Barbershop show set for Saturday

The Prairie Statesmen are hosting their 35th annual spring barbershop show on Saturday, April 1. (Courtesy photo)

The old codgers are at it again … hosting the 35th annual spring barbershop show of the Prairie Statesmen of McCook.

The show this year will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the McCook City Auditorium.

Every year since 1972, the Prairie Statesmen have been bringing excellent barbershop quartets from all over the United States to McCook to entertain audiences with their harmonizing and humorous antics. This year is no exception. Along with the Prairie Statesmen, there will be two local quartets on stage; and Storm Front (recently placing in the top 10 internationally) and Ignition! (winning top place in the Rocky Mountain District competition) will entertain as well.

The Prairie Statesmen use their spring show to generate funds to support their ongoing efforts to encourage the barbershop form of music here in Southwest Nebraska. This not-for-profit organization not only performs for various nursing homes, retirement villages, special occasions and sporting events; but also tries to sponsor at least one youth centered activity throughout the year.

In 2006, the Prairie Statesmen are working with area schools to fund and sponsor a Youth Music Day in October; whereby area youth (both guys and gals) are invited to attend a clinic specializing in learning about the barbershop style of music and harmonization.

Members of the Prairie Statesmen are from the Nebraska communities of Stratton, Wauneta, Culbertson, McCook, Cambridge and Wilsonville; as well as the Kansas communities of Oberlin and Norton. The Prairie Statesmen remind everyone to sing and have fun!