This nickname originated in an article written by Hamilton Owens, the editor of the Baltimore Sun.   In 1923, a Georgia Congressman, William D. Upshaw, attacked Maryland as a traitor to the Union because it never passed a State enforcement act supporting Prohibition.   Hamilton Owens’ article, "The Maryland Free State" was a mocking response to Mr. Upshaw, suggesting that Maryland should secede from the Union before acting to prohibit the sale of liquor.   This article was never published but Mr. Owens referred to Maryland as "The Free State" in later editorials.

 

TENOR  - Brian Owen - member of the  Chorus of the Chesapeake , is a retired US Army Military Policeman who now works for the Maryland State  Board of Law Examiners in Annapolis. You can always count on him to tell a good story to make you laugh. Brian, his wife Janet and their Greyhound , Lady, live in Millersville, MD.

 

LEAD  - Dave Bankard - also retired from the Army, now works for the government as a civilian. He's sung with choruses and quartets in four states and even a quartet in Germany. Dave now sings with the  Sons of the Severn Barbershop Chorus. He and his wife Jeanne, and schnauzers Jackie and Nancy (trained to run off all non--barbershoppers), live in Severn, MD.

 

BARITONE  - Charlie Schlagel - retired as a Commander after serving twenty--nine years in the Navy Medical Service Corps as a research microbiologist. He holds a doctoral degree in immunology from the University of Iowa. After "running a muck for a mucking company", he finally got a job as the Director of the Office of Technology Transfer at the Naval Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, MD. Charlie has been a member of the Bowie  Knights of Harmony since 1982 and active in quartetting since 1984.

 

BASS  - David Ashabranner - another government employee, sings with two barbershop choruses: the Bowie Knights of Harmony and the Keystone Capital Chorus .  Between work and barbershopping, his year--old Westie Terrier helps keep him busy at home in Laurel. Other interests include church, travel, tropical fish and computers.