Month: June 2011

Tenor: Drew Kirkman
Lead: Mark Hale
Bass: Greg Hollander
Bari: Joel Wilson

In 1983 Mark Hale and Greg Hollander joined the Barbershop Harmony Society. They quickly became friends and started singing in a quartet together. This quartet, theSound System, started with Mark on tenor and Greg on baritone, but soon Greg moved to bass and Mark moved to baritone. Along with b>Phil Kinser, lead, and Mike Wheeley, tenor, they sang together for about five years, winning a district championship and competing at the International Competition in 1988. They retired in 1990.

By 1992 Mark had moved to Louisville and, with David Harrington, formed the Louisville Times Chorus. David’s quartet, the Second Edition, had just recently retired and there was a lot of excitement over starting something new. As the chorus began to build steam a new quartet was in the works with David on lead, Mark on baritone, Greg on bass, and Mark Bowman from Cincinnati on tenor.

The quartet became known as A Few Good Men and won the right to compete at the International Competition in Pittsburgh in 1994. As luck would have it, David and the otherHarrington Brothers were immediately offered a job performing on a professional show in Myrtle Beach, so the quartet was forced to disband after being together only about six weeks.

The desire to start another quartet hit again around the summer of 1995. The Louisville Times had just competed at their first International Competition and were in full swing. The section leaders often would step forward and demonstrate various techniques for the chorus and it was discovered that they had quite a blend.

They were Mark on lead, Greg on bass, Gary Davis on baritone, and Mark’s brother Christopher Hale on tenor. Christopher had recently moved to Louisville to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, pursuing a Masters in Church Music.

Shortly after the Miami convention the foursome started to rehearse with the Cardinal District Quartet Contest being their first short term goal. They chose the name Michigan Jake, a takeoff of the Warner Brothers singing frog, because it represented where they had first started to hear the old songs–on Bugs Bunny cartoons.

They went on to win the contest by a much larger score than they had imagined. The quartet placed tenth in their first International Competition in 1996 and then eighth the next year. By March of 1998 they found themselves in need of a new baritone and called upon their friend Joel Wilson.

Joel had started singing in the Louisville Times in 1993 when he was sixteen, and had grown accustomed to the singing techniques of Michigan Jake. This, and the fact that he’s so darned good, made it easy for him to slip effortlessly into the Michigan Jake sound.

With just inside of four months together, the quartet jumped to the second place silver medalist position in Atlanta that summer.

By a strange twist of fate, Christopher had stopped on his way to the Atlanta convention to interview with a church in South Carolina in need of a new Music Minister. He discovered in a message on his answering machine when he returned home that he had gotten the job. The other men of Michigan Jake didn’t want to stand in the way of Christopher’s career, but they were in a difficult situation. After considering a few options, they decided to call on Drew Kirkman of Terre Haute, Indiana, with Christopher making the initial contact. Drew had sung with several quartets through the years, both on lead and tenor, but most recently with Flash Point, comprised of Drew and three members of the Times. They knew he had the ability if he had the time and desire to step in. With a single audition they could tell that they had made the right choice.

At the 1999 convention in Anaheim Michigan Jake took the third place bronze medal behind crowd favorite FRED, and in 2000 they earned another silver medal with Platinumwinning the gold. Finally in July of 2001 in the city of Nashville, Tennessee, Michigan Jake won the coveted gold medals besting a field of fifty competitors by a margin of 256 points.

Mark Hale went on to direct the powerhouse Master’s Of Harmony chorus in California and lead them to two (2005, 2002) of their six chorus championships. Drew is busy singing with the Dapper Dans of Disney World.

Tenor: Gary Lewis
Lead: Joe Connelly
Bass: Kevin Miles
Bari: Tony De Rosa

Platinum first organized in 1998 and soon won the 2000 SPEBSQSA International Quartet Championship in Kansas City.

Lead Joe Connelly became the first THREE TIME Gold Medalist with this win having won in 1987 (Interstate Rivals) and 1992 (Keepsake). He learned from many outstanding quarteters including his dad Mike who sang baritone with theRoaring 20s.

Baritone Tony De Rosa was also a member of the 1992 champs Keepsake making this is second gold medal. Tony would go on to win his third in 2007 with Max Q singing lead. He first appeared on the International Contest stage at the young and talented age of 12 with his dad Joe as chorus director of the Tampa Heralds of Harmony. Tony would later go on to direct them as well.

Tenor Gary Lewis first earned gold with The Real Deal, 1994 Collegiate Quartet Champs. With PLATINUM, he became the first collegiate champion to win an international gold medal. He would go on to win his second international gold medal in 2007 with Max Q, singing baritone. Gary came fromBowling Green State University, home of an outstanding music program and several gold medal champions.

Bass Kevin Miles has been a longtime member of The Dapper Dans of Disney World (4 years), the popular “Americana” 8-part a cappella group, Voices of Liberty (21 years) and is almost as well known as “the voice” of Walt Disney World greeting the public and reminding you to “watch your step”.

Platinum is famous for their “lock and ring” as well as long posts. A good example is adaptation of the songs Be Our Guest and Auld Lang Syne, which are the titles of their two popular CDs.

They were helped by some outstanding arrangers such asEd Waesche, Greg Volk, Walter Latzko and Clay Hine and coaches including Jim Casey, Randy Loos, and Gary Wulf.

They are now officially retired but do accept shows on very rare occasions.

Joe is working on becoming the first to win four times with his new quartet, Old School, having placed 5th at International in 2008 on their first attempt.

Tony and Gary are still actively singing, touring and recording with Max Q.

Kevin, successfully recovering from “carrying” Joe and being the quartet’s chick magnet for all those years, is still active with the Dans and occasionally singing with the VOL. He and his wife are involved in a company that offers singing opportunities for people who desire to perform in a chorus in large and exciting venues (www.singliveusa.com).

Tenor: Fred Carlson
Lead: Fred LaRosa
Bass: Fred Clay
Bari: Fred Hine

FRED is anything but your typical barbershop quartet. In fact, from their distinctive sound and unique sense of humor to the speed in which they have risen to the top of the craft, very little about FRED is normal.

FRED (Jared “Pookie” Carlson, tenor; Rick LaRosa, lead;Clay Hine, bari; Joe Clay, bass) was less than one year old as a quartet when they won the 1991 Dixie District Quartet Championship.

As members of the Marietta, Georgia chapter they gained a huge following in International quartet competition between 1992 and 1999 with their creative and off the wall sense of humor with parodies and poking fun at the audience, judges and themselves.

To the delight of their fans FRED won the barbershop quartet gold medals in 1999. They have gone on to entertain extensively across the United States and around the entire world for a wide variety of corporate and public audiences and have produced several top selling CDs.

Clay has been a popular coach and director taking the Big Chicken Chorus to International competition several times and more recently, and a new chorus, The Atlanta Vocal Project.

As they openly admit, a quartet by any other name would be another quartet.

Tenor: Royce Ferguson
Lead: Mike Spencer
Bass: Bill Myers
Bari: Mike Lawton

The men of Revival represent over 85 years of harmonizing experience.

They earned the title of 1997-98 Far Western District Quartet Champions and were crowned the 1998 BHS Champs at the competition held in Atlanta, Georgia on the 4th of July. This was only their third try with a 15th place and a 9th place finish the two years before.

The quartet represents the Foothills Cities & San Diego, California chapters and consists of Royce Ferguson (tenor),Mike Spencer (lead), Mike Lawton (bari) and Bill Myers(bass).

After winning they performed lots of shows and with notable appearances on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and BBC (London) radio & television affiliates, with the San Diego Symphonyand on stages in over 38 states and 5 countries, including tours of Ireland and Russia.

Bill served the Barbershop Society as a popular field representative and Royce went on to direct the Westminster Chorus to a gold medal in 2007.

Tenor: Dan Trakas
Lead: Mark Blake
Bass: Randy Baughman
Bari: Rod Nixon

Representing the Maumee Valley (Toledo) and Elyria (near Cleveland), Ohio chapters and the Johnny Appleseed DistrictYesteryear is well known as a talented and entertaining show quartet.

The original version of the quartet was formed in February of 1984. Over the years there were three personnel changes (and one part change) leading to the gold medal version of the foursome. Along the way they won the Johnny Appleseed District (1993) contest

Dan Trakas (tenor), Mark Blake (lead), Rod Nixon (bari) andRandy “Beef” Baughman (bass) won gold in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The guys placed 17th in 1992 on their second Int’l contest appearance and jumped up to eighth in 1992. They moved up the ranks starting in 1994 placing 3rd, 2nd, 2nd and then the ultimate quartet goal

Dan is a two-time JAD quartet champion having won with theMatinee Idols in 1976 and Yesteryear.

Mark, a graduate of Bowling Green State University and Ashland Theological Seminary, is a past president of the Maumee Valley Chapter (Toledo, OH). He sang with the popular Varsity Lettermen, a college quartet in the JAD from 1985 to 1988.

Rod has sung in three other JAD champion quartets. He was the lead of the Matinee Idols (1976) and Sound Syndicate (1979), and tenor of Sound Advice (1972). Rod is a past president and director of the Elyria Cascade Chordsmen.

Beef is a former director of the Maumee Valley Seaway Commanders Chorus in Toledo and also sang with Mark in the Varsity Lettermen. A graduate of Bowling Green State University he is well known as a member of a high school 50’s group called Melvin and the Nuclear Turnips. He is currently active in the International contest favorite and popular show quartet, Hot Air Buffoons.

Tenor: Rob Menaker
Lead: John Sasine
Bass: Brett Littlefield
Bari: Jeff Baker

Nightlife, from Southern California, is only the second quartet in barbershop singing history to win gold medals as both international quartet champions and as members of the winning barbershop chorus on the same day! This is truly a fitting achievement for four individuals who have spent most of their lives singing and performing for others.

Rob Menaker (tenor), John Sasine (lead), Jeff Baker (bari) and Brett Littlefield (bass) have more than 80 years of barbershop experience – something that clearly shows itself in their superb interpretation of songs and enjoyable entertainment package.

Nightlife first got together in November 1990, and in the fall of 1991 won the Far Western District Quartet Championship.

In the International competitions which followed, the quartet quickly achieved success as well, winning two bronze medals and a silver. But, in July, 1996, Nightlife reached the pinnacle of success by being declared the new International Quartet Champion.

Tenor: Dale Fetick
Lead: Randy Chisholm
Bass: Jay Hawkins
Bari: Paul Gilman

Marquis won the 1995 International Quartet Championship at Miami Beach representing the gold medal rich Johnny Appleseed District. They credit their win to having the right attitude.

Each member had sung in successful quartets before and brought that experience with them to the group.

Jay Hawkins previously sang with The Coalition (1977 JAD Champs), The Naturals and Interstate Rivals and later won the Society’s “Music Man Quartet” championship with Great Honk.

Paul Gilman sang with Class Notes, Brand New Gang,Ricochet (1992 JAD Champs) and the Interstate Rivals.

Dale Fetick sang with Uncle Sam’s Music Review, The Last National Prank, Bustin’ Loose and Ricochet.

Randy Chisholm sang with The Halton County Roadshow(1980 ONT District Champs), Act IV (JAD Champs) and theNaturals (JAD Champs and 4-time Int’l Medalist).

Marquis won the 1994 Johnny Appleseed District championship and placed fourth in their first International together.

They received help with selecting the right music from arrangers Don Gray, Walter Latzko, Ed Waesche, Rob Hopkins, Bill Mitchell and their primary coaches, Jim Millerand Ken Buckner.

Randy was an iconic, standout lead with a powerful voice and a master of song interpretation. He managed to hold back enough to create the perfect blend in Marquis.

Originally a baritone, Jay adjusted his championship bass voice from his 1987 Interstate Rivals gold medal to blend with his new lead. Paul also had to adjust and adapt from his baritone in IR.

They managed to sing lots of shows and hold many productive rehearsals despite the fact that Randy was living in Ohio, Paul and Dale in Cincinnati and Jay in Louisville.

Marquis was also very active in the music leadership of theCincinnati Southern Gateway Chorus and served the chapter in many ways. Paul went on to direct the chorus and led them to six appearances at Int’l with a 9th place finish in 2005.

The 1995 Marquis win completed the double gold medal effort by all four members of the 1987 Interstate Rivalsadding Jay Hawkins and Paul Gilman (IR Lead Joe Connellywon his second in 1992 – IR Tenor Kipp Buckner won his second in 1994).

Marquis first recording was In The Wee Small Hoursfollowed by Diamond Cuts. Their most popular songs were Lulu’s Back in Town, When That Midnight Choo Choo Leaves For Alabam’, I Found A Million Dollar Baby and Randy’s special treatment of What Kind Of Fool Am I.

Sadly, Randy Chisholm died unexpectedly in August 3, 1997 from complications following a staph infection in Mid-July.

Tenor: Steve Iannacchione
Lead: Mark Green
Bass: Dave Kindinger
Bari: Steve Legters

Marquis won the 1995 International Quartet Championship at Miami Beach representing the gold medal rich Johnny Appleseed District. They creJoker’s Wild was formed in August of 1990 when the original four members met informally at the Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio and harmonized together. The sound and enthusiasm of the evening convinced them to form a quartet to showcase their natural blend.

After winning the Johnny Appleseed District (JAD) Quartet Championship in October of 1990, Joker’s Wild went on to represent JAD at the 1991 International contest in Louisville, Kentucky. In their first appearance on the international stage, Joker’s Wild placed 10th. The next year they moved up to 5th place Bronze Medalists. In Calgary Alberta, Canada they became the 1993 2nd place silver medalists.

And finally, in July 1994 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, they reached the ultimate goal of most barbershop quartet singers by becoming the 1994 International Champions.

Since winning the International Championship, Steve Iannacchione (tenor), Mark Green (lead), Steve Legters(bari) and Dave Kindinger (bass) have been featured on shows and concerts throughout the world. They have entertained audiences in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. The quartet has also performed on national television, including Good Morning America, and radio spots across the United States.

Tenor: Kipp Buckner
Lead: Rich Knight
Bass: Jim Henry
Bari: Rob Henry

In the 1930’s The St. Louis Cardinals baseball team was nicknamed “The Gas House Gang” to describe the players’ fiery attitude toward the game and their fun-loving style of play. In 1987 a barbershop quartet from the St. Louis area chose the name to match its own personality. Since that time the energetic singing style and diverse repertoire of Kipp Buckner (tenor), Rich Knight (lead), Rob Henry (bari) and Jim Henry (bass) has proven the appropriateness of the title to people across North America and Europe.

After winning the 1988 Central States District Competition in their first attempt, they began a steady climb up the International Competition ladder which culminated in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where they were awarded the 1993 International Quartet Championship.

The group has performed in 48 states and have sung in such diverse locales as Russia, Hawaii, England, Ireland, Sweden, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, New York City’s Carnegie Hall and The Grand Ole Opry.

They have been seen nationwide on the PBS special, “Voices in Harmony,” and on NBC’s Today Show. They have also been heard worldwide on BBC radio. Performers with whom they have shared the stage include such distinguished musicians as The Four Freshmen, The Swingle Singers, Rockapella, The Persuasions, The Chordettes, The King’s Singers, The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Victor Borge, Porter Wagner, GLAD and the Grammy award winning group Chanticleer. The Gang made its theatrical debut in front of over 70,000 people as the barbershop quartet in ” The Music Man” at The Muny, one of the world’s largest outdoor theaters.

They produced five recordings which are consistently been top sellers and were awarded nominations by the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA), including Best Barbershop Song, Studio Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Christmas Album, and Best Christmas Song.

The GHG retired in 2005 after losing their baritone Rob Henry to cancer in 2003.

Tenor: Roger Ross
Lead: Joe Connelly
Bass: Don Barnick
Bari: Tony DeRosa

Keepsake of Polk County, Orlando and Winter Park, Florida won the gold in 1992 in New Orleans.

Keepsake was a quartet with the ability to reach across the footlights and grabs the hearts of the audience with their music. Their expressive song selection included charts written and arranged by Lou Perry, Renee Craig, Bob Disney, Greg Volk, and Clay Hine. Roses of Picardy was a popular song choice during their winning year and considered as the unofficial song of the contest in the Superdome. They reached the top with the help of top coaches like Larry Ajer, Jim Casey, Dave LaBar, and Paul Gallagher.

They were a popular quartet and booked on many chapter shows across the country as well as travels to Italy and the French Riviera. They produced three fine recordings, The Entertainer, Once Upon A Time, and Without A Song.

Roger Ross started singing barbershop at age 10 in Terre Haute, Indiana. After relocating to Florida in 1972, he sang in his first quartet on baritone with his dad in the quartet Elements of Harmony, then Center of Attraction (1980, with brother, Rusty). This was Roger’s first taste of the International contest stage and subsequently made nine more trips to the Int’l stage singing three different parts and with several quartets who also won the Sunshine District quartet championship: Popular Choice (1982-tenor), Cheerful Noise (1985-lead), and One Shot Deal (1988-lead, w/ Tony De Rosa and Keepsake (1991-tenor). Roger is one of three members to have won FOUR Sunshine District Championships: Sean Milligan (5) and Tony De Rosa (4).

Roger was also director of Orlando’s Orange Blossom Chorus. He later led Winter Park’s Sunshine Jubilee Chorusto a district championship in 1988 and directed the Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony in International competition in Salt Lake City in 2004. He has been a permanent “sub” with the famous Dapper Dans of Disney World since 1978, is former Dean of Sunshine Sizzle HEP school, was SUN District Barbershopper of the Year in 1987, is a SUN HOF inductee and served as President of the Association of International Champions (AIC). He’s working up a new quartet and plans to be on the contest stage again soon.

This was Joe Connelly’s second of three gold medals. At the age of 13, young Joe wasn’t yet awesome but joined theSouthern Gateway Cincinnati chapter and learned at the knee of his dad (Mike – bari of the Roaring 20’s). He won gold in 1987 with Interstate Rivals. “Awesome Joe” moved to Florida and directing the Orlando Orange Blossomchorus to a repeat district championship in 1989. A certified Interpretation judge, Joe also served on the Harmony College Faculty many years.

He has been an active and popular coach of men’s and women’s quartets and choruses. One of his quartets wasShowtime (1993 International Queens of Harmony). Three weeks after winning his gold in New Orleans, Joe married Showtime’s outstanding lead, Debbie. He continues his quest for gold with Old School having placed 5th at International in 2008 on their first attempt.

Don Barnick is the only two-time gold medalist to win on both tenor and bass. In seventh grade he got hooked on barbershop and formed his first foursome, The Tuneagers. At 18 he began directing the SAI Lake Erie Seaway (SAI) and later directed the Lakewood Gold Coast Chorus. In 1973 he moved to Florida and sang in Brush and Lather 4, American Tradition and Phase IV quartets. Don also sang with theOrange Blossom Chorus and the Tin Types quartet (withDick Kneeland at that time, a Dapper Dans’ Lead singer, Bill Wood, and Chuck Pritchett).

Barnick moved to Chicago and joined the Grandma’s Boyswho won gold in 1979. They retired in 1985 and he moved back to Florida and sang baritone with SideKicks placing top ten three times at International. Don is also a three-part sub for the Dapper Dans of Disney World and sings in a fun quartet with his wife Ellen called 3 Flirts and a Skirt.

This win made Tony De Rosa (19) the youngest member to win the gold. Tony grew up in a barbershop family and started at the age of 7 with his dad, Joe, director of theChorus of the Genesee in Rochester, New York. In 1981 they moved to Florida where Papa Joe directed the Pride of the Polk chorus. The family is total barbershop with Mom, a Harmony Inc. Champion (1979) and sister, Chris, singing with Toast of Tampa Sweet Ads. Tony started singing with a quartet at age 10 with Cypress Chord Club, 1984 district champion and 1985 International competitor. He joined Roger in One Shot Deal. He went on to win with Platinum in 2000 and Max Q in 2007.

Tenor: Jim Shisler
Lead: Doug Nichol
Bass: Ben Ayling
Bari: D.J. Hi
The Ritz is a unique quartet in that it is comprised of four vocal music teachers, each from a different school district. Tenor Jim Shisler, lead Doug Nichol, bari D.J. Hiner and bass Ben Ayling.

When the quartet won the Pioneer District Quartet Championship in 1984, The Ritz decided to enter all future BHS competitions. In Louisville, KY, in July of 1991, they became the international champions while representing the Johnny Appleseed District.

During the quartet’s active career The Ritz focused on having great concert performances and producing studio recordings. They produced nine exciting and successful releases.

The quartet regularly performed throughout the United States and Canada and were the featured entertainment aboard Caribbean, Alaskan and Hawaiian cruise ships. Their concert tours took them to Great Britain, Russia, New Zealand and Australia.

In the fall of 1994 they were featured on the nationally broadcasted PBS special, “Keep America Singing” and again in March of 1996 on the “World’s Largest Concert.”

Tenor: Todd Wilson
Lead: Rick Middaugh
Bass: Jeff Oxley
Bari: Jason January

Acoustix formed in January of 1990, and in a very short time realized that the blending of their vocal talents produced a sound that has eluded many performers.

The Texas foursome skyrocketed straight up the competition ladder. In a record-setting six months, Todd Wilson (tenor),Rick Middaugh (lead), Jason January (baritone) and Jeff Oxley (bass), won on their first attempt.

This dynamic foursome has been electrifying audiences around the world for over 20 years. ACOUSTIX has appeared on CNN, NBC’s “Today Show,” TNN’s “The Statler Brothers Show,” and two PBS specials. At the turn of the 21st century, ACOUSTIX performed for a global audience of 175 million viewers on “ABC 2000,” hosted by Peter Jennings.

In 1998, Joel T. Rutherford moved to Texas from Toronto Canada to replace Jeff Oxley.

Their most recent national television appearances included performing the Star Spangled Banner for game five of the 2011 NBA Finals, and game six of the 2006 NBA Finals. ACOUSTIX has shared the stage with many talented acts, including The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, LeAnn Rimes, The Dixie Chicks, The King’s Singers, Mitch Miller, Isaac Stern, Pete Fountain, Victor Borge, The Four Freshmen, The Gatlins, The Canadian Brass, The Dallas Wind Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

ACOUSTIX recently contributed their talents to two new Bill Gaither Homecoming video projects, Amazing Grace, released in August of 2007 and Rock of Ages, released in April of 2008. Some of the other artists involved included Randy Owen, the Oak Ridge Boys, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, the Gaither Vocal Band, the Isaacs and Brenda Lee.

The quartet has made close to 1000 appearances in 47 states of the USA and six provinces of Canada. Bookings outside North America have taken the quartet to Japan, Great Britain, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland. Traveling to well over 300 cities around the globe, from Carnegie Hall in New York, Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto to Muse Arc Hall in Tokyo, ACOUSTIX has performed in some of the greatest concert venues in the world.

ACOUSTIX predominantly a cappella repertoire showcases a wide variety of musical styles including Vocal Jazz, Gospel, Sacred, Doo-Wop, Contemporary Christian, Patriotic, Inspirational music and even a bit of Barbershop Harmony. From a standard like “Bye-Bye Blackbird” to “I Get Around” from the Beach Boys, to a collection of hits from Simon & Garfunkel, to John Philip Sousa’s “Stars & Stripes Forever,” ACOUSTIX sings a broad variety of musical selections that appeal to audiences of all ages.

The quartet has collaborated with some of the greatest vocal arrangers in the business, including Gene Puerling, Dr. Kirby Shaw and Mervyn Warren, to name a few.

ACOUSTIX has produced five CD projects since 1991 and appeared on another 21 audio and video releases. Their latest disc, “O Worship The King” continues their tradition of exploring different musical genres. Two of their releases, “Cool Yule” and “Jazz, Jazz, Jazz,” have garnered a combined three nominations for a CARA (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award) in three different categories. Cuts from their first two discs “Stars & Stripes” and “The New Science of Sound” have been included in American Airlines “in-flight” audio programming.

Todd Wilson, Jason January, Rick Middaugh, and Joel T. Rutherford share a combined 100+ years of stage and studio vocal experience. Their emphasis on ENTERTAINMENT has helped create a loyal group of fans. Some of these folks have been known to fly or drive 1000+ miles to see ACOUSTIX perform “live.” In 2000, the quartet received an A cappella Community Award for Favorite Barbershop Group from the Contemporary A cappella Society of America.

Tenor: Fred Farrell
Lead: David Harrington
Bass: Jamie Meyer
Bari: Doug Harrington

Second Edition, from Louisville Kentucky, won the 1989 International Competition held in Kansas City. They had been singing together since 1986 and one of the youngest quartets to win with the oldest only 25.

Some consider The Second Edition to actually be one of the last versions of The Harrington Brothers (David, Doug, Jamie Meyer and Allen Hatton of the 1978 champions Bluegrass Student Union). When that quartet disbanded, David, Doug and Jamie found tenor Fred Farrell in December of 1986.

Second Edition placed second in their first International competition in Hartford Connecticut in 1987, and repeated as silver medalist in 1988 in San Antonio.

David started singing barbershop at age 11 encouraged by his mother Lois and grandmother Lee.

Doug was the youngest of the Harrington Brothers (w/Mike, Jeff and David) and grew up singing on stage. The brothers were members of the Columbus Ohio Singing Buckeyes and joined when Doug was only 10 years old. In 1984 the Harringtons were the youngest quartet to win a medal at Int’l.

In middle school, Jamie formed his first quartet called the Derby City Four. They sang for a Louisville Thoroughbreds rehearsal and were very well received and encouraged. He joined them in 1982. He also sang with the Men of Accord and Class of ’84 quartets.

Fred began in Iowa with the Happiness Express Chorus of the Denison, IA chapter thanks to his dad, Don (founder and director) and his mother, Katie, Sweet Adeline, arranger and songwriter. There Fred sang in a quartet named The Iowa Supreme Chord. After a move to Chicago and joining the West Town Chapter he joined a pick-up quartet with Ken Jordahl (Four Henchmen), Buzz Haeger (Four Renegades) and Dick Kingdon (Chiefs of Staff). They placed second at the Illinois District fall contest almost winning the championship.

Second Edition traveled extensively appearing on shows in 30 states as well as England, Scandinavia and New Zealand. They were often booked on shows with their Sweet Adeline counterparts, the 1989 Queens, Growing Girls, of Sweden. This spawned some successful relationships professionally and personally. As it turned out the bass of Second Edition (Jamie) married the bass of Growing Girls (Naima) and the baritone of Second Edition (Doug) married to the lead of Growing Girls (Suzanne). Both couples now live in Sweden.

The quartet produced only one LP entitled Second Edition I. It is a ground breaking recording and reflective of the monster talent of these four young men. The quartet didn’t stay together long after winning, and retired in the mid 1990s.

All quartet members are still active in barbershopping. David sang in other quartets like A Few Good Men and continues to arrange music for quartets and choruses.

Fred went on to win a second gold medal with the 2009 Champions Crossroads. This great foursome includes three other past champs, Mike Slamka, lead; Brandon Guyton, bari; and Jim Henry, bass).

Doug coaches various top music groups around the world such as The Real Group and Vocal Six. He is also the director and founder of a new chorus called Zero8 with several talented, young and energetic singers in Stockholm, Sweden. They qualified for a couple of trips to the BHS International Chorus competition. Also now singing with zero8 is a tried and true bass named Jamie Meyer.

Tenor: Tim McShane
Lead: Chuck Sisson
Bass: Don Bagley
Bari: Dick Kingdon

The Chiefs of Staff won the championship on July 4th of 1988 in San Antonio during the Society’s 50th anniversary convention. They were the last recipients of the original International Quartet (Landino) Trophy.

It began during a picnic in the fall of 1983. Don Bagley got the quartet bug again during the Seattle Int’l and approached Chuck Sisson. They found southside Irishman tenor Tim McShane was available and then sang a few tags with lead, soon to be bari, Dick Kingdon in the Illinois District hospitality room at the 1984 St Louis Int’l. The foursome was set.

They decided that the sound was pretty good and stage presence help was needed. They worked with George Gipp (Cincinnati Kids and Chicago Chord of Trade). They also enlisted the help of sound and interpretation coaches Jay Giallombardo and Ken Buckner, and used the top arrangers of the day, David Wright, Greg Lyne, and Buzz Haeger. Musically the foundation was strong.

Non-singing mic time was assigned to Don, a natural storyteller. They worked on sharing the emotions of the song with their audience and succeeded adding to their popularity as a top quartet.

The Chiefs won the 1984 Illinois District Championship and moved up the ladder at the International quartet competition – 12th in 1985, 5th in 1986, 3rd in 1987 and finally FIRST in ’88.

Bass Don Bagley was a member of the Arlington Heights, ILL Arlingtones chapter. He started singing barbershop in 1961 while in the Northeastern District in quartets such as The B-Sharps.

He and his wife, CarolAnn, were a perfect “barbershop couple“. They met in 1966 at the Int’l convention there while Don was stationed in the Army in San Antonio and directing the Chordsman Chorus. She was from Oklahoma and working for the Sweet Adelines International Headquarters in Tulsa.

Don was in two other top quartets, Soundtracks (1971) and Tin Pan Allies (1981) who were both ILL district champs. He won his first medal (5th) with the Soundtracks in 1974.

CarolAnn sang lead with Jubilation in 1985 to win the Sweet Adeline Crown beating him to the championship by three years. They are only the third husband and wife couple to win both organization’s top honor.

Don has also served as president of the Association of Int’l Champs (AIC). He and CarolAnn now live in Florida.

Lead Chuck Sisson joined the Society in 1982 and came to barbershop as a church choir, folk trio, gospel trio singer with musical theatre experience. He starred his senior year of high school as Billy Bigelow in Carousel. Within weeks of joining the Arlingtones he was in a quartet called Four on the Floor. His strong voice and heartfelt presentations as lead were major contributing factor to the big sound of this quartet. Chuck still lives in the Chicago area and has worked in local theatre in recent years. As successful graphic designer, Chuck designed the new quartet trophy (the Hugh Ingram Trophy) that was presented the champs the following year.

Tenor Tim McShane is a native Chicagoan, was president of his HS glee-club and member of the All-City Choir. He formed his first quartet after seeing The Music Man on TV. In 1970 he joined the Southwest Suburban / Oaklawn chapter His first Society quartet, The Melody Four had only been together a year when they auditioned for a production of The Music Man – they got the part. Prior to the Chiefs he sang with Soundfitters Union (1976) and Daily Favorites (1983) and placed in the finals of the ILL district contests.

Bari Dick Kingdon hailed from South Dakota and recalls lots of singing at family gatherings not realizing the harmonizing was based on barbershopping. He started, as most, in high school and church choirs and glee clubs. He joined the Society in 1976 (Lombard) and was an international semi-finalist with Friends in 1980, 1981 and 1982. He sang LEAD with the 1987 International Chorus Champion West Towns and served as their lead section leader although he sang bari with the Chiefs. He’s now singing with a senior quartet, Take Note.

The produced three LPs Tribute, Solid Gold and Memories. They were best know for their renditions of Sam The Accordion Man, Ma, She’s Makin’ Eyes At Me, Brother Can You Spare a Dime, It’s a Great Day For the Irish (from their ground-breaking Leprechaun set at Int’l) Kiss Me One More Time, Lonesome, That’s All and What Kind of Fool Am I?

Tenor: Kipp Buckner
Lead: Joe Connelly
Bass: Jay Hawkins
Bari: Paul Gilman

The original four members of Interstate Rivals – Kipp Buckner, Joe Connelly, Geoff Mucha, and Jay Hawkins – were all second-generation barbershoppers. Paul Gilman, who replaced Geoff as baritone in 1986, had been introduced to barbershopping by his uncle in 1980.

Geoff and Joe, members of Cincinnati’s Southern Gateway Chorus teamed up with Kipp and Jay, members of the Louisville Thoroughbreds, in 1982. In 1983, the foursome finished in the top ten at their first international contest.

They placed sixth in 1984, third in ’85, and moved to second in 1986. That year, Geoff’s postal service promotion forced him to move to another city. The remaining three drafted Paul from Cincinnati, and he had the rare thrill of winning a gold medal in his first international contest in 1987 at Hartford, Conn.

Despite their youth (they were the second youngest quartet ever to win the championship), the original Rivals combined 45 years of barbershop experience. Kipp’s father had sung in an international finalist quartet, Joe’s dad was an international quartet medalist, Geoff’s father had directed choruses to two bronze medals, and Jay’s father had sung for many years in Dayton, Ohio’s chorus.

In a display of individual musicianship, and unprecedented in teh Barbershop Harmony Society, each member of “The Rivals” went on to claim another quartet championship – Joe with Keepsake in 1992, Kipp with Gas House Gang in 1993, and Jay and Paul with Marquis in 1995. A couple of years later Joe laid claim to a third gold medal with Platinum in 2000. Still not satisfied, Joe and his partner in crime, Kipp, garned yet another gold medal with 2011 Champs Old School.

Tenor: Don Kahl
Lead: Calvin Yoder
Bass: Willard Yoder
Bari: Jim Bagby

When the Rural Route 4 won the international quartet championship in 1986, they did not exactly qualify as an overnight sensation.

Organized in 1971 by four residents of Cass County, Missouri, the quartet would not win the gold until 15 years and two personnel changes later. Along the way were dozens of contests, from the chapter to international level, and years of hard work. But there was fun too, as the RR4 gradually built a reputation as on of the most entertaining show quartets around.

Brothers Calvin and Willard Yoder, lead and bass respectively, and the owners of a dairy farm, plus bari Rufus Kenagy, also a farmer, and tenor Everett Roth, a carpenter, were the original members of the group.

They qualified for their first international contest in 1976 in San Francisco, finishing in 21st place. The next eight years were a roller coaster – in the top ten three times, out of the top ten twice and laying out three years when the wives proclaimed, “We’re not spending this vacation at a contest!”

Meanwhile, Rufus had dropped out in 1977 and was replaced by Jim Bagby, an Associated Press newsman from Kansas City who had coached the quartet since 1972. Everett was replaced by Don Kahl, a respiratory therapist in 1983.

Finally in 1985 at the Minneapolis convention, the RR4 earned fifth-place bronze medals. The following year, to their own surprise more than anyone else”s, they jumped to the number one spot.

Shortly thereafter Don moved to Dallas Texas, and son/nephew Wesley Yoder stepped in for several more shows.

Tenor: John Sherburn
Lead: Dan Jordan
Bass: John Miller
Bari: Bob Gray, Jr.

Tenor: Dave Smotzer
Lead: David Wallace
Bass: Jeff Oxley
Bari: Tim Frye

Tenor: Keith Houts
Lead: Brian Beck
Bass: Earl Hagn
Bari: Dennis Malone

Tenor: Curt Hutchison
Lead: Larry Wilson
Bass: Terry Heltne
Bari: George Davidson

Tenor: Ray Henders
Lead: Butch Koth
Bass: Tom Felgen
Bari: Greg Wright

Chicago News, when they won the international championship in 1981, seemed to have come almost “out of the blue.”

True, they had placed second in 1980 and 8th in their first competition the year before, but compared to foursomes that struggled a dozen years to reach the gold, the “News” was a rash newcomer.

In fact, however, the 1981 victory gave tenor Ray Henders, lead Butch Koth, bari Greg Wright and bass Tom Felgen a total of 19 international medals – 7 bronze, 7 silver, and 5 gold – won in four different quartets. For Tom, bass of the 1965 champion Four Renegades, this would be his second gold.

Tom and Greg had been singing in quartets since they were about 10 years old, while Butch was a singer in high school. Ray, however, had been quartetting for “only” about 25 years.

Among the four of them they had performed with dozens of quartets. Ray’s quartets included the Midnight Oilers, one of the first groups to perform overseas for U.S. servicemen. Ray also sang with Soundtracks, bronze medalists in 1974. Greg and his brother Larry (then lead of 139th Street Quartet) sang together in the popular Sundowners, twice silver medalists, and later with a professional pop-singing group. Butch was lead of the Landmarks, Illinois District champs and international competitors.

With these experienced backgrounds, the Chicago News became an “overnight sensation” in 1981>.