We had quite an opening evening at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel last night for our Sing-Out South 45th Reunion!
Over 50 former cast members, spouses and friends attended the opening event, a dessert reception where the best treat for everyone was reconnecting with people who, in some cases, they had not seen in over 40 years. The laughter and squeals of delight echoed throughout the hallways of the hotel. Soon conversations were picked up in mid-sentence as if the years had melted away. (photos will soon follow)
Echoing back to the days when Sing-Out South was active (1966-1971), local and state political leaders sent their greetings and strong support to those attending the Reunion. That included Nashville Mayor Karl Dean (seen above) along with new Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Nashville State Senator Thelma Harper.
All their special proclamations and letters of welcome were read to those attending the Reunion, receiving rounds of applause and several requests for personal copies.
Day II of the Reunion promises to be even more fun. After time this morning and early afternoon for smaller personal gatherings and for some to rehearse and get ready for tonight's talent show, we will all gather back at 4:00 p.m. for a group discussion about our thoughts and memories of Sing-Out South and Up With People 45 years later.
A special DVD video produced by former SOS member and cast photographer, Alan Mayor, will begin our look back (to get the memories and thoughts flowing). The DVD will feature photos from all eras of Sing-Out South and will also contain the soundtrack of one of SOS's TV shows (seen in the photo above). Entitled "Memorial For Tomorrow", the 30-minute special was taped at the studios of (then) WSIX-TV, Channel 2 for broadcast Memorial Day weekend of 1967.
Hopefully our retrospective discussion will continue and enhance our fellowship later in the evening when we gather for a buffet dinner and then the talent show.
It's already been a wonderful weekend and it's not even halfway over!
I realize this is an old posting but I just stumbled across this thanks to Mardi Allen Benedict. I'm wondering if any of you know Jane Bandy, who was in Sing Out Knoxvilee. I realize thats a ways from Nashville, but many folks in one Sing Out knew folks in other Sing Outs. I was a member of Sing Out South Bend Indiana, Sing Out Indiana, and Sing Out Troy, OH
ReplyDeleteThanks