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.

BIG BOYS Competing This Weekend!

AMBASSADORS. VOICES IN HARMONY. CROSSROADS. MASTERPIECE.

This weekend will offer a TON of great performances from some of the top musicals groups in our Society, squaring off to see who gets bragging rights leading up to Anahiem.

This weekend, the Ambassadors of Harmony, under the direction of Dr. Jim Henry from the CSD will be considered the favorite to walk away with the most points in their goodie bag. They are coming off two years of highly explosive performances which may not of had the "golden ending" they were hoping for, but certainly pushed them to be one of THE top choruses in the world. There's no doubt they have raised the bar from their 2004 win in Louisville, KY.

However, the FWD will be having their competition this weekend as well. The Voices In Harmony, under the direction of Dr. Greg Lyne have certainly improved from their performance in Nashville and may be nippin' on the heels of AoH. Lyne's competitive nature and motivational speeches will no doubt increase the level of their performance on Saturday. Also competing to qualify for Int'l this weekend in the FWD is the Greater Phoenix Chapter, who have been finishing in the Top 15 at Int'l for several years.

The quartet competition between CSD and FWD will be just as equal. Crossroads, current 2008 2nd place Int'l Medalists are in a rare position to be competing for their Central States District Championship AFTER earning a medal at International. Very cool! The 5th Wheel feels confident that Crossroads will have a great weekend crushing the competition as four super-nice guys.

The Far Western District, as well as the entire Society is in for a real treat as the new power quartet, Masterpiece (Check out our story on them in an earlier post) makes their official debut at the District competition.

Lately, the F.W.D. ("...will always be!") has been a breeding ground for International Champions (Nightlife, Revival, Gotcha!, OC Times), and their Prelims are usually considered to be a mini-International. Masterpiece will offer up a unique style and sound that will help represent the FWD at the top once again. Expect big numbers from this new foursome.

The Sunshine District will also be holding their Fall Convention this weekend with the Big Orange Chorus, under the direction of Tony DeRosa and the Heralds of Harmony competing for the top spot.

The 5th Wheel will have the results posted as soon as they are announced. Come back and see us over the weekend.

Photos courtesy of Dan Proctor and photographed by Lorin May

The 5th Wheel: MASTERPIECE of sh... eer beauty!

Have you heard of this new quartet coming into the limelight? The 5th Wheel has. Maybe not the name, but certainly the members. Yes, it is another quartet made up entirely of previous gold medalists. You may not think it's fair to those who have never won an international contest to compete against another "power" quartet? I disagree. Masterpiece has the potential to be something very special for this Society and the art form. I'll tell you why.

The members of Masterpiece are Rob Menaker (Nightlife, 1996), Mark Hale (Michigan Jake, 2001), Alan Gordon (Gotcha!, 2004) and Brett Littlefield (Nightlife, 1996). OK, pick your jaw off the ground and keep reading. Yes, this quartet has some very impressive singers in the group. Rob is a strong and accurate Tenor, Mark sings with musicality that is unmatched, Alan is, in my opinion being a fellow baritone, probably the best baritone in our Society. Alan can fill and sing like a Bass and yet match the musicality and sensitivity of the Lead. Brett... well, Brett is Brett. I believe Brett's former life was one of the trumpets that took down the walls of Jericho. His resonance and deep voice is tremendous. OK, but we already know this about them. Yeah, they're good. But what makes them so special?

Masterpiece represents all that is right about our Society and why we sing together. First off, they are all friends. They get along together and enjoy each other's company. That really comes across on the stage when they are singing. An audience can tell when a quartet's members are friends. The members of Masterpiece are also "crazy" technicians when it comes to perfecting the craft. I can guarantee you that they will ring every chord, in tune, with musical execution and precision. It's just the nature of the foursome. However, that's not what makes them stand out in my book.

They understand what it means to be a barbershopper. They "get" the culture of the Barbershop Society and why we sing. It's not just the music, it's also the fellowship of meeting and hanging out with other brethren around the country who share the love of this great hobby/lifestyle. When Masterpiece agrees to do your show, they won't ask to be first on the afterglow so they can catch the midnight flight home. They will stay and close out the afterglow. If you give them a beer, they'll stay even longer. ;) That's because all four of them joined barbershop as kids. They were all raised in small chapters and learned probably 90% of their musical abilities through the Society and its educators. While they are all superstar singers, they are humble men who give back to the Society that has so enriched their lives.

This is why I believe you and I will receive a great benefit with Masterpiece. They will go out of their way to make us/Society look good in the public's eye and be incredible ambassadors to the art form. Besides, with all the members being past champions, you think there may be a little pressure on these guys to meet the high expectations of their fans? You bet.

The 5th Wheel endorses Masterpiece and recommends you book them on your chapter show ASAP! Not only will your audience enjoy their performance, but your members will enjoy their company... and vice versa.

Masterpiece will be competing in the FWD Fall Convention on Oct. 10-12. Please visit their website.

Check out the poll in the right-hand column and cast your vote!

Photo from www.harmonize.com/masterpiece