be usual they created quite a stir and more members, please contact me or completed in a timely manner so that dictated the direction our chorus Fred Hinesley, VP of Member we can begin incorporating your input competition went again this year. It Services, for further information. and requests in our budgeting and goal- seemed that everyone was trying to setting meetings for 2002. get back at the Chickens for their I am making a heightened effort to

PAGE 6 REBEL ROUSER FALL - 2001 WEALTH (continued) DO YOU WEAR YOUR BARBERSHOP I will also be requesting that your COLORS? chapter representatives to the House By Frank Cristina, VP M&PR of Delegates in Chattanooga this October be prepared to share their “two cents worth” with the other delegates, the District board, and our any people belong to organi- International Board Member, Wayne zations such as service clubs, Brozovich, who will be in attendance. Mfraternal organizations, ama- I would love for any of you to email me teur athletic teams and so forth. Part also wear their colors on a regular ba- your questions or input ahead of time of identifying with their groups is wear- sis to promote this great hobby. so that we can have a constructive ing, with great pride, their team jerseys, time of delegate involvement in our hats and lapel pins. I have heard many times from our meeting. We NEED your feedback. members that barbershopping is one of When a new member receives the the best-kept secrets of today. We can I cannot emphasize enough how society’s certificate and a society lapel change this by each member wearing important it is for our chapters, or any pin, he may wear his lapel pin to sev- his chorus shirts and pins to meetings, interested Joe barbershoppers, to email eral meetings, but notices that very few or call our District Leadership Team chapter functions and other barbershop members actually wear their pins. Then members for input or questions. All the events. One can also display society information you need to contact any of the new member’s pin becomes a license plate holders and bumper stick- us is located on the inside cover of this drawer pin, just like the pins of other ers on your vehicles. These are just Rebel Rouser. We think we are members. some of the ways each of us can dis- carrying on the business of the District play our barbershop colors. Who knows that is most important to each of you. If The society also gives other pins to what this form of advertising will do to you don’t know what is going on in any its members such as BOTY pins, Inter- increase membership? specific area or have input to help us national Quartet finalist pins, district and do a better job, simply pick up the chapter officer pins. Do you wear If district quartets/chapters are in- phone or turn on your computers and these pins as part of your barbershop terested in purchasing shirts for your communicate with us. We would love uniform? If you don’t, why don’t you? members, please contact Rusty to hear from any of you at your earliest It is a small way to visually promote Kirkpatrick, manager of the Dixie convenience. your hobby to the public at large. District Market Place for special prices. He can be contacted at (864) 567-9643 I continue to receive compliments Thom Hine of the Big Chicken or email [email protected]. He from Society board members and Chorus is an example of a barbershop- also has Dixie District logo pins and lots chairs about what an exemplary job per who promotes his hobby on an on- of Nashville 2001 Convention pins. your District VP’s are doing and how going basis by wearing shirts and pins Let’s all wear our colors! well Dixie is growing and implementing Society and District goals. However, that promote his chapter and the soci- we are realistic enough to know that ety. I am sure there are others who much remains to be done and that we are far from where we would like to GRAND STRAND PLANS SHOW be. Join hands with us and let us work Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Grand Strand Chapter, Low Country Cho- together to continue to set the standard rus has been busy over the last several months with a few singing engagements across the Society. Every Dixie and preparing for their annual show to be held on Saturday, January 19, 2002 - 8:00 member is vital to the PM, at the Myrtle Beach High School, Myrtle Beach, SC. This year’s show will successes of our District. It is because be “Barbershop on Parade” and will include the quartets of “Matrix” and “Split of each of you that we remain the Decision”. For ticket information contact: “best cotton pickin’ District in the Chuck Swenson at (843) 235-9233. Society”! Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.geocities.com/doc_ditty/lowcountry.html FALL - 2001 REBEL ROUSER PAGE 7 The Pride of Mobile Chorus Presents:

A musical extravaganza with the Pride of Mobile Chorus, the Sound of the Bay Chorus of the Sweet Adelines, and barbershop quartets including, WBRP, and Mississippi Mud.

FEATURING OUR STAR ATTRACTION: 1993 SPEBSQSA The GOLD

MEDALISTS Gashouse AND

INTERNATIONAL

CHAMPIONS Gang At the Historic Saenger Theater 6 Joachim Street - Downtown Mobile ( one block North of the Admiral Semmes Hotel at 251 Government Street)

7 PM — 29 September 2001

Tickets — $10 — Open Seating — Doors Open at 6 PM ? Afterglow?

GUS’S AZALEA MANOR RESTURANT — 751 DAUPHIN STREET HORS D’OEUVRES AND CASH BAR Tickets — $7 For questions and ticket information contact:

George Farnell [email protected] (334) 649-9134 or Jan Prouty [email protected] (334) 661-8042

PAGE 8 REBEL ROUSER FALL - 2001 YMIH CORNER

BY BOB DICKSON, COORDINATOR, YOUNG MEN IN HARMONY

he vision statement of our great clip that article and use it as your per- If you have contacts “on campus” Barbershop Society is “to be an sonal reminder about next year’s somewhere around your community, T ever-growing fraternity of Bar- Camp.....? If every member in the Dis- you might want to get started early in bershop style singers leading the cause trict started recruiting and signing up stu- the fall to promote this opportunity; col- of encouraging vocal music in our dents for the 2002 Camp when schools lege kids manage to get a lot on their schools and communities”. open this fall, we’d have a banner cho- plates and you should “hook ‘em” rus at Clemson next year. fast to be sure they’ll still be excited As many of you know, some of our about the ‘prelims’ when Dixie Chapters are in the vanguard of We had two music Spring rolls around. that effort working in middle schools, educator registrations IT’S A GREAT high schools and colleges producing fes- for this year’s The quartets only tivals and contests for young singers and DLHW (both female). OPPORTUNITY need to learn and per- planting the “seeds of harmony” that As you’ll recall the FOR COLLEGE form two songs arranged will benefit those young people sooner District will give full AGE QUARTET in the Barbershop style; or later in their lives. scholarships SINGERS TO starting in the fall will af- to fulltime music edu- “GET THEIR ford a lot of time for One of the Dixie District efforts in cators, male or female, FEET WET” coaching so things don’t support of this Vision has been the es- to attend our Clemson get too tight in the spring. tablishment of a Harmony Camp (male mini-hep school; so ON OUR If you’d like details about only at this time) that will run concur- keep that thought in COMPETITION this event, call Jim rently with the DLHW in Clemson. At mind for next year also STAGE. DeBusman in this writing 24 young men had regis- when you’ve got your Kenosha (1-800-876- tered for the 2001 Camp. That’s a good recruiting hat on. SING) and ask him for a start and from a District with over 50 CBQC packet. At this time, he’ll only Chapters, we can probably surpass that The College Barbershop Quartet have the 2001 version available but the number in 2002. Contest (held at the International Con- details of the event don’t change much, vention every year) is one of the most just the dates will be different. The Spring issue of the Rebel popular programs sponsored by the So- Rouser contained an article with a thor- ciety. The Dixie District ‘prelims’ to se- In March our college quartet rep- ough explanation of the event plus the lect our representative for this event is resentative will be awarded $1000 to 2001 Camp schedule, but by the time put on during our Spring Convention in help defray their travel expenses to the you read this the 2001 Camp will be March. It’s a great opportunity for col- next International, and the District will history, and it won’t do you much good lege age quartet singers to “get their pick up their registration fees for the for this year. However, here’s a long feet wet” on our competition stage. Convention. range planning idea for you: why not

HARBORMASTERS FIRST SHOW - WHAT A SUCCESS! Michael Baitz, PR - Beaufort Harbormasters n Saturday, April 7, The Beaufort Harbormasters companied close harmony known as barbershop style. In ad- presented their first choral show, “Dockside Melo- dition, Split Decision, an award-winning quartet from Mem- Odies,” at the Battery Creek High School Perform- phis, Tennessee, and the Shore Notes, a group of female bar- ing Arts Center. Directed by Peter Stevenson, of the bershoppers from Hilton Head, added to the evening’s enjoy- Spirit of Beaufort, the 22-member chorus created a ment. The enthusiastic response of the audience of more than riverboat setting with familiar melodies like “Shenandoah” 600 would indicate that the Harbormasters have found a place and “Moonlight Bay,” all performed in the four-part unac- for themselves on the Beaufort musical scene.

FALL - 2001 REBEL ROUSER PAGE 9 What brought you to barbershopping? By Fred Hinesley, V. P. Member Services

t the recent Dixie Lakeside A large number of the guys in my Harmony mini-HEP school, I classes hadn’t known about our Soci- Ataught a course entitled “The ety until they heard a barbershop group Magic Beans of Growing Your perform or one of their friends told them Chapter.” I began each session by about us. The things they said most asking each of the participants to tell often were, “I heard a group perform get in touch with me or call (800) 876 the class about the kinds of things that and liked what I heard,” or “A friend of SING to get some suggestions for pub- had attracted him to barbershopping— mine asked me to come to a meeting.” licizing your chapter. what had caused him, as one class member put it, to catch the infection There had been a chapter in Ma- I might mention that a couple of that causes us to spend so much time con, Georgia, for 12 years before I guys in my classes joined the Society on our wonderful hobby. learned of its existence when I heard a because they were invited to sing with quartet perform at a civic club meet- a chapter in its Christmas show. That’s Not surprisingly, the guys related a ing. Imagine: I could have been singing how the newest member of the Dixie number of things that had attracted and ringing chords for 12 years before District membership committee, Allen them. Almost everybody explained that I began! A sur- Neeley, got involved. Allen is now add- he had participated in some sort of mu- prising number DO YOU EVER ing to our membership numbers by sical activities before he found out of the guys in WONDER HOW sparking the development of a brand about the Society and joined. Many of my classes had, MANY GUYS new chapter in Athens, Alabama. them had grown up in singing families. similarly, not THERE ARE IN Most of them had sung in high school known of the YOUR Or maybe your chapter has some- or college groups or played in school existence of COMMUNITY one like Ev Nau, our Society member- bands. And most of them sang in church chapters in their WHO ENJOYED PARTICIPATING ship person, who has the ability to walk choirs. communities IN MUSICAL down the street and talk to every man until they hap- GROUPS...? he meets about singing barbershop. Do you ever wonder how many pened to hear a guys there are in your community who group perform However each one of us does it, it enjoyed participating in musical groups or until one of is up to each of us as individuals and to when they were in school who would their friends each chapter to get out the information enjoy singing in your chapter? Email had invited enthusiastically about our hobby. The me at [email protected] or write me them to a meet- greatest regret I have heard people ex- at 29 Chatuachee Crossing, Savannah, ing. press is that they didn’t know about us GA 31411, and I’ll send you a copy of sooner—that’s certainly the way I feel. the Society’s plan for locating some of Apparently our Society’s existence Only when we share our love of sing- them. is still the world’s best-kept secret. You ing barbershop can we be sure that we can easily remedy that situation in your will ensure that our hobby will continue community. If you’d like some help, loudly and beautifully into the future.

CLEVELAND TENNESSEE CHAPTER HOSTS SHOW

When? November 11, 2001 Where? Dixon Center on the campus of Lee University, Cleveland TN. at 7:30 PM. The name of the show is “Barbershop Survivor”. Headlining the show will be: Four Voices - 3rd place bronze medallists Georgia Jive - past region champions Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boys - 1981 Dixie District Champs. PAGE 10 REBEL ROUSER FALL - 2001 BARBERSHOP HARMONY GOES TO RETIRED EDUCATORS CONVENTION IN GEORGIA From Bob Ziegler, Director, Southern Crescent Chorus McDonough Chapter

s barbershop harmony dying? that a chorus would be formed on site eers at the evening dinner. The quartet When you hear this question, what at the spring convention which was held also sang a few songs on the program. I is your answer? Membership in May 8, 9, and 10, 2001, at the Raddison Both ensembles were well appreciated SPEBSQSA is certainly not growing by Hotel in Augusta, Georgia. To assure a by the 500 diners. leaps and bounds. nucleus for the chorus, Bob convinced his newly formed quartet to participate Then, as an added treat, the Gar- Recently, one chorus director of a in the chorus and to sing on the pro- den City Chorus of Augusta, which newly formed chorus in McDonough, had been invited to perform on the same Georgia, decided to use his member- program, made a surprise entrance and ship in the Georgia Retired Educa- sang a group of songs that brought the tors Association (GREA) as a vehicle. retired educators to their feet, thanks Bob Ziegler, director of the Southern to Lance Abbot, who directed Garden Crescent Chorus asked the president City. of the state organization if a retired edu- cators barbershop chorus could be Although this first convention cho- formed to sing for the annual conven- gram. Also, Fred Hinesley, Dixie Dis- rus was small, the enthusiasm of the tion. President Geraldine Tilson, trict VP Member Services, himself a audience for barbershop harmony will along with the state’s GREA Executive retired educator, came all the way from insure that it will be heard at future Director, Dr. John Hulsey, agreed that his new home in Savannah, to sing with GREA conventions. Educating the pub- this would be a good idea and gave their the chorus. lic about barbershop harmony should approval for the project. start in the schools, but also let it con- Only one rehearsal was held in the tinue with our senior citizens, especially Every mode of communication was afternoon of May 8th, and a chorus of with those who have already served in used to notify the membership of GREA 12 men performed for the convention- the schools and who wield tremendous clout with the state legislators.

DIXIE MARKETPLACE

VISIT OUR SHOP AT EVERY DIXIE DISTRICT EVENT! CONTEST SOUVENIRS WE HAVE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING SPECIAL FOR YOU:

JACKETS SWEATERS TIES VIDEOS CD’S Proceeds benefit the Dixie District T-SHIRTS

FALL - 2001 REBEL ROUSER PAGE 11 AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE Drayton Justus, V.P. for Music & Performance

ots of folks complain about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Many barbershop chapters L complain about the lack of forward-moving, dynamic musical programs; about the lack of vocal technique within the program; about the inactivity of the chorus music team; about the lack of qualified coaching personnel; and about plac- ing ALL the responsibility for the music level of the chorus on when an assistant is directing. the music director, but seldom does anyone do anything about Have an active music team consisting at minimum of it. the music VP, director, assistant director(s), and section lead- ers. This music team should meet briefly after each rehearsal Well, we can’t do a whole bunch about the weather, but and decide what went well/what didn’t go so well. This helps the Dixie District can go a long way in assisting your chapter tremendously in planning for future rehearsals. solve some of these other problems. First of all, in order for that assistance to be really effective, here are a couple sug- Now comes the “offer you can’t refuse!” We suggest gestions: that you seriously consider bringing in qualified outside coaches a couple times a year who can spot areas for im- Have one or two assistant di- provement in your singing and visual performance “game rectors that regularly work with plan.” Our district has a Coaches Guild—a group of highly the chorus. Your chapter board FORGET qualified coaches who have volunteered to provide assis- may have to convince the direc- THE tance to Dixie District choruses and quartets. There has not tor that no one person can, or WEATHER. been much activity for the Guild in recent years, but we are should be expected to “do it all.” in process of revitalizing the program. At present, it is our An occasional change of up-front HERE’S intention for the District to reimburse the coach’s mileage, personnel is good for the chorus, SOMETHING and for the chapter to feed and lodge your guest if logistics and it spreads the directing load. YOU CAN DO require it. I invite you to contact me at (770) 562-9629 and The director must coach the as- SOMETHING I’ll try my level best to see that you get the most qualified, sistant directors, and the assistant available person to assist you. directors must accept this coach- ABOUT! ing. The director is also in a bet- Forget the weather. ter position to act as “coach” Here’s something you can do something about!

The Nightingales, Russia’s sensational If we’re supposed to be quiet, why are we Is this really the name I entered? group, won the hearts of everyone! talking?

See, we told you this convention was out of this world. Gee, where do we go from here? Now, let’s see...what key do I press next? John Glenn donates a part of history. PAGE 12 REBEL ROUSER FALL - 2001 DIXIE BURSTS WITH PRIDE By Bill Lester, Dixie District Historian

t is not often a historian dares to prepare for higher levels of accomplish- write about something that hap- ments. I suspect this TOP GUN pro- I pened just over the last few years. gram proves that if we support the We have just concluded the Interna- “build it; they will come” concept in tional at Nashville and those guys re- Dixie, it will continue to raise the level ment was made available through the ally had control, for even the weather of accomplishments in our hobby and 1998 Convention hosted in Atlanta. A was right! will contribute to keeping the whole large prominent accounting firm pro- world singing. vided computers, they had replaced, for Since FRED earned mike tester use by the 1998 convention. honors in 1994, they have continued to Convention goers will recall the point the way toward the GOLD. When many registration lines headed A-C, D- Barbershoppers worked with the FRED captured the GOLD in Anaheim, G, H-J, etc. that greeted us as we computers to get them ready for the Riptide earned the mike tester honors. checked in. Standing in a line for long convention. Another barbershopper pro- In Kansas City, we saw Riptide in sixth periods of time, filling out forms to have vided two complete systems for another place with Four Voices only three name tags produced, turning that form use. Arrangements were made to do- places out of top ten while Split Deci- in at the desk then waiting for the vol- nate all those computers to the sion held onto the previous years place- unteer keyboard operators to produce barbershopping world so, at the close ment (34) and Overture took over 33rd the tag, the tag then being placed, with of the convention, title passed on to the place. a hundred others on a long table. After Society. I am sure they will continue to every delivery everyone tried to look improve many facets of our conven- Now we move to Nashville in 2001, over those on the table until, at last, the tions over the years. Take pride know- where Dixie Barbershoppers are de- desired tag was there to be picked up ing about this unusually long reaching lighted with its two quartets place- for use. Dixie contribution to the world of bar- ments-in the top five! Four Voices was bershop singing. declared third place Bronze Medalist Contrast that picture to the one ex- and Riptide was declared fourth place perienced by those checking in on Tues- In 1972 Atlanta and Dixie hosted Bronze Medalist. Add Overture’s leap day. During the entire day I observed the International. In 1986 The General to a 16th place finish and joy abounds short or no lines at the Registration desk. Assembly Chorus captured a 5th place in the hearts of Dixie Convention goers. At the name tag area, you came in, Bronze Medal at Salt Lake City. Other Then add another result from the moved to a computer keyboard, typed than that, there was little activity to ex- MBNA American Collegiate Barber- your nickname, your name, your chap- cite Mr.& Mrs. Dixie Barbershopper shop Quartet Contest where, on Thurs- ter/chorus, city and state. By the time for 26 years. When work began that day, Low Down Sound earned honors you walked over to the printer station, resulted in Marietta, Atlanta, & Dixie for their third place finish. The Big it was there. hosting the 1998 International Conven- Chicken Chorus continued to be the tion and Contest, lots of good things, as crowd pleasers as voted by the audi- You tore the tag part out, inserted it mentioned above, began to happen, in- ence and their standing O’s in response in the holder, which was also given to cluding the 2001 International in Nash- to the chorus and it’s entertaining an- you, then pinned the assembled name ville. tics. Dixie barbershoppers have never tag to your shirt, placed the coupons on experienced the excitement that results the rest of that form in your pocket for So, I trust you also feel the sense from so many honors at the same time! future use, put the Convention Program of pride I feel and recognize that host- in your pocket and the process was ing two international competitions in We should express appreciation to completed. Throughout the entire day three years (1998 & 2001) has also some forward thinking people who saw there was a 12-minute period (3:44 thru contributed a lot to the improvement of the value of the TOP GUN program 3:56) when there was a slight delay. the barbershop movement in Dixie. put in place during the 90’s. There can be no doubt that it has provided a valu- Take pride in the fact that this It’s GREAT TO BE A able vehicle to help the top, serious newer, better, and faster procedure was DIXIE BARBERSHOPPER!! minded Dixie quartets to tune up and possible because the computer equip-

FALL - 2001 REBEL ROUSER PAGE 13 NEW RELEASE! When We All Get Together featuring 12 favorite a cappella songs of faith:

When We All Get Together With The Lord Had It Not Been Mary, Did You Know? I Will Live For Jesus There’s Room At The Cross For You Showers Of Blessing He Touched Me Turn Your Radio On Go Rest High On That Mountain Alleluia Goodbye, World, Goodbye OUR FIRST RELEASE Lord, Use Me a cappella songs From The Old Country Church name______Have A Little Talk With Jesus, Amazing Grace, He Leadeth address______Me, The Lord’s Prayer, It Is Well With My Soul and more city______state______ZIP______PRICES (including S&H) Please send ____cassettes ____CDs When We All Get Together $______cassettes ____CDs The Old Country Church $ ______CDs CASSETTES The total $ ______1 for $17 1 for $12 mail to Don Mott 2 for $28 2 for $17 Master’s 104 Hoy Court 3 + $13 each 3 + $8 each Men Cary, NC 27511 or visit our website at www.mastersmen.org C & J RE-CERTIFICATION COMPLETED By Thom Hine, Immediate Past President

he Re-Cert School was held Wednesday, July 25 through Sunday noon, July 29, 2001, on the Western T Missouri University Campus just prior to Harmony Those re-certified were... College. Bill Hafley ...... Contest Administrator All current Dixie District Judges we re-certified with Don Lang ...... Contest Administrator the exception of Mark Schlinkert who opted, because of Dick Belote ...... Contest Administrator “time crunch”, (as we must all do from time to time) to spend Tim Brooks ...... Singing more time with the job and with his family. We’ll certainly Larry Deters ...... Singing miss Mark in the C&J Program and hope his life becomes Thom Hine ...... Singing less complicated to the point that he can rejoin the Presenta- Jeff Selano ...... Singing tion Category three years down the road. Tom Schlinkert ...... Presentation

I should also note that, because of the time demands on Our Dixie C&J ranks will grow a bit as David Leeder the FRED quartet members, Clay Hine (MUS) and Rick (PRS) recently relocated from the Southwest District to LaRosa (PRS) were not able to attend the school. With Greensboro, NC (welcome aboard David) and Dwain Cham- FRED’s calendar such as it is, we sincerely miss their par- bers plans to retire and return to the Memphis, TN area ticipation in the C&J Program and hope life becomes a bit shortly (great to have Dwain and Connie back in Dixie). simpler down the road and they can return to the Program at a future date.

PAGE 14 REBEL ROUSER FALL - 2001 HARK.....HARK....AN IMPORTANT REMINDER By Noah Funderberg, Dixie District Secretary

Show Tax Reminder

hapter Secretaries and Treasurers, don’t forget the Dixie District Show Tax must be paid to the Dixie directory in an electronic format that anyone with a com- C District Secretary, yours truly, no later than sixty days puter can read. Chapters can print as many copies as they from the date of the last performance of your show. Pay- like for members. This will help save money for printing and ments received more than sixty days from the show are sub- postage, which is a concern. ject to a $25.00 late penalty plus $1 for each day the pay- ment is late. This can result in a fairly significant penalty if The best advantage, however, is that I will update this you don’t calendar the show tax payment deadline. file frequently and can send any interested person or chapter the most up-to-date file at any time. We probably will not just When your chapter receives its ASCAP license, you should post this file to the Dixie District webpage since it contains receive back from me, a Show Tax Reporting Form which private member information. sets out the deadline, the method for computing the Show Tax, and the penalty for late payment. The District depends upon timely payment of the Show Tax by each chapter to Editor’s Note: I must agree with Mr. Funderberg with help meet the District’s operating expenses. regards to the updating of membership information. It must be the responsibility of each member to update his Judging by the reports received thus far, several chap- address information on the headquarters web site. ters have enjoyed some successful shows. I hope your chap- ter show is a success as well. Contact me if you have ques- The last mailing of the Rebel Rouser found 16 members tions about the Show Tax or the reporting process. who moved and did not update their information. I had to pay $.60 for each newsletter that had to be forwarded. Updating Your Membership Information This cannot be continued. I have contacted the Post Of- fice and will be taking steps to eliminate this unneces- I cannot update your membership information on the So- sary expense. It will probably result in non-delivery of ciety website. This must be done by your chapter secretary any issue that must be forwarded. My apologies if this or by you. If you want to update your information, go to the happens to you, but I cannot continue to bear this need- Members Only portion of the Society website and follow the less expense. links for updating your individual membership information.

Dixie District Directory

The Dixie District Board of Directors has been working for a solution for the past couple of years to have a directory of chapter officers. The time and expense involved in print- ing a directory seems less justified with the advent of elec- tronic communication.

The greatest problem is that the directory is out-of-date by the time it is distributed because of the change in address, telephone number, or, the newer and biggest problem, changed Do you recognize this Dixie District Champion quartet from the email address. past?

I am working now on a solution to produce a directory at The first person to supply me with the name of the quartet, the year the end of each year that will be converted to an Adobe they won, the individual member’s names and singing parts as well as the chapter they represented, will be honored in the next issue for outstanding Acrobat PDF file. This will allow us to send a copy of the trivia knowledge.

FALL - 2001 REBEL ROUSER PAGE 15 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID

DATED MATERIAL

Postmaster: Address Service Requested Rebel Rouser Ron Hesketh, Editor 3010 Caldwell Rd. #207 Ashland City, TN 37015

DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2001 October 5 - 7 Dixie Fall Convention — Chattanooga, TN

2002 March 15-17 Dixie Spring Convention - Knoxville, TN June 30 - July 7 SPEBSQSA International Convention - Portland, OR October 4-6 Dixie Fall Convention - TBA

SHOWS

August 17-18 Birmingham, AL Visit the Dixie Website at September 8 Augusta, GA 29 Mobile, AL www.ddspebs.org November 3 Pinehurst, NC 11 Cleveland, TN 2002 January 19 Myrtle Beach, SC

If your show is not listed here, please inform District Secretary Noah Funderburg, if you have not already done so. Chapter shows must have received a Show Clearance from the District Secretary in order to be listed here. Also, check the Dixie District Web Page at www.ddspebs.org for more listings.

PAGE 16 REBEL ROUSER FALL - 2001