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ARLEEN SPENCELEYA local chapter of the Orange Blossom Country Music Association enjoys success in its first year.
Last May, Pete Doolittle sought to take his family's appreciation for music and use it to support the county's growing group of country musicians, vocalists and songwriters.
The result: the Hernando County chapter of the Orange Blossom Country Music Association.
"It was our interest in country and gospel music. We just thought we would work well in an organization to promote that type of music for the county," said Doolittle, of Spring Hill.
The Orange Blossom Country Music Association is a family-oriented, nonprofit organization of musicians, vocalists and songwriters statewide who share a love and appreciation for country and gospel music. Each chapter meets on its own and participates in yearly competitions, events and fundraisers, all designed to promote music and to scout talent.
"High-caliber musical people - that's the kind of people we are," said Doolittle, president of the Hernando chapter, who is not a musician but was inspired by his children's love for country and gospel music.
Doolittle's children - Jessica, 9, and Shawn, 13 - play the piano and sing country music.
"I wouldn't be in Orange Blossom if my children didn't sing, to be honest," Doolittle said. "I'm a lot more into it now than when I first started."
Doolittle formed the local chapter with his wife, Elizabeth, and local country music vocalist Buster Benoit.
"From the time I was a just a little boy, I've always enjoyed singing," said Benoit, the chapter's director of membership.
He said he learned of the state Orange Blossom organization through his oldest daughter, Michelle Triplett, executive secretary of the Hernando chapter.
"It was like a family undertaking," Benoit said. "In this world, you don't see very many family things. The organization is based on family. Our families are all involved."
Each chapter of Orange Blossom participates in several levels of competition. In its first year, the Hernando County chapter, which boasts about 30 members, has fared well.
In the group's first local competition, last fall at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Spring Hill, Benoit's youngest daughter, Terri, 13, was named Female Vocalist of the Year and Female Entertainer of the Year.
Terri advanced to the state competition, which was in Naples, where she won second place in the female vocalist category and was presented with the Horizon Award, given to the top newcomer, in the entertainment category.
This week, Terri will go to the 2004 international competition in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where she will compete in the new country music category.
"How many people can say they've gone to Tennessee and did a performance on the Country Tonite (Theatre) stage? Not many," Benoit said. "It is a competition, in a sense. But just the opportunity to perform, do the songs and meet the people is real beautiful. Nobody is a loser. Everybody gets up and performs. We have a lot of fun doing it."
"Competition is to get you started and to get you going," Doolittle said. "The purpose is to promote, not to outdo."
Although the organization plans to participate in competitions within its chapter, as well as statewide and internationally, on a yearly basis, the emphasis is on encouragement and development of talent, Doolittle said.
"We make sure everyone is included. The most important part is making sure that everybody fully presents themselves to the best of their ability," he said. "We all work together to promote everybody as far as they can go. Once you get them to that point, they can get out on their own. That's really what it's all about."
Helping develop the musicians is Kevin Longhorn, the chapter's director of talent. Longhorn, an accomplished country musician with his own band, the Longhorn Band, shows members how to put together promotional packages. He serves as their coach and teaches them about the country music business.
"I lead them in the right direction to get them where they want to be," he said. "I show them what a record company is going to be looking for. We make them a local star before they worry about being an international star."
The Doolittles have set up a small recording studio in their house, where chapter members plan to record demos and eventually full-length CDs. The demos will be used in promotional packages that each member will put together for agents.
As they work at building their careers, members of the Hernando County chapter participate regularly in karaoke at several local restaurants, including the Shamrock Inn Restaurante in Floral City and Victoria's Steakhouse and Lounge in Brooksville.
Performing is what they enjoy most.
"We are providing music for people who still appreciate music, not just a lot of noise," Doolittle said. "It's a different kind of entertainment."
"When I get up on stage," Terri Benoit said, "I like to see people smile."
Said her father: "It gives you a sense of satisfaction to know that you make people happy."
As its one-year anniversary approaches, the chapter has high expectations.
"We hope to become one of the largest chapters in the state," Benoit said.
Anyone interested in being involved with the Hernando chapter of the Orange Blossom Country Music Association may contact Doolittle at 799-7889.