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.