Crossroads (quartet)
Encyclopedia
Crossroads is the barbershop quartet that won the International Quartet Championship for 2009 at the Barbershop Harmony Society
's annual international convention, in Anaheim, California
. Bass singer Jim Henry also directed the Ambassadors of Harmony
chorus to their international championship at the same event with the highest chorus score ever obtained.
All four members had previously won the gold in other quartets. Henry had his first win with the 1993 champion Gas House Gang
, while baritone Brandon Guyton previously sang in the 2002 champion quartet Four Voices
. The lead part is sung by Mike Slamka, formerly of 2003 champion Power Play
while tenor Fred Farrell won previously singing with 1989 champion Second Edition
.
This quartet should not be confused with the unrelated gospel
quartet of the same name, founded in 1960 in Russell Springs
, Kentucky
, which includes Vernie McGaha
, a Republican
member of the Kentucky State Senate, as its lead singer and pianist
.
Barbershop Harmony Society
The Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
's annual international convention, in Anaheim, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Bass singer Jim Henry also directed the Ambassadors of Harmony
Ambassadors of Harmony
The Ambassadors of Harmony is a 160+ member men's barbershop chorus, based in St. Charles, Missouri. The chorus won International Championship gold medals in 2004 and 2009, each time singing two arrangements by David Wright, under the direction of Jim Henry...
chorus to their international championship at the same event with the highest chorus score ever obtained.
All four members had previously won the gold in other quartets. Henry had his first win with the 1993 champion Gas House Gang
Gas House Gang (quartet)
Gas House Gang was a barbershop quartet that won the 1993 SPEBSQSA international competition. They started singing as a group in 1987.The quartet won the International Quartet Championship of the Barbershop Harmony Society in 1993...
, while baritone Brandon Guyton previously sang in the 2002 champion quartet Four Voices
Four Voices
Four Voices is a barbershop quartet based in Tennessee. After winning the SPEBSQSA Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Championship in 1996, Four Voices went on to become international champions in 2002....
. The lead part is sung by Mike Slamka, formerly of 2003 champion Power Play
Power Play (quartet)
Power Play is a barbershop quartet based in Michigan. They were the 2003 Barbershop Harmony Society International Quartet Champion. Each member of the quartet is a member of the Slamka family. Power Play was formed in 1988, and won the Pioneer District quartet championship in the fall of 1989...
while tenor Fred Farrell won previously singing with 1989 champion Second Edition
Second Edition (quartet)
Second Edition is the Barbershop quartet that won the 1989 SPEBSQSA international competition.The Second Edition quartet was ironically a second version of The Harrington Brothers. They later split, with David and Doug joining with bass Jamie Meyer and tenor Fred Farrell. They often performed with...
.
This quartet should not be confused with the unrelated gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
quartet of the same name, founded in 1960 in Russell Springs
Russell Springs, Kentucky
Russell Springs is the largest city in Russell County, Kentucky, United States. Also is the Gateway to Lake Cumberland one of the largest man made lakes in the region, created by Wolf Creek Dam. The area has thrived since the 1850s as a health resort because of its location near a chalybeate spring...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, which includes Vernie McGaha
Vernie McGaha
Vernie D. McGaha is an American politician and state senator from Kentucky's south central 15th district, which includes the counties of Adair, Casey, Pulaski, and Russell.-Biography:...
, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Kentucky State Senate, as its lead singer and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.