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8. 60th Anniversary Thoroughbreds Reunion Show - ala The Boston Shrimp
Posted by: "Rosalind Frizzell" bostonshrimp@... bostonshrimp
Date: Tue Dec 9, 2008 7:11 pm ((PST))

Dear Harmonet,

Any visit to The Cardinal District but specifically Louisville
is decidedly a trip back home. Though the weather outside was
'frighteningly cold' the mood inside was decided warm & rich
with the sound of Barbershop chords.

So sit back, relax and listen to a tale of chapters past and
present. Believe me - you'll recognize the names who took
the stage and sang their hearts out!

Saturday - December 6th, the Louisville Memorial Auditorium
hosted two (count 'em) TWO shows. My only regret was that my
parents had been there too to see and hear Jim Miller directing
this chorus (of well over 100 members) once more. What a sight
for sore eyes.

Many of you know the strong feelings that my father (Alfred
Severs) had for The Thoroughbreds - then under the direction of
Jim Miller. Our family repeatedly would travel far and wide
to hear the excitement that generated under Jim's tutelage.
He ran a tight ship, was a World War II veteran and a believer
in selling the song. My father agreed with all of these Jim
Miller philosophies, so that's why we were continuous supporters
of The Thoroughbred Chorus over those many decades.

Coming to Louisville and attending both of these shows felt like
coming home and sharing that piece of home with my family,
especially my memories of my own Dad. More than once, I
caught that emotion in my gut and tried to push it back.
In our family Barbershop came first, work second, family
third...and that was that.

Though Jim is much younger than my Dad was, he's still a strong
father-figure for me and for many of us whom attended this
weekend's show. Here are some of the 'friends & family' events:

Picture a Norman Rockwell - Saturday Evening Post storybook
feel.

"It's Barbershop Harmony Time!" was the opening Thoroughbred
anthem.

Jim Miller directed Danny Boy and Silent Night and you could
feel the excitement in his hands as Jimmy commanded those 100+
barbershoppers. Wow! All those contests and shows flashed to
my mind and I was transported in time to all those wonderful
songs and the reaction in the auditorium sensed the same
deja vu.

This show featured both current chorus members and 'reunion'
members' including but not limited to members of several known
quartets that they produced such as...The Citations, Bluegrass
Student Union, Interstate Rivals, Keepsake, Gas House Gang,
Marquis, Revival, Platinum and The Barons, just to mention
a few. With the resounding magic in their hands, several
directors took their place in front of these men of song and
directed popular barbershop melodies and holiday favorites.

Dave Duncan is the Music Director whom you all know from the
behind the scenes, managing the conventions aka S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A
competitions both locally & the annual "Society" Internationals
stage productions.

Dave directed several fun and inspirational numbers including
Joe Liles Fun in Just One Lifetime, Disney's Can You Feel the
Love Tonight, the spiritual Mary Did You Know & When I Lift
Up My Head/Lift Up My Heart, patriot favorites God Bless the
USA and Battle Hymn of the Republic and the popular You Raise
Me Up featuring solos by Eric Hunstiger & Jim Smith.

I'll admit, Home on the Range is a very sweet personal favorite
of mine that I ALWAYS love hearing this chorus perform.
Thanks gentlemen.

Bill Myers of Citations/Revival fame directed as well as the
other three surviving Citations members.

I think it was Pat Conroy that directed (Kenny Hatton - who
sang a solo in)Oh Holy Night. Soon afterward, Kenny took the
directorship with What Child Is This. Jay Hawkins assumed the
helm to Oh Come All Ye Faithful. Little Town of Bethlehem was
guided sweetly by Ken Buckner and Angels We Have Heard On High
was alternately directed by John Zehnder & Dave Hasch.

And what a production this was. This was a show within a show
as well as the special tributes that featured both Rosemary
Miller during the afternoon show, and later in the evening
the spotlight was on Ken Buckner...much to his surprise!

Those of us who know The Thoroughbreds, know of the loving and
supportive relationship of Jim & Rosemary Miller. Dave Duncan
said it best when he referred to Jim King Miller having a
'queen' in his wife - Rosemary. When I witness Jim and
Rosemary, it truly is like looking at a couple of teenaged
sweethearts. Rosemary has always been there through thick
and thin for Jim and he wouldn't have it any other way.

After the Citations/Interstate Rivals duet (singing Wonderful
World) this is the point in the show when Dave stopped Jim
from exciting the stage.

It was then that we were all witness to a special tribute
to Rosemary and a presentation to her of a sparkling diamond
bracelet. Jim lifted his hand out to support Rosemary as Jeff
Myers (Bill's son) found Rosemary in the audience and brought
her to Jim's side up on the stage. Nothing surprises Jimmy
Miller but this certainly brought him and the rest of the
audience to a standing ovation and tears.

Wonderful One, you may know is the song featured in the
movie "Good Morning Viet Nam." During the Viet Nam war,
The Citations quartet sang for our troops and regularly
included this Louis Armstrong tune in their repertoire.
It is my understanding that the Wonderful One selection was
a favorite of the troops and in keeping with authenticity,
Wonderful One was included in the movie for that reason.
I'd like to think that The Citations is responsible for the
"revival" of bringing Wonderful One back to the masses. Again,
thank you to the gentlemen of The Citations Quartet.

The Citations added another auspicious member to their
membership on this particular Saturday performance. Bob
Netherton (Nutzy - as he was affectionately known) passed away a
few years ago, but luckily for us...his daughter Libby took the
tenor position in her father's tenor voice part to the welcome
applause of those of us who were lucky to witness the event.

Not only did Libby sing with The Citations on the show (along
side of Interstate Rivals) for Wonderful One but Libby ALSO
sang tenor back stage for a private performance especially
tailored for Jim Miller with the following barbershoppers.

It was a virtual 'who's who' of Thoroughbreds celebrities
singing Citations Classics for and with Jim Miller on Saturday
for a walk down memory lane. (Later on Sunday evening,
Jim Miller admitted to me that this was one of the special
highlights - along with Rosemary's recognition, that meant so
much to him personally.)

Singing Lead: Jim Miller & Kenny Hatton
Tenor: Libby Netherton & Dave Hasch
Bari: Ken Buckner & Danny Burgess
Bass: Bill Myers;
Also singing in the mix - Todd Buckner.

Citations song sung by the above mentioned includes the
following:

* I'm Sorry I Answered the Phone
* Everywhere You Go
* One of Those Songs
* You're the One I Care For
* When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain
* At the End of the Day With You
* When the Song and Dance Man Came to Town
* Just Like a Butterfly...Caught in the Rain.

Oh man, I grew up singing these songs with my Dad's chorus as a
kid and they weren't just 'chestnuts'...they were card carrying,
heart stopping barbershop standards in every sense of the word!
In the old days, when these songs were sung, they were sung
in their entirety. These were the songs that built up to
a crescendo and you could hardly wait to wale out that tag!
That's MY kind of barbershop.

Sentimental moments were abundant, especially on Saturday
night when Ken Buckner (who traveled with his wife Hollie)
all the way from The Villages in Florida for this show.
Ken was not aware that he was to be presented with the Life
Time Achievement Award.

This presentation took Ken completely by surprise and he was
moved to tears right there on the spot. It certainly was an
ah-shucks moment for all concerned. There was a beautiful
statuette with duel thoroughbred horses in bronze and the
announcement of a scholarship fund in Ken's name for future
recipients. It's a good thing Hollie was there, because I
don't think Ken could have gotten his composure back to sing
for the finale without her love and support.

Of course, every time Kipp (Interstate Rival's tenor
extraordinaire) belted one out of the park...there was Ken
Buckner pronouncing to the world "That's my boy!" Kipp's kids
were in attendance, Hollie & Ken's son Todd was there, as was
Kipp's bride. It really was a family affair all 'round.

Later at the afterglow, when Libby Netherton sang Darkness on
the Delta, Will the Circle be Unbroken and I Don't Know Enough
About You...it really felt like my father's spirit must be in
the room too.

The Barons did an audience participation bit where they'd
sing and insert a question in the song for us to answer.
Well, Libby's table and her friends got ALL the answers right
and it was a HOOT !!! The entire room cried with laughter.
Kipp, too, was proud of his father and could be heard saying
"That's My Dad!!"

We were reminded that not all the Thoroughbreds were in
attendance this day. Dave brought to our attention that Kenny &
Allen Hatton's father, Dwight Hatton, had recently been taken
ill and was in the hospital instead of on stage with his family.

Mentioned during the show were how many family members and
family combinations were on the risers such as cousins, father
& sons, brothers, and the father/son/grandson combination of
Kenny/Mike and Dwight was slightly adjusted to include Dwight's
great-grandson in Dwight's absence.

Knowing this fact, Dave Duncan called out to the back of the
hall to the front row Loge section and said "Jonathan ...are
you there?"

"Hello" rang a child's clear voice from the back of the
auditorium and it was like hearing the bell sound bright on the
tree in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." Everyone applauded
for Jonathan and his great-grandfather Dwight was included
and remembered by one and all.

Jim Millers family, including JJ, Billy and Jim & Rosemary's
daughters were there and of course, Jim's son-in-law, Jay
Hawkins who sung on the show in Interstate Rivals. It's been
a few years now, and Jay is still swatting that imaginary fly
(which reminds me of the fly in Minneapolis-but that's another
story for another time.)

Cecelia, Lullaby in Ragtime and Roses of Pacardy brought
welcome memories and resounding acknowledgment that not only
were the Interstate Rivals a great quartet 20 years ago (OMG
- am I that old?) but the Rivals are as good if not BETTER
than ever! I'd have bought their cd during the intermission,
but there weren't any to be sold.

Paul Gilman looks as young as ever and congratulations to the
new groom Joe Connelly.

Dale Fettick and his family were there and I'm glad to report
that Dale looks great. You gave us a scare Dale, with your
health and I hope you're taking good care of yourself so
that you'll be back up there singing with the guys soon.
Randy Chisholm's family was also in attendance. It was old
home week for many of us who don't get to see one another as
often as we'd like. Jan, it was great seeing you again.

Many thanks to Judy & Lee Wolpert who arranged for my show &
afterglow tickets. They not only took me along to Cunningham's
for a fun dinner in between the two shows, but they let me
sit with them at the afterglow along with Gretchen & W.C.
(To be honest, W.C. and I talked all sports...all the time,
and Gretchen didn't complain once.) Thanks Gretchen!

Danny Burgess & his father Jim looked like a couple of kids
hanging out together. It made me feel like a teenager just
LOOKING at them. The same goes for Jeff Myers and his Dad,
Bill Myers. Bill Myers probably came the farthest (from
California) but the humor and family spirit was infectious.

Thank you all, for letting me share the family spirit of
Barbershop with you.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Bless you one and all...

Rosalind Severs-Frizzell