Which way?
An unpopular war is raging and the US is involved. Events in the decade have shocked America and it has seemed to have lost its rudder and has become a land of opposing forces. Equality was a hot topic and had in many respects become a dividing line. There was an air of "Your with us or you're against us" in the political discussions of the day.
No, the time is not today, but 1965. America is involved in the Vietnam War. It had watched on TV and JFK was shot and later told he he had died. It lost Bobby Kennedy as well and was a land of racial strife as Doctor Martin Luther King worked to get Equal Rights for people of color.
Enter The J. Blanton Belk - musical group The Colwell Brothers, and Herb Allen who assembled a cast of over 150 international talent and formed "Up With People" A choreographed performance program with soloists or small groups backed by a large chorus and a collection of songs about how hard work and clean living had made America great and were what would be needed to continue making America and the rest of the world great was meant to inspire and reinforce such goals.
In the summer 1968 they appeared in Milwaukee at Milwaukee County Stadium. The county provided a stage that was a really semi trailer with one side that dropped down. Perhaps you have seen it on the lakefront during the fireworks pre-show.
Tim of our show had the chance to see them during this performance and it is a very memorable moment in his life. The show was followed by a spectacular fireworks show in the outfield. His parents purchased the LP that evening at the show and it remains a very clear memory. He found a copy a couple of years ago at a rummage sale. (did you know he is addicted to them?)
Up With People was featured in the 1976 Super Bowl, Longtime NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle called hiring the group "my second biggest mistake, after playing the week JFK was shot". There were no wardrobe mishaps. Later The Simpsons would parody them with a group called "Hooray for Everything!"
The program toured the US and grew until it was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1968. By this time Up With People had developed into a leadership-training program (for the chorus members and others). Trainees would pay to be part of the program, and their training would in large part consist of handling logistics of the traveling show, including finding host families to provide free lodging for the troupe and doing community service. The program was well organized and met with enough success that at one point it was taking $30 million per year, with five complete touring groups. Over 20,000 students from 79 countries have participated in performances in 38 countries around the world. Several later it would experience hard times and run out of funding. It currently is involved as an International teaching and outreach organization in many countries of the world. The performance portion no longer exists.
Among the former members you would find Actress Glenn Close then known as Gleen Close and several others who have found fame on the international scene.
The show and the LP ended with the same song, one that perhaps sums up the groups and perhaps something that still lingers as a question yet today in these uncertain times.
There was a baritone soldier in the spotlight, on bended knee and he asked the following question in the song "Which Way America?"
Which way America?
Which way America?
Which way America?
Which way to go?
This is my country and I want to know
Which way America is going to go.
...
There is many a storm before us,
Many a choice to make,
I'm gonna ask the Lord above
To show me the road to take.
We are Radio Record Hop. A DJ Dance show over 23 years in the making.
Radio Record Hop is proud to be Southeast Wisconsin's most professional and affordable mobile DJ service. We serve the following counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Ozaukee, Kenosha, Jefferson, Washington and Dodge. We will travel beyond this immediate service area. As always, please check out our website at http://www.radiorecordhop.com/.
An unpopular war is raging and the US is involved. Events in the decade have shocked America and it has seemed to have lost its rudder and has become a land of opposing forces. Equality was a hot topic and had in many respects become a dividing line. There was an air of "Your with us or you're against us" in the political discussions of the day.
No, the time is not today, but 1965. America is involved in the Vietnam War. It had watched on TV and JFK was shot and later told he he had died. It lost Bobby Kennedy as well and was a land of racial strife as Doctor Martin Luther King worked to get Equal Rights for people of color.
Enter The J. Blanton Belk - musical group The Colwell Brothers, and Herb Allen who assembled a cast of over 150 international talent and formed "Up With People" A choreographed performance program with soloists or small groups backed by a large chorus and a collection of songs about how hard work and clean living had made America great and were what would be needed to continue making America and the rest of the world great was meant to inspire and reinforce such goals.
In the summer 1968 they appeared in Milwaukee at Milwaukee County Stadium. The county provided a stage that was a really semi trailer with one side that dropped down. Perhaps you have seen it on the lakefront during the fireworks pre-show.
Tim of our show had the chance to see them during this performance and it is a very memorable moment in his life. The show was followed by a spectacular fireworks show in the outfield. His parents purchased the LP that evening at the show and it remains a very clear memory. He found a copy a couple of years ago at a rummage sale. (did you know he is addicted to them?)
Up With People was featured in the 1976 Super Bowl, Longtime NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle called hiring the group "my second biggest mistake, after playing the week JFK was shot". There were no wardrobe mishaps. Later The Simpsons would parody them with a group called "Hooray for Everything!"
The program toured the US and grew until it was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1968. By this time Up With People had developed into a leadership-training program (for the chorus members and others). Trainees would pay to be part of the program, and their training would in large part consist of handling logistics of the traveling show, including finding host families to provide free lodging for the troupe and doing community service. The program was well organized and met with enough success that at one point it was taking $30 million per year, with five complete touring groups. Over 20,000 students from 79 countries have participated in performances in 38 countries around the world. Several later it would experience hard times and run out of funding. It currently is involved as an International teaching and outreach organization in many countries of the world. The performance portion no longer exists.
Among the former members you would find Actress Glenn Close then known as Gleen Close and several others who have found fame on the international scene.
The show and the LP ended with the same song, one that perhaps sums up the groups and perhaps something that still lingers as a question yet today in these uncertain times.
There was a baritone soldier in the spotlight, on bended knee and he asked the following question in the song "Which Way America?"
Which way America?
Which way America?
Which way America?
Which way to go?
This is my country and I want to know
Which way America is going to go.
...
There is many a storm before us,
Many a choice to make,
I'm gonna ask the Lord above
To show me the road to take.
We are Radio Record Hop. A DJ Dance show over 23 years in the making.
Radio Record Hop is proud to be Southeast Wisconsin's most professional and affordable mobile DJ service. We serve the following counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Ozaukee, Kenosha, Jefferson, Washington and Dodge. We will travel beyond this immediate service area. As always, please check out our website at http://www.radiorecordhop.com/.
posted by Radio Record Hop at 11:54 PM
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