| Golden Memories | SWD International Quartet Champions |
| had to use the taxiway to take off due to a
closed runway. With Brian sitting on two phone books in order to see where
they were going, they took off in a cross wind and were nearly blown into
the control tower. That day they almost gave their lives for barbershop.
Their "first" album was a rare release by the Ontario District of the Dealer's Choice In Concert. It was recorded live at that districts' 1974 fund raiser for international quartet funds annual show "Onta-Fame". That year they also appeared on a PBS special taped in Dallas by KERA. The program was shown around the country and very popular. |
album with the DC singing (actually sight reading) several straight barbershop songs. The Society released it with a song book and part tapes allowing every member to "sing with the DC". Thanks to the extreme pressure of their fans, The DC's first, last recording was called The Last Session and released only on cassette tapes. By this time, Greg Lyne had replaced Brian who had moved to California. This recording included many of the show songs performed over the years: Chloe, Have a Little Talk, Simon and Garfr~nkel Medley, I Can't Give You Anything But Love and Sweet She Ain'L Their last song together was during a week long tour of England in 1978. Their last, last recording was released after a reunion of the DC in 1988 |
| In 1974 The DC began working on their
second" album. Songs Like Daddy Used To Play was self-produced and released in early 1975. It included most of their contest material. In fact it was one of the few "all barbershop" albums by a International quartet champion. They dedicated it to the Harmony College staff. Almost everyone has a copy of their 1976 release, Choice II. This was a trend setting album with one full side being The E~gy To The O~ South or better known as their 18 minute "Riverboat Medley", it was seven songs linked together with narration, sound effects and a elaborate arrangement by Brian and Gary. The flip side included I'm My Own Grandpa, Love Letters, Coney Island Washboard, and The Lord's Prayer. The graphics of the album and even the original concept itself set this one album apart as possibly the finest and most popular quartet recording in the society's history. |
Songs of Yesterday was a Society project with Greg Clancy
singing tenor. Like The First Time (1989) included many re-recorded favorites
of the past and a few new songs like IDon't Know why, a Beck original Mr.
Piano Man, Please.., Hello Mary Lou and the popular Beach Boys Medley.
Rick Robertson replaced Gary Parker for a short time after Gary relocated
to Virginia.
One unfortunate note was the price paid by this quartet on the home front. Over the course of the life of the quartet, every member suffered the loss of a wife through divorce. This even tested the strength of friendships within the foursome when, what is common knowledge, one member married the ex-wife of another member. This has been the source of some humor over the years, however, with the sales promotion of a fictitious bumper sticker that reads, "Honk If You Were Married to a Member of the Dealer's Choice". |
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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