1. NED Spring Contest - Last & Lasting
Posted by: "Rosalind Frizzell" bostonshrimp@... bostonshrimp
Date: Tue May 6, 2008 7:08 pm ((PDT))

Dear Harmonet:

Due to the many responses have requested that I finish my story
about the Hingham/Rockland Contest weekend that was held in late
March. Please accept my apology for the lateness in completing
this account.

First, may I compliment Karen Rourke (Bass of Boston Accent) and
Scott Wahle (WBZ News Anchorman) for their expert handling of the
MC duties on Friday & Saturday nights. Often times, we might not
realize what a critical job it is to keep the show/contest moving
and to incorporate jokes, show announcements and fun banter to
keep the audience interested until the next performer arrives.
Personally, my congratulations go out to these two gracious
individuals since it was a 'slight audience' in Numbers but never
the less, very attentive in spirit.

As a matter of fact, I was lucky to be seated in front of Scott
Wahle and his wife and family after he finished MC'ing and while
the Saturday night show was featured. Scott has been active in
vocalizing and performing in the arts for many years. To hear
Scott singing and to see his excitement is the reason why this
hobby continues. "Sign him up - Kenny !" (That's Ken Siroonian
for those out there in Harmonetland)

Bill White, formerly of my Dad's New Bedford chapter, was a welcome
face on stage as he sang in The Fore & Aft quartet. I feel like
Bill & his wife are family members and it was heart warming to
see Bill singing tenor on stage as he has for many wonderful years.

Two fun quartets from other districts were a breath of fresh air
that weekend.Reveille from New York (MAD) and Hot Shots from Florida
(SUN) made certain that the audience didn't get bored as both kept
us on our toes with laughter, fun & games and visual gymnastics.

I have always been an old barbershopper when it comes to
the songs that I expect to be performed on a contest stage.
With the exception of the word 'nipple' sung by a certain
quartet... (Reveille), I can honestly say it was great to see
entertainment intertwined with good singing.

When Hot Shots started to sing the intro to Embraceable You...I
almost had to leave. I'm an old softie and that song turns me to
pudding every time. The lucky surprise was that it was a parody,
so I stayed and have a new enjoyment for one of my favorite tunes.
Hot Shots is a visual wonder. OK, so many of you may know them as
'the quartet who uses puppets' but they have added bubble wrap suits
to their costume lineup. Yes, kids, I said BUBBLE WRAP. Don't lose
those socks & garters, boys. They really do make the whole outfit.

May I implore you to stay and watch the Hot Shots in Nashville
so that you don't miss their 'riser' routine. I'm not kidding.
It's an absolute riot. The audience was on their feet and cheering.
New England's are an old fashioned bunch. They don't give anything
away for free, so when I tell you how much Hot Shots wow'd the
crowd - I mean it. Oh, and they sing well, too!

My only minor remark might be if Cindy could return from the back
of the hall instead of 'just before the set starts' it would be
less distracting. We love and appreciate everything you're doing,
Cindy BUT, I digress.

OK, my little ol' heart was so proud to see Men in Black mature
into the darlings of the contest stage. These men were the College
contest favorites and now they've proven themselves to be real
contenders in this great hobby of song. Seeing the look on Brandon
Guyton's face as Men in Black performed "If I Only Had a Brain"
was impressive indeed. It takes guts to sing that song in front of
the man who made it famous and Men in Black succeeded with 5 stars!

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the part of the weekend that
really put a smile on my little ol' face.
That would be on Saturday night after the contest was
over and the serious woodshedding began.

All the quartets and choruses were represented and so were many of
the judges (Bobby Gray, Jr. & Rob Campbell too.) They all lined up
to sing with the man of the hour... Terry Clarke (Bass/Our Town).
Terry represented his Division, his District and his International
Society by woodshedding with all comers.
The line never stopped for those who wanted to sing a
song with Terry Clarke and Terry accommodated them all with style
and class.

As a kid, I grew up singing Four Rascals songs, and later Boston
Common songs. For the many who have woodshedded Boston Common
songs in their cars, in hotel lobby and contest arenas and your
favorite pubs and restaurants...there is nothing to compare with
singing a Boston Common song with an actual member of the real
Boston Common himself.

Terry tried asking if anyone else wanted to sing bass, and many
basses switched their own voice part just so that they could sing
bass with the incomparable Bass of The Boston Common himself.

Thank you Terry. You are proof positive that everyone will stand
for hours to sing a Boston Common song, especially if they can
sing with a real, honest to goodness champ!

Thank you to all of you who stood in line to sing with Terry.
What a compliment to The Boston Common and to barbershoppers
to have the opportunity to sing with your hero in a comfortable
setting and to feel like an International Champion yourself.

Make a friend, sing a song, attend a barbershop event.
You'll be glad you did!

See you in Nashville folks,
Roz Frizzell
The Boston Shrimp