The Colgate 13 (one of those "Ivy" (well, OK "Patriot') league male a cappella groups has managed to avoid a "Lambda, Lambda, Lambda" moniker for over 60 years. Perhaps more importantly, the cool of being a Thirteener is strongly reinforced by the devotion of it's alumni "Crusts" who actively interact with and support each current group and embrace each of them upon graduation into what may be the largest collegiate a cappella alumni organization in the country - The Colgate Thirteen Alumni Association (www.colgate13.com). The site, but the way, contains an historical archive of every recorded song the Thirteen has performed since it's founding in 1942 ... and it's freely accessible.
The Crusts gather frequently all over the country for impromptu evenings of song - often at public venues - and every 5 years at Reunion at Colgate. In Hamilton, NY, at least, to wear the 13 crest is quite a distinction. I'll tell you, from personal experience, I've never performed with the Crusts when someone in the audience didn't recognize who we were. "Oh ... I saw the Thirteen at my high school in 1968! Were you there then?"
It's rare when a group of 15 or 20 guys ranging from 80 to twenty something stand up at a bar in NYC or San Francisco or Portland, ME and start whacking out 4 part harmonies, but the public reception and recognition is outstanding.
Also, for years I've noticed a subculture (viewed through the eyes of my two daughters) within the context of teenagers that really promotes a cappella music. It's particularly strong in the Northeast (where I live), but I suspect that there are lots of ipods in high schools throughout the country with good a cappella tunes floating around amid the media driven hits. At least I hope so.
A cappella may not sell well in terms of the charts, but it sells great to an unsuspecting audience when it's given away.
Suddenly, the uncool is way cool.
Best regards. Yours in song,
Cris Edward Johnson - Colgate 13 - 1970
I couldn’t agree more with Cris. Fact is, a cappella is regarded by many as being extremely cool.
I spent four years in the Tufts Beelzebubs, and we were treated somewhat like rock stars on our campus. Although not a fraternal organization, I overheard people more than once calling it the “best frat on campus.” I won’t say every person at Tufts revered the group, but when you’re performing to screaming packed chapels and concert halls on campus and up and down the Eastern Seaboard, there’s plenty of cool being spread around.
But wait: didn’t I just write a column about how a cappella isn’t cool? Not exactly; I wrote a column about how the media is portraying a cappella to be uncool. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t cool.
So how do we turn this around?
1) Don’t sweat it. There’s nothing more desperate than the statement “No, I AM cool! Really I am!” Cool doesn’t care. That’s part of being cool. So, if you’re worrying about it, stop worrying.
2) Do what you do well. Nothing excels like quality. I’ve heard more than once “I don’t like barbershop generally, but have you HEARD that group?” Be it Irish clogging or Scottish bagpipes, high quality art in the right setting will turn anyone’s head.
3) Build your core fan base. You can’t say you’re cool; it doesn’t work that way. But other people can, and the more fans you are, the more people you have eagerly playing your music for friends.
4) Find representation. Agents, managers and publicists can all say “These guys are amazing!” which is a far more powerful statement than “We’re amazing!” Find people to represent you to the public, be it a friend of your high school group who writes an article about you in the school paper, or a professional agency.
5) Don’t go trend chasing. It’s very difficult to keep up with the latest trends and styles, and the closer you are to the edge, the more quickly the fashion goes out of style and then looks dated in publicity photos and concert footage. Plus, an already famous person can pass off something on the edge more effectively than someone who’s not yet a superstar, and even the superstars get routinely skewered by Mr. Blackwell and company. Go for a look that’s stylish but leans classic rather than trendy.
6) Get yourself in front of the right people. Slowly work your way up the industry food chain, gathering quotes all the way. Your press kit’s early quotes will be from people no one’s ever heard of, but in time you should be able to get some major newspapers, celebrities and leaders of industry to say some pretty cool things about you. You should plaster those statements all over your press materials and web site, as it’s hard to say you’re uncool if James Brown sang your praises.
7) Have fun. Fun is infectious. People love live music, and a cappella is one of the most enjoyable forms of live music because it’s so fun. When your audience is having fun, and leave with a smile on their faces, the whole coolness issue is diffused. Posturing is distancing whereas joy is inviting. Invite your audiences to have fun with you and they’re yours for good no matter what the media says.
8) Don’t sweat it. I know I said it before, but it needs saying again. You have to be comfortable in your own skin, and if someone calls you a dork, well, shrug it off, as it probably says more about the person who said it than it does about you and your group. I know that sounds like something your mom would tell you, but it’s true. Don’t take the bait.
And when you see an a cappella group on TV dorkin’ it up, feel free to laugh along. Because, let’s face it: some of those other a cappella guys are completely uncool ;)
Click on the wrench in the upper left-hand corner to see what else you can do.