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3. Thoroughbred Bash (Long)
Posted by: "Carl Taylor" bbshopcarl@... bbshopcarl
Date: Mon Dec 8, 2008 2:58 pm ((PST))

I hesitate to begin this post because I know I'll forget something
that I wanted to say about the wonderful weekend in Louisville. The
T'breds celebrated, and I do mean CELEBRATED, their 60th anniversary
with a huge weekend of singing, fellowship, and fun. All previous
members and Gold Medal Quartets with any connection were invited to
participate, and many did so.

It all got started with a rehearsal on Friday evening and we all
recognized right away that there was a special feeling in the air and
that we were all in for a very special treat. Director Dave Duncan
and all his crew had everything planned to the most minute detail and
it showed from the first stage call to the finale on Saturday night.

The Saturday matinee at venerable old Memorial Auditorium was well-
attended and the crowd was lively. The opening set was directed by
several previous T'Bred directors including Ken Buckner, Ken Hatton,
Jay Hawkins, John Zender, Dave Hash, Bill Myers, Dave Duncan, and, of
course, the Man Himself, Jim Miller. The tears began to flow as we
sang DANNY BOY and they really haven't stopped yet, at least for me.
The "reunion chorus" guys then left the stage and the current T'breds
took over, singing several songs and presenting four chapter
quartets. Then the fun began. The three members of the CITATIONS who
are still with us took the stage along with the INTERSTATE RIVALS,
and they were joined by Libby, the daughter of the late Bob Netherton
in singing WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD. For those of you who may not know
or remember, the stage was graced by the presence and singing of
Libby, Jim Miller, Ken Buckner, and Bill Myers as well as Kipp
Buckner, Joe Connelly, Paul Gilman, and Jay Hawkins. Quite a "who's
who" of luminaries in one row.

The Bluegrass Student Union was introduced and Ken Hatton and Dan
Burgess stepped out to receive the genuine applause for their great
quartet. Then the RIVALS took stage and knocked everyone over with
five very strong selections including one of their great favorites,
CECELIA. To say that they were well received by the appreciative
audience would be a huge understatement.

The emcee then spoke about SECOND EDITION, none of whom were present
due to the distance they now live from Louisville. They still
received a very warm acknowledgement from the audience that still
remembers their great sound and the years of wonderful singing and
entertaining we all enjoyed from that foursome. Finally, the only
senior quartet champion connected with the T-breds was introduced and
the BARONS sang three songs.

The second half of the show consisted of more quartets, more T'bred
singing, and finally the entire compliment of more than 120 men
singing songs of the Christmas story. In addition to the men I have
already listed who own quartet gold medals, we were also honored to
have Dale Fettick, tenor of MARQUIS on stage. Add to that number the
many gold medals represented by several generations of Thoroughbreds,
and it was a performance to be remembered.

Of course the evening didn't end there. The afterglow was a special
time of fun and fellowship. Forgive the personal note, but for my
quartet to have the opportunity to sing a couple of songs with the
RIVALS made the weekend so very special for me. It meant that I stood
beside "Awesome Joe" and got that golden voice in my ear for a few
moments. What great guys!

But it still wasn't over. After finally getting to bed at about 2:00,
up at 7:30 and singing at Ken Buckner's church on Sunday morning, we
were off to the Miller/Hawkins home for more partying and fun. If
there is a more accommodating and considerate family in the
barbershopping world, I don't know who it is. All through the
afternoon, Jim and Rosemary Miller and Kathy and Jay Hawkins greeted
the many guests who dropped in for a time. With a long drive ahead of
me, I left about 2:30, but the people who know and have been touched
by this family kept coming and coming. I met the two lovely daughters
of Randy Chisholm and it occured to me that this describes the kind
of man Jim Miller is. He would never forget to include family members
of his close friends, especially those who still carry the deep
wounds of losing a prince like Randy.

So, although I feel sure I have left out some details that I should
have included, my effort has been to share a bit of the magic of the
weekend with the 'net. Perhaps others who were there will add their
thoughts in the coming days. My strongest thanks goes again to the
great folks of the Thoroughbred Chorus and the wonderful weekend they
provided for all participants and audience members. It was memorable
in every way.

Carl Taylor Lead, The Barons