Singing Men Love What They Sing; so Do Others: Local Group Has Given 50 Concerts Since 2003

By Justin Vick, The Charlotte Observer, N.C., -- Dec. 25, 2005

Randy Childers wanted to add a little flair to the Piedmont Singing Men choir.

But members hesitated to accept the director's idea to replace their white-shirt-and-black-tie ensemble with sparkly red, white and blue sequined vests.

"We kind of had a little disagreement in style," Childers said.

The vests eventually won the group over and have become a staple in its performances.

"It's the joy of being able to give this music to whoever hears it," said organizer Ed Fink. "All of our men are not trained voices. They just love to sing."

Fink wanted to start a Concord and Kannapolis area singing group after attending meetings for a new Singing Men of America startup in February 2003. He remembers 20 men came to the first meeting, but attendance dwindled with each passing week.

Frustrated, he started his own group.

The Piedmont Singing Men performed its first concert July 29, 2003, with 13 men representing four different churches. The group has performed more than 50 concerts since and has grown to 36 members from 16 churches.

"I think one of the reasons we stayed together and continue to grow is because we sing music that we like and music that our audience likes," Fink said.

The group performs music to cater to the needs of the venues that invite them. Churches tend to be the most frequently played venues.

Songs range from patriotic to gospel. The group often recognizes audience members who have served in the military during its patriotic medleys.

Don Harris of Concord enjoys singing gospel music the most.

Harris, a volunteer at the Old Courthouse Theater, arranged for the group to perform at the venue.

"It's going to be one of the bigger areas that we've sung," he said. "We have a pretty good message with the gospel songs, and I thought we could reach a few more people that way."

The group has a loyal following, leaders said.

"We've had people who've heard this choir perform 30 to 40 times," Childers said.

The group gained so much momentum that it unsuccessfully tried to record a CD.

"The energy was just not there," Childers said. "We feed off an audience."

Want to Go?

The Piedmont Singing Men will start the new year with two concerts:

-- Jan. 6, 6 p.m., Pitts Baptist Church, 140 Pitts School Road, Concord.

-- Jan. 8, 7 p.m., Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring St. N.W., Concord.

(Click here for our current schedule)

Concerts are free, but a free will offering will be taken to help offset the costs of music and vests.

Justin Vick: (704) 786-2185

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Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.