Saturday, November 2, 2024
‘Rebirth of a Sound’: The Shades, Part II
Editor’s note: As a follow up to a republished 1966 Shelbyville High School Courier article about The Shades, this January 1970 follow-up catches up with the band.
Shades’ band members Fred Dickmann, Ronnie Burwell, Bob Jones (deceased), Alan Moss, Bobby Critser (deceased), Kevin Steffey and Rich Burwell pose for a publicity photo, circa 1970. The photo was taken at a “haunted house” in the Ray’s Crossing area. Dickmann found an old metal picture frame before the shoot. The front porch was rotted through in some areas, so he stepped into one of the holes and posed with the frame (see far left).
The Courier Staff, 1970
The Shades, probably the longest lasting combo in Shelbyville, has undergone a “renaissance” or rebirth.
Originally, the group consisted of six members who played the popular “hard rock” to just have fun and gather experience. After three of the members could no longer continue in the band, Ron Burwell, the organist’s brother, became the drummer while Alan Moss and Bob Jones picked up the dual bass positions. Sometime later, Fred Dickmann, another singer and saxophone player, joined the band. This was the final combination of people causing a unique sound to be born.
Rhythm guitar and lead harmony singing are the talents contributed by Kevin Steffey, a '68 graduate of SHS who is presently a sophomore at Purdue, where he is majoring in entomology.
Besides music, Kevin is interested in traveling research, psychology, learning new songs, and song arrangements. Kevin enjoys music in general, but Three Dog Night gets Steffey's stamp of approval. When asked what his plans were, Steff said, “After graduation I plan to continue to work for my M.A. and Ph.D., if Uncle Sam doesn't whistle first. Then, I want to find a good job, get married, and settle down. After that I guess I'll die.”
Rich Burwell, a '68 graduate of SHS and a sophomore in pharmacy at Purdue, plays the Hammond Organ and lead cornet for the Shades. While taking care of the financial part of the band, Rich helps arrange the music and finalizes bookings. Although Rich's interests include “trying almost anything for a kick,” he frowns on bubblegum, jelly beans, loading equipment, and haircuts. Three Dog Night and CTA are Rich's favorite groups. When not with the band or other interests, he enjoys sports as a participant and spectator.
The oldest teenager in town, Fred graduated from SHS in '66. Dickmann attended ISU for a year and a half. Although always interested in music, Fred just recently added his talents to the Shades. Saxophone and harmony singing are Dickmann's responsibilities. Even though Fred rarely shows his serious side, he contributes much showmanship at performances and adds much to their great sound.
Fred's second home, Brown's Standard Station, leaves him with much spare time as his mind expands to the ever-growing dislikes of violence, jail, conformity, prejudice, and people who wear white socks with a suit. Letting his mind wander to the ever-growing field of “pop” music, Fred grooves with the sound of Sly and the Family Stone.
“Barney” Critser, a 1969 graduate of SHS, was lead vocalist and part-time guitarist. Bob is an original Shade who enjoys music, girls and his Volkswagen. When asked about his favorite group, he said, "I just take music the way it comes." Critser is now attending Sam’s Technical Institute, where he is studying architectural engineering.
A senior at SHS and an avid follower of the Fudge, Beatles, and Led Zeppelin is Robert Lewis Jones. The lead guitar holds Jones' function, but Bob is also skilled with the keyboards and bass. Jones's interests are few but final. He enjoys the band, eating out, and sleeping. Bob doesn't dislike anything he hasn't tried except short hair, ripe olives, and white socks. Funt (as he is called by the band) is planning on further schooling at Purdue, where he will train as a computer analyzer.
Ron Burwell, the organist's brother, recently added his talents to the combo. When asked his opinion of the senior class, he answered with much hesitation that they've done quite a lot for SHS but still more could be done. Ron's tastes in music range from Fudge to Three Dog Night, while he thrives on eating cheese and sleeping. He plans to attend Purdue after graduation and become a computer technologist. Ron's pastime is studying to make the "A" honor roll every eight weeks.
Alan makes up the Shade bass machine. A senior at SHS, Moss played tackle for the varsity football team. Al's interests seem wide but definite. He enjoys playing a rough game of football and then turning around and playing a quiet game of chess. Alan states that Shelbyville is a sophisticated town as popular music groups are concerned. He thinks that leaders are a must to organize and make decisions concerning music. His favorite group is the Vanilla Fudge. His plans are indefinite as of now for later years after graduation.
Utilizing their brass, developed harmony and singing, and booming sound, Shades have a sound that is going to move!
NOTEBOOK:
The following building permits were issued in Shelbyville last month: installation of three new truck dock doors at KN Platech, 1755 McCall Dr.; an in-ground swimming pool at The Mill apartments, 405 N. Harrison St.; new deck at 413 Peninsula Dr.; new deck at 1430 Aaron Drive West; $720,000 shell building for Smoothie King and Wingstop; remodel 736 S. Noble St.; remodel 841 Elm St.; replace two walls and stairs at 202 W. South St.; remodel office addition in lab area at Blue River Career Center, 801 St. Joe.; and several new home constructions.
Today is the 52nd Annual Shelbyville Gift & Hobby Show. Doors open at 9 a.m. to the Shelbyville Middle School, 1200 W. McKay Road, and remain open until 3 p.m. with a variety of holiday shopping items being sold by 140 vendors. This no-admission-charged event, hosted by Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Zeta Lambda Chapter, will feature handmade items, personal care items, jewelry, art work, items made of wood, glass, yarn, fabric and more. Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase.
NATIONAL NEWS: “The power grid” is actually several different grids that operate across the country, and two of them — the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) — this week gave green lights to massive investments in new high-voltage power lines. The SPP’s board overwhelmingly approved a $7.68 billion transmission plan in the Great Plains, and MISO’s board committee expressed significant support for a $30 billion transmission portfolio, with $21.8 billion of that going to 4,000 miles of long-range transmission projects, which it estimated will deliver returns about 1.8 to 3.5 times their cost, particularly through $14 billion in reliability benefits. (E&E News/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
April 14, 1967
David Dean, SHS junior, won the local Rotary Speech Contest. Other finalists were Myra Overman and Tom Marshall. Judges were Elwood Thomas, George Stubbs Jr., J.W. Jenkins, and Vaughn Drake.
Arch dancers had been selected for May Festival. They were Kathy Adams, Sara Jane Bailey, Jane Brennan, Jean Brennan, Ann Clay, Theresa Davis, Christi Eads, Judy Elkins, Susie Fair, Brenda Frazier, Karen Gilles, Margaret Gordon, Ann Grigsby, Janet Junken, Denise Karnowsky, Patti Kimbrell, Molly McKinney, Mandy Miller, Janice O’Connor, Lisa Phares, Margaret Price, Mary Pritchard, Jenny Thurston, Shirley Wilkinson and Mary Coffin.
Owens’s team won the 8th girls basketball championship, Sondra Finkel reported. Fox’s team was the runner-up. Richmond’s team was the 7th grade champ, with Wertz’s team as runner-up. Eighth grade students chosen to go on the Indiana Historical Tour were Cheryl Keppel, Teddy Everhart, Frances Wickliff, Mac Thurston, Debbie Boyd, Paul Eck, Paula LaClerc, Connie Monroe, Tom Plymate, Connie Williams, Jeff Reed, Kathy Wilson, Dan Hamilton, Becky Bell, Julie Johnson, Doug Heuer, Barbara McClelland, Susan Gushwa, Rick Zimny, Aileen Mohr, Cheryl Kuhn, Ellis Chaney, Rusty Small, Rebecca Ross, Carla Craig, Pat Landwerlen, Lewis Hoff, Ray Wetnight, Judi Scudder, Bonnie Gibson, Ed Hamilton, John Matchett, Debbie McVey, Stanley Smith, Lynn LaClerc and Kent McNeely.
The History Mobile, an exhibit covering prehistoric times to the present, had recently visited JHS.
“Have you noticed mini-skirts are getting shorter, and today, ‘If your legs are not out, you will not be in,’” a Courier column said.
This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
2014: Editor’s note: Due to a microfilm processing error, the 2014 section for the next couple of weeks will serve to memorialize a local individual who passed away that year.) Paul Means, 75, passed away June 17. He and his wife, Beverly, were married 52 years. Paul had graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1957. He was employed with Chambers Aircraft Corporation and joined the Indiana National Guard. In 1964, he and Beverly purchased the former A&W Root Beer Drive-in, which they renamed The Bear’s Den in 1979. They owned and operated the popular restaurant for 35 years, retiring in 2000.
2004: The city’s third food pantry, housed in the basement of First Christian Church, opened. Kathy Thomas was the business manager. Her husband, firefighter Michael Thomas, built cabinets and shelving, and J.R. Cooper and Western Supermarkets donated more than 500 items to start the pantry. Town and Country Christian Church and Evangelical United Church of Christ also had food pantries.
1994: Veteran Service Officer John F. Lewis organized a drive to raise $2,000 to pay for a flag pole, a flag and a small plaque at the new Shelby County jail. Shelby County Savings Bank, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and the Shelbyville Police Department all stepped up. Lewis had hoped to establish an “honor park” with plaques honoring public servants and military personnel, but fell short of the fundraising goal.
1984: Grand opening was held at Klubhaus Figure Salon. Sandy Johnson, former Gloria Marshall, organized the event. New equipment included the addition of a treadmill, sauna and Whirlpool.
1974: Local Jaycees Don Beyer, Bob Kehrt and Terry Rouse built and installed two signs, posted at the north and sound ends of Public Square, reminding people to vote. Kenny Pilk had headed the group’s get-out-the-vote committee.
1964: A regional strike of 200 truck drivers affected Ready Mixed Concrete, Heston Concrete and Conco Concrete, all with locations in Shelbyville.
1954: Mrs. William Inlow, 332 E. Washington St., was named assistant supervisor of the Shelbyville Rec. Winners of prizes at the recent Rec Halloween party had been Patricia Patterson, Barbara Ewick, Darlene Theobald, Judy Wagner, Linda Stine and Richard Wetnight.
A Rush County school had been closed due to a polio outbreak. The school’s basketball games were postponed.
1944: The annual “Banquet for Rats” would be held Nov. 10, county agricultural agent Dwight Brinson announced. Fresh meat and fish combined with poison, distributed through the schools, would be left out for the rats. The method had been effective the past few years, Brinson said.
The new Waldron school would be dedicated Nov. 9, Principal Forrest Caldwell announced. The Waldron High School band would perform, and Rev. C.W. Scott, pastor of the Waldron Methodist Church, would read a scripture.
1934: Young Republicans announced an upcoming dance at The Strand to close out the political season. Music, starting at 10 p.m., would be provided by Katie Bassett and her Playboys.
A former Gandhi disciple spoke at First Presbyterian Church as part of the Emily VanPelt Missionary Society.
1924: Carl Gartner opened his new grocery store on North Harrison St., where he had moved from Hendricks and Miller.
The Shelbyville Republican reported on an out-of-town man who had filed for divorce from his wife because of her constant interference with his weekly bath. The man had stated that his wife “would do all in her power to prevent” the bath, including turning off the heater and refusing him the use of hot water and soap.
1914: A concert featuring “colored singers” would be held at City Hall while people waited on election returns, city officials announced.
OBITUARIES
Linda K. Walden, 74, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at MHP Medical Center. Born July 24, 1950, in Muncie, she was the daughter of Virgil Colson and Marcella (Ammon) Burton. Survivors include three children, Scott Cook of Shelbyville, Jerri Murray (Jeff) of Davenport, Fl, and Steven “Waldo” Walden (Tanya) of Muncie; four siblings, Penny Bolin (Dennis) of Blountsville, IN, Mary Lou Paschal of New Castle, Debra Rabourn (Jim) of Indianapolis, and Claudia Adkins of Muncie; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Billy Colson; and sister Diane Colson.
Linda graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1968 and was a bartender/waitress for over 20 years. Linda enjoyed the beach, animals, and enjoyed watching NASCAR. She was an avid Muncie Central Bearcat fan, and enjoyed watching IU basketball.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Pastor Brian Ebersold officiating. Friends may call on Tuesday from 1 p.m., until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to Shelbyville/Shelby Co. Animal Shelter, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.