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''taken from Golden Memories - History of the Southwestern District - pub 1996''<br /> | ''taken from Golden Memories - History of the Southwestern District - pub 1996''<br /> | ||
The quartet has quite an interesting history. Johnny Whalen (tenor), Britt Stegall (lead), Red Elliott (baritone), and Sam Barnes (bass) were, as you might have guessed, all policemen and the pride of Oklahoma City. They were not, however, the original foursome. The first police quartet formed way back in 1924. | The quartet has quite an interesting history. '''Johnny Whalen''' (tenor), '''Britt Stegall''' (lead), '''Red Elliott''' (baritone), and '''Sam Barnes''' (bass) were, as you might have guessed, all policemen and the pride of Oklahoma City. They were not, however, the original foursome. The first police quartet formed way back in 1924. | ||
The mayor of Oklahoma City, O.A. Cargill, thought four singing cops would be a "novelty". The problem was, there weren't four cops in the whole town who could do anything with Sweet Adeline or I've Been Working On the Railroad. At least that's the was the way Daily Oklahoman newspaper described it, There were two good voices on the force. One was Frank Sheppard, a jailer, and desk sergeant Bill Parrish. It so happens that the mayor's brother (a car salesmen) Roland Cargill could sing and he knew another car salesmen who was a fine tenor. The four had sung together before. | The mayor of Oklahoma City, O.A. Cargill, thought four singing cops would be a "novelty". The problem was, there weren't four cops in the whole town who could do anything with Sweet Adeline or I've Been Working On the Railroad. At least that's the was the way Daily Oklahoman newspaper described it, There were two good voices on the force. One was Frank Sheppard, a jailer, and desk sergeant Bill Parrish. It so happens that the mayor's brother (a car salesmen) Roland Cargill could sing and he knew another car salesmen who was a fine tenor. The four had sung together before. | ||
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Over the course of their legacy, there were many participants in the quartet as members retired or accepted other law enforcement work. The other members include Ralph Kaylor, Bill West, Jack Roberts, Lefty Walker, Sleepy Chapman, and Frank Heffington. Several were also talented enough to switch parts over the years to keep the quartet going. But for all of their 17 years, Whalen remained as the only original member and their only tenor. | Over the course of their legacy, there were many participants in the quartet as members retired or accepted other law enforcement work. The other members include Ralph Kaylor, Bill West, Jack Roberts, Lefty Walker, Sleepy Chapman, and Frank Heffington. Several were also talented enough to switch parts over the years to keep the quartet going. But for all of their 17 years, Whalen remained as the only original member and their only tenor. | ||
A New Chief To The Rescue | '''A New Chief To The Rescue''' | ||
In 1937 Mr. Granville Scanland became chief of police. Since he was known for his fine baritone voice, one of his first acts was to restore the quartet (he sometimes pulled rank and sang along). With more personnel changes, Stegall and Barnes joined the quartet and, as legend has it, the blend was exceptional. By 1938, their popularity had grown and quartetting demanded much of their time. | In 1937 Mr. Granville Scanland became chief of police. Since he was known for his fine baritone voice, one of his first acts was to restore the quartet (he sometimes pulled rank and sang along). With more personnel changes, Stegall and Barnes joined the quartet and, as legend has it, the blend was exceptional. By 1938, their popularity had grown and quartetting demanded much of their time. | ||
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They won the qualifying state contest in the spring of 1940 by a wide margin and won the right to travel to New York City and the Worlds Fair for the Second Annual National Convention and Contest. The second contest took place on July 26, 1940 and was judged by such celebrities as former New York Governor Al Smith, Mayor La Guardia, Fred Waring, Sigmund Spaeth, Geoffrey O'Hara (composer of The Old Songs), Harry Armstrong (composer of Sweet Adeline) and O.C Cash. Instrumental accompaniment was permitted but scarcely used. There were 200 other quartets in that competition. | They won the qualifying state contest in the spring of 1940 by a wide margin and won the right to travel to New York City and the Worlds Fair for the Second Annual National Convention and Contest. The second contest took place on July 26, 1940 and was judged by such celebrities as former New York Governor Al Smith, Mayor La Guardia, Fred Waring, Sigmund Spaeth, Geoffrey O'Hara (composer of The Old Songs), Harry Armstrong (composer of Sweet Adeline) and O.C Cash. Instrumental accompaniment was permitted but scarcely used. There were 200 other quartets in that competition. | ||
Serving With Harmony | '''Serving With Harmony''' | ||
Following their win and their becoming our "World Champions", they made hundreds of appearances nationwide. They were named the official American Legion Quartet for the state of Oklahoma. Since the Flat Foot Four's inception, every man who had sung with the quartet had been a World War I veteran. | Following their win and their becoming our "World Champions", they made hundreds of appearances nationwide. They were named the official American Legion Quartet for the state of Oklahoma. Since the Flat Foot Four's inception, every man who had sung with the quartet had been a World War I veteran. | ||
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The story was front page news and reading the coverage, one can see that all of Oklahoma City suffered in the loss. Both the Bartlesville Barflies (1939 champs) and The Chord Busters (1941 champs) sang during the service. | The story was front page news and reading the coverage, one can see that all of Oklahoma City suffered in the loss. Both the Bartlesville Barflies (1939 champs) and The Chord Busters (1941 champs) sang during the service. | ||
The City Responds | |||
== The City Responds == | |||
A huge Johnny Whalen Memorial show was soon announced. Sponsored by the local chapter, and lead by Big Bill Morris, talent from all over Oklahoma answered the call. It turned out there were two memorial shows held. The first was a special screening of the movie, "Lady Be Good" at the Criterion Theater on September 27 with over 300 people attending. | A huge Johnny Whalen Memorial show was soon announced. Sponsored by the local chapter, and lead by Big Bill Morris, talent from all over Oklahoma answered the call. It turned out there were two memorial shows held. The first was a special screening of the movie, "Lady Be Good" at the Criterion Theater on September 27 with over 300 people attending. | ||
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And baritone, Clyde "Red" Elliot passed away July 22, 1969 at the age of 72. | And baritone, Clyde "Red" Elliot passed away July 22, 1969 at the age of 72. | ||
But What Were They Really Like? | |||
== But What Were They Really Like? == | |||
Seeking first hand knowledge, I asked Tom Masengale of the Chord Busters what he thought of the Flat Foot Four. | Seeking first hand knowledge, I asked Tom Masengale of the Chord Busters what he thought of the Flat Foot Four. | ||
"They had a big sound, I remember them coming on stage, removing the microphone, and filling the hall with sound. They were excellent showmen and sang songs the audience wanted to hear. One of the reasons for their popularity was they always "milked the chords". They weren't the best quartet I've ever heard, but they were the most enjoyable and gave me the most pleasure out of listening as any quartet I've heard since. They really enjoyed singing and everyone in the audience could tell." | ''"They had a big sound, I remember them coming on stage, removing the microphone, and filling the hall with sound. They were excellent showmen and sang songs the audience wanted to hear. One of the reasons for their popularity was they always "milked the chords". They weren't the best quartet I've ever heard, but they were the most enjoyable and gave me the most pleasure out of listening as any quartet I've heard since. They really enjoyed singing and everyone in the audience could tell."'' | ||
Despite their short history as one of our past society gold medalists, the Flat Foot Four played an important part in our past. Their contribution to our heritage should not be overlooked. | Despite their short history as one of our past society gold medalists, the Flat Foot Four played an important part in our past. Their contribution to our heritage should not be overlooked. | ||
[[Category:Quartets]] | [[Category:Quartets]] | ||