MANSFIELD — Tom Webb is known for creating harmony on and off stage. As the newly appointed 2016 Fun Center Chordsmen (FCC) Barbershopper of the Year, Webb exceeds membership expectations by writing show scripts and leading the tenor section.
The men’s a cappella chorus selects the Barbershopper of the Year first by nomination, and then through a secret ballot process. Winners date back to FCC’s charter year in 1974, although if no members qualify by contributing beyond regular membership a winner does not have to be selected.
Webb joined the Chordesmen 11 years ago as a lead singer. He switched to the tenor part to complete the Good Company quartet.
“Every song he learned as lead, he had to relearn as tenor,” said R.F. “Bob” Miller, FCC Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. “He is one of those guys that if you ask him to do something, he gets it done.”
Webb writes the basic script for FCC’s annual show performed at the Renaissance Theatre. He also takes responsibility for training and preparing the tenor section for performances.
As a Board Member at Large, Webb learned general board operations and advocated for members that voiced concerns.
Webb never set out to win the honor of Barbershopper of the Year, but he was at a loss for words when he learned of the news. He could not attend the installation banquet due to a work conflict, so the Chordsmen called to congratulate him. Later they presented him with a plaque.
“It’s a very nice response form my fellow barbershoppers that they appreciate what I do for the chorus,” Webb said. “I am not really that much into awards. I just enjoy being with them and singing with them.”
Webb and his wife own the specialty food and candy brokerage Webb & Associates. But with college training in speech and vocal music, Webb enjoys the fun and challenge of the Fun Center Chordsmen. He joined the chorus after seeing a newspaper ad and was hooked after his first practice.
“You learn a tremendous amount about singing,” Webb said. “You learn how to sing and harmonize with other voices. It’s just a lot of fun, and something that gets under your skin. You can’t shake it because you fall in love with it.”
Webb enjoys singing so much that he joined the Ebbtide quartet and is a dual member of the Singing Buckeyes, both based in Columbus.
The Fun Center Chordsmen is diverse generationally, with members age 14 to 90. The chorus recruits new members by inviting men to audition their part within a quartet.
Members enjoy their time practicing and performing together. “It starts as a hobby and soon becomes a passion,” Miller said. “It’s more than a hobby though, it’s a brotherhood.”
Miller said this camaraderie extends to members’ spouses and children as well. The chorus is usually asked to sing at either the calling hours or funerals of members and their families.
“People take time off so there are enough chorus members to honor the deceased,” Miller said.
Webb appreciates the care members provide one another.
“We are just brothers in song,” Webb said. “I think most of the guys would do anything for me and I would do anything for them.”
