Dick Sheridan thinks of himself as an Oscar nominee.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
The State Fair Four, from left, Dick Sheridan, Bobby Morris, Woody Peters and Burt Dunlap stand alongside the Wienermobile in downtown Auburn Friday.
The State Fair Four, from left, Dick Sheridan, Bobby Morris, Woody Peters and Burt Dunlap stand alongside the Wienermobile in downtown Auburn Friday.
Along with three fellow players in The State Fair Four, Sheridan, of Skaneateles, stands to win a nationwide contest to reinterpret the well-known jingle for Oscar Mayer.
The group entered the contest on a whim last summer at the New York State Fair, where they have performed their customary Dixieland jazz for four summers. Local TV and radio stations often ask the Four to perform short compositions for inclusion on their programs.
After wrapping up some background music for an afternoon TV news show, the group saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile parked across the street.
“It was beckoning us over,” Sheridan said.
A video camera was recording entrants in the contest as they sang, “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener. That is what I truly want to be. 'Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener, everyone would be in love with me.”
The State Fair Four decided to do their own rendition of the 45-year-old tune. They rehearsed and recorded their performance faster than you can scarf down a hot dog.
“We all knew to some degree how the song went, so we quickly went over the words and the melody and jumped right in,” Sheridan said. “Spontaneous, but with enthusiasm.”
On the banjo, Sheridan sang along with Jazz Appreciation Society of Syracuse Vice President Bobby Morris on trombone. Woody Peters, of Locke, played trumpet and Burt Dunlap, president of the society, performed on tuba.
“Those instruments are the essence of Dixieland style,” Sheridan said.
It wasn't until December that the group learned they were one of four finalists in the “Sing the Jingle, Be a Star” competition's Group category.
“It was quite a surprise when we got word we were national finalists,” Sheridan said. “I suspect that Wienermobile must go around to a lot of state fairs in other locations.”
Each member of the group received fliers, T-shirts and time with the Wienermobile itself to spread the word of the contest. Although judges' opinions factor into the decision, the winner will also be decided by an online vote.
Should the Four win the jingle contest, they receive a five-day, all expenses paid vacation and a three-day trip to Los Angeles with tickets to “American Idol.”
The group will also perform a new version of the jingle for an Oscar Mayer commercial. It would only be the second time the Four have performed the tune.
“We were afraid if we did it again, we'd spoil it,” Sheridan said.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
The group entered the contest on a whim last summer at the New York State Fair, where they have performed their customary Dixieland jazz for four summers. Local TV and radio stations often ask the Four to perform short compositions for inclusion on their programs.
After wrapping up some background music for an afternoon TV news show, the group saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile parked across the street.
“It was beckoning us over,” Sheridan said.
A video camera was recording entrants in the contest as they sang, “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener. That is what I truly want to be. 'Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener, everyone would be in love with me.”
The State Fair Four decided to do their own rendition of the 45-year-old tune. They rehearsed and recorded their performance faster than you can scarf down a hot dog.
“We all knew to some degree how the song went, so we quickly went over the words and the melody and jumped right in,” Sheridan said. “Spontaneous, but with enthusiasm.”
On the banjo, Sheridan sang along with Jazz Appreciation Society of Syracuse Vice President Bobby Morris on trombone. Woody Peters, of Locke, played trumpet and Burt Dunlap, president of the society, performed on tuba.
“Those instruments are the essence of Dixieland style,” Sheridan said.
It wasn't until December that the group learned they were one of four finalists in the “Sing the Jingle, Be a Star” competition's Group category.
“It was quite a surprise when we got word we were national finalists,” Sheridan said. “I suspect that Wienermobile must go around to a lot of state fairs in other locations.”
Each member of the group received fliers, T-shirts and time with the Wienermobile itself to spread the word of the contest. Although judges' opinions factor into the decision, the winner will also be decided by an online vote.
Should the Four win the jingle contest, they receive a five-day, all expenses paid vacation and a three-day trip to Los Angeles with tickets to “American Idol.”
The group will also perform a new version of the jingle for an Oscar Mayer commercial. It would only be the second time the Four have performed the tune.
“We were afraid if we did it again, we'd spoil it,” Sheridan said.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
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