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'''Innsiders'''<br /> | '''Innsiders'''<br /> | ||
''written and researched by Grady Kerr''<br /> | ''written and researched by Grady Kerr''<br /> | ||
''taken from Golden Memories - The History of the Southwestern District - pub 1996'' | ''taken from Golden Memories - The History of the [[Southwestern District]] - pub 1996'' | ||
The ninth quartet from the Southwestern District to win the gold medals was also the very first quartet from Houston to appear on the International contest stage. The Innsiders began in 1967 when John Devine joined the Tidelanders chorus. He picked Guy McShan to sing bari. Both had been in Port Arthur's Spindletoppers quartet. They asked tenor Johnny Wiggs and bass Dick Oury to join their new quartet. These four were the first of 13 Houston chapter members who, over the next 19 years, made up the Innsiders quartet. | The ninth quartet from the Southwestern District to win the gold medals was also the very first quartet from Houston to appear on the International contest stage. The Innsiders began in 1967 when John Devine joined the Tidelanders chorus. He picked Guy McShan to sing bari. Both had been in Port Arthur's Spindletoppers quartet. They asked tenor Johnny Wiggs and bass Dick Oury to join their new quartet. These four were the first of 13 Houston chapter members who, over the next 19 years, made up the Innsiders quartet. | ||
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Dr. Tom Pearson was an orthodontist who joined the Houston chapter in 1967. Pearson had served as show chairman, assistant director, and chapter president. In 1969 Tom won the district quartet championship with The Debonaires. Tom was an accomplished pilot and often flew the quartet to out of town performances. | Dr. Tom Pearson was an orthodontist who joined the Houston chapter in 1967. Pearson had served as show chairman, assistant director, and chapter president. In 1969 Tom won the district quartet championship with The Debonaires. Tom was an accomplished pilot and often flew the quartet to out of town performances. | ||
The Innsiders qualified for the Atlanta International and placed 15th in 1972. That same year at district they moved up a notch and came in second behind the Dealer's Choice. With their sights set on the next prelims, a quirk of fate stepped in. | The Innsiders qualified for the Atlanta International and placed 15th in 1972. That same year at district they moved up a notch and came in second behind the [[Dealer's Choice]]. With their sights set on the next prelims, a quirk of fate stepped in. | ||
Guy won a sales contest at work and a trip for two to Spain. Trouble was, it was during the prelims weekend. Shirley McShan got 51 percent of the vote and the McShans headed off to Spain leaving the three Innsiders behind at Prelims as spectators (at International, the OK 4 placed sixth and the DC won it all). | Guy won a sales contest at work and a trip for two to Spain. Trouble was, it was during the prelims weekend. Shirley McShan got 51 percent of the vote and the McShans headed off to Spain leaving the three Innsiders behind at Prelims as spectators (at International, the OK 4 placed sixth and the DC won it all). | ||
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This new approach of working harder and smarter was evident that fall when the Innsiders took the Southwestern District quartet championship by a 219 point margin in Oklahoma City. It also could be the reason why they made such an incredible jump from 15th place in the 1972 International to fourth in 1974 at Kansas City. | This new approach of working harder and smarter was evident that fall when the Innsiders took the Southwestern District quartet championship by a 219 point margin in Oklahoma City. It also could be the reason why they made such an incredible jump from 15th place in the 1972 International to fourth in 1974 at Kansas City. | ||
Having now become a popular show quartet and having won a few contests", the quartet set new goals ... with a gold medal being number one on the list. They took advantage of coaching from Roger Blackburn and arrangements from Dennis Driscoll. They also continued to seek help from Don Clause working sound and Arnie Bauer on stage presence. They planned on everything going into the 1975 International in Indianapolis except one thing ... The Happiness Emporium who out sang 'em. The Innsiders came in second. | Having now become a popular show quartet and having won a few contests", the quartet set new goals ... with a gold medal being number one on the list. They took advantage of coaching from Roger Blackburn and arrangements from Dennis Driscoll. They also continued to seek help from Don Clause working sound and Arnie Bauer on stage presence. They planned on everything going into the 1975 International in Indianapolis except one thing ... The [[Happiness Emporium]] who out sang 'em. The Innsiders came in second. | ||
After Indy they produced their first album entitled Innside Out (1976). It included many of their popular contest and show tunes like Show Me Where The Good Times Are, Who'll Dry Your Tears?, Pal Of Mine, My Buddy, The Straight Life, Exodus and the outlandish Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. | After Indy they produced their [[#Recordings | first album]] entitled Innside Out (1976). It included many of their popular contest and show tunes like Show Me Where The Good Times Are, Who'll Dry Your Tears?, Pal Of Mine, My Buddy, The Straight Life, Exodus and the outlandish Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. | ||
Over the next year they concentrated their efforts and worked even harder. In addition to each individual having a daily vocal workout, the quartet rehearsed three times a week. Each was scheduled in detail. They spent the first 30 minutes singing scales followed by vowel sound matching and lots of unison and duet singing. During run-throughs of the contest sets the wives would help coach the stage presence making it a complete "team effort". They considered the ability to work well together their "innside strength". | Over the next year they concentrated their efforts and worked even harder. In addition to each individual having a daily vocal workout, the quartet rehearsed three times a week. Each was scheduled in detail. They spent the first 30 minutes singing scales followed by vowel sound matching and lots of unison and duet singing. During run-throughs of the contest sets the wives would help coach the stage presence making it a complete "team effort". They considered the ability to work well together their "innside strength". | ||
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They were the headliners for the next International Mid-winter convention held in Orlando, FL. One could have asked them in San Francisco.. “You just won the International quartet championship . . . what are you gonna do now?" And they could have answered. . . "We're Goin' To Disneyworld!!!!" . . . cause they did. | They were the headliners for the next International Mid-winter convention held in Orlando, FL. One could have asked them in San Francisco.. “You just won the International quartet championship . . . what are you gonna do now?" And they could have answered. . . "We're Goin' To Disneyworld!!!!" . . . cause they did. | ||
During this time they continued to rehearse twice a week and learn new songs. That led to their second record album in late 1977 called On Top Of The World. It included Runnin' Wild, Ten Girls Ago and a favorite show tune, Dangerous Dan McGrew. They also recorded one side of an album for the society entitled Best Of Berlin (1978) highlighting the songs of Irving Berlin. | During this time they continued to rehearse twice a week and learn new songs. That led to their [[#Recordings | second record album]] in late 1977 called On Top Of The World. It included Runnin' Wild, Ten Girls Ago and a favorite show tune, Dangerous Dan McGrew. They also recorded one side of an album for the society entitled Best Of Berlin (1978) highlighting the songs of Irving Berlin. | ||
Two other recordings were also released, The Way We Were (with Sikorsky - late 1980), and Till We Meet Again (with Litman and Erickson - 1982). Each of their records included a fine balance of uptunes, ballads and novelty songs which is one of the reason they're still favorites of any collection. | [[#Recordings | Two other recordings]] were also released, The Way We Were (with Sikorsky - late 1980), and Till We Meet Again (with Litman and Erickson - 1982). Each of their records included a fine balance of uptunes, ballads and novelty songs which is one of the reason they're still favorites of any collection. | ||
Also in 1977 they traveled to Lubbock to tape a special TV show. It was entitled "That Old Barbershop Style", produced by Grady Kerr and syndicated for use around the country. Many chapters used the tape to promote the Society on their local TV stations. | Also in 1977 they traveled to Lubbock to tape a special TV show. It was entitled "That Old Barbershop Style", produced by Grady Kerr and syndicated for use around the country. Many chapters used the tape to promote the Society on their local TV stations. | ||
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Their last show was in Berlin following the Salt Lake City convention in 1986 where they performed during a week long tour of Germany. The championship version last sang together for a Houston chapter installation banquet in the late 90’s. | Their last show was in Berlin following the Salt Lake City convention in 1986 where they performed during a week long tour of Germany. The championship version last sang together for a Houston chapter installation banquet in the late 90’s. | ||
Tom went on to sing in quartets and won another district quartet championship with the Inns 'N' Outts in 1985. He won the Senior Quartet gold in 2005 with Texoma Sound. | Tom went on to sing in quartets and won another district quartet championship with the Inns 'N' Outts in 1985. He won the Senior Quartet gold in 2005 with [[Texoma Sound]]. | ||
John has directed the Tidelanders to a total of four district championship but is now retired from waving his arms. His quartet, The Main Event, won the district quartet championship in 1988. | John has directed the Tidelanders to a total of four district championship but is now retired from waving his arms. His quartet, The Main Event, won the district quartet championship in 1988. | ||
Guy has moved to Bryan, TX sang with the Bryan/College Station chapter along with his old friend Dennis Driscoll. He was also a member of the Inns 'N' Outts when they won the top district prize in 1985. Guy was also an active member of the Fort Worth | Guy has moved to Bryan, TX sang with the Bryan/College Station chapter along with his old friend Dennis Driscoll. He was also a member of the Inns 'N' Outts when they won the top district prize in 1985. Guy was also an active member of the Fort Worth Texas Millionaires directed by his son Phil. | ||
Mike has been active in chapter and quartet activities in Beaverton, Oregon but has moved back to Texas in recent years. | Mike has been active in chapter and quartet activities in Beaverton, Oregon but has moved back to Texas in recent years. | ||
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|February 1982 || Lloyd Erickson || John Devine || Guy McShan || Tom Pearson | |February 1982 || Lloyd Erickson || John Devine || Guy McShan || Tom Pearson | ||
|} | |} | ||
== External Links == | |||
*[http://www.aicgold.com/History-ChampDetails.asp?WinningYear=1977 Official website] | |||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Happy_Fellows Wikipedia entry] | |||