Pam and Charlie Horner's 5th Anniversary celebration on October 23, 2010,
turned into a historic occasion when five original members of the sixties and
seventies soul group, the Masqueraders, reunited to sing at the gala
event. The group, who had not sung together as a quintet since 1980 were
reassembled, including original lead singer Lee Hatim along with Harold
Thomas, Robert Wrightsil, David Sanders and Sam Hutchins. Three members
flew in from Memphis and two from Dallas. Best known for their R&B chart
records, "I Ain't Got To Love Nobody Else," "I'm Just An Average Guy" and
"(Call Me) The Traveling Man", the Masqueraders sounded like they'd never
been apart. They sang for 45 minutes and were greeted with standing
ovations after nearly every song from the 165 people in attendance.
The Masqueraders headlined but were only a part of the
unbelievable afternoon's entertainment. The acappella group the Sheps
started things off with spirited renditions of fifties vocal group collectors
sides. The Sheps also backed former Vibranaires' lead Bobby Thomas
on his 1954 classic, "Doll Face," and Cornerstone's "Golden Voice Harry"
Schmitt on "When we Get Married". They joined Sam Campbell and Ron
Taylor to recreate the Del Larks on "I Never Will Forget".
Another historic moment occurred when Vic Donna
(formerly of Vic Donna & the Parakeets on the Atlas label) debuted his
new group by singing three songs including "Teenage Rose" and "Love Was A
Stranger To Me". The Vic Donna Group also backed former Vito & the
Salutations' founding member Shelly Buchansky on "Zoom".
Other outstanding performances included Bill Keith and
group singing "Talking To My Heart," Little Isidore crooning "Oceans
Apart" and Frankie & the Fashions' Frank Lafaro singing "What Do I Have
To Do". The celebration was MC'd and DJ'd by radio personality King
Arthur.
Because of the significance
of the event, we'll be posting hundreds of photos along with some sound and
short video clips in several segments, over the next couple weeks. We'll
start with how it all began in a chance encounter with the Masqueraders in
Memphis in 2007 and cover the event preparation, arrival and rehearsals of the
Masqueraders, the reception, the dinner, the concert and the after party.
Please be patient with us on the postings. We're working as fast as we
can. Please click on the segment below that you'd like to view.
Part 1
- Chance encounter with the Masqueraders in 2007; Selecting the venue;
Invitations; Record label table names;
Record label place cards; Molding the chocolate doo wop figures.
Part 2
- Arrival, rehearsals and Pam's birthday dinner with the Masqueraders and
guests; hear the Masqueraders sing "Happy Happy Birthday Pam"!
Part 3
- See who attended our Reception and the beautiful Palace at Somerset Park.
Part 4
- The Dinner, table by table.
Part 5
- The Concert: The Sheps, Bobby Thomas, Del Larks, Harry Schmitt, Vic Donna
Group, Shelly Buchansky, Bill Keith & Group, Frank Lafaro, Little Isidore,
the Masqueraders. More than 150 photos and label scans.
Part 6
- Video clips from the concert in High Definition!
See the Sheps, Vibranaires' Bobby Thomas, Del Larks, Cornerstone's Harry Schmitt,
The Vic Donna
Group, Vito & the Salutations' Shelly Buchansky, The Bill Keith & Group, Frankie Lafaro, Little Isidore,
the Masqueraders.
Part 7
- The After-Party. Guests mingle with performers and all have a great
time.
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