| Golden Memories |
|
Chapters |
| and The Innsiders. The Bay City chapter sang in the
auditorium lobby during intermission and strolled through the patrons looking
for candidates. On July 15, 1985, after growing large enough to begin the
chartering process, Southwestern District Executive VP John Schneider presented
the Bay City chapter with its license. The licensing party featured Tidelander
quartets and the "Toast of the Coast" chorus from Victoria. Unfortunately,
this was also Lowell McCulley's going away party. He had accepted a position
in Houston and transferred to the Houston chapter where he remains a member
in good standing today.
When Lowell left, Joe Eddy took over as "interim" director of the chorus with Robert Littiefield assisting. The chorus officers sponsored a contest to name the chorus, and when the votes were tallied Bob Litilefleld's submission: 'The Coastalaires" had won. Bob's prize was an all expense paid SPEBSQSA membership card for 1986. With a new license, a new director, and a new name the Bay City chapter was off and running after their charter. Of course, there would never have been a chapter without the dedicated efforts of men like Lowell McCulley, Joe Eddy, Ed Ottis, Bob Littlefield, Dr. Brian Simons, and Steve Gasaway, who were willing to spend time beating the bushes looking for new members. For the next six months the men worked hard to meet the membership requirements and finally, on February 22, 1986, the Coastalaires presented |
their charter show: "A Barbershop Show of Shows. Featured
choruses included: "The Coastalaires under the direction of Joe Eddy and
Robert Littiefleld, the Victoria "Toast of the Coast" under the direction
of Barry Smith, the San Antonio "Chordsmen" under the direction of Mac
Huff, and last, but certainly not least, the Houston "Tidelands" under
the direction of John Devine.
For the next four years the Coastalaires produced new shows to a somewhat 'underwhelming' community response. Chorus members William "Bill" Shine, Steve Gasaway, Taylor Steves, and Joe Eddy worked hard to write and create interesting new skits and Improve the chorus presentation. However, only a few Bay Cityians would support the chorus' efforts. Even while featuring quartets like the Innsiders and the Pride of the Marsh, the guys had a tough time getting "up" for an audience of 250 in an auditorium that would hold 2500 people. Then Steve Gasaway and Joe Eddy arrived at the answer. Steve Gasaway credits the Windmill Dinner Theater for his inspiration, and Joe Eddy was impressed by a production of the Wharton Co. Junior College Madrigals using the same format. Steve and Joe got together and brainstormed and the rest as they say is history. The Coastalaires started producing dinner shows at the Bay City Whispering Oaks Country Club and performing to sold out crowds. The format is so popular that the |
Bay City parade float
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Contents |
Page |
How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions ChorusesAdministration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications Recognitions In Conclusion