Remembering Carlton Wright and the Lads of Enchantment

Last week, TCS lost another one of its own. Carlton Wright passed away on Thursday, September 26th, 2013. Carlton was 87 and an active barbershopper for most of his life. He was a member of TCS for over 30 years, making contributions to our chapter and our hobby that are no doubt still felt by the members of our chorus.

Before Carlton came to Savannah, he made another significant contribution to the world of barbershop harmony. In 1957, the Lads of Enchantment quartet (with Carlton Wright as baritone) took the gold and became the 19th quartet to take the title of International Barbershop Champions.

This tribute video to the Lads of the Enchantment will tell you more than I can. It will also give you the chance to listen to this quartet and the baritone who will be sorely missed by all of us here in Savannah.

I never got the chance to meet Carlton personally, so I've asked my chorus-mates if they would write down a fond memory or note regarding Carlton. They are below:

“I enjoyed singing with him....he was active with our chorus for a long time.” - Jack Diamond

“When Carl stood up and locked his knee in place—he was 10 feet tall... He could sing any part to any song!” - Richard Towns

“Carl was not handicapped at all.” - R. J. Hodges

“Still singing bari to “Love Me And the World is Mine.” - Milt Johnson

“Fondly recall break time in chorus rehearsal. Carl would sing most any part to a favorite song, teach a newcomer the part yet to be filled. What a barbershop ambassador!” - Bob Proctor

“Thanks for many years of great harmony.” - Derek Ball (and Connie)

“Carl was a special person, and the whole chapter will remember him! Rest in Peace!” - John Bennett

“I have many fond memories of singing with Carl. We sang together at chorus rehearsals, on Chapter shows, singouts around town, and at many social events. Probably the most fun was at events like Jack Diamond's annual picnic. I remember on more than one occasion when my quartet was polishing up a new song and Carl would want to sing (woodshed) the baritone part. We would ask him if he wanted the sheet music and he would politely decline. Then stand there and sing the bari part almost note perfect. He was a very talented singer and a true gentleman. We missed him greatly when he moved "up North" and his memory will live with me forever. I'll always cherish the memory of having the THRILL of singing with an International Champion Quartet (gold medal) winner.” - Joe Ryan 

I think that just about says it all. Carl will be missed, even by those like me who never met him. His legacy lives on, and all the spontaneous renditions of “Love Me And the World is Mine” that echoed throughout our weekly practice last night reflects the impact he had on those blessed enough to have sung with him.

All our love from Savannah and heartfelt condolences to his family. Rest in Peace, Carlton Wright.

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

 

The Sundae Singers - 2013 Fall Show

13th Colony Sound, Savannah’s Barbershop Harmony Society Chorus, presents a musical comedy “The Sundae Singers” on Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21, 2013, at Savannah Arts Academy, 500 Washington Avenue, Savannah, GA. Curtain time is 7:00 PM.

Featured performers are 13th Colony Sound, Savannah Storm Youth Chorus, Downtown Sound Boys Quartet, Savannah Arts Academy Skylark Chorus, Soprano Erin Love, Vintage
Four Quartet, and Carolinas District Championship Quartet: ½-Ton Pickup.

Johnny, a young Tybee businessman, recruits a curious group of locals known as The Sundae Singers who draw customers to his ice cream shoppe. Unlucky in love and lured by his franchisor to think global, Johnny submits an application to sell ice cream in Ireland – only to wind up in a barren land where the outlook for his franchise is bleaker than the landscape.

Before long Johnny finds a nomadic group of singers to promote his ice cream while they keep peace throughout the land. But Johnny may have been running from love, which pursues him even to the edge of the desert.

“The Sundae Singers” will provide an entertaining evening of songs and laughs for the entire family. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students; tickets at the door will be $15 for adults, $10 for students. Military personnel tickets, sponsored by community businesses, will be distributed at the Hunter AAF gymnasium.

To reserve tickets please visit the Savannah Arts Academy website box office portal, visit savannahbarbershoppers.org or call 912-344-9768.

PRINTABLE SHOW POSTER

PRINTABLE SAVE-THE-DATE CARD

“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