Not in quality, but in location, as Glade singers meet up in Sunshine State

By Keith Walther

Vista Publisher/Editor

They left at various times.

Went to various destinations.

But all of them came together in Kissimmee, Florida last month — a whopping 646 miles from Fairfield Glade.

And why? Well, to sing, of course. You can’t keep good karaoke singers quiet for long.

Fourteen Fairfield Glade residents — all regulars on Tuesdays at Druid Hills for karaoke night — rendezvoused in the Sunshine State to stretch their vocal cords.

One wonders if the top songs of the night were  “Long and Winding Road,” or  “I will walk 500 miles,” or any song by  “Journey”…

“Hey, we were all going to be in Florida anyway, so let’s just do this thing,” said John Clark, widely regarded as the brainchild for the event.

The Fairfield Glade karaoke group pictured at Kitty O”Sheas in Kissimmee, FL, were (from left to right): Zibby Damm, Gary Milam, Barb Northam, Beth Kreis, John Kreis, Chuck “3-Putt” Northam, Carolyn Riffle, John Clark, Donna Garrison, Brenda Clark, DJ Garrison, Joyce Dubbs, Harvey Riffle. Missing is Steve Dubbs who was taking the picture.

Clark got the ball rolling, set the date, found the location and contacted D.J. and Donna Garrison — the hosts of  “It’s Your Party Karaoke” at Druid Hills and various locations on the Plateau.

Then, Chuck Northam scouted out the place the group would meet — Kitty O’Sheas in Kissemmee — and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

“It sure was great to be on the other side of the karaoke machine, for a change,” said D.J. Garrison, who, along with wife Donna, host the longest running karaoke show on the Plateau.

“For once, I was one of the party people. I really liked it.”

Donna Garrison said it was a night to remember.

“Weeks before the get-together, Brenda Clark asked me if I ever drink and party,” she said.  “I told her, ‘not when I’m working, but just wait until we get to Florida, then let the party begin’  — and it did.”

On a cool night, the Pub heated up as this bunch of Fairfield Glade crooners descended on central Florida.  Thanks to the efforts of the Clarks and Northams (Chuck and Barb), many couples got together from various cities, ports, Disney attractions, golf courses, and swamps for a great evening of socializing, dinner, and drinks (oh yeah, drinks!) and, of course, singing.

Besides the Garrisons, Clarks and Northams, also attending were Zibby Damm, Gary Milam, John and Beth Kreis, Harvey and Carolyn Riffle, and Steve and Joyce Dubbs.

The karaoke host, from Deego Productions at Kitty O’Sheas, even came in early that evening just to see what all the excitement was about.

After much coaxing, the “Fairfield Idles” (that’s right, IDLES), featuring Barb Northam, Brenda Clark, Beth Kreis, Joyce Dubbs, Zibby Damm & Donna Garrison, made a special appearance with their rendition of an Everly Brothers favorite.

And all the others enjoyed doing their renditions. Gary Milam did his best Tony Bennett leaving his heart in Kissimmee while Chuck “3-Putt” Northam decided that he really did  “Love that Bar.”

The Garrisons sang  “Jump, Jive & Wail” and John Clark wowed the audience with special songs only he can truly do justice to. Later, D.J. hit the high note with his personal interpretation of “Unchained Melody”.

There can be little doubt that Kissimmee will be happy for the next appearance from the Tennessee gang. The event could become an annual one and more are welcome to put in their reservations for next winter’s blowout in central Florida.

As the Garrisons put it, “Let’s show those  ‘Gator-heads’ that the gang on ol’ Rocky Top is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to full tilt partying.”