Golden Memories Page 120

Golden Memories SWD Chapters

LONGVIEW, TX
F.U.N. Bunch (For Unsophisticated Nuts)
by Charlie Davis

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The organization of the F.U.N. Chapter Longview Area Barbershop Singers was the direct result of one man's efforts. That man was the late Don Ross Florey. For almost half-a-century, music, and expressly barbershopping, was the focal point of his life. Our chapter was not the first group formed in Longview. "The Sound Connection", now located in Tyler, was the original Chapter, which incidentally Mr. Florey was also instrumental in forming.
When it moved to Kilgore, It left Longview without a chapter. Don couldn't let this happen. He put out the word that he was looking for men interested in joining a new men's group in singing for Longview community service projects.
Longview's First Christian Church gave Don permission to use one of their rooms for the initial meeting, and those interested were invited to attend. The initial meeting was held on a Tuesday night in August, 1991. Of the fourteen men who attended, there were two that drove down from Jefferson, one from Henderson, Marshall, Gilmer and Arp. The goals for the group were established as, "Fun, Fellowship and Community Service".
Don named us the F.U.N. Bunch, ("For
Unsophisticated Nuts"), and enlisted the services
of Darrell Stevens to direct the music activities. Mr.
Stevens was a member of Don's award winning

"Sabine Riverbottom Tuneshiners" quartet, and a talented baritone and well respected music director in East Texas. With this meager group, Don's able guidance, Darrell's music direction and help from several of the more experienced barbershoppers, this first meeting of our fledgling group was a success.
Curtis Jones, a local professional photographer, was elected President of the group for the '91 -'92 year. We met and practiced each Tuesday night for the balance of the year. Our attendance increased slighfly and under Mr. Stevens direction, our sound improved enough that Mr. Florey volunteered the F.U.N Bunch to sing at a number of Longview nursing homes and retirement centers during the Christmas season.
In 1992 we added a number of voices, but were still not large enough to charter as a S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A Chapter. This year we estabhshed our "Telephone Thoughtfuls" program, where we would take requests and sing each week for shut-ins and physically disabled citizens. We performed at Longview's Senior Citizens Center for their St. Patrick's Day Celebration, numerous nursing homes and retirement centers and began receiving recognition for our public service efforts. As a result of this recognition, we were invited to sing in the Independence Day Parade and Celebration in downtown Longview.

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Table of
Contents

Sections:
How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions Choruses Administration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications Recognitions In Conclusion