| Golden Memories | SWD International Quartet Champions |
| The set was very popular at $4 each (or $7 a
set) and went through several pressings. All this despite International's
refusal to accept advertising of a "non-barbershop recording". In their
history, the Gaynotes appeared on a total of 10 albums with 41 songs.
The last time they were all together was to celebrate their 30th anniversary on November 15, 1988. The Tulsa chapter invited many VIPs and designated an entire rehearsal night to honor the 1958 champs. The presentation was made by Grady Kerr, SW') Historian. In telling the story of the quartet, Grady presented the quartet with a book of clippings and memories to each quartet member. The books also contained letters from the other top ten quartets in the '58 contest such as The Mid-States Four, Four Pitchikers, The Town and Country |
Four, Easternaires, Play-Tonics, the Timbre-Kings
as well as other society VIPs.
To their surprise, a video of their 1958 contest set was shown to them for the first time; it was taken from a long-lost kinescope. They didn't even know it existed (each was given a copy). It showed everyone the Gaynotes in their prime and why they're considered one of the best ever. Tragically, we lost John Loots on July 14, 1990 in an automobile accident in San Francisco following the Int'l convention there. He was 69. Presently Harold Jones lives in Tulsa and is self employed as a marketing research consultant. Howard Rinkel is retired and also in Tulsa. Mo Rector lives in New Braunfels and is running a new business called Deafcomm, Inc. (public relations work for the hearing impaired). |
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Contents |
Page |
How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions Choruses Administration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications Recognitions In Conclusion