Inside Vocal Majority

Eddie Thunders From Down Under - Part Two

Inside Vocal Majority

Eddie Thunders from Down Under-Part Two

The Vocal Majority is honored to share a two-part podcast-interview with our own Eddie Martinez, recently produced by two of Barbershop Harmony Australia’s movers & shakers…Richard Reeve and Ash Schofield on their “Good Morning BHA” podcast. Eddie is an accomplished singing professional and educator, BHS judge, coach and gold medalist as well as a Vocal Majority tenor, section leader and director of the VM small group…VM Express.

Eddie shares more personal, and sometimes very emotional stories about his life and decades dedicated to coaching, teaching and encouraging barbershop singing, not only across the US ,Canada & UK…but to nearly every corner of the continent of Australia.

We hope you enjoy both episodes with Eddie, Richard & Ash. Check out “Good Morning BHA” for more entertaining, barbershop related podcasts from our brothers in Australia. And be sure to look for new and previous episodes with more stories and music from the Vocal Majority, right here on “Inside Vocal Majority”.

Eddie Thunders From Down Under - Part One

Inside Vocal Majority

Eddie Thunders From Down Under - Part One

The Vocal Majority is honored to share a two-part podcast-interview with our own Eddie Martinez, recently produced by two of Barbershop Harmony Australia’s movers & shakers…Richard Reeve and Ash Schofield on their “Good Morning BHA” podcast.

Eddie is an accomplished singing professional and educator, BHS judge, coach and gold medalist as well as a Vocal Majority tenor, section leader and director of the VM small group…Vocal Majority Express. Eddie shares personal stories about his life and decades dedicated to coaching, teaching and encouraging barbershop singing, not only across the US ,Canada & UK…but to nearly every corner of the continent of Australia.

We think you’ll enjoy this 30-minute conversation with Eddie, Richard & Ash …so be sure to check out part-two of “Eddie Thunders from Down Under”.

I Thank My Lucky Stars

Inside Vocal Majority

I Thank My Lucky Stars

Americans celebrate the Fourth of July every year, marking the founding of the United States. Usually an occasion for parades, parties, barbecues, concerts and fireworks, this most significant national holiday on the American calendar will be different this year. It may be quieter… with smaller gatherings…closer to home. But this doesn’t change the fact that Americans love this country and cherish our independence and freedom. On this day, we “thank our lucky stars to be living here today.” We also know that freedom isn’t free. Millions of men and women have put their life on the line to protect our freedom.

So we thought you might like to meet some of the brave men of the Vocal Majority who served in different branches of our Armed Forces. In this episode, you’ll hear stories about the military  experiences of VM members Dave Huff, Clark Magee, Jim Patterson, Tony Stafford, Joe Frazier and Mike “MJ” Johnson. And of course the VM will sing a few of our favorite patriotic songs… The Star-Spangled Banner, Armed Forces Medley and God Bless the USA.

A note about the production of this episode…longtime VM member/performer and historical contributor Frank Eastman traveled around the state of Texas during our time in quarantine and met (properly socially-distanced) and recorded the interviews you hear on this show. Then Frank and Nick Alexander, another longtime member/performer/show host and “voice” of the VM, edited the hours of interviews into this episode. The VM is extremely grateful for the efforts and dedication of these gentlemen.

So Happy 4^th of July everyone. We hope you enjoy hearing our stories and music. And we think you'll agree with us when we sing:

“I thank my lucky stars...

To be living here today,

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom...

And they can’t take that away.”

Pause the Applause

Vocal Majority "Live & In Concert at White’s Chapel”- Part Two

Hosted by Clint Blalock

As we rewind to the time of this podcast, the universe had yet to try to hit “pause” on our songs. On that Valentine’s Day evening in South Lake Texas, we finished our performance with this sentiment….“If you want to know…What the world needs now…is love sweet love…it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of”. Who knew how true this message would become just a few days after this show.
So until it’s safe for us to “riser” again and have Jay blow his pitch pipe, we hope you find some peace and reassurance with this podcast of ”VM Live & In Concert at White’s Chapel” - Part Two. If you know someone who needs some love…to have their heart and soul touched with a song…we hope you’ll share this podcast. It would make us very happy to know our songs play on and that the universe couldn’t stop the music.

Who Knew?

Vocal Majority Live and In Concert at White's Chapel - Part One

Hosted by Clint Blalock

It was Friday night. It was a beautiful February evening in Texas. It was almost Spring. It was Valentine’s Day. The start of our weekend was bubbling with anticipation and thoughts of love. The hundred men who made the trip to South Lake Texas that night were feeling exceptionally positive .…almost giddy if you will. Giddy because these guys love to sing…and they love to sing love songs. So what better way to start our weekend of romance than to serenade a few hundred patrons of choral music with an hour of love songs….all kind of songs. We sang songs about the people we hold dearly in our hearts…songs about our love of state and country…and songs about our love of God.
But who knew this evening would also be one of the last times for many days to come that these men could greet each other with a handshake or stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the riser? Who knew it would be the last time, for now, that we could hug a visiting family member, a friend or newcomer in the lobby after the show? Who knew anything about “virtual afterglows”? Who knew that after this night, one of the only ways left for us to touch someone would be through a song? Who knew?
However, Vocal Majority looks back on this podcast of that evening’s performance not with sadness or remorse, but with validation for why we exist. We sing the songs that touch people….that touch your heart and soul. We sing the songs that bring us together….connect us…embrace us.
So we hope you find some peace and reassurance in these two ”VM Live & In Concert at White’s Chapel” episodes. And just know, the men of the Vocal Majority are doing ok…matter of fact, we are better than ever! We continue to sing and rehearse virtually. And when the day arrives when we all can be together again, be assured that we will be just as giddy about singing for you as we were on that night in February.

No Arms

Inside Vocal Majority
No Arms

Welcome back… All You Lovers…to Vocal Majority’s Valentine’s Day Podcast Episode-Part Two. You know, when you think about it, “Love” is a four-letter word that comes in different shapes, sizes and flavors — like what you find in a box of chocolates. (Forest Gump knows what we mean). And we express our love in the words we speak to close a phone call, in the heart-shaped emojis our fingers quickly type to BFFs and in the thousands of love songs that have been written and sung for the ones that live in our hearts. In this episode, Vocal Majority offers you this heart-filled box of chocolates while we will escort you down “lover’s lane” with a few stories about some of these love songs….and then we’ll sing them for you, along with a few special guests.
Our first piece of chocolate is a VM classic from ‘96… “If I Give My Heart To You”, followed by an a cappella bonbon… ”What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life”…sung by two giants in the Barbershop world…. Jeff Oxley and Greg Clancy. Then with a nod to the sugar-sweet 60’s pop group The Turtles, The Nylons suggest “Imagine me and you, I do” with their caramel-treat “Happy Together”.
Our next selection will be from longtime VM friend, Don Shelton and his vocal group… Singers Unlimited, with their delicious version of “My Romance”. The last two pieces of chocolate in the box will be two VM recordings…. “You Are So Beautiful” (with strings) and “No Arms Can Ever Hold You”.
We hope the songs and stories we’ve shared on this episode show you how much we love “Love”. The VM wish you and all your loved ones a wonderful Valentine’s Day. And we hope it’s full of flowers, love songs….and chocolate!

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” —Charles M. Schulz

You Make Me Smile With My Heart

Inside Vocal Majority
You Make Me Smile With My Heart

Hello All You Lovers ... Happy Valentine's Day!
Love is indeed in the air..... Cupid, hearts, chocolates, cards and flowers are everywhere. But one of the best ways to express your “bliss” is with a great love song. And boy do we have love songs. Some people say it’s what Vocal Majority does best. There is something about listening to romantic lyrics and melodies with your loved one that helps create that magical feeling...especially when it’s sung in four-part harmony. Vocal Majority is excited to share two new love-filled “kiss & tell” episodes. (You take care of the kissing…we’ll do the telling…storytelling that is).
In part-one, you’ll hear the VM beg “please stay…” in “My Funny Valentine” and then we’ll ponder together “How Deep Is The Ocean”. And for a special treat, you’ll swoon to the low notes Jim Clancy hits in “I Love You Best By Candlelight” performed with his 5-voice group The Collection. You'll hear a couple of VM oldies from the 70's including the VM's very first gold-medal song "I Never Knew I Could Love Anybody/You Were Meant For Me" and "Old Fashioned Girl In A Gingham Gown" directed by Brian Beck. Closing out this episode is a performance by two of the VM’s favorite people…Wendy & Steve DeCrow…singing a duet of two classic love songs… “When I Fall In Love/All The Way”.
So dim the lights…light the candles…and let the VM set the mood while we “spin some vinyl” on your Valentine's Day 2020.

 

Take A Cup Of Kindness

Inside Vocal Majority
Episode #4 - Take A Cup of Kindness

Due to the overwhelming response to our previous three episodes, Vocal Majority is thrilled to offer a bonus episode at the close of this year and decade.... Take A Cup of Kindness. And to look back and sum it all up for us are the men who have guided the chorus over the last 50 years....Jim and Greg Clancy.
Jim shares his very personal thoughts about passing his director’s baton to his son, his memories of his musical family and the influence it had on his music. And when he is asked about a muse in his life....someone who has influenced him and hundreds of his choral arrangements...Jim reveals the evocative answer. Along the way, you’ll hear the songs at the heart of these stories...”I’ll Be Seeing You” and “He/I Believe”.
And finally, Greg and Jim recount the highs and lows (notes, that is…) of this past decade...and what it meant to the VM to close out this decade, singing for over 20 million people. 
We think this episode is the perfect way to say farewell 2019 and welcome 2020 … with “Pure Harmony”....and Pure Honesty. So pour yourself “a cup of kindness” and sing along with the VM …. just ”for Auld Lang Syne”. 

Jim Clancy's "Secret of Christmas"

Inside Vocal Majority
Episode 3 - Jim Clancy’s “Secret of Christmas”

Here’s the Vocal Majority episode everyone has been waiting for. Our Executive Musical Director and one of the original VM founding fathers, Jim Clancy ,sits down with a 40-year VM member and voice of the VM, Nick Alexander, for a candid and emotional heart-to-heart . Jim shares several “Secrets” about his childhood and near-death experience (Thank God for a new wonder drug), his favorite Christmas toy, his song arranging process …what he hears and sees before putting the first note to paper... and how he won Judy’s heart with a song... the same song that always closes every VM Christmas Show. You’ll hear the VM perform a few of Jim’s favorite and classic Christmas arrangements: “Toyland”, “Believe”, “White Christmas”…as well as Jim’s brand new arrangement of “Somewhere In My Memory” from “Home Alone” (recorded at rehearsal this week). And of course you’ll hear the song at the heart of this episode….”The Secret of Christmas".
So imagine you're cozying up to a blazing fire with a cup of hot cocoa and listen to Jim Clancy reminisce about his “Christmas joys…precious moments …special people....all of the music…all of the magic”.

This Is How We Do It

Inside Vocal Majority
Episode 2 - This Is How We Do It

Vocal Majority musical director Greg Clancy and current chorus member/future chorus retiree Anthony continue their conversation from episode 1, recounting both fun and scary Christmas show stories. The fun: how the VM handled "Snowmageddon"! The scary: the time a chorus member fell into the orchestra pit with nothing to break his fall but music stands. Does he survive? Yes! It would have been weird if he didn't!

Anthony talks about how his time performing and acting with the VM Christmas shows helped him to overcome some major life hurdles. And they discuss the secret formula to the shows' success (spoiler alert: Learn that Anthony is just making up his lines as he acts in VM shows!).

This episode features more Vocal Majority favorite Christmas tunes: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Silent Night", "Mary Did You Know", and a sneak peak at Anthony's debut arrangement for the VM of "The Polar Express"...with VM member Will Renfroe singing all four parts! 

Be sure to check out Episode 3: Jim Clancy's "Secret of Christmas" when you will hear from the legend himself as he shares his memories of Christmas as a boy and how his family values, spirituality and love of music helped shape the Vocal Majority over the last 50 years.

If you have topics or a theme you would like the VM to discuss or if you are enjoying this series of podcasts, please let us know by leaving your comments here or on our website: https://www.vocalmajority.com/blog

For recordings and show tickets, visit us at vocalmajority.com, and look for us on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube (you’ll love VM videos!)