For Sing-Out '66, the cast's first full day in Nashville began with late afternoon and early evening one-hour shows, first at then-Belmont College (above), and then just down Belmont Blvd at then-David Lipscomb College (below).
According to reports in THE NASHVILLE BANNER (the major sponsor for the Sing-Out tour),"overflow crowds at both Belmont and Lipscomb colleges thunderously applauded the musicale and wildly screamed for more." The BANNER article continued: "At David Lipcomb College, (there were)more than 4,000 students, who spilled over onto the gym floor, started clapping and yelling in the middle of several numbers and were on their feet at the conclusion."
There were similar overflow crowds at the show held in Belmont's gym (see above) with students "who overflowed into the vestibule and the hallways of the chapel." Belmont student reaction included these: "Tremendous...I had to get out to see it. Thank God for people like this." Said another student: "Unbelievable, I did not think the students would turn out for the show in the middle of exams. I have never seen students respond like this to anything from off campus."
But turn out and response they did!
For example, look closely at the photo above at the young man on the end of the second row in a dark sportscoat. That is Belmont Student Body President, Jim Troutner, likely watching Sing-Out live for the first time. Soon he would become a leader and solist in Sing-Out South and later joined Up With People, touring the nation and the world.
There were similar reaction among the Lipscomb students, some of whom told THE BANNER: "Great! These kids show what American youth really is." Said another: "Fabulous! It is superior to anything I've seen. What we need are more Sing-Outs."
One particular Sing-Out '66 cast member being singled out for praise was Linda Blackmore (above). Some years later, she would come to live in the Nashville area and raise her family here after marrying Bill Cates. Bill was a Belmont student in 1966. He may well have been in the audience that very day, seeing Sing-Out and Linda for the first time.
Concerning Linda there were two different glowing reports in THE BANNER about her performances at Belmont and Lipscomb(including one from the paper's music critic, Werner Zepernick): "Another fine talent is Linda Blackmore. Comely in appearance, she sang "Somewhere Just Beyong Tomorrow" with a pleasing voice and fine stage decorum." Said another report in the paper by Lee Bandy: "Linda Blackmore of Los Angeles, with beautful diction and a clear soprano voice, warmed the audience with her rendition of "Somewhere Just Beyond Tomorrow", a song from a London musical."
The BANNER reporter and critic also singled out for praise, "Negro Charles Woodward of Florida A&M ,who wowed the audience with an operatic aria (Rigeletto) and his lead role in the finale ("Which Way America)." The BANNER music critic called Woodward's voice "beautiful and well trained...with excellent intonation and with poise and suavity."
THE BANNER praised Sing-Out '66's drummer, Bob Qusenel, as well, pointing out that at the time, he reportedly "held the endurance record for continous drumming for more than four and one-half days." Said the BANNER Music critic: "Never before I have heard such virtuosity on a set of percussion instruments. It was an amazing exhibition, and the audience responded with frequent applause." Indeed the other BANNER reporter Lee Bandy added: "Bob Quensel...partically brought down the house with his thunderous vibrating rhythms. At Lipscomb, he was interrupted three times by applause."
So it was quite a first full day for Sing-Out in Nashville, to say the least. The evening concluded with the Metro Council unanimously approving a resolution commending THE BANNER and its publisher James Stahlman for bringing the cast to town.
Day 3 on Wednesday, January 19 would bring more similar community reaction as we will relate in our next posting here on the blog.
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