Golden Memories Page 61

Golden Memories SWD Chapters

Bay City, Tx.
The Coastalaires
by Larry Milliff

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The Bay City Coastalaires

In 1983, Lowell MeCulley moved to Bay City from Jacksonviiie, Illinois. Lowell had been involved in barbershop for many years, directing his home chorus, serving as an officer in the Illinois District, and working to promote the Barbershop Harmony Society. His efforts in behalf of the Illinois district even won him that District's highest honor, Barbershopper of the Year. Even though he regretted leaving the great barbershop tradition of the Illinois district, he decided to move from the cold and frozen north to sunny south Texas. He managed to survive without close harmony until July of 1984, when he and his wife, Marilyn, attended the International convention in St. Louis, MO. While in St Louis, he learned two things: first, the Houston Tidelanders proved to him that barbershop harmony was alive and well In south Texas (they placed fourth), and second, that life just wasn't worth living without close harmony.

He returned to Bay City determined to start a chapter.
Lowell convinced two co-workers, Hal Attaway and Marc Eisenstein, to assist him in organizing the chapter, and then the real work began. Through word of mouth and positive newspaper articles, the group slowly grew. The "old gang" met In the home of Bay City surgeon, Brian Simons until they Just wouldn't fit in the living room any more. While the chapter was growing, the Houston "'1'idelanders" and the Victoria "Toast of the Coast" choruses began helping out wherever they could. Lawyers Bifi Mffier of the Victoria chapter, and John Schneider of the Houston chapter donated their services pro bono and for the love of barbershop.
In March of 1985, while growing to the point of licensing, the chapter hosted a "Parade of Harmony concert, featuring the Tidelanders, the Rare Blend,

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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