Moxie Ladies- 2009 Queens of Harmony

1. Moxie Ladies 2754
2. Jackpot! 2698
3. Razzcals 2695
4. Maxx Factor 2662
5. Capri 2631

SWEET ADELINES Get Lei'd In Hawaii

This week, the Sweet Adeline International Convention will be held in Hawaii. The convention will take place November 4-8 in Honolulu, Oahu.

The quartet semi-finals is on Wednesday, Nov 5th at 4:45pm (EST). On Thursday, the chorus semi-finals will take place at 4:45pm (EST).

Friday, Nov. 7th will be a busy day for convention attendees. The quartet finals start at 6:00pm (EST) followed by the Coronet Club at 2:00am (EST). The 5th Wheel hasn't confirmed whether the Coronet Club will be televised on the webcast. (If anybody on the east coast actually stays up til 2am to view it, then you are definitely a die-hard!)

The final day of the convention is the chorus finals where the top ten choruses will perform their packages. This is one of the greatest competition events in barbershopping competitions.

Keep coming back to The 5th Wheel throughout the week. We will have constant coverage on the convention, plus interviews from competitors in Hawaii.

An INTIMATE Conversation with Heather Mears of Four Bettys

"ALL HAIL, FOUR BETTYS!" The 5th Wheel had the unique pleasure to sit down and chat with Heather Mears, baritone of the 2008 Queens of Harmony Four Bettys. With only a few days left until the crown must be passed to the new champions, Mear's publicist allowed a rare interview with the outgoing queen.

_____________________

The5thWheel: I bow on one knee in your presence, oh great Queen of Harmony. What exactly is the job description for being a "Queen of Harmony?" Raise membership dues? Manipulate scores? Banish staff members? Attend extravagant parties where men have to wear white wigs and powder their faces?

QueenMears: I'm sorry, can you bow a little lower? I can't quite see the top of your head (Well, why don't you just get off your throne and try a little harder? The power of a queen... sigh!) Anyway, description ey? Well, our main job is to keep our hair perfect for the crown. Other than that, we sit around eating bonbons all day and have O.C. Times wait on us hand and foot. (The loser of the coin toss gets the foot right?)

The5thWheel: Have you wielded your powers of a queen with dignity and grace- all for the common good, or did you corrupt the throne with money, power and scandal?

QueenMears: Unfortunately, Joan and mom (Lynda) aren't nearly evil enough ("The Diet Coke of evil... perhaps?" -Dr. Evil) for corruption, so they dragged Cori and I into extending our powers for worldly good such as singing until all hours of the morning with any and all Sweet Adelines in the near vicinity!

The5thWheel: How did you come up with the name Four Bettys?

QueenMears: Cori's brilliant brain. Don't ask, it's scary. (Must... ask... question... Cory has a brain? Ooo, that is scary. "Run for the hills!")

The5thWheel: For those who are 50 years and older, what's a Betty?

QueenMears: A Betty is a best girlfriend ("Aahh.. BFF!"), but our favorite definition is a female in a male dominated sport. Watch out barbershoppers, here we come! (Barbershop is male dominated? Have you looked at the males in barbershop lately? You could have come up with a better example like football or hunting, for that matter.)

The5thWheel: The four Bettys that come to my mind are Betty Davis (Silver screen diva), Betty Rubble (Smokin' hot cartoon wife), Betty Ford (Trivia: Her parents named her AFTER the rehab clinic. Most people think it was the other way around.) and Ned Beatty (Otis from Superman and pig-raped by a hill-billy in Deliverance). Which of these four Bettys most resembles your quartet members?

QueenMears: Well, if you spelled Bette Davis' name right, I suppose we would be her. (Look, You don't have to get snarky with me lady I... Oops.. I mean, "Oh powerful queen that you are!") I mean, who doesn't want to be a diva...(Greg Lyne) never mind the fact that we get to wear crowns to show our superior Diva skills.

The5thWheel: I'm still on my knee bowing to you. It would be easier if I could finish this interview looking at you face to face. May I stand up now?

QueenMears: Hmmm...no, I think I like you right there. (D'oh!) Hope you've been doing your squats. (Ha. ha. ha. I guess you have to go through a little pain to get the big story. Of course, if I had just waited an extra week she would no longer have these powers. DANG IT!)

The5thWheel: Your last name is Mears. Being from Chicago, how many times in your life have you had people imitate the famous 1990's Saturday Night Live skit and say, "DA-Mearz!"? I'm the first, right?

QueenMears: If you make us look good...of COURSE you're the first! (I knew it! I'm soooo original. "Dit-ka. Dit-ka.") However, my favorite is what they used to call ma when she was a kid...Big Ears Mears. (At least she wasn't called Mc'Geek.")

The5thWheel: Four Bettys just released a brand new CD. In 25 words or less, try to convince our readers why we should even consider buying your new recording.

QueenMears: It's good. Buy it. (OMG, I'M SO THERE!! OPEN. OPEN. OPEN. You are a good salesman.)

The5thWheel: OH! I just remembered another Betty... Betty Page! Who in your quartet would be her, and if so, when is the swimsuit calendar going to be released?

Queen Mears: Seriously, learn how to spell these women's names! This one is BETTIE Page...and I definitely think that would be mom. Isn't it always the old ones who do the craziest things? (Ya know what, I think it helps my manhood that I DON'T know how to spell these ladies names, OK? If you've seen one Betty... then you've seen one.)

The5thWheel: What's the schedule looking like for Four Bettys in the coming year?

QueenMears: Besides wallowing (Like Ned BEATTY? "Sooowee") in the fact that we are no longer current champs (tear!), we will be doing an assortment of educational schools, shows, and mimosa-laden rehearsals (hey, when you're having a rough rehearsal, nothing like a little mimosa to ease the ear pain!) (Sweet Adelines drink alcohol? Who would've thunk?)

The5thWheel: Next week you'll be finishing up your reign as Queens of Harmony. Do you feel that the competing quartets next week will be responsible enough to take control of the "Harmony Empire", or should Four Bettys stay on as Queens for another year? (You still have a week left to change the laws!)

QueenMears: If we had our way, we'd rule the empire FOREVER! But I must say, it does get tiring mixing with all our minions. (Well, I think the timing is good for you, with all the hand and foot rubbing we minions have had to do this past year, a revolution was in your near future.) It may be time for a break...but don't even THINK about calling us "Old Queens". I think only Queen Elizabeth deserves that title! (How about "Old Hags?")

The5thWheel: Well, thank you for your hospitality in doing this interview with one of your many loyal (and forced) fans. Perhaps there may be a time when my family will gain status in the world, and I could call you friend?

QueenMears: Well, luckily for you, you at least have some kind of hardware to prove your worth...of course, I can't quite recall the quartet....Chicago? Metropolitan? Metro-divas? I'll have to think on that one. (MaxQ, thank you very much!)________________________

The 5th Wheel was fortunate to be given a sample from one of Four Bettys songs that is listed on their new CD. To purchase this recording, please visit Four Bettys website.

Thanks to Heather Mears for this in-depth interview. If The 5th Wheel could share a moment with our readers to talk about the class and dignity of this great Queen, we would.

End of interview.

POLLS CLOSED: Music on MP3 Player

The 5th Wheel closed its voting booths and have the final tally on "What Style Of Music Is Performed On The MP3 Player?" The song was Surfer Girl by our current champions, OC Times. After 74 people voted, here are the results:

74% (55) -It's a barbershop quartet (if it sounds like a barbershop quartet...)

22% (19) -Something other than a barbershop quartet. (Alright, either 22% of the voters are idiots or they are a bunch of smart@$$es who want a job writing for The 5th Wheel. Sorry, we offer no benefits.)

FYI, 5% (4) voted for the Deagan Organ Chimes!?!?!?! The voters must have mistaken the clear high tones sung by tenor sensation Shawn York to be chimes. Wow, impressive!

Metropolis POLL

Check out the poll on the right side column and vote!

The 5th Wheel EXCLUSIVE: Metropolis RETIRES! (End of an Error!)

This afternoon, The 5th Wheel received some sad news from one of the most beloved quartets in our Society. Remember this day, 10/26... for it will be a day nobody will forget. Where were you when you first heard the news? Metropolis has released a statement.

To Our Dear Friends,

In the spirit of our truly International Annual Convention, it is with hope for the future and affection for our good fortune in the past that Metropolis announces our Swan Song performance. Our final bow will take place on the World Harmony Jamboree during the International Convention in Anaheim, California in July 2009. We've been so blessed by the International community that we felt this would be the most appropriate place for us to say good-bye.

Over the past 12 years, Metropolis has endeavored to bring as much fun as possible to our appearances and to the reputation of our hobby in general. Our goal, from the beginning, was to have the best time possible, singing at the highest level possible and entertaining audiences everywhere we could, as often as we could.

From that time, we've managed 3 appearances on National Television (two of which continue in syndication to this day) and have averaged more than 21 shows per year, totalling over 450 performances on 270 different shows in 37 different States and 5 Canadian Provinces. In the past 9 years, we've been honored to have been asked to travel overseas on many occasions to educate and perform for barbershoppers the world over, beginning with the first Russian Barbershop Festival in 1999. Since then, we've returned for the third Russian festival in 2001 and subsequently repeated these same duties at the BABS Convention in 2003, the Pan Pacific Convention in 2004 and, in 2007, we educated and sang for the the IABS Convention, the BABS convention, the Holland Harmony Festival and the Tokyo Barbers Show. We'll be returning to England once more to educate and perform with the Cottonwood Chorus in Bolton this coming February.

Achieving medalist quartet status at the International level was certainly a tremendous bonus, as was becoming the first barbershop quartet to win the National A Cappella Championship.

We've made so many friends that we can scarcely count them, regardless of what our FaceBook profile says. ;-)

We're currently pressing our final group of products, including our DVD in PAL and NTSC format, as well as our CD and will cease selling them on our website within a week of our appearance on the World Harmony Jamboree. After this time, we will provide a limited number of loaner copies of the DVD of our performance free of charge for private showings at Youth Harmony events. We're currently working with the Society to provide them in an organized fashion directly from Headquarters for this purpose, in order to protect the copyrights associated with the production of the DVD, as well.

We've been blessed to have had the opportunity to entertain you and enjoy your company and we wish to take this opportunity to honor our coaches and inspirations: the members of The New Tradition, The Ivy League and 139th Street Quartets, Greg Lyne, Cindy Hanson, Kim Hulbert, Mark Hale, Sandy Robinson-Marron, Jim Kline and our coach, friend and mentor Lloyd Steinkamp.

We'd also like to send special thanks to our "substitute tenor", Royce Ferguson, as well as our very first tenor, Ken Potter and our dear friends Rob Menaker, Jeff Baker & Brett Littlefield, who have always been at the ready to assist us in whatever manner we've needed. Rob and Pat Menaker, in particular, for opening their home to us so often without hesitation, so we'd have another place to rehearse every other week.

Metropolis wouldn't be what it is without our former baritone, Mike McGee and we'd be remiss if we didn't recognize our MetrophyWives, Doreen, Naomi, Tamar & Mandy, MetroTeen Becky and MetroTots Jennifer, Sydney, Lindsay and Isabelle - we couldn't have done it without their support (and permission)!

We hope to see all of our friends at the World Harmony Jamboree to see us off - our love to you all!

Pax, harmonia (peace and harmony),

Brian Philbin, Bob Hartley, James Sabina and Kelly Shepard

Metropolis

--------------------------------------

Metropolis has affected our Society in so many positive ways. The quartet gave incredibly entertaining peformances which did nothing but show barbershop in its best form. They have done more for our Society than many of our past champions. Just because their medals were never gold doesn't mean they didn't affect the world to the same way a champion would. Metropolis' level of entertainment would freak out Int'l Champions that had to share the stage with them. Nobody wanted to follow Metropolis.

While everyone enjoyed the slapstick in Metropolis' performances, what people have failed to understand is not just the complexity of their humor, but how difficult it was to make such quick, jolted moves, dance around the stage and do pratfalls, while at the same time never hear a bump in the sound. Metropolis rehearsed this technique for hours! Unfortunately in our competitions, we aren't judged by level of difficulty.

We have a comment box for each post. Please take a moment and leave a comment for Metropolis. We'll miss you guys! COULD IT BE?

Photos courtesy of Dan Proctor and photographed by Lorin May

SCOOP! Plus Extras!

Hey everyone, The 5th Wheel is going to have a VERY busy week coming up with a TON of articles. We will be posting interviews with some of our favorite Sweet Adeline quartets who are preparing for International in Hawaii the first of November. Halloween is approaching so we will have a scary ghost story from our friend Cindy Hansen. Also, some more fun polls and editorial comments.

SCOOP ALERT! The 5th Wheel is gathering some "inside information" as we speak and hope to have it up on the blog tonight. This will be big news folks. Be sure to check back with The 5th Wheel later!

OUCH! Getting Flamed On The Harmonet

I guess I'm making some people(1) mad on the Harmonet with my constant posts. Now I know how Carl Lewis, the Olympic gold medalist felt when he messed up singing the National Anthem at an NBA game.


"UH-OH!" (Will the last note EVER end??? Will The 5th Wheel ever stop posting to the Harmonet? ENOUGH Carl! ENOUGH, whoever the nameless person is writing The 5th Wheel!)

CONTEST SCORES- EVG, LOL, NED, SWD

[11:40am EST] Special thanks from The 5th Wheel go out to The Lone Ranger, The Iceman, Q5, Sam English and Lindsay Chartier for supplying the scores this weekend. Please remember, while they did help promote this site by sending in the scores, the REASON they acted was for YOU. They, like many of us, appreciate knowing the scores as soon as they are announced. I hold my non-refrigerated Diet Coke up high and salute you. Thank you friends.

CHORUS

SWD

1. Vocal Majority 1691 93.9 (The Vocal Majority is currently ranked 2nd behind The Ambassadors going into Anaheim. According to The Harmonet Reporter, the VM has NEVER finished lower than first in the fall chorus summary. OOooo- DRAMA!)

2. Heart of Texas 1513 84.1

3. Tidelanders 1414 78.6

LOL

1. Great Northern Union 1069 89.1

2. Mid-West Vocal Express 994 82.8

3. Commodores 944 78.7

NED

1. Narragansett Bay 1373 76.3

2. Silk City Chorus 1286 71.4

3. Racing City Chorus 1279 71.1

EVG
1. Senate-Aires 80.1
2. Northwest Sound 79.2
3. Northwest Vocal Project 76.3

QUARTET

SWD

1. Speakeasy 2771 77.0

2. Eureka! 2732 75.9

3. Vanguard 2659 73.9

EVG
1. No word as of yet
2.
3.

LOL
1. X Factor 1920 80.0
2. Main St. Station 1886 78.6
3. Sound Image 1752 73.0

NED
1. Our Town 2731 75.9
2. Breakaway 2557 71.0
3. Sing City 2548 70.8

POLLS CLOSED: Most Memorable Tag

Here are the results from the latest poll on "Most Memorable Tag Sung On The International Stage." Eighty-nine visitors voted. (However, the absentee votes have not yet been calculated. The 5th Wheel is based in Florida, what do you expect?)

1. 53% 2000 Platinum- Tony DeRosa's confident wink at Joe Connelly on Auld Lang Syne. (Tony, you are the man! You have been voted "Most Popular" on The 5th Wheel! Now that you're the BMOC, maybe you can get the captain of The 5th Wheel cheerleading squad to go out with you?)

2. 19% 1998 FRED- The "tagless" song in HOTlanta! (Shoot! The 5th Wheel had money riding on this pick. We thought for sure a quartet that loses all musical ability to sing just one tag would have creamed the competition. Sorry guys. You can now return to taking a bath with your Anaheim gold medals around your necks.)

3. 14% 2006 O.C Times- Devine's "Never say die" attempt on Save/Last Dance Tag. (Unfortunately for Sean there was no devine intervention to help him that day. Sean, buddy, pal, I'm sorry you had to be included on this list. However, rest assured that The 5th Wheel is your biggest fan and even though we pointed out a flaw in your performance, you are being associated in this poll with quartet champions, which you are my friend.)

4. 12% 1985 The New Tradition- Danny Jordan's long post as Chico Marx. (The 5th Wheel wants to point out that before Tony DeRosa and Tim Waurick came along, gold medalist Dan Jordan was first to have the reputation for being the long tag poster. Way to go "Leather-Lungs" Jordan!)

Photos courtesy of Dan Proctor and photographed by Lorin May. Dan Jordan picture from www.theperfectgentlemen.us

The 5th Wheel On Mountaintop With Confusious

The 5th Wheel sat down with the great philosopher, Confusious to get his thoughts on barbershop quartet singing.

The5thWheel: It’s a great honor to be in your presence today.

Confusious: Have no friends not equal to yourself.

The5thWheel: Wow, gee… thank you. (blush) Since I’m sitting with one of the greatest philosophers in history, that’s a mighty fine compliment for you to say about me.

Confusious: He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

The5thWheel: I’m sorry… Let’s get right to the topic I wanted to share with you.

Confusious: Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

The5thWheel: (????) Dude, I’m not out to pop a cap in somebody’s @$$. Just chill and let me tell you what I was thinking.

Confusious: (Confusious... is... confused.)

The5thWheel: The other day I had a thought cross my mind and I wanted to get your input on it. Barbershop quartets were formed back in the late 19th century. The quartets sang the popular songs of the day such as Down By The Old Mill Stream, Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Sweet Adeline. Am I going slow enough for you to understand?

Confusious: It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

The5thWheel: Okay. Okay. Okay! Here’s my question, since quartets sang the popular songs of that time period, does that mean if barbershop quartets were formed today that in the future, we would be singing songs made popular by performers such as Maroon 5, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood?

Confusious: Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.

The5thWheel: That’s fine, but I’m talking about music here.

Confusious: I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

The5thWheel: Come on man, give me something to work with. Are we preserving the art form or the old songs?

Confusious: Study the past if you would define the future.

The5thWheel: I DON’T GET YOU. Are you just a walking quote book? You’re making me ill. I just wanna…

Confusious: He who eats many prunes, sits on toilet for many moons.

The5thWheel: ALLLLLLRIGHT ALREADY!!!!! (Recorder turned off)

Check out the new poll listed on the right side column and cast your vote!

The 5th Wheel: FACT or FICTION? MaxQ's New CD Project

The 5th Wheel has obtained some rather interesting bits of information regarding the new CD project that MaxQ has currently in production. Coming off their critically acclaimed (Who are the critics? Just wondering.) two-disc CD "For The Children", MaxQ is developing a sequel to the kiddie hit entitled, "For the Seniors." One of our spies risked their life dodging alligators ("Isn't she GORGEOUS?") in Tony DeRosa's backyard to come away with the cover for the new CD (Pictured below).

The 5th Wheel has made numerous calls to members of MaxQ, however nobody is answering the phone. We also tried to contact them through emails, but no replies have yet to end up in our mailbox. The 5th Wheel isn't sure if MaxQ is trying to keep this new project "Hush-Hush" or are being typical barbershoppers who never reply to emails and screen their phone calls. (Because of this, The 5th Wheel has changed our email address to halleberry@yahoo.com).

The 5th Wheel has in our possession a list of songs that may or may not be included on this project that, may or may not be in production. The songs on the list include:

Old Folks

From The First Hello To The Last Goodbye
I'm Gonna Live 'Til I Die
Bury Me Out On The Lone Prairie
I Wish I Were Eighteen Again
Good Old Fluffy Ruffle Days (Dr. Greg Lyne arrangement)
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring

MaxQ is breaking new ground in the world of CD marketing!

For the first time in the history of selling music, when you purchase "For The Seniors", free health benefits will be included with the CD. Those benefits are: A prescription discount card, a vision plan and a paid up $5,000 life insurance policy (Immediate benefit, builds cash value and no waiting period). A pamphlet is included in the CD box which you can fill out and send back to the quartet. So, for all those show chairmans complaining about MaxQ's show fee, the next time you book them on your show, realize your money is bringing peace of mind to a family, knowing their loved one's "final expenses" are taken care of.

The 5th Wheel has no word yet as to a release date.

The 5th Wheel: Hide Your Teenage Daughters! The "YOUTS" are coming!

The 5th Wheel has been a huge supporter (athletic) of the youth movement in our Barbershop Harmony Society. If it weren't for the efforts from people such as Russ Squires (use to be a young lad, now he pretends to be), and Society Youth Staffer (sounds creepy!) James Estes, both advocates for bringing young singers into the Society, eventually we'd be having our afterglows at Forest Lawn (That reminds me, keep an eye out for a new post re MaxQ's latest CD project).
Fortunately, groups like OC Times, Westminster, zero8 and Northwest Vocal Project are springing up all over the world, showing kids there's more in life than just sex, Sportscenter and Xbox. I don't know where barbershop quartets rank with those other "social activities", but I can guarantee it's at LEAST... second.

On January 31st, 2009 the Society will be hosting the 2nd Annual Youth Barbershop Chorus Festival at the Mid-Winter Convention in Pasadena, CA. According to "Old Man" Squires, "Last year we created a deadline for entry and had five choruses by that date. Of course, being 'youth choruses' we ended up with another three entries, before six actually showed." Squires (Beautifully captured on film, at left) stated the first festival had over 200 boys participate! The Marcsmen of San Marcos, Texas won the competition.

As of last week, Grampa Squires informed The 5th Wheel that they already have fourteen choruses entered to be in the festival with possibly four or five more to join in the competition. They are estimating anywhere from 500-600 guys to be onstage! "It's frickin' UNREAL," says Squires Sr.

Squires also pointed out, "The reason that so many guys can afford to come, is the Harmony Foundation picks up the tab." The Harmony Foundation actually covers all hotel, convention registrations, and a few meals. All the kids have to do is pay their own transportation. "It's pretty amazing," says Papa Squires.

The 5th Wheel wants to encourage you to get off your hind end and attend the Mid-Winter Conventon this year. In year's past, without question the Mid-Winter weekends haven't compared to the quality and fun of the summer International Conventions. However, the singing level of the Senior's Quartet Competition has steadily increased. Plus, with the addition and growth of the Youth Chorus Festival, it doesn't take a dummy to see that the Mid-Winter is turning out to be THE convention NOT to miss. Oh... did I forget to mention that the Mid-Winter will also have the Top Five International Quartets from the Nashville Convention singing as well?

WARNING: With over 500 young men all gathered in one place, there's bound to be a lot of tag singing, pick-up games (Such as basketball, hackey sack, girls) and late-night streaking! (The first time in history there's been a night with more than one full moon.)

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW!

Make sure you visit The 5th Wheel on Monday! We will be "unveiling" (TADA!) a new project that requires your involvement and expertise. FINALLY, a chance for you to find a place on the web where you can voice your opinions... (cough!)

...in a positive light! You will be given the opportunity (You, are so lucky) to lend your knowledge and experience so that others may gain fame and fortune. Let us be clear- YOU... will gain nothing! Sorry. (heh!) But understand, you could make a difference in the outcome of this project.

Have we built this up to be something larger than it really is? YES WE HAVE! Still... come visit The 5th Wheel tomorrow. When I say tomorrow, I mean Monday, as in the 20th of October, 2008.

Seriously, it will be a lot of fun if you contribute. If you don't, well... The 5th Wheel hopes that someday a big piano falls on your head and you die a slow death. Your choice! ("You chose... poorly.")

The 5th Wheel Needs YOU!

The 5th Wheel needs to recruit some agents from the JAD and PIO regions of our country to help cover their respective Fall Conventions this weekend. The 5th Wheel already has an agent in the ONT District. Would a brave soul please come forward and represent their District so that thousands may reap the rewards from your information?

The 5th Wheel wants to have available to its readers the scores from your District's contests- THE MOMENT they are announced. We'll give you a few minutes if you are a slow text messenger. The point is, we don't want to have to wait until Sunday or Monday to know if the Beloit Chapter is going to rank higher in the chorus summary than my chapter. THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO US BARBERSHOPPERS! Please contact us at the5thwhl@gmail.com to get enlisted. We can give you more details.

Good hunting!

The 5th Wheel Has Gone GLOBAL!

I don't know if it's because of the creative and witty posts we write here at The 5th Wheel or because Google Ads has decided to run "Teen Forum" on our AdSense below the Title Page, The 5th Wheel has attracted a large amount of hits all around the world this week. North America has by far, the most hits. However, we are constantly getting visited in the countries of Argentina, Belgium, China, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Portugual, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom. Who knew people had an interest in barbershop down in South America, let alone Spain? Too cool!

If Brian Philbin were here right now he could sing The 5th Wheel's version of "Yakko's World," a.k.a "Our Country Song" made famous by the über-entertaining, Metropolis. Fortunately, he's not.

Thank you all so much for visiting the site. We have received a huge amount of emails supporting us! The 5th Wheel is humbled by your attention.

The 5th Wheel: FRED FARRELL Tidbits!

The 5th Wheel knows you've been sitting at home wondering to yourself, "Gee, I wish I knew more about the life and times of super-cool Tenor, Fred Farrell from Crossroads." Read on brother, and prepare yourself for, "Farrell Trivia!"

The 5th Wheel received an email from one of our biggest fans, Dr. Jim Henry. Henry, Bass of the 2008 CSD Quartet Champions, Crossroads, gave us some fun insight on his outside counterpart, Fred Farrell. According to Henry, Crossroad's win this weekend at the CSD Fall Convention was the first Quartet District Championship for Farrell. For those who don't know, Farrell received two silvers and one gold medal with the 1989 Int'l Champs, The Second Edition. Farrell replaced gold medalist Allen Hatton, from Blugrass Studen Union fame AFTER The Second Edition had already won the CAR District Championship. The win this weekend was extra special for Farrell since the CSD was the District he grew up in as a little kid (Aaah... "Tito, get me some tissue.").

The 5th Wheel congratulates Crossroads on a job well done this weekend. Jolly, good show!

Photo courtesy of Dan Proctor and photographed by Lorin May

Pics from SUN

Check out some pictures from last weekend's SUN contest.

The SUN 2008 Quartet Champions, On Demand getting "comfortable" with each other on stage. On Demand is also the current 2008 Silver Medalists of the International Collegiate Championship that was held in Nashville earlier this year.

The 2nd place quartet, The Pursuit. They are a brand new quartet from the SUN District. The 5th Wheel doesn't know much about them yet. However, as soon as we check out their personal records at http://www.publicdata.com/, I'm sure we'll have a LOT to share with you.

Another new quartet from SUN, Attraction, lighting up the stage in 3rd place. Did you ever think powder blue would make it back to the competition stage? The 5th Wheel tips its hat to Attraction for taking a risk. "Looks good man. I swear..."

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Conover

QUARTET and CHORUS RESULTS!

{Update: Sun, 6:47pm EST} [NOTE] The 5th Wheel hopes you've found our site to be helpful in getting you the information you were wanting as quickly as possible. We are working on post-convention interviews from your favorite groups who sang this weekend. We may even be able to conjure up some photos and video footage from some of the performances. Keep checking back with The 5th Wheel throughout the week.

WANNA HELP? Next weekend is the JAD, PIO and ONT Conventions. The 5th Wheel needs some reporters/informants to cover the scores and highlights from these Districts. If you would like to help, please contact us at the5thwhl@gmail.com. Your service would be to the benefit of your fellow barbershoppers who enjoy having up to the minute news on the conventions.

QUARTETS
SUN- Quartet
1. On Demand 1901 79.2
2. The PURSUIT 1806 75.3
3. Attraction 1786 74.4
________
FWD- Quartet
1. Masterpiece 3098 86.1
2. The Crush 2910 80.8
3. Stardust 2813 78.1
________
CSD- Quartet
1. Crossroads 3248 90.2
2. Paradigm 2646 73.5

3. In Progress 2622 72.8

________

CHORUSES
SUN-Chorus
1. Heralds of Harmony 953 79.4
2. The Academy 943 78.6
3. Big Orange 934 77.8

________

FWD- Chorus

1. Voice in Harmony 1591 88.4

2. Greater Phoenix 1491 82.8

3. LaJolla 1386 77.1

________

CSD- Chorus

1. Ambassadors of Harmony 1705 94.7

2. Central Standard 1414 78.6

3. Heart of America 1402 77.8

POLLS are CLOSED!

The 5th Wheel has finished its polls. Wanna know the results?

POOKIE FOR PRESIDENT?
Yes 65%
No 15%
Undecided 19%
# of votes: 26

It looks as though Pookie has been given the thumbs up to be our fearless leader. I'm scared...
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MIDWEST VOCAL EXPRESS CONVENTION SET FOR 2009?
Star Trek 15%
Presid. Election 9%
Chippendales 43%
The Birdcage 31%
# of votes: 64

Well, the good news is MVE doesn't have to worry about their costume budget. I mean how much money can you spend on a tie and spandex? However, you'll need to put money aside for gym memberships and Weight Watchers. This may be the one contest you DON'T want to be sitting close to the stage.

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WHAT YEAR WILL MASTERPIECE WIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION?
2009 11%
2010 19%
2011 38%
1996, 2001, 2004 29%
# of votes: 67

While 2011 was considered to be the year for Masterpiece, it seems as though some don't have a lot of faith in their abilities to repeat? From what The 5th Wheel has witnessed these past 10 years, almost any past champion can win International a second time.

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WHICH CHORUS WILL EARN THE HIGHEST SCORE IN THE FALL CONVENTION?
Ambassadors of Harmony 26%
Sound of the Rockies 2%
Voices In Harmony 4%
Vocal Majority 58%
Other 8%

# of votes: 84

This poll wasn't really a surprise. However, who would you consider to be "other?" Our guess, Toronto Northern Lights who are returning from a one year hiatus.

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SHOULD OLD SCHOOL BE DISQUALIFIED FOR THE "OLD SCHOOL MEDLEY" WHICH INCLUDED A 30 SECOND RAP?
Yes 40%
No 23%
Judges Got It Right 35%

# of votes: 81

This was a close one! Again... not surprised. However, you could count the "no's" in the "Judges Got It Right" catagory which would make it 58% to 40% difference. This poll falls in line with Red vs.Blue, Left vs. Right, KIBBers vs. Non-KIBBERS. Basically, the sides are split and the battle lines are drawn.

Thank you all for participating!

Stay tuned for more polls from The 5th Wheel.