From:            EveDeCuir@aol.com
Date sent:       Mon, 27 Sep 1999 09:09:38 EDT
Subject:         Re: Harmonet gathering - Atlanta
To:              BBSHOP@ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA

I must confess, I don't know where Debbie Warwick got the energy to get so much done at prior conventions.  By the time I reached the Harmonet gathering, I kicked back to have some fun and do some singing.

I'll try and do my best to recount things from my point of view.  I'll encourage those in attendance to do the same for the benefit of all.

The bar was packed and buzzing with the discussions of the Quartet Round One results and the token non-barbershoppers (what few had managed to get into the bar) quietly took in the boisterous barbershop crowd with doe eyes.  Jen Miller had brought her camera and was Runnin' Wild, Lost Control with an epidemic of picture taking which the crowd loved.  Jen's camera instantly shows the picture once taken.  As a courtesy, after she would take a picture, she would run up to the subjects and show them what their picture would look like.

She approached Renee Craig and daughter Holly and convinced them to have a picture taken.  When she took the first shot, she showed it to Renee and friends...immediately Renee knew she could do better and with her flair for comedy, she began fixing, primping, and camping for a new, better shot.  I took this in from across the lobby and didn't hear a single word spoken in the exchange but could understand it clearly.  It was a riot.

We Harmonetters took about eight tables from the bar and squished them together to make a crazy eight figure which we all crowded around.

There was the urge to sing and sing we did.  I do believe we sang everything we didn't know but it didn't matter.  Much to my delight, the crowd mushed onward to sing.....(get ready)....TAGS....Tags in public, no less.  Tags, a rare sight in the SA world.  Tags, glorious tags, rich, luscious and ringing.

There was so much going on, Jen and I huddled to decide what we could do to have some fun with the event and overcome the hardship of not being able to get accurate spellings of names to match up with photos....One idea was "Name that Harmonetter..."  With over 100 or show photos shot in one evening the task of name taking and spelling was impeded by shear volume and the level of happy noise in the bar.

Be sure and see Debbie Warwick's terrific work on the website.  Once the photos are delivered to her, she'll lay out the pictures.  I'll also take the opportunity to encourage all Harmonetters in attendance to contribute their impressions of the event from their unique point of view.

Jen, others, and myself took the opportunity to "work the bar" passing our Harmonet cards.  The Harmonet cards were Jen's idea (this kid is very sharp).  The cards, the size of a business card, explained what the Harmonet was on
one side.  On the other were specific instructions on how to join.  I highly recommend the form of promotion at ALL bbs events to increase our number and voice.

I was a little preoccupied for a time searching for two elusive kitty cats to interview them about their perceptions of the contest and goings on.  I did see their owner, Rae, but she made no mention of their disposition.  Perhaps they will comment on their own, giving their unique "mew view" on all things considered.

There was one quartet that entertained us, The Rolling Tones.  Harmonetter Judy Norris is the bass of that quartet...our party was enlivened by their joy of music and their love of mingling with those that share that joy.

It was unusual to hear the familiar chords of Down Our Way at a SA convention, since this is a men's pole cat song but the sound of it warmed our hearts.

Squirrel made an appearance and true to her moniker, she flitted and skipped all around the hotel lobby bringing a much needed tenor to any pick up quartet found lacking.

It was amazing how many people knew my real name!  I was once told that the finest music to anyone's ear is the sound of their own name.  It is true.  After enjoying the introduction of "Ken's sister," "Mary Jo's daughter," etc....it was indeed musical to hear my name used and pronounced correctly.

A picture is worth a thousand words, I hope.  Once they are up on the web site, the flavor of the evening will be complete.  All for now.  I must go back to work and find out if is till have a job in my own company!

In song,
Janice