“It's better than spending the night in the Thunderbolt Jail.” - The Story of Richie Towns

We have a lot of very unique characters in our chorus, not the least of which is good ol' Richie Towns. Part Chuck Norris, part Gomer Pyle, this born and raised Savannah native decided to go career military....in none other than the Green Beret.

Richie's laid back attitude and easy-going nature is a constant in the universe of Savannah barbershop singing. He's so gentle and fun-loving, you'd never guess he's probably waged war in countries we're still not allowed to know exist. I roomed with Richie once at a barbershop convention. He's a very peculiar roommate to have—as long as the room is better than a ditch in a war zone during a hurricane, Richie is completely content.

“It's better than spending the night in the Thunderbolt Jail.” That's Richie's response to just about everything in life. Everything. That shows the kind of impact he has on those around him.

Richie is a bass, and one of the few charter members of 13th Colony Sound still around. His most famous role in our chapter meetings these days is the weekly raffle. At the end of break, tickets are drawn from the hat, and the winners are given some rather unique prizes, courtesy of Richie Towns. Typical prizes include: antique calendars, autographed books (signed “Richie Towns”), the occasional CD, and—if all else fails—a used pen.

Richie also has a passion for Haiti. He was there when the earthquake hit a few years ago. He's gone back on several mission trips to help rebuild. Thanks to his influence, another 13th Colony member recently took a mission trip there. Haiti is a better place now, thanks to Richie's efforts, the efforts of those who go with him, and the efforts of those who are inspired by them.

So on this Memorial Day, we'd like to not only remember those who served our nation, not only remember those who never came home, but also note the continuing contributions those who did come home have made since then, continuing to serve our nation—and even the nations around us—for the entire duration of life, whether in or out of the military. And for this purpose, it's hard to find a better chorus-member to pick on than our "Bonna Bella Richard," Mr. Richie Towns.

Now if we could just get him to use a computer so he can see this...

Nathan P. Daniel
VP Marketing & Public Relations
13th Colony Sound

 

Fall 2012 Carolinas District Convention Recap

A few weeks ago, the Carolinas District met for it's fall convention in the beautiful Myrtle Beach. It may go down in history as the first of our district's conventions to be attended by a late season hurricane (Thanks, Sandy!). It also goes down in our Thirteenth Colony Sound history as well. For the first time in at least 15-20 years, men from the Savannah chorus took to the risers to compete in a district chorus competition. We received a score we're very happy with, received countless complements regarding our performance, got valuable feedback from the judges, and enjoyed every minute of it. We're putting Savannah back on the map, folks.

We also were well represented in the quartet competition with members in the senior quartet Vintage Four and 1/2 Ton Pickup--this year's district champion. We also had a senior quartet made up entirely of Savannah barbershoppers. Four-Tune Hunters (formerly known as Whatever Four) entertained us all with their creative and witty selections. We couldn't be prouder to see this show quartet transform and evolve to the point of performing on the contest stage.

As marketing VP for the chapter, I asked our youngest currently active member, Josh Hodges, to write about his experience at his first ever barbershop convention. Josh is a senior at South Effingham High School and has a strong tenor voice. He is also the grandson of long-time Savannah barbershopper Robert Hodges. This is what Josh had to say, in his most colorful manner:

Traveling North in a teal minivan to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from Savannah, Georgia to attend the  2012 Fall Carolinas District Barbershop Convention, I anticipated deeply my first district gathering. My hopes actually underestimated the grandeur of my new experience, for brilliance from the talent of the quartets and of the choruses had illuminated the dimly lit house of my temporal lobes. Although witnessing such profound talent is solely surpassed by the welcoming warmth from the courteous Carolina District dabblers and practical professionals which will follow me and remind me how jointly jubilant the chapters we met were toward our presence and toward our participation. Singing gutsy tags, attempting new arrangements, and honing my skills in new venues, with young members, and to rare audiences are what I wanted to grasp, and since I have done these, the conception of the true feeling of what it means to be a bona-fide Barbershopper begins in me. And perhaps, through consistency and nurturing, this feeling will mature into a tangible tool that may be exercised to help lead a new generation that preserves our art into fruition, so that the worry of the entrance of Barbershop Harmony into some state of subterfuge will be a dream. These are my reflections heading South in teal minivan.

–Joshua Hodges, first timer

If you have yet to experience the joys of a barbershop convention, don't delay! There's another convention in the springtime, and we have a chorus right here in Savannah to help you get prepared for the awesome experience that awaits you. Please give thoughtful consideration and join us. We look forward to having you.


Nathan P. Daniel
VP Marketing & Public Relations
13th Colony Sound

Celebrating 90 Years of Dan Gillespie!

On this day, 90 years ago, our buddy and beloved tenor Dan Gillespie was born. The years that have followed have been nothing less than legendary. An active member of our chorus for many, many years, Dan has been a staple of barbershop harmony here in Savannah.

When I first started with 13th Colony Sound, Dan was the tenor in one of our most prominent chapter quartets--Driftaway. As I began to settle into my new-found hobby of barbershop singing, Dan's sly smile and witty sense of humor were among the ever-present mainstays affirming that this is the hobby for me.

Not long after I began singing with Dan and the other 13th Colony Sound members, I learned something else about this remarkable man. In WWII Dan didn't fight in Europe. He didn't fight in the Pacific either. Dan worked on the Manhattan Project. His responsibility was making the initiator mechanisms for the first atomic bomb in human history as well as the one used on Nagasaki--the one which ultimately ended the war.

At that time, my own grandfather was preparing to invade Japan--a task he doubted he would live to see to the end of; a task that, thanks to my buddy Dan, never began. And so, I count it among the greatest honors of my life, that I have not only gotten to meet this man, not only gotten to sing with him, but have also gotten the privilege of naming among my friends my dear friend, Dan Gillespie.

So, Dan, we, your friends and fellow barbershoppers, wish you the greatest and happiest 90th birthday ever!

Happy birthday, Dan!

Nathan P. Daniel
VP Marketing & Public Relations
13th Colony Sound

TCS Fall Show - "Witness for the Defense"

A trial is  beginning. The plaintiff charges that barbershop harmony as practiced by the 13th Colony Sound and Moon River Choruses violates the rules of classical harmony and seeks to prohibit them from that style of singing. Both the plaintiff and the defense present arguments supporting their positions, principally through songs sung in the barbershop harmony style. The defense calls the Ghost of O. C. Cash, the founder of the Barbershop Harmony Society as a witness. He explains the origins of barbershop harmony with many examples. A trial ends with shocking, surprise evidence.

Come enjoy this night of barbershop harmony with us, Savannah's barbershop chorus, 13th Colony Sound, as we present to you...

WHERE: Lucas Theatre

WHEN: October 5th & 6th at 7:08 PM

COST: $15 Advanced Tickets; $20 at the Door

Check out our website for more information: http://savannahbarbershoppers.org.

Order tickets online here: http://tickets.savannahboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=281

Or call 912-525-5050

Hat's off to Henry! Class of 2012

Today was a special day in the life of 13th Colony Sound. One of our newest and youngest chorus members, Henry Wadman, braved the challenges of wearing a tasseled hat in front of a large audience, and became an official high school graduate.

Henry, from all of your fellow barbershoppers here in the Savannah chapter, we wish you our highest congratulations! We're honored to have you among us.

We also have a few other members who I believe are graduating as well--we look forward to celebrating your accomplishments as well.

Henry is one of the chorus members that tips the balance of our chapter's average age below retirement and social security eligibility. Henry, we are most thankful!

As young men, we find value in spending time with the older guys we sing with, knowing that they can teach us great volumes of things if we stop and listen. Henry is the type of young man who not only will do this, but he is also the unique type of young man that the old men also find value in learning from.

Barbershop harmony is about two things: music and fraternity. Folks, the two are not necessarily in that order.

On this occasion, as on so many others, the harmony of music takes a back seat to the harmony of fraternity.

-But don't count the music out: Henry placed his pitch pipe next to his graduation picture at the reception.

Nathan P. Daniel
VP Marketing & Public Relations
13th Colony Sound

Celebrate Mothers

She gave birth to you.

She held you in her arms.

She changed your diapers and taught you how to say...

"Momma."

And there's a day set aside to celebrate her and all the wonderful things she has done and continues to do.

That's where we come in:

13th Colony Sound would love to help you celebrate this wonderful woman called, "Mother," on Mother's Day, May 13th. We have barbershop quartets on standby, so hire one to sing love songs to the mother in your life!

Just like Valentine's Day.

So if you want a special way to show the mother in your life just how much you love her this Mother's Day, tell her in song!

For more information call: 912-344-9768

The Many Faces of George Gratton

I recently got pictures of our chapter's fall show from one of the photographers, and after looking through them, something stood out to me. It was the expressions on the face of 13th Colony Sound's 2012 Chapter President, George Gratton. I found this particularly entertaining, and suspect you may find it entertaining as well.

I've had the privilege of knowing George for the handful of years I've sung barbershop harmony, and he has always been a character worth noting. He's full of wisdom and experience from years that a young man like myself hasn't had time to aquire, and his peppy personality will brighten your worst day. In fact, he'll brighten it even further with an endless supply of jokes so corny and downright awful Greek thespians would have to classify them as a tragedy. If you've heard one, you understand.

Guys like George are one of the reasons why I choose to sing barbershop. It's not just about the harmony, it's also about the fraternity. It's not just harmony of pitch, but harmony of spirit that makes barbershop work.

George brings this to our chapter, and does so in a larger capacity as our eccentric president. If you're in or around Savannah, or near any place where we barbershop singers can be found (which is too numerous to name), look for a man like George. I know you'll find us.

Nathan P. Daniel
VP Marketing & Public Relations
13th Colony Sound

*Photos by Diedeliff Cronje