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A Tribute to
James William Kerr 1922 - 2006
I
posted this note to a popular yahoo group
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 From:
Subject:
A Personal Story and a Thank You
Hi
guys
I
must tell you a story and also say thank you.
Most
of you know how "famous" I am
in the barbershop world. : )
Historically, as a 30 + year member of this singing society, I am often heard boasting of having more non-singing awards than others. Throughout
the years my father would join me for conventions and barbershop
shows.
Unfortunately he would have to wear a name tag with his name highly
visible and
in big BOLD letters -
More
often than we could count someone would come up and ask him . .
.
"Hey,
Are you
This
happened so often that he was soon prepared with the rehearsed comeback
line .
. .
"No,
He's MY son!"
He
once joined the great Fort Worth Cowtown chapter and during the first
weeks he
was a guest they would introduce each to the membership before break.
Sitting
in front of my dad
was a Barbershopper visiting all the way from
"We
want to recognize
The
stranger from
"Oh,
are you
Last
night at the Vocal Majority's rehearsal they sang many great songs
including
the Armed Forces Medley. When they got to the Army Air Corps I was
thinking of
his many successful
missions as a B-26 pilot in WWII.
Music
was important in our family. He turned me on to The Hi Lo's, Benny
Goodman and
all the Big Bands and I turned him on to the Suntones, the Vocal
Majority and
Barbershop. That just might have been an even trade.
I
got to hear many of those great harmonies last night. It was very much
needed
and appreciated - more than they could have known.
After
several months in a
Among
other things I have my dad to thank for this gift of music in my life.
Maybe
today YOU should call who ever gave you this gift and tell them thanks?
[Signed]
Jim
Kerr's Son
Memories And Other Influential Fathers What a nice tribute you wrote about your dad. I,
also, think the big bands (with which I grew up, standing with my belly
against
the bandstand until the last man took his instrument case off the
stage) and
Barbershop Harmony (which I first learned about in 1947 from my dad's
quartet,
The Chord Huskers, from Lincoln, NE) are the most exciting as well as
being the
most satisfying styles of music to come from this blessed land.
I'm
sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Mine died in 1964 at age 70, just
two
months before he and Mom planned to see the Sidewinders in
Keep
up your wonderful work with the Medallion, Grady. Your efforts help the
members
of AIC as well as all those who are able to read about AIC,
realize what a
valuable organization for the promotion, preservation, and propagation
of
Barbershop Quartet Singing The Association of International Champions
really
is.
Jerry
Fairchild
Gold
Medal Champs - Sidewinders 1964
I
just saw your posting on the
Like
you, my father had a great influence on me and my musical career.
He was
a violinist (Concertmaster) with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and
played with
them for 52 years, longer than anyone else in the history of the
orchestra. And
as important as music was to me while I was growing up, I knew it was a
tough
way to make a living, so I got into radio (thinking it would provide a
more
secure future…. It wasn’t!). I moved around a good bit
before
returning to
My
father passed away in 1990 at the age of 81. And although there
isn’t a
day that goes by that I don’t miss him or think of him, I know whenever
I sing
with the VM, sing a tag at an afterglow, or play piano at church
or at
home, that he’s smiling at me. I’m sure your dad will be doing
the same.
Best
wishes.
Nick
Alexander
Emcee
of the Vocal Majority - Dallas, TX
I read your very touching tribute to your Dad just now on the internet. I will always remember your Dad just sitting in a chair listening - mostly with a smile - as we rehearsed in the apartment on Sunday afternoon. He sure was proud of you - and it showed. More
importantly, I remember singing for the reunion of your dad's B-26
group
reunion - and how proud he was that we sang the Jim Clancy arrangement
of the
tune many thought should have been the Air Force anthem - I think it
really
impressed him and the rest of the group as well. I know it
brought back
memories for them.
I
know your Dad is well now - and I also know, with some healing time,
you also
will be OK.
God
bless your Dad - and keep you safe also.
bass
of The Boys Next Door
Barbershopper
from Dallas, TX
I
was touched by your email today and it brought back so many memories of
my own
dad who passed away at only 75 years. Unlike your dad, my dad was
not the
musical one in the family. But as the years went by and he got to
know
how much music meant in my life, he began taking a bigger interest in
my
concerts and shows. I remember in 1977, about 7 years after my
mom and
dad had divorced, I was with the Livingston Dapper Dans and we were in
the
International Contest that happened to be in
The
night he died, I kissed him and he said he wanted me to know that evn
though he
didn't always go to the shows and concerts I was in, he was really
proud of my
musical accomplishments. Three days after he died, I received in
the mail
my copy of Gas House Gang's recording of "Still trying to be like
Dad" and I cried. I think you know that every year on the
anniversary
of his death (May 11). I play GHG and dedicate it to the memory
of MY
dad.
I
envy you for having your father as part of your barbershop life and for
the
years you spent together....oh and by the way, I called my Mom tonight
to thank
her for bringing music into my life.
God
Bless, Friend
Rich Taylor - Host of The Harmony
Network Internet Radio - Barbershopper from New Jersey
I
am so saddened by hearing of the loss your dad. I lost my father at age
8 and
never really got to know or have a father. In many ways I very envious
of the
relationship you and your dad shared. On another note, I am so sorry
that your
hurt is MUCH worse than mine because you did know your dad for so many
years.
God
be with you my friend.
Bob
Coant
fellow
COTS Instructor - Barbershopper from New York
We
are sorry to hear of the passing of your dad.
Our thoughts
are with you and the rest of the family.
Jay
& Kathy Hawkins / Jim & Rosemary Miller
Louisville, KY - Society Photographers Sorry
to hear about your Dad.... it's not easy even when you "expect" it.
Hang
in there buddy.
Bruce
Checca
COTS
Coordinator, Barbershopper from New York
Seeing
Grady last night and reading his story makes me proud and glad to be a
barbershopper and a member of the VM family.
For
me, the person who got me into barbershopping was the older attorney
who
occupied the office next to mine when I was an assistant district
attorney in
I
am very thankful to others who have helped me stay in barbershopping
along the
way, including my vocal teachers, Paul Barrientos and
Lars
Isaacson
Lead,
Dallas Vocal Majority
I
am sorry to hear of your dad's passing. You had something in your life
time
that a lot of boy's growing up never had and that is a great father who
shared
and gave you one of the great pleasures in life (Music) and i know many
other
things that a boy growing up would have with a dad that you had.
WWII
veteran's are my hero's i remember as a kid looking in the evening
paper with
full pages of pictures of soldiers that were killed in action,
wounded in
action, and missing in action. Tom Brokaw was right they truly are "The
Great
Americans".
I
am glad you found comfort with your barbershop family last night
Woody
Kneebone
Barbershopper
from Pennsylvania
I
am saddened to learn of Jim's death - when Jim was working here at
CCRD, he
& I often worked together doing the Jumble puzzle in the newspaper
while
having lunch - my Dad (he died in 1991) always worked that puzzle - I
think Jim
was my substitute Dad - Jim was always most kind to me & always had
a good
story to tell - I am sorry for your loss
Sincerely,
Flo Baker Thank you for sharing the great story of your Dad. As you know I grew up in Think
of your Dad smiling down on you each time you sing and give that
great
smile of yours right back to him.
You
and I are very lucky to have been given this gift of song by our Dads'.
Mo
Rector probably has your Dad in a quartet right now.
Take
care and God Bless you.
Russell
Shaner
Dallas Vocal
Majority
Thank
you for sharing your story about your Dad and the meaning of his loss
to you.
My
dad passed away two weeks before I was scheduled to judge an
International
Prelim contest in JAD. I tried to cancel, but it was too late to
get a
replacement. My lovely wife convinced me that my Dad would want
me to
continue with my life and that it was OK to judge this contest.
I
was fine throughout the contest until UPTOWN SOUND came on stage and
sang
"My Father, My Friend, My Pal." This fine quartet's performance
touched me deeply and I overscored that performance by almost 20
points.
For me, that was the right score at that time and I make no apologies
for
it. To this day, that song brings back all of the fine times I
shared
with my Dad and how much I miss him.
I'm
sure both of our Dads know how much they were appreciated, even if we
never did
do a good job in articulating it.
Hummmmmmmmmbly
yours,
Jim
West
Barbershopper
from LaVale, Maryland
Sorry
to hear about your Dad -- I got my interest in singing from my Dad, his
twin
brothers and Grandfather. My Grandfather was a circuit preacher in
central
Grif
Griffin
Houston Tidelander
Your
story is very touching and deeply appreciated here. My Dad was an old
Minstrel
Show end man and taught me the old songs when I was very young. I share
your
sentiment about thanking those who introduced us to singing. In that, I
share
your loss, too.
May
your Dad find the peace he deserves knowing that his legacy is secure
in your
continuing appreciation of music. And don't worry, I'll bet he knows
how much
you appreciated his gift.
Everett
H. Nau's son - Ev
Harmony
Foundation Rep and Barbershopper from Chicago, IL
I
am not a subscriber to the
You
and your family are in our prayers.
Long
live
Bill
Rashleigh
Barbershopper
from Wisconsin
and BHS Staff member
What
a beautiful tribute, my friend.
Someday
I'll tell you about a TV personality (me) and his mother - a very
accomplished
businesswoman and an internationally recognized Sorority leader.
God
Bless, Grady - er -
Dick
Johnson
Graphic
Artist, The Medallion
I
had not heard about your dad passing away and I want express my
sympathies. It sounds like you had a wonderful relationship and
there is
nothing that can replace that. I feel very much the same way about my
dad (who
passed away 10 years ago) and understand your loss. It's good that you
have the
memories of the music you shared.
Lynn
Trapp
Director,
Siouxland Barbershop Chorus
Thank
you for sharing your memories with us. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Very
truly yours,
Daryl
T. Meek
Barbershopper
from New
Grady - my sympathy on the passing of your father. My father never was a member but he told me about the society and that's how I started as a teen in 1978. Our Cheers! Kevin Keller Former Vocal Majority Member I
second that thought Grady! I on the other hand am not sure who it was
who
introduced me to this wonderful hobby of ours. I think I maybe
just
stepped right up and introduced
myself!
Anyway,
I am sure your dad still is smiling down on you and there with you in
all your
musical adventures.
My
sincere condolences on the loss of your dad.
Hugs,
Cindy
Schlicht
Sweet
Adeline from Minnesota
Lovely
tribute buddy, I know he will be missed.
Sounds
like the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
Rich
Evans
San Antonio Barbershopper When
I was 14 the choir director of my church in
I've
been singing ever since, including an a cappella men's chorus of 12
voices
while I was in college and we made a record. At that time we sang
one
barbershop song, but I didn't figure out the song was published by
SPEBSQSA,
even with legal music in hand. It took another 23 years for a
co-worker
at IBM to introduce me and still another 10 years for my life style to
make
time for barbershop. I'm in my 13th year and loving it.
But
back to age 14, I have huge thank you for Dr. David Yoder for pushing
me into
the choir loft. It is the gift of a life time. If any of
you know
him, please tell him my thank you. I believe he taught at a
university in
the state of
Keith
Eckhardt
Barbershopper
from Florida
So
sorry to hear of your loss. I too remember who introduced me to
our
wonderful hobby. I was one of Tom Wickenheiser's nearly 50 Men of
Note.
In the summer of 1969, I was singing in a high school quartet.
Tom was
acquainted with our bass's Dad. He brought us to the Minnetonka
Clipper
Chorus's rehearsal in
Last
November, my wife Jeni and I were fortunate enough to attend the Twin
Cities
Barbershop Luncheon. Tom was there and we had a wonderful
time. Tom
had been suffering from several serious bouts with cancer (lung, brain,
etc.)
and I hadn't seen him during that time. At that luncheon, we sat
with him
and he was, for the most part, his old self. We reminisced and
had a
wonderful time. Only three weeks later, Tom succumbed to his
cancer.
What a GREAT loss to our Society. He will be missed.
Russ
Born
Barbershopper
from Red Lodge, MT
First
of all, to Grady, our thoughts and our prayers are with you.
Your
post got me to thinking about who I would thank for bringing me into
barbershopping and I realized there's no one person I can thank.
I
attended Newark State College in
The
year before I pledged, one of the guys got a summer job in a place with
a
member of the
In
April of 1971, my senior year, I directed my fraternity. We
won. We
performed a Smile Medley of Smile Darn Ya Smile and Let A Smile Be Your
Umbrella, arrangement credited to Frank Tortorelli of the Hallmarks, a
top ten
quartet 1968-1970. The second song was Today, originally
performed by the
New Christy Minstrels. Yes, I changed the tag - it was my first
tag.
I
was hooked. I joined the
So,
who do I thank? Do I thank Lenny DiNardo, who directed Greek Sing
during
my sophomore and junior years? Do I thank Artie Dolt, my first
director? How about Jim Gregory, the
Or
do I thank them all?
Marty
Barbershopper
from New York
Mr.
Bob
"Diz" Disney
Barbershopper
My grandfather and father sang in a barbershop quartet in the LOL District back in the late 1940's - before I was born - so I knew about barbershop from what family members had told me. I never realized women sang barbershop until 1994 when I saw a notice about a Sweet Adeline chorus' rehearsals in the local paper back up in Green Bay, WI. I mustered up the courage and went to the very next rehearsal alone not knowing a soul. The ringing chords got me hooked too and I've been doing it ever since. So I guess I can thank Dad and my grandfather for this obses....er..hobby I love. ;-) Peggy Bagby, tenor Sweet Adeline - OK City |