monday, October 3, 1977
daily nebraskan
page 9 .
Toothy
grin almost visible when Harris mimics
By Rod Murphy
Although the voices of a UNL student produced
recording sound familiar, the things they say seem un
charasteristic. For example, the following is an exchange last year
between a journalist and a familiar Georgian.
Interviewer: In your opinion, who sacrificed the
most ' in your family (during the cam-
. . . paign)?
Carter: . . . . My mother. She has sacrificied so
much. For, example, can-you imagine
. what that woman went through when
I was born again?
One has to wonder what Miss Lillian might go
through if she hears the recording this quote came
from. The voice of "Carter" matches her sons's so
close one can almost see the teeth gleam.
The comedy .album that quote appears on is "Hail
to the Teeth" featuring a UNL graduate student imi
tating Jimmy Carter. :
Bert Harris, seeking his Ph.D. in economics, has
temporarily suspended his school work to promote
the album he and four brothers recorded last Feb
ruary. '
Hollywood label
The album began selling nationally this month on.
Crescendo Records, a Hollywood label that also has'
promoted other; comedy acts such as Joan Rivers and
Don Adams.. .
The album, released on the national market, is
somewhat different than the original one, according to
Jim Harris, one of the performers, writers and the sales
manager of "Teeth." Three new bits have been added:
"French Chef," "Call to NASA," and "Party line."
The brothers are hoping the album will become a
hit about the Christmas season,' Jim said. It's apparent
success surprised the brothers. ,
"We were only doing it for fun. We never expected
it to be selling in stores across the country," Jim Harris
said.
The Harrises and their friends did all of the writing,
recording, producing and local promotion Jim said.
The national promotions are by Crescendo with help
from Bert doing his Carter imitation on radio and TV
shows.
Harvard professor
Jim, a .freshman law student at UNL' said the first
breakthrough occurred when a Harvard law professor
saw the record in the Cornhusker Hotel gift shop
in Lincoln. He was curious, bought a copy and liked
what he heard. Later he contacted the Harrises and
said he wanted to buy the rights to the album.
This was the first indication the album had nation
al possibilities, Jim said.
Next he suggested Bert appear on Candid Camera.
Bert agreed to try.-He called the studio and, using his
best Carter voice without identifying himself asked
the secretary some questions. She was convinced.
Within a week, the show contacted Bert and he
taped a segment to be aired in January.
Meanwhile, . the brothers were mailing copies of
"Teeth" to record companies and radio stations across
the country. From this effort, the album began
receiving radio air play. The largest radio station in
Washington, D.C. . and one in Denver played some, of
the bits. .
Later, Crescendo Records contacted the Harrises.
They had received a copy in the mail. Usually record .
companies simply .throw such unsolicited; material
away t or return it to. the sender, but this time Cres
cendo listened. They said they wanted to discuss a
contract.
Former top D. J. 4 ,
The Harrises invited a representative from Cres
cendo to Nebraska. Gene Norman, formerly one of the
country's top D. J .'s arrived.
The brothers looked over the contract terms and
signed.
"We're glad we went with this company," Jim said.
"They expressed a lot of interest in our material."
; Crescendo has an option for a second album if one
should be recorded.
Bert began doing radio shows and TV spots across
the country. His usual routine is an "ask Carter" bit.
A critic from the Chicago Tribune heard one of
these broadcasts and printed a review that praised
Bert's performance. :
Following this, WIND, the largest radio station in
Chicago, asked him to perform.
While in Washington D.C. Bert plans to contact the '
Washington Press Club by telephone and talk with
them as Carter before identifying himself, Jim said.
"Bert, I think, would like to go into it full time.
He's got the best Carter-no doubt about it." Jim said.
However, he is not banking on a career as Carter, He
plans to return to graduate school to get his PhD., Jim
said.
