YouBarbershopeMagazine DEMO

PHILLY’S TOP TEN Breakdown of the top ten finalists where MONKEY MAGIC SIGNS the potential evolution or preservation of WITH SONY the art form was tested. MEDAL MEDIA CD REVIEW: WAURICK GOES SOLO Song of Atlanta’s PLUS HOT/HOTTER? BECKI HINE 2010 CHAMPIONS

Contents YouBarbershop Magazine Dec. 2010

FEATURES WOODSHED

11 COVER Top Ten Breakdown This year’s quar- tet contest showcased many different musical styles and 4 Dear Avuncular Brian interpretations of music that perhaps pushes he edge of 5 Medal Media what is barbershop. 7 FYI 17 CD REVIEW Waurick Goes Solo The creator of TimTracks.com creates his first solo album that is as im- 8 BHS News pressive to the ears as his high level learning tracks. 9 SAI News 18 An Intimate Conversation: Becki Hine An 10 AFFILIATE News international chorus director, a gold medal husband and two kids in barbershop, Becki Hine shares her love affair with the artform and the influence it has on her family. Youbarbershop Magazine PUBLISHER & EDITOR Mike McGee CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brian Philbin, Steve Stripling, Jenn Perry YouBarbershop Magazine is published twelve times per year and is distributed electronically on a complimentary basis throughout the globe. The information in this publication is presented in good faith. The publisher does not guarantee accuracy or assume responsibility for errors or omissions. ADVERTISING For more information on advertising, please call (850) 445-4118 or e-mail at [email protected] Avuncular Brian

YouBarbershop’s self-proclaimed “Omniscient One” answers our reader’s mail.

Dear Avuncular Brian,

I’m in a brand new quartet, and we all want to sing songs like “Basin Street Blues” and “Lazy Bones” in contest. Our coach says these might be too challenging for a new quartet. Should we fire him and get someone who understands that these songs totally MADE the champs who they are?

Sincerely, Fergus in Fernwood considered in order to show off does: stand there and sing. Seems to Fergus - these quartets at their best. *Their* work for every one else- *except* us! best - not yours. Calm the #@!* Your name gives me pause, as I used down & find something that Love and kisses, to sing with a monk by the same name no one else is singing - make it - hope you’re not Father Fergus your own. That’s how those champs Hugo Z Hackenbush being distrustful of your coach. did it, anyway!

To continue: WHAT’RE YOU, Sincerely, NUTS? Unless you’re at a Brian Dear Avuncular Brian, tremendously high level of singing - say, Top Ten level - I wouldn’t A guy in front of me on the risers suggest you attempt anything nearly keeps farting up a storm. I feel like as customized as these arrangements. Dear Avuncular Brian, punching him but would rather try No one can sing these better than a non-violent solution first. I can’t the champs that sang them, so WHY We want to be just like Metropolis, but wear a gas mask because it wrecks would anyone in their right mind every time we try to do all the visual my vowel sounds. What should I do? attempt a meager comparison unless stuff, we end up all out of breath and we they felt they were at or beyond can’t sing well. What should we do? Gagging in Wagner the level of the associated championship quartet? Yours, Dear GagWag, Don in Reno But fear not - you’re not a *total* Here’s the deal - you can’t affect jackwagon. Quartet after quartet Dear Don - your performance by responding has tried and failed at such pieces, to acts of nature (or, in this case, not fully recognizing that the voices Just stick with the tried & true and acts against nature). But once you and ranges involved were cleverly do the same thing everyone else get off the risers, all bets are off! Continued on page 6 4 MEDAL MEDIA Stats and media of the AIC found on the world wide web.

top five aic facebook pages Click on images to view video quartet friends maxqMaxQ-– you’ve You’ve got Got a Afriend Friend in In me Me 90,43998,202 views views 3,730 2,167 oc OCtimes Times-– come Come fly Flywith With me Me 67,14477,020 views views 983 404 vocalVocal spectrum Spectrum-– cruella Cruella de De ville Ville 36,825 views 33,795 views maxq 6

charlieCharlie bit Bitmy My finger Finger the aic facebook page has 915 220,031,138256,652,947 views views

quartetquartet videovideo promospromos toptop threethree aicaic tweetstweets followers oc times 303

vocal spectrum 36 oc time’s destinations video can be found on youtube. realtime 26

tim waurick’s solo album video can be ashton kutcher 5,522,184 viewed on youtube and timtracks.com.

5

3 2010 champions This year the barbershop harmony societies were represented by some of the best performances ever in their respective competitions. We are proud of the accomplishments these groups have made not only in their musicianship, but what they represent to the evolution of the art form. YOUR 2010 INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS

sweet adelines international Avuncular Brian continued... Try something that will get his attention. My recommendation? Dutch Oven. During a colder MAXX FACTOR rehearsal night, bring a fleece hoodie jacket with you - when break begins, find everyone you can who has gas and have them fart into it. Then, while you’re outside during break, offer it up & when he puts it on, pull the hood over his nose!

Seriously, ever tried talking to him? I mean, really? I’m sure there are others around SCOTTSDALE you who’re in the same boat. Nothing like peer pressure to take off the gastric pressure!

BP harmony incorporated

Dear Avuncular Brian, RINGTONES Everyone on our visual team tells me I need to show more facial expression while I’m singing. I know I’m doing a great job and I’m pretty sure they’re just harassing me because they’re jealous. Should I leave and go to a better, bigger NORTHERN chorus who will appreciate my amazing talent? BLEND Showtime Shane

Hey, Shane -

barbershop harmony society You are a real dumb@$$, y’know that?

Thoughtfully, Avuncular Brian

Do you have a question for avuncular Brian? Send him thoughts, opinions or a piece of your mind to: WESTMINSTER [email protected].

6 “MAY I HAVE SOME SLICED LEMON WITH MY CROW, PLEASE?” Every year come June, barbershoppers begin the debate of Every year come June, barbershoppers begin the debate of who will win whothe will upcoming win internationalthe upcoming contests. international Some years the contests. predictions Some can be yearsvaried the due predictions to the equal can talent be and varied expectations due to from the competitors. equal talent This andyear, expectations the quartet and from chorus competitors. winners were expected This year, to be thelocks quartet with the andstrong chorus preliminary winners scores were from Oldexpected School and to thebe sentimental locks with nod tothe the strongVocal preliminary Majority with thescores retirement from of Old their School championship and director,the sen Jim- timentalClancy. nod to the Vocal Majority with the retirement of theirHowever, championship what we all director,learned in PhiladelphiaJim Clancy. is there is no such thing... However,as a sure thing. what we all learned in Philadelphia is there is no such thing... as a sure thing.

Quartet Philadelphia Prelims BSMD.com YouBarbershop Name Scores Rankings Predictions Predictions

1. Storm Front 8220 (91.3) 2nd (86.2) 2nd 3rd 2. -57 (90.7) 1st (90.3) 1st 1st 3. Ringmasters -352 (87.4) 3rd (85.5) 3rd 2nd 4. -379 (87.1) 7th (83.3) 13th 5th 5. The Allies -391 (87.0) 4th (84.8) 4th 6th 6. -479 (86.0) 5th (84.0) 5th 4th 7. Men In Black -481 (86.0) 6th (83.6) 6th 8th 8. A Mighty Wind -539 (85.3) 9th (82.3) 7th 7th 9. Voce -584 (84.8) 8th (82.5) 8th NR 10. TNS -620 (84.4) 10th (81.9) 9th 10th

Chorus Philadelphia Prelims BSMD.com YouBarbershop Name Scores Rankings Predictions Predictions

1. Westminster 2932 (97.7) 2nd (86.2) 2nd 2nd 2. Vocal Majority -19 (97.1) 1st (90.3) 1st 1st 3. The Northern Lights -110 (94.1) 7th (85.5) 4th 4th 4. Sound of the Rockies -163 (92.3) 3rd (83.3) 3rd 3rd 5. The Harmonizers -252 (89.3) 8th(84.8) 7th 7th 6. The Alliance -261 (89.0) 4th(84.0) 5th 5th 7. Voices In Harmony -324 (86.9) 6th(83.6) 6th 6th 8. Midwest Vocal Express -343 (86.3) 12th(82.3) 10th 10th 9. Brothers In Harmony -370 (85.4) 15th (82.5) NR NR 10. Music City Chorus -386 (84.9) 10th (81.9) 9th 9th

4 7 news andbhs notes Change The Barbershop Har- mony Society is proposing an idea to modify the current International chorus contest cycle from the cur- rent one year rotation to a two year cycle. This is a similar format to what the Sweet Adelines have set for their International competing choruses. The change would allow more choruses to compete at the international level as well as lesson the economic burden set upon chap- ters that compete every year. The C Hiatus The Vocal Major- on performance and recordings & J committee is still researching ity announced they will not be rather than awards in their trophy this format and will offer a plan to attending the Kansas City Inter- case. Stepping away from the con- the Society in the coming months. national convention and instead, test cycle this year will allow them focus on other projects which in- to put more time into two more re- On October 15th, a fire clude two upcoming recordings. cordings that will feature some new Fire broke out at the historic Tulsa Jim Clancy arrangements as well Club. In 1938, The Club was the The eleven time International cho- as producing high quality Christ- first meeting site for the Barber- rus champions have gone through mas shows and corporate events. shop Harmony Society. The cause quite a bit of change the past two of the fire is still under investiga- years. In 2009, a streak of ten Replaced After a two month tion, however it is believed the championships dating back to 1979 search the 2010 International semi- blazev started when embers from was broken when the Vocal Major- finalist quartet Lucky Day has an- a smaller firepit created by tran- ity finished second to the Ambas- nounced their new tenor, Drew sients inside the building ignited sadors of Harmony. Six months Wheaton. The original lead of a couch in the upstairs ballroom. later legendary VM director Jim Blend Tech, Wheaton will be re- Clancy announced he would no placing Roger Ross (Tenor of longer direct the chorus in com- ) who stepped down petition. In July of this from the quartet im- year the VM performed mediately follow- perhaps one of their most ing the International consistent packages ever competition in Phila- on vstage, yet the Hol- delphia. Lucky Day lywood ending with gold was a SUN repre- medal finish for Clancy sentative, however last competition failed now that they’ve to happen as the return- replaced two mem- ing championship chorus bers and three of the Westminster handed the four are active in the Vocal Majority their sec- JAD, Lucky Day will ond silver medal in a row. change its associa- While fans love to witness the Vo- tion from the SUN cal Majority compete at the Interna- to Johnny Appleseed and rename tional conventions, members of the themselves. The quartet will now be known as The Franchise. Jarrel Wade chapter have always focused more 8 newssai and notes click image to view video Retired After two years of tre- to meet at the Key Arena Plaza and mendous success and what seemed at a designated time. Led by Chris to be an unlimited bright future ahead Noteware, the crowd instatnly of them, the current second place In- broke into singing Conga/Rhythm ternational medalists Journey has Is Gonna Get You Medley. The decided to retire from competition. Rich-tone’s members were spread Due to life’s other priorities Melissa Pope, LeAnn Hazlett, Chris Kirkman tions, only this one had a bit of a twist and Patti Britz to the standard cattle-call group sing. r e l u n c t a n t l y wrap up their Leading up to the time together as Un-retiring International Convention in Seattle, Journey. Britz Region #19 quartet representative recently ap- Capri had planned to retire after their proached the final peroformance at the contest due quartet that she to health reasons with one of its mem- would be resign- bers. However, after finishing with a ing from singng top five medal for their first time the as she plans quartet has decided to hold off on the for an upcoming wedding. out among the crowd and began ex- ecuting choreography. It didn’t take tretirement party and give themselves a second chance. With two very ex- Journey’s name was appropriate long for the thousands of mob-sters citing performances, Capri placed since members of the quartet came to catch on and dance to the beat. v third in the international competition. from all four corners of the Unites Mass sings are a tradition at both the States- Florida, Virginia, Michigan SAI and BHS International Conven- and Washingon. Loaded with big voices and years of barbershop ex- perience, Journey rocked the bar- Who’s Hot/Who’s Hotter? bershop world with its unique sound Current trends in barbershop by Mike McGee and unbridled musicality. In their first year of competing Journey fin- Trend Hot Hotter ished in fifth place at International. Contest gimmick 40 second lead post 40 seconds of talking YouBarbershop sends its best wishes to the members of Journey and thank Future arranger David Wright Aaron Dale them for some fabulous entertaining performances at the International level! Dynasty chorus Vocal Majority Westminster Contest Uniforms Zoot suits Tie-less suits Mob At the International Conven- tion in Seattle, Washington the Sweet Barbershop God Jim Clancy Jim Henry Adelines jumped on a fun trend by The “new” old The Beach Boys The Beatles planning a flash mob. Devised by songs the current International Champi- Accepted new old ons Rich-Tones chorus, attendees The Beatles To be determined of the convention were instructed songs 9 affiliatesnews and notes

deal in the history of barbershop. You can read the article in The Daily Mirror (with a photo that, trust us, isn’t our boys) here and a likely superior article here in The Daily Telegraph. No word at the moment as to whether they will continue to com- pete as Monkey Magic or retain their recording name in future en- deavors, however, we’re currently working on an interview with one or all of the quartet, as time and availability allows, so stay tuned! YouBarbershop wishes the ab- solute best in every endeavor (or, “endeavour”, as our friends overseas may have it) to The Great British Barbershop Boys! MONKEY MAGIC SIGNS MASSIVE RECORD DEAL WITH SONY he Men from B.A.B.S., Monkey The quartet, as Monkey Magic, Magic (see Episode 1.16 of YouCast was the 2008 British Association of for our interview with them last year) Barbershop Singers champions and have landed a contract with Sony Re- went on to represent BABS both in cords to record a Christmas album. the Collegiate Quartet contest and After being dis- the International covered during the Quartet Com- Philadelphia Con- petition from vention by a Sony 2008 to present. development rep- The reported resentative, the value of the con- quartet, Alan tract - accord- Hughes (Tenor & ing to The Dai- YouBarbershop ly Mirror - is Overseas Corre- £1,000,000 (at spondent), Zac the current ex- Booles (Lead), change rate of Joe Knight approximately (Bari) & Dun- $1.588 per Brit- can Blackeby (Bass), assumed the ish Pound, over $1.5 Million in US name of “The Great British Bar- currency). While other Society quar- bershop Boys” for the project, tets, such as the and the entitled “Christmas Time” and Suntones have entered into record- now available for preorder here on ing deals with record company la- Amazon.co.uk (currently unavail- bels, this contract would reportedly able in the US on Amazon.com). be the most lucrative single album 10 The Quartet Sessions were filled with excel- lent performances, top to bottom. And, like most International contests of the past 16 years, there was some controversy along the way. Some felt they were simply pushing the boundaries of barbershop and still others have been quoted as indicating...

BY BRIAN PHILBIN

...maybe this the new “BARBERSHOP?”

11 Let’s review some of our top performers from this year’s international convention in Philadelphia, PA. HONORABLE MENTIONS music within the – This is a solid singing contest, rather quartet and we’ve only heard their than having to first couple of rounds at Interna- be “judged as tional. Some time in the saddle and Barbershop or solid coaching will certainly give not”, which is these guys what they need to gradu- what we end- ate to the next level in short order. ed up with. Lunch Break 3 Men & A Melody – Here’s – Here’s another a likable quartet who has performed fun quartet who some extremely entertaining shows appears to suf- and has hit the 10 previously – and fer from what was close this time out – but chose I refer to as the to end with “ABC” (The Jackson “4 Under Par 5’s old hit, previously slammed by syndrome”. A the judging community and similarly funny quartet that’s capable of devalued here in the Music Category The comedy quartet Lunch Break trying to fit in with the lowest Music Score of the performing and with the new style of barbershop by pretend- round), resulting in a significantly entertaining ev- ing to be the ultra-cool fan faves, Ringmasters. lower finish than they’d otherwise ery audience at a high level (I par- and I will be very interested to see have had. There’s been talk of this what is on the horizon for them. having been their last contest, but ticularly enjoyed their “Young and that happens with many long-run- Swedish” parody), but the audience Men In Black – These guys ning quartets and there’s been no is waiting for a level improvement brought it all this week - enjoyable confirmation on this rumor as of yet. in singing. This quartet focuses on their parodies and clever ideas to performances in every round with propel them and we get glimpses of plenty of ringing and personality and – Okay, ad- ‘Round Midnight their ability to sing at a higher level grace coming to light in their person- mittedly, lead Wayne Grimmer’s on a regular basis, but just not quite ality. My favorite set was “If I Only hat (seems intermittently) distracting enough. A quartet with enormous Had a Brain” and “That’s Life” (I lose his eyes in certain lighting), potential, I would look for them and every set made me wonder what as can be the rather dramatic staging to pick up the torch left by Storm this quartet might be capable of with from time to time. However, there is Front and improve their sound to their own material. Very likely a considerable ringing in this quartet, a level appropriate for the Top 10. higher-placing result, in my opinion. as well as an energetic personality statement. No one is “themselves” TNS - This quartet sings real bar- as much as this quartet. It may not AND THE TOP TEN bershop! Almost every tune was a be to everyone’s taste, but they’re polecat, arranged and sung beauti- unapologetic for the approach. Not Voce – Solid singing, great song se- fully and thoughtfully. These guys sure how well their arrangements lection, the bottom three parts have bring a considerable amount of fit into the style – some parts seem truly gelled with the addition of heft to every performance and give more successful than others – but I Don Kindinger on Bass and their us all chills that result in a tremen- enjoyed their performance from a song selection has benefited them, dous amount of audience impact. “show” perspective. It’s too bad the as well. This is a quartet to watch, Society nixed the idea of the Show considering their strong showing – I wasn’t quite Package. It would truly would have and improvement over last year A Mighty Wind given a showcase for this kind of sure what to think of this quartet at 12 first, particularly with the “State- my favorite set was the last of the undeniable. No one performs like Line-esque” approach to their first contest in which they sang Willie these guys. They are the real deal! ballad. However, as the contest Nelson’s “Crazy” (most will rec- wore on, it was evident that the ognize the Patsy Cline version) and Ringmasters – Okay, before I get level of personality that I knew “Coney Island Washboard.” The to how much I really love these guys, Tim Brooks and Drew McMil- first tune would have normally giv- personally, we need to talk a bit about en me some pause, their music, which was the buzz of due to the way the the contest week, for the most part. lyric line and its Usually, I’m not the guy to ask original supporting whether something is Barbershop chords created an or not, but my mentors, Earl Moon, intricate set of inter- Lloyd Steinkamp and Dr. Greg vals. However, fol- Lyne (they call him “Maestro”, lowing Ringmasters, rather than “Doctor” in Europe and it sounded positively Russia – pretty neat) taught me that “barbershoppy”, if a song doesn’t seem to ring a lot, as did Coney. I re- even with good, in-tune singing, ally feel that, while it’s usually due to a lack of Minor lead, Dave Cal- 7th chords (the barbershop sev- land has always enth) or because of chord stacking been a solid foun- (singing in the same range as the lan were capable of was now here, dation for this quartet, the other overtones). They also taught me amplified by the addition of Clay members met his example this that if a song doesn’t seem to have Hine and Paul Saca. Fine sing- time around. They truly showed an inherent logic to it, it’s prob- ing, entertaining and guys that I their mettle (heh… I said “medal”). ably because it’s not following the find enjoyable to either watch or circle of 5ths. And, finally, I’m to hang out and sing a tag with. This Musical Island Boys – Mike understand that if a song seems to is a really fun quartet and I’m look- had made a comment during one meander repetitively with no break, ing forward to the further results of (the first) of our their having found their footing! wrap-ups that they didn’t quite bring Masterpiece – Their new lead, what we’d ex- Patrick Haedtler, is really show- pected to this con- ing his chops! The intro to “Stormy test. Like many Weather” was super solid. Not barbershop fans only has Patrick learned to trust the who pay close extremely experienced part sing- attention to their ers around him, the other guys are favorite quartets, trusting Patrick to make choices as the lead of the A MIGHTY WIND quartet. While there were Fine singing, entertaining and guys that I find enjoy- some performances stron- ger than others this week, able to either watch or hang out and sing a tag with. I’m very interested to see how the personality and mu- we know what they’re capable of - it’s typically failed to have either a sic shifts now that they have their but while not every set was letter- bridge, or “B” section (as in ABA first International under their belts. perfect, their use of dynamics and musical format). In differing se- the sheer heart and soul they bring lections, I heard each of these tell- The Allies - These guys sang to every single phrase and perfor- tale signs in the majority of Ring- with heart and solid, ringing chords mance was extremely powerful and masters’ song selections. That throughout the contest. Probably their impact on the audience was told me, along with many of our 13 AIC members and a consider- the Music Category, even though we able number of audience members, all noticed the judges huddling af- that this was not quite barbershop. ter Ringmasters’ first performance. Never let it be said that I think that Previously, I mentioned that the lack I’m – on any level – anywhere of score was evident in the placement nearly as musically smart as Da- for 3 Men & a Melody for “ABC” in vid Harrington or David Wright, the Music Category. Where was it who provided charts for Ringmas- during these performances? I can’t ters this time around. But there seem to find a specific instance in was something stylistically missing which a single category protested from every song I heard from them, what they heard. I doubt very highly save one. “I Can’t Give You Any- that many of the quartets shooting for thing But Love” was LAUDED the 10 are truly taking into consider- with praise from the audience, be- ation that Ringmasters’ scores were cause it was the most barbershop considerably lower, overall, in com- they’d sung all week. A standing parison to last year’s run (over 150 ovation from the audience proved points lower), because they advanced they were on the right track. Other an entire space from 4th to 3rd in songs were met with a significant in- this contest. It almost seems that the difference from some aspects of the Music Category didn’t find evidence crowd. Most notably, the AIC sec- of a notable difference in quality tion, to me, seemed practically quiet from the one barbershop song to the comparative to other sections of the other tunes. Overall, there’s only 2 assemblage. This did not bode well. points per song, per judge difference All that said, we ended up with a set between “She’s Out of My Life” of scores that did not reflect what one and “I Can’t Give You Anything But would expect. The Music Category Love”, 3 points to “Oh! Darling”, gave them the highest marks out of another point to “You and I” and any category, providing them with a another to “So In Love.” The low- 3rd Place Bronze Medal. No aster- est scoring song was “Eight Days A isk or penalty was at all evident from Week”, which was 6 points lower 14 (per song, per judge, again) than “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”. *Whew*. Now that I’m done with the musical aspect of Ringmasters’ choices, let’s quickly talk about the level of enjoyment that I did get out of these guys, personally. Firstly, bass Martin Wahlgren is KILLIN’ me with all those fully formed and sup- ported low notes! These guys sing like nobody’s business and I, person- ally, love them. As I mentioned at the top of the article, this would have been the perfect quartet to showcase their “outside barbershop” skills as a truly gifted ensemble if we’d had the Top 10 show package – because these guys have a lot to offer the world. wild as they entered with their music Ringmasters [Above] pushed Question is – will Ringmasters stand. We saw repeats of last year’s the envelope of barbershop come back next year armed with “Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You”, music and may have paid the barbershop? If they do, the vo- as well as the perennial favorites price with a third place finish. cal prowess and improvement that “Where or When”, “Don’t Fence they’ve brought to every single Me In”, “I’ve Grown Accustomed consecutive showing could pos- to Third Place” and “What a Won- sibly beat everything else on the derful World” and a new song, as competition stage in Kansas City. well. On the final night, their “Juke- Old School – This week, I was, box Saturday Night Medley” - a once again, amazed at the level of super funny and inventive update of entertainment and chord-ringing ’s Victrola routine - but brought forth by lead Joe Connelly, with a car CD player! Very clever! tenor Kipp Buckner, baritone Jack Normally, I would have questioned Pinto and bass Joe Krones. More just how “barbershop” this tune was, forward movement, greater stage since there didn’t seem to be any body presence and comfort with their au- to the text – however, Ringmasters’ dience, solid heart and technique charts just previous to this perfor- rolled up in super-ringy-chorded- mance threw that consideration out goodness! Yeah, baby!!!! These the window and this music sounded guys sing so well that, even with their distinctly barbershop in comparison. performance on Saturday night im- Storm Front has given us a wonder- pacted by some vocal issues, they’re ful group of songs that truly put them always a level above the other quar- at the top at the right moment (eeri- tets crossing the stage. Singing and ly similar to FRED’s win in 1999). performing so remarkably solid and What a great contest and a great expanded sound so thick, walking group of guys, whom I will be proud toward them while they’re singing is to call champs! All hail the new like leaning toward a gale-force wind. International Quartet Champions!

Storm Front – The first night, our audience was ready for them be- fore they even hit the stage – on the second night, the congregation went 15 Old School’s performances shined, yet were only 57 points from first place. They will be next year’s favorite for gold.

Storm Front huddled backstage in Philadelphia awaiting their final call as the new International quartet champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

16 cd review idea, truly - I still love the Westmin- ster version with David Rakita’s WAURICK great solo, but this translates well to recording and you’ll be very pleased with the result and the personality he brings to the second solo, mak- GOES SOLO ing it his own... or maybe David The highly talented quartet champion and king of made it his own on the flipside - hm- mmm - maybe I should have asked? learning tracks creates his first solo album. In “That Lonesome Road”, Tim manages to straddle, almost per- The long-awaited Tim Tracks pretty good trick, lemme tell ya. fectly, the difference between the CD is here. If you’re not famil- “O Love That Will Not Let Me original James Taylor performance iar with Tim Waurick - Tenor of Go” and “Go Down Moses” are and the more choral-sounding our 2006 International Champi- lovely - Tim stuck with quartet ver- King’s Singers version. I’ve al- ons, Vocal Spectrum - and ways loved this song and Tim has his learning tracks site, provided us a 4-part version of Si- well, you’re in for a treat! mon Carrington’s chamber ar- For years, Tim’s been pro- rangement more suited to our style. viding high-quality re- Speaking of our style, “The Night cordings as learning tracks Has a Thousand Eyes” and “Five for choruses and quartets Foot Two” are rockin’ uptunes around the world, which that any quartet would be proud are just as pleasurable to to have as part of their repertoire. listen to in total as many Driving rhythms, excellent ringing of the Quartet or Chorus chords and just lots of musical fun! recordings you’ll find on Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” the racks at your local con- is one of my favorite tunes to come ventions or on your favor- along in a long time (I first heard ite A Cappella CD website. it in 2007 on one of Adam Sam- Now, we can all enjoy Tim’s berg’s SNL Digital Shorts and wide range of performing it transcended the “bit”) and Tim, abilities on this new CD. along with Jordan Litz capture it You’ll find choral, barbershop sions, rather than multiplying his in a seemingly effortless & seamless and a cappella performances voices to create the illusion of a manner. If you’ve never heard the on this CD and Tim approach- choir. While my personal prefer- song before, be ready for a truly dif- es each with equal aptitude. ences tend to lean more toward ferent sound and style of chords & First up is Tim’s version of Michael truly choral versions, that’s truly approach. The plaintive soaring of Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet” predjudiced simply by exposure to the high tenor parts truly show off with a bit of a Doo-Wop feel - I don’t those choral performances of the Tim at his best and the vocal effects really like that description, but it’s pieces and Tim is masterful in con- from the chording are exquisite. the best way to get it across in words quering both with peerless aplomb. Tim not only shares the perfor- - A Cappella is more apt, but it’s Tim covers The Westminster Cho- mances on this CD with others, they very fun, either way. On both this rus on the third track with “Didn’t also assist in some of the arranging. and “Everything” (another Buble My Lord Deliver Daniel”... or Barbershoppers Eric Dalbey and tune), Tim manages to capture the maybe this was a learning track he Litz (Lead of Late Show) help out feel of this tune without aping Bu- provided for Westminster & they on a couple tunes and then Tim’s ble & still being Tim - and that’s a were covering Tim? I have no real parents, Walt (on a neat rendition of Continued on page 20 17 YouBarbershop exclusive! An Intimate Conversation: Becki Hine YouBarbershop sailed the seven seas in search of Song of Atlanta’s Master Director Becki Hine. We were surprised to find the winsome wench dropping anchor at a landlocked hotel in Tennessee preparing for her chorus’ Region 23 competition this weekend in Chattanooga.

YouBarbershop: Dame Captain Bloody Black- heart the Red, tell us what the chorus has been up to since your competition in Hawaii last year?

DameCaptainBloodyBlackhearttheRed: The chorus is doing great. We took some time off dur- ing the holidays and formed a mini-chorus of 30+ singers and performed a couple of gigs. One of them was singing Clay’s (Assuming her husband Clay Hine, not Clay- A fine-grained, firm earthy material that is plastic when wet and hardens when heated, consisting primarily of hydrated silicates of aluminum and widely used in making bricks, tiles, and pottery.) eight part arrangement of Hallelujah Chorus with Atlanta Vocal Proj- ect on their Christmas show. That was amazing!

YouBarbershop: Tell us about this weekend’s competition and what songs the Song of Atlanta will be performing?

DCBBtR: We’re taking the same two songs into contest that we did in our first set in Hawaii. Both are Clay’s (Hine) charts, “Ain’t He Sweet/Yes Sir, That’s My Baby Medley,” and “If I Had My Way.” That set in Hawaii is our highest scoring set so far. We want to soundly beat our score from two years ago at regional, 661, which was exactly the same regional score as Ronninge and Pride of Portland in that round. 18 YouBarbershop: Do you think SofA would ever break into the 700 club?

WinsomeWench: Of course, I would imagine that all of us attempting to scratch and claw our way into the top 5 at Inter- national would love to score something close to that elusive 700 points that the big guys are scoring at their regional contests. You can certainly count us in that group.

YouBarbershop: What’s on the sched- ule for SofA following this weekend’s competition?

ReallyBadEggs: After the regional week- end, we’ll be preparing for our spring show on April 25th, featuring Atlanta Vo- less. They did a cal Project on the matinee and Zamboni fine job, as did all Brothers quartet on the evening show. the terrific young women, and even YouBarbershop: Do you have any plans though Sara Roose to record a new CD? drove her home last night (2 1/2 Ne’er Do Well Cad: In June, we’ll be re- hours back to At- cording our fifth album. This will be our lanta) for school pirate album, and it’s not yet named, so today (Man, tough any suggestions for titles would be great. parents won’t even let her miss one day of (YouBarbershop suggestions: A Pirate’s school.), she’ll be back tonight with Clay Life For Me, Big Bounty/Nice Canons, and Camden (As in Camden Yards? Is it Davy Jone’s Wenches, All The Things possible his parents named this boy after a You RRRRrr!) The pirate recording will baseball stadium? His daddy is a baseball have all of the songs from our finals pack- fan.) to see the end of the quartet contest and age in Hawaii, plus several others, like will compete with the chorus tomorrow. “How Deep is the Ocean” and “Beyond the Sea.” [Picture at right: Artist’s ren- YouBarbershop: What is it like to share dering of his wife, Becki Hine as a pi- this hobby/lifestyle/addiction with your rate. Why in the world is there a dragon daughter? on her shoulder? Other than that, I have no problem with the drawing, particular- Captain Morgan: It’s the coolest thing ly her guns. That’s a big chest... of trea- in the world to have Melody sing- sure. OK, I’m done. I’ve run out of puns.] ing with the chorus! I guess for her first contest, a 6th place medal on the globe YouBarbershop: Tell us about your is not bad! We actually have 5 mother- family. Any of them catch the “barber- daughter pairs singing with the chorus. shop bug” yet?

Becki “We wants the redhead!” Hine: To learn more about thve Song of Atlanta Melody is fifteen now, and competed in chorus, or if you want to pillage and plunder her first Young Women in Harmony quar- their sacks of gold and CDs, you can visit tet contest last night with her quartet, Rest- their website at www.songofatlanta.com. 19 Waurick Solo continued... Clay Hine’s “Straigten Up And Fly Right”) & Cathy not only duet with him on two separate songs, but he and his mom also arranged “He Will Carry You” to wonderful ef- fect (though he got the orchestra to back them on this and “Fly to You” is entirely beyond me...).

“Kyrie” and “Sleep” are beautiful pieces, the latter by Eric Whita- cre, who also penned “Lux Au- rumque” (performed by The West- minster Chorus to win Choir of the World - their CD is coming soon, as well). Mr. Whitacre truly creates interestingly beautiful pieces and Tim brings “Sleep” to life so very thoughtfully. Both pieces (okay, pretty much every track on the al- bum) demonstrate that Tim is truly a wonderful musician at heart, as well as a solid performer.

I highly recommend this CD and it’s surely bound to become a favorite among barbershoppers and a cap- pella enthusiasts alike. As of June 16th, the CD should become avail- able for purchase at Tim’s website, www.timtracks.com in a matter of days, or at your favorite a cappella recording retailer. Enjoy! www.youbarbershop.com 20