Dr. Tooth and the Eclectic Mayhem

I started singing in the youth choir at Citadel Square Baptist Church when I was 15 years old. I loved it.

John Hutto, our mentor, was outstanding as a minister of music, always keeping things upbeat and interesting; always producing and directing beautiful Easter music, dramas and cantatas. All accompanied by glorious musicians, one standing out - May Elizabeth Cone - our organist!

John always rehearsed, rehearsed and the then rehearsed some more ‘til you could almost sing the music in your sleep. And he almost never repeated a piece of music in the same here.

He would keep us on our toes as far as directing, always telling us: “Watch me! Watch me! Because if I decide to hold a note longer or to cut you off sooner, you need to watch me for those changes.” And change things he did... But the choir members were alert and most did not have their heads buried in the music. He was all about perfection – how you entered the choir loft, opened & held your choir folder, where you sat and when you stood—you name it—he addressed it!

We were on TV every Sunday, so if the viewing audience didn't like what they saw they would call in and complain:

“Sit up in your chair.”

“Don't cross your legs.”

“Don't wiggle.”

“Don't talk.”

Rules - rules - and more rules!

One Sunday morning during the worship hour on Channel 5, John Hutto got up to direct the music. He was facing the congregation, hundreds of people in attendance, directing everyone to stand up and sing this heavenly hymn. We were all involved in singing, John directing with flailing arms, as he really put himself into the moment as he always did with the music that he loved so much, when he turned towards the choir...

Now understand this was not unusual. He would direct the congregation to stand, direct a few stanzas, turn to the choir, direct a little, and generally turn back to the congregation to finish. This morning, as he “slowly” turned toward the choir, we all noticed that he his movements were just a little different. As usual, by his orders, we all had our eyes on him.

Just at that moment... he broke out in an unusually wide grin and then we noticed it. His front tooth had fallen out and he had swallowed it. Well, one can just imagine how difficult it was for forty or so choir members to remain poised and composed. It was all the choir could do not to burst out in laughter. Because he had trained us so well, we just grinned a little on the outside while we howled with laughter ON THE INSIDE!

The TV audience thought we were filled with the Holy Spirit! Little did they know what had really happened during that hymn... And, that was good because John Hutto would have killed us if we had not been true to all of his teachings. But... we still laugh about it today ON THE OUTSIDE!

It was on that day that John Hutto gave new meaning to: “Sinking your teeth into something you love…”

 ~ Jeannie Joyner