1969 MAD CHAMPIONS
Carl Snyder, lead of the popular Yorkaires a York, PA quartet, went looking for a Bass when their current bass retired. He found Lancaster native Paul Kline and they immediately qualified to compete in the Internationals in San Antonio and qualified again for the next years' Boston but had to scratch when their Baritone retired. Carl and Paul decided to stay together and went shopping. The recent Tenor of the Champion Continental 4, Phil Steel from the Abington, PA chapter was available, although living 100 miles from York. Saying that timing is everything, Lead singer Jack Malone of the Harrisburg Pennaires had just transferred to the Abington chapter and decided to switch to Baritone. So Jack and Phil made the 100 mile round trip to Coatesville, PA for the next 3 years to meet Paul and Carl at the Knights of Columbus Hall at the appropriately named streets 4th. & Harmony. Winning the East Central Division and the M-ADs in their first year, they went on to compete Internationally in St. Louis, Cincinnati and Atlantic City. Surprising themselves the first year, they finished 13th. They went on to be 13th again and in their last year 12th. They attributed a lot of their success to coach Bob Loose, who flew in from Ohio for many a weekend session. Freddy King also arranged for them as well as coached.
Paul transferred to Baltimore where he quickly became the Bass of The Friends of Yesterday who would be 1974 M-AD Champions. Next on his plate was The Southern Connection in Atlanta where he competed and finally completing a full circle, Bass of The Keystone Congregation. The latter competed in the Internationals in Salt Lake City. Jack went to sing Bari with another M-AD Champion, The Fifth Edition with Carl again on lead. Weekend rehearsals were usually a chance for Dot Kline, Elaine Snyder, Mary Malone and Joan Steel to be together and all four of them were great supporters of their husband's hobby.
|
