| Golden Memories | SWD International Quartet Champions |
| and A' Autrey replaced him on lead. They came
in second at district to the Dallasaires but went on to qualify at the
regional in early 1952 for the International contest. In Kansas City, 1952,
the Four Hearsemen were semi-finaiists placing 18th, but more personnel
changes were in store. Autrey moved to Austin and Nance entered a new business
that made it impossible for him to participate. Mter a year off, survivors
Elliott and Heiny "dug up" a new lead, Deane Watson and a new bass, Dick
Gifford. Nance continued to write arrangements for the quartet. He knew
their voice ranges and routines. Only a few weeks after Watson and Gifford
joined the quartet, they entered the 1953 Southwestern District fall contest
and again came in second.
The Four Hearsemen were very interested in whatjudges and coaches told them. They took notes and tried to incorporated ALL their suggestions. This might have had something to do with the results in 1954. The Hearsemen traveled to Washington, D.C. and historic Constitution Hall for the 1954 International Convention. They made the first cut (top 15) for the first time by singing I'm Always Chasing Rainbows and Charmaine. In the semi-finals they did Got No Time, a song the Garden State Quartet used in their win, and When You're A Long Long Way Irom Home (one of their most popular) and waited for the announcement of the top five. Four names had already been announced as they listened backstage on a small speaker with other very interested quartetters. They were expecting to hear "The Four Chorders" (a perennial top five quartet) to fill out the top five. They heard "The Four . . ." but were elated to hear ". Hearsemen!." The celebration was joyful but short as they had to get back to the room and select their last t"vo songs. They really didn't plan on making it this far. In the finals they did what's said to be one of their very best performances. They sang There's Always Room at our House and I'd Love to Live in Loveland (as done by the Chordettes). As well as they did, it just wasn't their year . . . they again were in second place. The Hearsemen, however, were thrilled with the position and happy for their friends, The Orphans, who won the contest. Breaking the habit of bridesmaids, they returned to the Southwestern District following the International and at the fall convention, they finally were crowned our District Champs. They sang Charmaine and When You're A Long Long Way Irom Home to edge out the other 20 entries. They were very well supported by quite a large group of fans who had been following them for many years and |
were thrilled to see them get the well deserved
championship.
It was a special quartet clinic in Abilene May 1, 1955 following the regional that really helped the Hearsemen. They took notes and hung on every word the judges told them. The younger quartets were impressed. Here was the current International silver medalist quartet/District Champs, qualified to be teachers themselves, sffil learning. Thanks to Johnny Means, judge's chairman, they learned how to "tell the story and sell a song." This had worked for the Schmidts when they saw them on a Wichita Falls show. The song became the "thing" for The Hearsemen. When they felt empathy with their audience it gave them great satisfaction. The quartet and their many fans invaded Miami and like the previous contests, the Hearsemen did an outstanding job on stage and won the audience. This time, repeating three songs from the previous year, they added The Sunshine Of Your Smiie to the first set and in the finals they won the judges singing, Georgia On My Mind and a ballad entitled Valley of the Moon. Often described as having tremendously strong and smooth voices, The Hearsemen had the ability to sing 'em low with Gifford on bass. This helped set them apart in Miami. They were expected to win and they were ready to win. However, they were threatened by a young, up-and-coming quartet called the Confederates. In the end The Confederates placed 2nd and the Hearsemen finally won the gold medals. The medals were presented by their friends The Orphans.
Even the joy of singing around the Old Roney Plaza Hotel in the hospitality rooms was rather difficult. It seems that just before they showed up, someone put a stink bomb" in the air duct and the smell was overwhelming. They still sang and were very well received. Later that night Dwight ran into A' Shea, Buffalo Bills lead. Al requested to see the |
Previous Page |
Contents |
Page |
How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions ChorusesAdministration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications RecognitionsIn Conclusion