The Far Western District is proud to dedicate this 2000 FWD Fall Convention and Contest to the Gala-Lads on this, their 40th Anniversary of winning the Far Western District Quartet Championship.
The Quartet is: Dave Panther (Tenor), Tom Keehan (Lead), Gordy Lees (Bari) and Bill Cockrell (Bass).
They were organized in September, 1960, and won the Far Western District Quartet Championship in October of the same year, held in Long Beach, California. In May of 1961 they qualified to compete at the International Convention being held in Philadelphia, coming in 6th place. In 1962 they again qualified to compete at the International Convention that was held in Kansas City. This time, after the quartet contest was over, they were crowned the 1962 International Quartet Champions with Country Four placing 2nd, Nighthawks 3rd, Renegades 4th and The Sidewinders 5th.
Thus began a busy year as reigning champions with 52 chapter shows in the United States and Canada, two weekends at the Seattle World's Fair for eight sold-out performances, followed by 57 shows in 1963-1964. In their years of active quartetting the Gals-Lads performed in 29 states, 4 Canadian provinces, Mexico, five national television programs while traveling over 100,000 miles on American, United and Continental Airlines. (This was before Frequent Flyer miles).
In May of 1964, the Gala-Lads here honored by the Senate of the State of California with a resolution as the first quartet from the state of California to win the gold medal and become International Quartet Champions
From everyone attending this 2000 FWD Fall Convention in Bakersfield this weekend and the entire Far Western District, we are honored and pleased to have you here with us on your 40th Anniversary of being crowned Far Western District Quartet Champions.
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