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Difference between revisions of "Mid-States Four"
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m (→Quartet Members: Bob Mack and Bob Rodriguez are the same guy: [http://harmonizer.s3.amazonaws.com/Harmonizer_vol07_no1_aug1947.pdf#page=5 Harmonizer]) |
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== Extended History == | == Extended History == | ||
Four employees at the Bell & Howell Company, lead Marty Mendro, baritone Forrest Haynes, bass Bob Corbett, and tenor George Kledzik, formed a quartet. Bob Rodriguez replaced George as tenor when the other three members left Bell & Howell, and the group changed its name to the Mid-States Four. The president of the Mid States Insurance Company had taken an interest in the quartet and offered to sponsor them, providing uniforms and expenses in return for jobs done for his firm if they would use the corporate name. | |||
Haynes had been a member of a quartet that was one of the last to appear on the Keith road show circuit on stage and radio. | |||
Mendro, a soloist in church choirs during his younger years, was introduced to barbershop harmony at Bell & Howell during World War II. The foursome became 6th place international finalists in 1945 and 1946 and were [[Illinois District]] champions in 1946. | Mendro, a soloist in church choirs during his younger years, was introduced to barbershop harmony at Bell & Howell during World War II. The foursome became 6th place international finalists in 1945 and 1946 and were [[Illinois District]] champions in 1946. | ||
Art Gracey, formerly with the [[Fort Dearborn Four]] of Illinois, joined the quartet replacing Corbett, who was forced to give up singing with the group due to the pressure of business obligations. | Art Gracey, formerly with the [[Fort Dearborn Four]] of Illinois, joined the quartet replacing Corbett, who was forced to give up singing with the group due to the pressure of business obligations. | ||
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Tenor Bob Mack died in the spring of 1988. The quartet made a cameo appearance on the golden anniversary Association of International Champions show with Don Barnick of the 1979 Champion [[Grandma's Boys]] and 1992 Champion [[Keepsake]] filling in as tenor. | Tenor Bob Mack died in the spring of 1988. The quartet made a cameo appearance on the golden anniversary Association of International Champions show with Don Barnick of the 1979 Champion [[Grandma's Boys]] and 1992 Champion [[Keepsake]] filling in as tenor. | ||
== Individual Histories == | == Individual Histories == | ||
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*[http://www.aicgold.com/History-ChampDetails.asp?WinningYear=1949 AIC page] | *[http://www.aicgold.com/History-ChampDetails.asp?WinningYear=1949 AIC page] | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid_States_Four Mid-States Four at Wikipedia.org] | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid_States_Four Mid-States Four at Wikipedia.org] | ||
*[http://www.barbershop.org/wp-content/files/Preservation%20April%202012%20FINAL.pdf#page=13 Mid-States Four Hall of Fame plaques] | |||
*[http://harmonizer.s3.amazonaws.com/Harmonizer_vol48_no6_nov1988.pdf#page=39 Champion quartet histories in Harmonizer] | |||
{{BHSquartetchamps}} | {{BHSquartetchamps}} | ||