Rich Brown Surprized by Goldenaires

State Representative Rich Brown of Bessemer was apparently surprised by his fellow corps members. That's Brown in a white shirt furthest left behind a drummer in a gold shirt. Brown was Gogebic County Clerk for many years before being elected 110 th District State Representative. Here is the story from the Ironwood Daily Globe.

Goldenaires go to Lansing Published Saturday, December 9, 2006 4:26:19 PM Central Time LANSING -- The State Capitol in Lansing is buzzing after Marty's Goldenaires, a drum-and-bugle corps based in Bessemer, made a surprise appearance on the floor of the Michigan House of Representatives Tuesday to honor drum major Rep. Rich Brown, D-Bessemer. Brown's term in office ends on Dec. 31 due to Michigan's term-limits law. Brown was visibly astonished as the Goldenaires marched into the chamber to the steady rhythm of a powerful marching cadence and lined up in front of the Speaker's rostrum. The corps performed in honor of Brown, who has been involved with the corps for the past 24 years. "I was overwhelmed and completely taken by surprise by the tremendous performance on the House floor by Marty's Goldenaires," said Brown. "The level of commitment and dedication displayed by members of the corps in making a mid-week, 10-hour-plus-long bus trip to Lansing is nothing short of amazing. I am truly honored and humbled to have been on the receiving end of such a wonderful tribute by this fine group of committed and talented musicians." Brown took over conducting duties after the first number to lead the corps in a second selection, much to the joy of his House colleagues. Generally, demonstrations and productions of such scope are prohibited by the rules of the House of Representatives. However, rules were suspended temporarily by House Speaker Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, to allow the corps to musically celebrate the accomplishments and character of the popular 110th District representative. In a special downtown reception following the festivities in the House chamber, Brown led the corps in rousing renditions of "Joy to the World," by Three Dog Night; "Touch Me," by the Doors; "Wipeout," by the Surfaris; and a medley of "Georgia on My Mind/Sweet Georgia Brown."

http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/1209gold.htm