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Page 6 InCider Press January 2007 |
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As a very young lad, I used to ride on the tractor with my Dad. That was long before the days of “tractor radios” and to pass the time he would sing and have me join in. I think that the only ones that may have ever heard my Dad sing were the cattle, maybe a farmer over the fence and me. Mom is one who always wants to put on a program. She did so often at family gatherings and a number of times pushed my sister and me into singing a song as part of her programs for family gatherings, wedding showers, Sunday School and Church. Church Choir, Glee Club, Men’s Chorus and a not so famous but great sounding Men’s Double sextet provided me lots of opportunity to sing and find enjoyment while in High School. Not much left of our old school or the town as a matter of fact – but it was the Barneston Consolidated H.S. If you are trying to find that on the map, you will need to look north of Marysville across the Mason-Dixon Line! My college days at UNL were filled with more hours for study and work than many, but I still found some time to enjoy music. East Campus Chorus and the small college 4-H group we called the “Outreachers” (our husker version of Up with People.) My wife Yvonne (my college sweetheart) still remarks often that she took the kids to church alone as I was always in the Choir loft. The truth is – she is a much better singer than me! I did get her to help lead a youth choir before we left Shickley, NE. We had just arrived in Nebraska City when I was approached by two very friendly men who asked if I liked to sing. I admitted that I had done some singing in my time. They invited me to come over on Tuesday night to just sing with a group of men. What a door opener that evening was to hear barbershop music for the second time in my life – wow ! What a sound and what a hook that was. (The first time was when our neighborhood 4-H club went to Seneca, KS to see the brand new hit movie – MUSIC MAN!) It hardly seems like it was 14 years ago that I started going to Barbershop meetings, how time flies. The memories (of the sounds, friendships, and fun that relieves so much stress) are as vivid as yesterday in my mind. A few of the practices remain memorable but more so the performances and the joy of bringing harmony to all those smiling faces that we have seen so many times. The really great news to me is the support that my bride of now 34 years gives me. If I think I am to busy to go, it will be Yvonne who encourages me to head for Manhattan for an evening of good clean fun with some of the best men that I ever want to know! Yvonne and I have three grown and married children (Bryan lives in Wakefield, works for Kaw Valley Engineering and is the father of our first two grandsons Charley (5) and Colten (4); Heather lives west of Junction City and is the mother of our newest grandson Dylan (3 mo.); and Charles lives in Overton, TX and works for Halliburton). Somehow, I just don’t think that my own singing to our three kids caught on as much as that singing with my Dad did for me ~ out there plowing the wheat stubble with the Super M-TA (that stands for a torque amplifier for the JD crowd) and the 3/16 mounted moldboard did for me! Gary Drake Lead ♪ |
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Meet member Gary Drake |
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ing and quartets. The greatest enjoyment I have had in barbershopping has been singing in quartets. What a thrill it has been to participate with September 4 and even compete in Omaha with Leonard Purvis, Sam Kvasnica and Bob Ridley. One evening when we were together Sam made the remark that he would like to go to competition once before he died and somebody said why not! So they entered the senior quartet competition. We didn't come in first but we didn't rank last either. It was fun! The original Melodians quartet included me, John Schlender, Frank Carpenter and Chuck Marr. This quartet was one of the few quartets in the first singing valentines program and we did a bunch! There were some tired old men! It has been a great ride but now health problems keep me at home. I do enjoy reading about the chapter in the InCider. Karen, you are doing a great job. Thanks Mel Emig Tenor ♪ |