| Golden Memories |
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Chapters |
| .signatures, and at least part of the dues, from 36 singers,
and we were ready to charter. Getting the charter before the end of the
year enabled the district to send an additional quartet to the international
competition. We decided to call ourselves The
OZARK MOUNTAINAIRES. Our charter show was held in the spring of 1974, with the Tulsa chorus coming to Rogers to participate. It was a huge success, and we felt we were on our way. Membership fluctuated, but we eventually staged our second show in 1975 with 45 singers on stage. Our elected officers participated in COTS, Dave Stevens came down and conducted a learning session, many sessions were held with District personnel, everyone was having fun. Shortly thereafter, Fort Smith was granted a charter and petitioned the SWD for membership, which was granted. Then it was decided that all of Arkansas should be part of the SWD, which was a very good decision. Our second president, Rick Minton, guided the chapter for two years. We enjoyed good fun and good singing, with annual shows, singouts, and community participation. Membership continued to fluctuate with the loss of some of our aged members to death or retirement. With the loss of a few key men, membership declined to less than 20 in 1980, and by 1983 it was down to less than 10 active members. Due to lack of interest it was voted to surrender our charter. Four of the remaining members decided to go to the Joplin chapter. The Natural StatesMen Some time in 1985 Bob Hodges, John Moselage, and a few others who had
barbershop experience asked around for others who would be interested in
singing. During the next couple of years a small group met each Tuesday
evening, singing together with whoever showed up. Soon several men from
Rogers, who had been members of the Ozark Mountainaires joined up, and
within a year or so had 15 to 20 men singing. Bob Balch of Rogers took
leadership, and the unorganized group began making appearances as early
as 1988, using the Ozark Mountainaires title. In 1989 a Strictly Barbershop
show was presented, with the assistance of the Beaver Lake Chapter of the
Sweet Adelines, as a part of SPRINGFEST in Fayetteville.
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was issued effective May 16,1992, and was presented
to the chorus at the first annual show. There were 43 charter members.
Dr. John Clark was the first president; board members included Dr. John
Sugg, Bob Hodges, Keith Harris, EdAndrews, Jack Tidwell, Jack Macy, Mike
Michelsen, and Ed Downey.
The first annual (charter) show was held in Fayetteville at the Walton Arts Center. With 36 men on the risers, and two headline quartets, Tulsa Tradition and Pride of the Marsh, it was a great artistic success, but financially embarrassing. Bob Scott instituted and promoted "Singing Valentines" to rescue the chapter financially, and the first year's effort grossed about $3,500. Also during the first year of charter, Dr. John Sugg was recipient of the Southwest District Public Relations Officer of the Year, and subsequently was awarded the International trophy as PROTY at the convention in Calgary. During the entire first year everyone agreed that "Ozark Mountainaires" was not the best name, but there was no agreement on a new name. Bulletin editor John Sugg put a different name on the bulletins for several months but to no avail. Finally a list of all suggested names was presented to the membership, a secret ballot taken, and on February 2, 1993, The Natural StatesMen was officially adopted. The second annual show was also held at the Walton Arts Center, with guest quartets Great Stage Robbery and The Texans. Our 1994 officers were John Sugg (president), Don Meyer, Ernie Gramstad, Curly Davis, Ed Barlow, Terry Davis, Jack Macy, Gerald Devine, Mike Michelsen, Wayne Moyer, & Lyle Laughlin served on the Board of Directors. Bob Scott continued as music director. Mter a very busy year, many appearances and once again an extremely successful Singing Valentine program, the start of the 1994 year was excellent. The spring annual show featured Chordiac Arrest, and was held as a joint fund-raiser for the chorus and the Northwest Arkansas Hospital Association. Officers elected for 1995, Terry Davis (president), Dan Freitas, Bob Sykes, Don Meyer, Clarence Martin, Tom Keogh, Ed Barlow, Vernon Wikstrom, Norm Schram, Bob Been, & Dr. John Sugg comprised the Board. Bob Scott continued as Music Director. The Singing Valentine project grossed more than $6,500. Another $6,000 of income was generated by the chorus and our two registered quartets: The Double Pair O'Doc's and The Occasional Overtones The 1995 annual show was rescheduled to October to include Tulsa Tradition and Pride of the Marsh returning as headliners, back by popular demand. |
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How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions ChorusesAdministration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications Recognitions In Conclusion