What's Up America with Mike Kara - ABQ Barbershop Quartet - Finished Program

·38 min·3 clips

ABQ Barbershop Quartet opens with a song about what makes up a barbershop quartet, blending humor and harmony.

The episode begins with ABQ singing an introductory song about barbershop quartets, setting a lively tone. Host Mike Kara welcomes the quartet and asks about their name, revealing that ABQ stands for both Albuquerque and A Barbershop Quartet. Hal Ratcliffe explains the group's history, noting they've been together for five to eight years with some member changes. The quartet discusses being a senior quartet and their Rocky Mountain District championship win around 2017 or 2018. They perform 'The Greatest Songs of All,' a medley of classic tunes, and talk about singing for events like 90th birthday parties and Valentine's Day. The conversation shifts to the emotional impact of their music, with stories of bringing tears to audiences. Members share their long-term involvement in the Barbershop Harmony Society, with one having 45 years of membership. They describe the pandemic's effect, including a year-long hiatus due to Zoom's latency issues, and their recent return to singing after vaccination. The quartet performs 'Kentucky Babe,' cited as the quintessential barbershop ballad. Technical aspects of barbershop harmony are explained, such as the lead's role and competition rules. They perform 'In the Good Old Summertime,' featuring a bass post. Discussion includes their involvement in local choruses like New MexiChords and Duke City Sound, and the Albuquerque Barbershop Community Collaborative's Youth Harmony Camp. The episode touches on competitions, with the quartet expressing mixed feelings about future participation. They mention joint performances with female barbershop groups and perform 'Lida Rose' from The Music Man. The episode concludes with contact information and a final song, 'Goodbye My Coney Island Baby.'

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