A Needlessly Lengthy Narrative
The West Coast A Cappella Summit is held in November each year in San Rafael, California. In addition to two days of workshops and classes from some of the great minds and talents of the modern a cappella world, there are also showcase concerts, chances to mingle with other fans and a cappella groups, and a main event concert on Saturday night.
John Neal, the man who puts on the event, invited us to appear in a showcase concert. So we said, okay. Glen and his family flew down friday evening, Weston earlier that day, and Chris and Tim (along with Doug "don't touch me I'm asthmatic" Carter) flew Saturday morning. The first Saturday morning flight was cancelled, so our trio of dedicated singers (C T & D) were moved to a later flight. Arriving at the San Francisco airport early enough to make the sound check time, the three still almost missed it because of Tim's inability to follow simple California freeway signs (ha ha!! That's funny. Simple California freeway signs...) (Frankly, I don't think ANYONE can follow California freeway signs. Daily commuters are actually born with a homing pigeon-like directional instinct).
We sound-checked, donned our delicious new show uniforms, and did an 18-minute set to the delight and wonderment of the audience. We also sold lots of CDs afterwards.
Then John Neal asked us to open the big show that night at the Marin Center (a big, gorgeous hall). We shared the stage with legendary vocal band The House Jacks, 2001 Harmony Sweepstakes Audience Favorites Voice Trek, and the Godfathers of A Cappella, The Persuasions. It was a cool show! We also sold a load of CDs and met some great new fans.
And we flew back Sunday. Wow.
moosebutter releases CD. "No one likes a captive CD," says Doug Carter.
Provo, Utah 01/10/03
In an event that is being described as "Pretty neat-o," moosebutter, wacky songsters from Provo, Utah, have decided to release their CD.
Consisting of 4 men, one plastic chicken, and a whole chorus of invisible dancing pixies, moosebutter performs comedy and parody songs for anyone not fortunate enough to get away. The quartet performs most of these songs in what they call "a cappella" style, a Latin word meaning "without a pitch center."
"I like moosebutter," said international movie star Keeyanoo Reeves, who was not actually interviewed for this article and whose comments are completely fictitious. "And I'd like to add," said Reeves, "Whoa."
Tim Jones started moosebutter in 1999 at the University of Utah, and moved to Utah County in 2001 where he invited the current members of the group to join. The release of the new CD, entitled "see dee," is a dream come true for Jones. "It's a dream come true for Jones," Jones said. Jones is a librarian by day. He sings lead on many of the songs, as well as having writing and stolen... er... arranged many of the songs on the CD.
Glen Sawyer is the bass singer for the group. Several years ago at BYU, he helped start "Integral" and "Norm," other a cappella groups that sang "real music." "Hi," he said. Glen currently works as a computer consultant. When asked why he performs with moosebutter, he said, "I have a burning desire to perform, and the pink leotard and hula-hoop routine was getting old. I was looking for something challenging, brilliant, cutting edge, and artistic. Instead, I found moosebutter, but it's okay because they feed me cookies."
moosebutter has been featured performers on numerous local college campuses, at the Utah Arts Festival, and recently appeared at the West Coast A Cappella Summit, which was a summit of a cappella singers held on the West coast (see below).
moosebutter will be presenting special concerts to celebrate the release of their CD, and also so that people will hopefully come and hear them sing. "Ya, that would be cool," said Jones.
"We, you know, recorded all these songs," said Chris Harris, who sings high tenor for the group. "And then we made a CD. And had a bunch printed. So we're thinking, what should we do with these?"
"Right," said Weston Wride, second tenor and the only one in the group that can do the splits, "totally right. So we're gonna sell them."
Sawyer is uncomfortable with the term "sell." "That makes us sound so commercial. Rather, we will be voluntarily trading our recorded goods for paper currency of a specified amount."
"Namely," said Wride, "$15."
"Right," said Sawyer.
"Right," said Wride.
"see dee" can be, uh, acquired at the CD release concerts, or by visiting the see dee page. For $15.