It used to be that if you wanted fame and fortune you joined a rock and roll band, not a male voice choir.
But since Fron MVC have become chart-toppers their in tray has been piling up with new applications.
“We’ve had to put a cap on membership for the time being,” said 75-strong Fron’s chairman David Jones.
“Most people join up for the right reasons and have the voices to go with it but we have definitely had people who are interested for the wrong reasons.
“They don’t last long though.
“They come and sit at the back during rehearsals for a few weeks and then disappear when they see the work we put into rehearsals.
“I didn’t join the choir to make money, because wherever there is money there is bitterness, and anyone who thinks that way won’t last with us.”
The success story behind the choir from the North Wales village of Froncysyllte is well-known.
Daniel Glatman, manager of the boy band Blue, saw them perform at a wedding and signed them to a record deal that subsequently made them the fastest-selling classical artists of all time when they released their debut album, Voices Of The Valley, in November 2006.
A second hit album, Encore, followed a year later and they have also enjoyed a full UK tour that saw them treated like rock stars.
“Sex drugs and rock‘n’roll?,” says Jones raising an eyebrow.
“It was more Zimmer frames and Prozac for us.
“But it was amazing to have our own tour bus, lighting crew and sound technicians, walking on stage to a standing ovation.
“It shouldn’t happen to a male voice choir.”
The ever-likeable Jones is always quick with a quip and never takes himself too seriously, going so far as to pose naked for a 2008 charity calendar in aid of Help The Aged.
The semi-retired prison officer who became Mr February at the age of 58, said; “My photo was taken in my prison guard guise, or rather not in my prison guard guise, tongue in cheek if you’ll pardon the pun.
“It was taken at a prison in Ruthin late at night and it gave Brian the caretaker quite a shock when he did his rounds.”
There are plans to put Fron on the big screen as well as the kitchen wall with a film of their remarkable story being written by Confetti director Debbie Isitt, who hopes to enlist Sir Anthony Hopkins to star.
But while all this showbiz glitz might attract the odd hanger-on, Jones and Co have never forgotten what is important – the choir.
“Choirs are an expensive thing to run, coaches, hotels and rehearsal spaces for 75 people,” said Jones of where their money has been invested.
“This choir will now last long beyond my lifetime which, as chairman, is something I am very proud of.”
Despite their continued success – Fron return to the studio next month to record a third album – Jones and Co are keeping their 150 collective feet firmly on the ground.
Last year they turned down a concert at Royal Albert Hall with Placido Domingo to keep a local church hall engagement because, “we want our friends to still be there when this is over”.
“We know we might just be flavour of the month but, for now, the ride is still going.”
Fron MVC perform at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on Sunday. Tickets cost £20-£27.50 from 029 2087 8444.
Source: South Wales Echo
