In the middle of a Billy's Goatee practice, one member shouts out, "Wouldn't it be hilarious if we did this?" The 10 other people in the room turn to look at the girl pounding on her stomach for sound effects and the boy moon-walking across the floor of the Alumni Lounge.
This is not your typical a cappella group. Where others have vocal talent, Billy's Goatee has humor. The energy in the room is contagious and group founders Jenn Davis and William Lynam-who go by Jennie and Billy when performing-have everyone in stitches. Why expect anything less from this group that named themselves after the Blue Devil's facial hair?
Billy's Goatee formed after Billy found a copy of a Vanessa Carlton song last summer during Project WILD staff training, and gave it to Jennie. The duo jokingly choreographed a dance to the song, and when they presented it with their trademark goofiness to the PWILD freshmen, others instantly wanted to join. This inside joke went public after recent performances on Clocktower Quad and with Rhythm and Blue during Parents' Weekend. They now boast a repertoire including "Baby Got Back," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and both rap and Michael Jackson medleys. They're insane, and it's fabulous.
However, for all of their antics, they're not here to trash on Duke's other a cappella groups. To illustrate, Jennie shares a mathematical equation: "Billy's goatee = a cappella - good singing skills + goof.. I can't be in other a cappella groups because it's too serious and, well, I can't sing that well."
After being told by other a cappella presidents that they could not perform at the A Cappella Jam in Page Auditorium last August, the then two-person group jumped on stage at the end, Jennie in a cheerleader outfit and Billy in a kilt, and performed "A Thousand Miles." In no time, the group had won over the remaining audience members as chants of "Billy's Goatee!" sounded throughout the concert hall.
Tonight, 22 members strong, they're set to perform again in Page-but this time, they're invited.
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