LETTERMEN BIRTHDAYS
Tony Butala by Michelle Gunsolley
Fort Wayne Indiana, Oct. 22, 1988
See if you share the same birthday with any of the Lettermen past or present!
January 14 - Doug Curran
January 16 - Ernie Pontiere
February 19 - Bob Engemann
February 24 - Harrison Clewley
March 2 - Donny Pike
May 24 - Darren Dowler
June 26 - Mark Preston
July 31 - Gary Pike
August 18 - Ralph "Chad" Nichols
October 23 - Don Campeau
November 6 - Jim Pike
November 6 - Donovan Scott Tea
November 20 - Tony Butala
December 9 - Bobby Poynton
December 22 - David "Red" Saber
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE LETTERMEN
Below are some fun facts and trivia you may not have known about your favorite group and it's various members.
1. There have been 17 Lettermen members to-date who have performed Live On Stage as an official "Letterman".
2. During their actual tenure as Lettermen, seven members have sported moustaches at one time or another, they are: Tony, Donny Pike, Ralph Nichols, Don Campeau, Mark Preston, Donovan Tea and Bobby Poynton.
3. During their actual tenure as Lettermen, three have worn beards at one time or another: Ralph Nichols, Don Campeau and Bobby Poynton.
4. The Lettermen (Tony, Jim and Gary) recorded the theme song for the 1968 MGM film WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT?, which starred Doris Day, Robert Morse, Patrick O'Neal and Steve Allen. The tune is played over the opening credits. The song was released on a 45, but never included on an album.
5. Donovan Tea, when he toured with The Young Americans, sang with Bing Crosby in his next to last Holiday TV special.
6. Tony Butala, when he was a member of The Mitchell Boys' Choir, appeared in the final scene of the 1954 classic WHITE CHRISTMAS, which starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen.
7. Mark Preston was once the body double for Robert Urich on ABC TV's VEGA$.
8. Bobby Poynton once played the role of "The Pawn" on NBC's DAYS OF OUR LIVES. He also played several other characters on the show, including a TV reporter.
9. The Lettermen's (Tony, Donovan and Mark) recording of THEME FROM "A SUMMER PLACE" was briefly featured in the 1987 film BACK TO THE BEACH, starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funnicello. In the film, Annette comments, "Honey, it's our song!" when she hears the tune come on the car radio. Their son comments from the back seat, "Dad, the radio does have a dial!"
10. Darren's early acting jobs included small roles on the CBS soap AS THE WORLD TURNS and the Florida produced TV series' THE SWAMP THING and THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY.
11. The Lettermen's first album, A SONG FOR YOUNG LOVE, stayed on the music charts for 58 straight weeks.
12. The first 31 Lettermen LP's made the Top 100 on the National charts.
13. In recent years, Gary Pike has enjoyed appearing in dozens of feature films and television shows, including: PRIMARY COLORS, SHE'S HAVING A BABY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, BULWORTH, DUNSTON CHECKS IN, ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, ALI, OCEANS 11 and episodes of PARTY OF FIVE, 7TH HEAVEN, BOOM TOWN, KING OF QUEENS, FRASIER, GILMORE GIRLS, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, LAX, CSI and MARRIED WITH CHILDREN.
14. Tony Butala's niece is Emmy Award winning actress Jenna Elfman, star of the TV series DHARMA AND GREG.
15. Letterman Ralph "Chad" Nichols (1980-83), like Tony, was also previously a member of The Mitchell Boys' Choir, as was Harrison Clewley who performed as a Letterman in 1984.
16. Letterman Don Campeau performed previously with Ralph Nichols in 1960-61 with a group called the Westcoast Singers.
17. 1983-84 group member David Saber appeared in the 1975 film AIRPORT '75.
18. Mark Preston is the only member of The Lettermen to ever return after leaving as a permanent member (1984-1988, 2006 -?).
19. Darren Dowler appeared on the TV series LAS VEGAS, in a scene with Vanessa Marcil, on the first Episode from the 5th Season in 2007. It was entitled "A Hero Ain't Nothing But A Sandwich".