Blenders chorus
The Blenders Chorus (formerly the Banana Blenders) are an Australian all-male barbershop chorus based on the Gold Coast, Queensland. They were originally chartered as the "Gold Tones" then later changed their name to the Gold Coast Barbershop Harmony Club (1988).
The Blenders have won eight consecutive national titles from 1993 (biannual competition) and have held the title of Pan Pacific champions as well as competing in international competitions in Anaheim (1999) and Denver (2007). They have three current recordings for sale, some under the original name "The Banana Blenders".
History
The Blenders Chorus was formed (as the Gold Tones) when American expat Linc Abbott sent out an invitation for members of a Quartet to sing at a local theme park. Following an overwhelming response he decided to charter a Barbershop Chorus. This chorus soon changed its name to The Banana Blenders and under the direction of Linc Abbott arrived hosted the very first AAMBS National Convention at the Sherritin Mirrage, Gold Coast. At this convention the chorus failed to take home the gold, instead taking home silver behind Perth-based group "Men In Harmony".
Following the Gold Coast convention the chorus embarked on a massive campaign to lift the singing level of the chorus, bringing over coaches from the USA and Canada. The next National convention to be held in Perth (Dir. Linc Abbott) was to be their first of 8 consecutive wins.
The Blenders numbers have grown to stand around 80 (on average) in a competition year and as high as 91 in 2005 on the Gold Coast, again.
Directors
Year |
Competition |
Director |
Place |
|---|---|---|---|
1991 |
AMMBS National - Gold Coast, QLD |
Linc Abbott |
2nd |
1993 |
AAMBS National - Perth, WA |
Linc Abbott |
1st |
1995 |
AAMBS National - Canberra, ACT |
William Staff |
1st |
1997 |
AAMBS National - Sydney, NSW |
James Catt |
1st |
1999 |
SPEBSQSA Intl - Anaheim, CA |
Robert Walker |
25th |
1999 |
AAMBS National - Brisbane, QLD |
Robert Walker |
1st |
2001 |
AAMBS National - Melbourne, VIC |
Bernie Cureton |
1st |
2001 |
Pan Pacific - Melbourne, VIC |
Bernie Cureton |
1st |
2003 |
AAMBS National - Perth, WA |
Rose McGee |
1st |
2004 |
Pan Pacific - Christchurch, NZ |
Rose McGee |
1st |
2005 |
AAMBS National - Gold Coast, QLD |
Rose McGee |
1st |
2007 |
BHS Intl - Denver, CO |
Rose McGee |
>20th (unknown) |
2007 |
AAMBS National - Sydney, NSW |
Andrew Howson, Aaron Griffin |
1st |
Quartets
The Blenders have a rich quartetting history with three quartets going on the win the National title over the nine competitions. They are "The Sentimentals - 1991", "The High Five - 1995" and "Fast Forward - 2007". Many quartets from the Blenders have entered and won the Youth and Seniors categories of the national competitions. In fact, a Blenders quartet has won the youth national title every year since its inception. In the Seniors quartet Blenders quartet's have won the title three out of 8 possible times.
National profile
The Blenders have maintained a high profile nationally with their recent TV appearances on "Battle of the Choirs", a Channel 7 competition show and by sharing the honour of singing at the memorial of the late Steve Irwin.