Yesteryear
Yesteryear is the Barbershop Harmony Society's 1997 International Quartet Champion.
Quartet Members
- Tenor - Dan Trakas
- Lead - Mark Blake
- Baritone - Rod Nixon
- Bass - Randy "Beef" Baughman
Contest Placement
International
| 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38th | 17th | 8th | 3rd | 2nd | 2nd | 1st |
District (JAD)
- 1993 - 1st
Recordings
| Let The Rest Of The World Go Buy! | Champions (Worth The Weight) |
|---|---|
| Daisy Bell | Lida Rose |
| Shine On Harvest Moon | I Love You Truly |
| Let The Rest Of The World Go By | The Band Played On |
| I'll Have Vanilla | That Old Feeling |
| Mighty Lak' A Rose | Down By The Old Millstream |
| Indiana | In The Sweet By And By |
| My Wild Irish Rose | Let There Be Peace On Earth |
| Last Night On The Back Porch | Sweet Indiana Home |
| That's What I Call A Pal | Indiana |
| Smile Medley | Son Of The Sea |
| The Pirate King | A Mighty Fortress Is Our God |
| Pirate Medley | A Perfect Day |
| Son Of The Sea | |
| Chewing Gum |
Extended History
Yesteryear
Representing the Maumee Valley (Toledo) and Elyria (near Cleveland), Ohio chapters and the Johnny Appleseed District, Yesteryear 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) and Randy "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 1993. They moved up the ranks starting in 1994 placing 3rd, 2nd, 2nd and then the ultimate quartet goal.
Dan Trakas is a two-time JAD quartet champion having won with the Matinee Idols in 1976 and Yesteryear.
Mark Blake is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and Ashland Theological Seminary. He sang tenor in the BGSU Men's Chorus ("America's Finest Singing Machine!") under the direction of R.D. Mathey. Blake has served in many Chapter and District positions including Chapter President (Maumee Valley Chapter [Toledo, OH] and Northwest Ohio Chapter [Bowling Green, OH]), Music/Chorus Director (The Fun Center Chordsmen [Mansfield, OH] and The Seaway Commanders [Toledo, OH]), and District President (Johnny Appleseed District). Blake was awarded the JAD Barbershopper of the Year Award in 2006. He started his competitive quartet singing with the popular Varsity Lettermen, a college quartet in the JAD from 1985 to 1988.
Rod Nixon 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). Nixon is a past president and director of the Elyria Cascade Chordsmen.
Beef Baughman is a former director of the Maumee Valley Seaway Commanders Chorus in Toledo and also sang with Blake 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.
Yesteryear was inducted into the JAD Hall of Fame in 1998.
Mark Blake retired from the quartet in the Fall of 1998 to become a full time pastor. Tim Brooks (State Line Grocery) took over the leading, traveling with Yesteryear all over North America as well as Australia and New Zealand.
The quartet retired in 2000 with a brief revival (with gold medal lead Mark Blake) a few laters. The quartet retired in 2007.
Rod Nixon passed away in July of 2021.
External Links
- Official website
- AIC page
- Wikipedia: entry
- Barbershop Music Database: Contest scoring history