Groove for the Ages

Last night we drove out to see my brother perform at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, MA - ahead of such celebs as Betty Buckley and John Oliver - with his one of a kind a capella group the GrooveBarbers. For those of you who don't know, Charlie was one of the founding members of the modern a capella sensation, Rockapella. Sadly, having to decide between going full time with group or earning a living for his children, he had to choose the latter, and left the group before their breakout hit Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? Luckily, the other founders eventually left the group as well, and re-formed in a more relaxed, goofy and hip form as the GrooveBarbers.

They sing several time a year, around the country, and they are tight, tight tight!

Here is there typically tongue-in-cheek promo video - which they put together after they landed a national spot for an allergy medicine called Astelin:

The thing that made this event in Pittsfield really special was this. They do a version of "Concrete and Clay" by Unit 4 + 2, and they traditionally bring up some sweet young thing and make her play the triangle while Kevin, the baritone, sings mock-romantically to her. This time, thanks to my brother, they brought my Mom and Dad up on stage in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary, which is coming up next month. The whole place was cheering and laughing, and utterly transported, and I was a happy wreck. My folks were funny and sweet and great and the big hit of the evening. And my brother, he's got a heart the size of Alaska, and he sings about it, too.