Sweet Adelines International 75th Jubilee Commemorative Album

The Last Blow! Girls Eye Barber Shop Quartets September 13, 1947—Ray Parr, Excerpt from The Daily Oklahoman newspaper

“Give the Rib Back to Adam and Start Over.”—Sweet Ado-o-line (Inc., That Is) September 19, 1947 – Excerpt from Tulsa Tribune newspaper “Gulp!” interspersed with “Hiccup!” was the principal sound in the Daily Oklahoman newsroom late Wednesday, as Tulsa members of Sweet Adelines, Inc., forced staff writer Ray Parr to eat his words — abased with a batch of biscuits. To prove that the Tulsa women can cook as well as carol chords, convention chairman Mrs. Mildred Buxton and her crew immediately retired to their kitchens, turning out dozens of biscuits, which they presented to “The Flour of their Hearts” Wednesday. “After a solid hour of having biscuits stuffed down my gullet…” said Ray Parr. “I’m ready to say this about women in general: Let’s give that rib back to Adam, and start all over again.”

We have always contended that the barbershop would have remained a pleasant haven of fellowship and intellectual discussion if we had kept ’em out. Let ’em liberate their personalities by whipping up hot biscuits and fried chicken. Perhaps it is too late now to revive the glories of grandpa’s mustache cup. But there is one thing we can do. We can put a stop to this latest brand of foolishness. They’ve already ruined our barbershops, feminized poker, outlawed chewing tobacco an’ worn our pants.

But we could always crawl off in a corner and soothe our whipped spirits with the rejuvenating strains of barbershop singing. Ah, the old nostalgic memories that could flow from this deep well of harmony. But what do you suppose they are up to now? They want to sing “Sweet Adeline.” I say, let ’em smoke, trample our golf courses, run our government and even shave their heads, if they wish. Please, not this. We have before us a copy of a letter from a Mildred Buxton of Tulsa who signs it, “Sweet Adeliningly yours.” She informs me that undoubtedly I have heard of Sweet Adelines, Inc. So help me, I have not. And furthermore, I do not regret the fact a bit. [The article continues with information about the upcoming National Convention and Quartet Contest.]

1950s A Musical Arrangement Committee - Nancy Bergman (Mississippi Misses), Renee Craig (Cracker Jills), and Betty Oliver (Pitch Pipers) - created in the late 1950s. The Harmonettes of the Wauwatosa Chapter (which later merged with the Milwaukee Chapter) sing for the Jelly Beans men’s quartet. —Used with permission of the Milwaukee Journal in 30 Years of Harmony.

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