'Just Plain Barbershop' on stage Saturday

The Prairie Statesmen barbershop chorus rehearse for the upcoming show Saturday. Its members include, front row, from left, Phil Erikson, Arlan Wine, Larry Porter, Jack Reichenbach, Rod Berryman and Bill Graves. Second row, Rod Harshbarger, John Miller, Bob Thomas, Chuck Druse, Mike Langley, Ron Scheimo, Don Blank, Lyle Moskal and Paul Kitt. Back row, Dennis Hoyt, Bob Ross, Ron Johnson, Merlin Brown, Logan Hoyt, Rod Bryan, Darrin Gladin. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

If there's one defining characteristic of barbershop singers -- besides the clear, synchronized voices -- it's this: they sure have fun doing it.

That much was evident Tuesday night at the city auditorium, as members of the Prairie Statesmen barbershop chorus whistled snippets of songs and kept the wisecracks coming as they rehearsed their numbers for the upcoming show Saturday.

"You can't be unhappy while you're singing," explained Prairie Statesmen Bill Graves.

It's something they've been doing for a long time. For almost 40 years, the Prairie Statesmen of McCook have been getting together once a week to sing, with some of its 25-or so members driving in from other communities.

And each year, the group brings in the top barbershop quartets in the county for a special show, this year featuring the championship-winning quartet Crossroads and the Sweet Adeline ladies' quartet, Wine.

Graves touted Crossroads as one of the best barbershop groups in years, the quartet boasting four world championship vocalists with phenomenal skills. The group entertains audiences with a wide variety of musical styles in addition to barbershop, such as vocal jazz, blues, Gospel, standards and pop classics.

"If people want to hear the best a capella singing around, they'll hear it this weekend," he said. "For us to get them in McCook is unbelievable."

The second quartet to sing this weekend, Wine, features Julie Winas, the daughter of Prairie Statesmen Merlin Brown. The all-female barbershop is another award winning group, with members coming from Utah, Lincoln, Omaha and Iowa.

Also singing a few numbers will be the Prairie Statesmen themselves, with such classics like "Alexander's Rag Time Band" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

The "Just Plain Barbershop" show is slated for Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door, Hershberger's Music Store, Farrell's Pharmacy and from any Prairie Statesmen.

Although barbershop quartets may seem old-fashioned in today's world, the Prairie Statesmen hope the distinctive style is not lost. With only one teen in the chorus, the Prairie Statesmen are counting on the next generation to keep barbershop in the community.

"I'm still at it, and I'm 71," said member Rod Berryman, "but we need to draw in some younger members."

Regardless of age, those who love singing will fit right in. Added Graves, "Once you've experienced four-part harmony, it's contagious."