HOT Active Members

HEART OF TEXAS CHORUS ACTIVE MEMBERS

TENOR

LEAD

BARITONE

BASS

Don Fegley
Not posted yet.

Manny Lopez

Asst Director

Justin Oxley
Not posted yet.

John Russel
Not posted yet.

Tommie Young

Tommie, a society member since 1974, was first introduced to the barbershop style when he attended an ‘Auditions For Admission’ event held by the San Antonio Chapter (Chordsmen) in May of 1974. During his audition before the music committee with a quartet made up of section leaders, Tommie was approached by lead singer Rick Sonntag to sing tenor in a competition quartet. Four months later, the Sound Association placed second behind the Gulf Coasters in Galveston at the division contest, and then in late October that same year became the Southwestern District Quartet Champions.

Tom Burson
Not posted yet.

IPP

Rich Evans

Rich comes to H.O.T. with over 30 years of barbershop experience. He lives in San Antonio with his wife Edna who is an insurance executive for a national company. They have three married children and six grand children. Rich is a retired Director of Marketing and graphics expert. He started his career with the Minneapolis Commodores and captured two medals in International competition. He also competed at international with the Lone Star Sound quartet with Mo Rector singing bass. Rich sang lead with the SW District 2005 Senior Champs -ARCADE. He recently reformed Lone Star Sound with three of the most recent original singers. He joined the San Antonio Chordsmen in 1989 and served as their president. He was awarded the Barbershopper of the Year award. Due to health reasons Rich has taken an active HOT leave of absence and keeps his quartet pipes oiled with the New Braunfels chapter.

Rich Ferguson

COLLEGES: San Diego State University, 1969, with AFROTC 2Lt Commission; Masters of Science, USC, 1979; National Defense University, 1992.
HISTORY: Graduated from Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, and married Kathy (Volz), also a graduate from San Diego State University, 1970. Our children are Laureen, William and James. “Laurie” is teaching elementary school in San Antonio, TX, married to Kurt Owen and has two children of her own, Kory and Judy. “Bill” is in Bakersfield, CA, recently married to Becca, both graduates of University of California. “Jim” is a Police Officer for SAPD. I retired as a Colonel, Air Force Evaluator/Instructor Pilot and organizational commander after 32 years, conducting aerospace operations from positions at squadron through major command levels. I then worked and subsequently retired again as Investment Representative, Edward Jones Investments (Financial Advisor). We currently enjoy living at Canyon Lake on 16 acres, working part-time, when I want, as Edward Jones Branch Assistant and as a part-time tax preparer. I also provide volunteer services to CAP and CAF as a pilot in my antique airplanes. My Mom, Janette, was a piano teacher since her college days, sang in Sweet Adelines, and so Royce, youngest brother, and I have been singing all our lives, in school/church choirs, and then Barbershop Harmony Society, since 1982. I Started with "Big V Showboat Chorus" in Vacaville, CA, then dual membership with Ambassadors of Harmony while stationed near St Louis, MO, and Bellnotes, in Bellville IL. Moved to San Antonio the 2nd time and joined Chordsmen in 2001. Kathy plays piano and enjoys the family music tradition, retired from managing numerous commercial properties in the San Antonio area.

Bill Hogan
Bill’s been singing barbershop for 26 years, and has sung with six different quartets. He competed at the International contest in Louisville with the “Westwinds.” He is retired. His wife, Marykaye, teaches voice and is a former sound coach and judge for Sweet Adelines. The Hogans live in Blanco and have a daughter, Erin, who lives in Chattanooga, TN, with their granddaughter, Piper McKensie.

Bill’s been singing barbershop for 26 years, and has sung with six different quartets. He competed at the International contest in Louisville with the “Westwinds.” He is retired. His wife, Marykaye, teaches voice and is a former sound coach and judge for Sweet Adelines. The Hogans live in Blanco and have a daughter, Erin, who lives in Chattanooga, TN, with their granddaughter, Piper McKensie.

President

Lewis Law

Music has always been a major part of my life. As a youth growing up in South Austin, my mother and father encouraged everyone in my family to be part of the church music program. This encouragement led me to sing Tenor in High School choir. My love for Southern Gospel Quartet music led me to sing in a quartet in 1963 while stationed in the Air Force in Shreveport Lo. My music was placed on hold for almost 15 years while serving various assignments overseas. My son, currently the Sunshine District Secretary and Director of the Melbourne Fl. chorus, introduced me to Barbershop Harmony in 1983 through his school drama teacher. The first barbershop quartet I heard was totally awesome. I had never heard a cappella music in such close harmony. That quartet was “The Great Western Timber Company”. Our very own HOT chorus director, Ron Black was the Bass in that quartet… :} After the show; I asked the chorus director, “How do you make that sound with just 4 voices?” I was invited to attend a Tuesday evening session to be introduced to making that awesome sound. I’ve been hooked on Barbershop ever since… :} I have held several chapter officer positions including directing both men’s and women’s barbershop choruses in California. Now that I’ve been a member of the society for 22 years; I’m still working on reaching that same awesome sound. Singing in the Heart of Texas Chorus is a dream come true… :}

Tom Malone

Tom and his wife, Danna, are big Spurs fans and season ticket holders. Tom’s mother-in-law loves the Thursday night home games because Tom usually (depending on the opponent) goes to chorus rehearsal and lets her go to the game. The Malones are both Registered Dietitians and hold leadership positions in the Texas and American Dietetic Associations. Tom is Vice-President for Chorus Operations this year.

BMAL

Shawn O'Brien

Shawn has been singing Barbershop for 8 years at the time this is being written. He was introduced to Barbershop harmony by a good friend by the name of Tommie Young who played “Joshua” by the Vocal Majority. He decided right then and there, he wanted to sing that type of music. His first chapter was the San Antonio Chordsmen. He sang with them for about three years and then he changed chapters and started singing with the Heart Of Texas (HOT) Chorus. He has been singing with HOT for about 5 years now. He actually got his start singing in elementary school when he was learning how to play guitar. His first serious singing was with groups in Jr. High and High School. He sang in several smaller performance groups and large choirs as a bass/baritone. Since he started singing Barbershop, he has been singing lead with HOT and baritone with a quartet called “The Flight of Four”. This quartet performs on military installations for promotions and retirements. He retired from the Air Force after 22 years and now works as a civilian for the Department of the Air Force as Wing Test Manager, which performs software testing for several Air Force computer systems. Shawn lives in Boerne with his wife, daughter, and seven dogs and does not want any more! Shawn has been singing Barbershop for 8 years at the time this is being written. He was introduced to Barbershop harmony by a good friend by the name of Tommie Young who played “Joshua” by the Vocal Majority. He decided right then and there, he wanted to sing that type of music. His first chapter was the San Antonio Chordsmen. He sang with them for about three years and then he changed chapters and started singing with the Heart Of Texas (HOT) Chorus. He has been singing with HOT for about 5 years now. He actually got his start singing in elementary school when he was learning how to play guitar. His first serious singing was with groups in Jr. High and High School. He sang in several smaller performance groups and large choirs as a bass/baritone. Since he started singing Barbershop, he has been singing lead with HOT and baritone with a quartet called “The Flight of Four”. This quartet performs on military installations for promotions and retirements. He retired from the Air Force after 22 years and now works as a civilian for the Department of the Air Force as Wing Test Manager, which performs software testing for several Air Force computer systems. Shawn lives in Boerne with his wife, daughter, and seven dogs and does not want any more!

Todd Reavis

Lead Section Leader

Clayton Scott
Not posted yet.

Rick Sonntag
Not posted yet.

John Towry
Not posted yet.

BMAL

Earl Truax

Earl has been a Barbershop Harmony Society member for 43 years. He is a retired newspaper promotion executive who also spent five years in the front office of the Miami Dolphins Professional Football Team and owns two Super Bowl Rings. Shortly after joining the society, Earl won a second place International Chorus Medal in 1964 and a Gold Championship Chorus Medal in 1965 singing with the Miamians. He moved to San Antonio in 1973, and has sung with the Chordsmen for 31 years. He was president of the Chordsmen in 1976 and 1977. Earl and his wife, Bonnie, reside in San Antonio where she is president and founder of the San Antonio Low Vision Club and Owl Radio Reading Service. Earl helps Bonnie administer the 700-plus member organization whose goal is to provide assistance, encouragement and support to persons visually impaired.

Andy Weaver
Andy, the dead weight usually found somewhere on the back row, is a transplanted Midwesterner, who followed a job to Austin from Milwaukee in 1986. He's glad to be rid of snow, mosquitoes and the need of a thermometer with negative numbers on it, but not too keen on needing one with three digits.

Andy, the dead weight usually found somewhere on the back row, is a transplanted Midwesterner, who followed a job to Austin from Milwaukee in 1986. He's glad to be rid of snow, mosquitoes and the need of a thermometer with negative numbers on it, but not too keen on needing one with three digits.

Mike Wood

Nathan Barry

OPSVP

Stephen Bean
Not posted yet.

Joel Bourgeois

A barbershopper since 1976, Joel joined the Heart Of Texas Chorus when he moved to Austin in 1995. Joel has sung in the following quartets: the Basin Street Quartet, High Cotton, Bait and Switch, Tuxedo Junction, Renaissance, and Vanguard. He's won two District championships, gone to International a dozen times with his quartets, and has served the Heart Of Texas Chorus as baritone section leader. Joel works at the Texas Education Agency, and he loves his gorgeous wife, Patty, who aspires to be a mom and a quartet bass someday.

Hank Hammer

A Society member since 1978, Hank is a certified judge in the Singing category and the current Singing Category Specialist. He is a past President of both the Aloha and Central Texas Corridor chapters and has held a variety of offices not only at the chapter level but also at the district level of administration. In the Far Western District, he was a district vice-president for four years. In the Southwestern District he has served as vice-president for Financial Development and also was the coordinator of the SWD's Standing Ovation Program. The Aloha chapter twice selected him Barbershopper of the Year and he also received their Barbershopper of the Decade award in 1991. The Heart of Texas Chorus selected him Barbershopper of the Year in 2003. Hank is a past member of the Barbershop Harmony Society's Board of Directors and a past chairman of the Society’s Chapter Support and Leadership Training Committee. He currently serves on the Society's Contest and Judging Committee and is a member of the Harmony Foundation Board of Trustees where he also acts as their secretary. Hank has served on the faculty of Harmony College on many occasions. Hank sang baritone in the Heart of Texas Chorus and, from a quarteting perspective, he sang tenor in the 2000 SWD Seniors champion and 2001 4th place International medalist quartet, “Open Wide.” He also competed in the 2003 International Senior's contest singing tenor in Overstreet Connection. He sang baritone in Arcade, the 2004 SWD Senior's champion and competed with the quartet in the 2005 Senior's International contest in Biloxi. Professionally, Dr. H. retired from the private practice in orthodontics in 2000. He is past-president of the Hawaii Dental Association as well as past-president of the Hawaii Society of Orthodontists. He has been awarded fellowships in the three major honorary organizations in dentistry – the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Academy of Dentistry International. Prior to entering private practice in Hawaii, Dr. H. spent eleven years on active duty in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and retired with the rank of Colonel from the Army Reserves in 1983.

Music Team Leader

Greg Hess
Not posted yet.

BMAL

Don Inbody

Don has been singing since his mother took him to the children's choir at church when he was 6 years old. Since then he has been actively involved in music and singing including his own group, BuffaloGrass, a three piece bluegrass-folk band. He has recently retired as a Captain from the Navy following 28 years of service. He presently is teaching political science on the faculty at Texas State University.

Bill Kahlke
Bill started singing with the Texas Boys Choir when he was eight years old. He joined the Barbershopping world in 1980 and the Heart Of Texas Chorus in 1995. Bill is the Rehearsal Coordinator for the Heart Of Texas Chorus. He lives in Austin with his wife Theresa and three kids.

Bill started singing with the Texas Boys Choir when he was eight years old. He joined the Barbershopping world in 1980 and the Heart Of Texas Chorus in 1995. Bill is the Rehearsal Coordinator for the Heart Of Texas Chorus. He lives in Austin with his wife Theresa and three kids.

John Lovitt

John has been involved in barbershopping for over 20 years and has been in two quartets. He sang with the Magnolia, Mardi Gras and Chordsmen choruses before helping to form the Heart of Texas Chorus. He and his partner, Mark Rogers, Ph.D., own Quality Leadership (corporate coaching, training and consulting). They also are majority partners in the E.Q. Foundry, which is transformational training in five areas of emotional intelligence. John is an Adjunct Professor in Business at the University of the Incarnate Word and provides business and personal coaching. He graduated from Coach University and the Corporate Coach University Program. John is certified by the Corporate Coach University to conduct the Coaching Clinic (coaching skills for managers and leaders) worldwide. John is married to Alice Ewing and they have four children and five grandchildren. His other interests include tournament tennis, table tennis, cycling, handball, reading, writing and chess.

Eddie Martinez
Not posted yet.

Bryan Pulver

Bryan is 20 years old and has been singing for eight years, barbershopping for five years. Bryan is one of the newer members of the Heart Of Texas Chorus, but has sung in many high school quartets on every part. Recently, he has joined the 2003, 2004 and 2005 International Semi-Finalist quartet Sterling. His home is in Cedar Park, but he is currently a freshman at Texas State University in San Marcos studying music. Bryan is a big baseball fan, but his favorite hobby is ringing chords with his friends on Thursday nights.

Director

Adam Sales
Not posted yet.

BMAL

Jan Scofield
Not posted yet.

Sam Tweedy

Our Chapter President from 1994 through 1996 and 2000, Sam was our 2000 Barbershopper of the Year. He started barbershopping in 1963, singing tenor with Orlando's "Orange Blossom Chorus" and later with the Sunshine District Champion "Greater Canaveral Chorus." He was serving as the Sunshine District Vice-President in 1968 when IBM moved him to Austin. Here, he hooked up with the "Chord Rangers" and sang with them in the International Chorus Contest in 1968. Switching to baritone in 1970, Sam was in the original "River City Four," a member of the "Quasars," 1975 SWD Quartet Champions and International semi-finalists, and a member of the "Starlight Knights," third place medalists in the 1995 International Seniors Quartet Contest. He's been honored as International Bulletin Editor of the Year, Barbershopper of the Year now in three chapters, has held all chapter offices, including nine terms as president, has been show chairman and contest/convention chairman many times, and was one of the founders of the Heart of Texas Chorus. Sam retired from IBM after more than 30 years and now runs his own special events production business and continues to work for IBM on a part-time basis. In addition to his duties for the Heart Of Texas Chorus, he is currently the Chairman of the Society's International Bulletin Editor of the Year Contest.

MeVP

Robert Baker
Not posted yet.

Ron Black

Ron is an amazing vocal instructor, an accomplished chorus director with two top ten placements in International competition, a two time district quartet champion, a certified judge in the Music category, a former judge in the Singing category, a past Chairman of the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Contest & Judging Committee, a very highly regarded quartet and chorus coach and a long time faculty member of the Society’s Harmony College and Directors College. Ron has a degree in music and has been a barbershopper since 1976. He and his wife, Jo, moved here from California in mid-2003. The Heart Of Texas Chorus is thrilled to have Ron heading up our directing team.

Larry Clemons
Not posted yet.

Show

Ken De Young

John Denayer
Not posted yet.

Show

Ray Elbel

Dr. Ray is from New Braunfels and has been involved in barbershopping for about 15 years. He’s a charter member of H.O.T., but also sings with his local New Braunfels chapter whenever possible. Ray also sings in his church choir. His other interests include food and wine, gardening, and collecting books and old sheet music. In his “spare time,” Ray maintains an active medical practice as a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Tom Ellison
Tom has enjoyed singing barbershop since 1985. He has spent his entire career in retail, currently with United Fashions of Texas. Tom’s wife, Myrna, is an elementary school art teacher. They have two children, Sonja Lange of Fair Oaks Ranch, and Thomas of San Antonio, and they also have seven grandchildren. Tom’s other interests are golfing and boating.

Tom has enjoyed singing barbershop since 1985. He has spent his entire career in retail, currently with United Fashions of Texas. Tom’s wife, Myrna, is an elementary school art teacher. They have two children, Sonja Lange of Fair Oaks Ranch, and Thomas of San Antonio, and they also have seven grandchildren. Tom’s other interests are golfing and boating.

Treasurer

Ben Elmendorf
Not posted yet.

Grant Goulding

Grant has been singing baritone and bass with Heart Of Texas since April 2007. Currently, he serves on the Presentation Team. An avid lover of harmony, Grant is a founding member of the Marcsmen, 2008 International Youth Chorus Grand Champions, and also a member of Texas State University Singers, VocaLibre, Texas State's premier vocal jazz ensemble, the Texas State Men's Chorus and is the bass section leader at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Austin, TX. This spreads him rather thin. In his excessive free time, Grant enjoys movies, has a penchant for reading and writing literature, dancing and culinary activities.

Larry Krause
Kitsap County Vikings, Bremerton, WA, Northwest Sound, Bellvue, WA (International Competitor - Hartford - 1998), Harmony Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA, Pacific Sound, Ventura, CA (International Competitor - Indianapolis - 2006), Heart Of Texas Chorus, San Marcos, Tx (International 10th place - Denver - 2007, Nashville, Tx International 9th place), 1992 FWD Senior Champion Quartet - Jest For Phun?

Kitsap County Vikings, Bremerton, WA, Northwest Sound, Bellvue, WA (International Competitor - Hartford - 1998), Harmony Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA, Pacific Sound, Ventura, CA (International Competitor - Indianapolis - 2006), Heart Of Texas Chorus, San Marcos, Tx (International 10th place - Denver - 2007, Nashville, Tx International 9th place), 1992 FWD Senior Champion Quartet - Jest For Phun?

Ross Larrison
Ross developed his love for barbershop in New Braunfels where he directed The Hill Country Chorus while studying music at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin. Ross and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Horseshoe Bay where they both work in the residential home building industry. Ross is also a member of the 2003, 2004 and 2005 International Semi-Finalist quartet Sterling.

Ross developed his love for barbershop in New Braunfels where he directed The Hill Country Chorus while studying music at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin. Ross and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Horseshoe Bay where they both work in the residential home building industry. Ross is also a member of the 2003, 2004 and 2005 International Semi-Finalist quartet Sterling.

Bass Section Leader

Darin Middleton
Not posted yet.

Terry Pyle

Terry has been singing barbershop for more than 25 years. (He’s finally starting to get the hang of it.) He is the Bass Section Leader and also enjoys being part of the front row choreography team. If he's not singing or at home with his family in Cedar Park, Terry is probably serving his clients as a District Manager and Registered Representative for The American General Financial Group. His wife, Lisa, works as an Account Research Representative for Olympus Servicing. Their daughter, Gina, is graduating from Bowling Green State University in Ohio next weekend, and their son, Craig, is graduating from UT-Austin the very next weekend! Hurray!!!

Paul Reavis
A retired high school choir director, currently a church choir director, joined BHS in 1982, directed the New Braunfels and San Antonio chapters, a certified trainer of CDWI's, a certified director, married to a Sweet Adeline baritone and dad to Todd.

A retired high school choir director, currently a church choir director, joined BHS in 1982, directed the New Braunfels and San Antonio chapters, a certified trainer of CDWI's, a certified director, married to a Sweet Adeline baritone and dad to Todd.

Asst Director

Charley Shepherd

Charley was "born into barbershop" in 1974, when, after 2 years of listening to the Phoenix chorus create goose bumps in most all living creatures within earshot, he was invited to a rehearsal. Three weeks later, he became a "Phoenician." They competed at International in 1975 in Indianapolis, Indiana, where they came in 2nd place to the Vocal Majority's first gold medal, and then won their second gold medal at the 1976 International in San Francisco. After the U.S. Air Force transferred him to San Antonio, he sang with the Chordsmen from 1976 to 1980, when he was transferred back to Phoenix and the Phoenicians. In 1983 he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, and was out of Barbershopping until 1985, when he and his family were moved to Hawaii, where he joined the "Sounds of Aloha Chorus." He sang with them until his transfer back to San Antonio, for retirement, in 1988. His final performance with the Aloha Chorus was on the International convention stage in 1988, on the Wednesday "International" performance. He then rejoined the Chordsmen, where he remained until 1990, when a new job in Austin made it too difficult to attend rehearsals. In 1997, he discovered the Heart Of Texas Chorus Chorus, and in 1998 began singing with our chapter. He’s an at-large Board member, and is handling all the recording for our new CD using his elaborate collection of sound gear. We chose him as one of our two Barbershoppers of the Year last yea

Lew Sitterly

Chorus_Manager

Andy Solari

Secretary

Jack Stevens

Jack's first experience in barbershop was his own quartet, the Brass Buttons, at the Naval Academy in 1967, which was featured on all the Academy Glee Club shows all over the country. Jack's quartet did a spot on the Skitch Henderson Show in NYC with Shari Lewis, where Lambchop was sitting on his shoulder while they sang "Coney Island Baby" on live TV. He formed another quartet, the "Rip Chords," while part of the Training Command Choir during flight training in Pensacola, FL, in 1969 and 1970. He joined the Society in 1976 in San Diego, winning a 3rd place chorus medal in 1977. He sang with the Tri-County, Maryland chapter in 1986 and 1987 and joined the Alexandria Harmonizers in 1988. He competed at International with the Harmonizers, winning gold medals in 1989 and 1995, silver in 1992, and bronze in 1993 and 1994. For his contributions to the Harmonizers, Jack received the Harmonizer Presidential Recognition of Merit award in 1991 and 1992, the Harmonizer Honor Award in 1993, and the 1997 Oz Newgard Memorial Award. Jack joined the Heart of Texas Chorus in January 1998. He is a certified society judge in the Presentation Category, and works with the chorus on the visual aspects of their performance. He was selected as one of our two Barbershoppers of the Year in 2001. He is a retired Navy pilot and lives in Kerrville with his wife Lesle and their two girls, Jackie and Dani.

John White
Not posted yet.

John Worthington

John has been a singer since he was a youngster, minored in music in college, performed in musical comedy, light opera and numerous choruses, choirs and quartets and has been a member of the Society for 22 years. He helps plan chorus performances and contest appearances, has served as a Public Relations and Marketing instructor for the Society's Chapter Officer Training Schools and is a former SWD Board Member. As the Marketing and Communications team leader, he ensures that chorus recordings and other products are distributed for sale at national, regional and local barbershop society events, helps to publicize chorus activities and shows and assists with chorus internal communications activities to help keep the chorus, and its family and friends informed. John has a Bachelor's degree in English and a Masters degree in Public Relations. He completed a career as an Air Force officer in public affairs and broadcast management, and is now Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, for Security Service Federal Credit Union. He and his wife, Jackie, live in San Antonio and have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.

MKTVP

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