Bathtub Dogs

UNL Bathtub Dogs
Background information
Origin University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Genres A Cappella -- rock, R&B, pop
Years active 2002 present
Website http://www.bathtubdogs.com

The Bathtub Dogs is a student-run, all-male a cappella group, and officially Recognized Student Organization (RSO)[1] at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, NE. They perform a cappella adaptations of a mix of rock, R&B, and pop music. Founded in November 2002 by Scott Wilson and Aaron Hurlbut (known to the members as the "Dogfathers"), and advised by KRNU General Manager, College of Journalism and Mass Communications Associate Professor, and a cappella guru Richard Alloway, the Bathtub Dogs have quickly become the University's premier A cappella group. The Dogs have performed at many venues; having competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA's), performed in the Lied Center for Performing Arts,[2] The University of Nebraska's Kimball Hall, a number of area High Schools, Lincoln's Rococo Theatre, and The Omaha Civic Center Music Hall. The Bathtub Dogs have participated in events to raise money for many charitable organizations and philanthropies such as the AIDS Orphan Education Trust (AOET), Relay For Life, Dance Marathon, and even introduced Miss America, Kirsten Haglund, at the retirement celebration for John Gottschalk.

History

The brainchild of Scott Wilson and Aaron Hurlbut, the Bathtub Dogs were modeled after college a cappella groups on the east coast where fun and humor is just as ingrained as the music itself. Whether joking around on stage or astonishing crowds with their a cappella interpretations of popular music, the Bathtub Dogs plan on entertaining crowds for years to come. The Dogs have come a long way since their founding in 2002. Their first album, Let 'em Riot, was released in the summer of 2004, and was followed by Outloud in the Spring of 2006.[3] The Dogs' third studio album Studio 354 is unique in that it was recorded entirely in-house by the members of the Bathtub Dogs in their office, (room 354) of the UNL Student Union. Studio 354 was released on December 6, 2008 at the Dogs' Fall Show.[4] Both Outloud and Studio 354 were mixed and mastered by well-known a cappella producer Dave Sperandio of Diovoce, Inc.

The Bathtub Dogs have ventured into the national a cappella scene by competing in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA's). In 2005 the Dogs placed second at the Divisional level at Michigan State and fourth in the International Quarterfinals at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[5] The Dogs also competed in the ICCA's in 2006 at Washington University in St. Louis, and in 2007 at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

Closer to home, the Dogs have had the privilege of performing at the Lied Center for Performing Arts twice, once as part of the Free at Six series in 2005, as well as the 2007 Spring concert.,[6][7] and held a collaborative performance with No Better Cause.[8] They have entertained crowds on campus at philanthropy events such as ACS Relay for Life, Dance Marathon, and a 2008 collaborative performance with African music and dance group, The Chosen, to raise money for The AIDS Orphan Education Trust (AOET). The Dogs have also done a number of private performances spanning from Omaha to North Platte including the retirement of John Gottschalk where they had the privilege of introducing Miss America, and the 75th Anniversary celebration of Barmore Drug in Lexington, NE. The Dogs regularly perform at Christmas parties, corporate events, birthday parties, and wedding receptions.[9] The Bathtub Dogs performance attire is jeans with a shirt and tie; and in the event of an outdoor performance in chilly weather, the Dogs wear blazers.

The Bathtub Dogs have seen increasing success in the past year. Their latest album, Studio 354, was placed on the Contemporary A Cappella Society's shortlist for Best Collegiate Male Album of 2008.[10] The Dogs' cover of Paralyzer by Finger Eleven from Studio 354 was selected to be included in the competitive A cappella compilation album "Voices Only 2009." Along with that, the Dogs opened for Ben Folds in Omaha, NE on Tuesday March 17, 2009 at the Civic Auditorium Music Hall in front of a crowd of over 2000 people. The Dogs hosted their 2009 Spring Show on April 3, 2009 at the Rococo Theatre, and drew a crowd of nearly 950 people.[11] For this year's Spring Show the Dogs teamed up with the Lincoln Academy of Rock, a non-profit after school program put on by the Northeast Family Center. For each audience member who wore a tie to the show, the Dogs made a donation to the Academy. Ultimately, the Bathtub Dogs donated $500 to the Academy of Rock.[12]

Discography

Notes

  1. UNL eInvolvement: Bathtub Dogs http://einvolvement.unl.edu/rsoinfo.php?id=316
  2. 03/34/2005: Bathtub Dogs Perform at the Lied. http://www.unl.edu/scarlet/archive/2005/03/24/story15.html
  3. 4/20/2006: Daily Nebraskan Article about release of Outloud. http://dailynebraskan.com/2.3974/1.303435-1.303435
  4. 12/05/2008: Daily Nebraskan Article. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/features/bathtub_dogs_to_entertain_with_songs%252C_skits
  5. 2005 ICCA Results. http://www.varsityvocals.com/icca/2005results.shtml
  6. 03/29/2005: Bathtub Dogs Perform for Lied Center "Free at 6" series
  7. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/2.3976/music-originality-accompany-campus-singing-sensation-to-lied-1.994719
  8. 11/03/2003 Daily Nebraskan Article about collaborative performance with No Better Cause http://www.dailynebraskan.com/2.3976/two-a-cappella-groups-join-forces-for-show-1.1003376
  9. Bathtub Dogs History Page. http://www.bathtubdogs.com/History.html
  10. 03/01/2009: Contemporary A Cappella Society website. http://www.casa.org/node/1703
  11. Lincoln's Rococo Theatre Events Celendar. http://rococotheatre.com/events/events.php
  12. 4/6/2009 NewsNet Nebraska report on the Bathtub Dogs 2009 Spring Show. http://newsnetnebraska.org/test-huskers-win/cojmc/443-bathtub-dogs-perform-at-rococo

External links

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