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Leo LariveeFred King:
A Barbershop Treasure!
Fred King has moved us with his music for five decades. He has made us laugh, applaud, and cry. He has made us better Barbershoppers. Parents shudder to think of their youngsters having "Mr. King" as a music teacher in school? Those "lucky ones" were taught by someone with a keen sense of humor and a true dedication to music.
In 1970, at the Atlantic City International SPEBSQSA Convention, the Oriole Four sang "Danny Boy" as their final song. When they finished, there was no doubt, that 10,000 Barbershoppers had just witnessed something truly extraordinary. The gold was their's and the rest is history.
One year later, with about 160 of his friends (Chorus of the Chesapeake), Fred won another gold medal, this time, as a chorus director. Fred has served/entertained Barbershoppers for a long, long, time. He is a brilliant Barbershop role model, chorus director, woodshedder, arranger, coach, and a clinician. He is also a "fair" storyteller and comedian.
It was a very special honor having Fred as a "Special Guest" on a recent TLC Tour to Ireland. The three guys he currently sings with (Sage Quartet) represent many golden memories of "the good old days." When you mention the names of Dick Webber, Tom Felgin, and Dave Middelstadt, you remember... Oriole Four, Chorus of the Chesapeake, Four Renegades, Presevation Quartet, Chicago News, Playtonics, Easternaires, and the Dapper Dans of Harmony from Livingston, NJ. Fred King has been my hero for as long as I can remember. By the way, in the video clip above, Fred King is the soloist, backed up by the Dundalk Sweet Adelines Chorus, Directed by... Fred King, of course.
UPDATE:
At the 2004 SPEBSQSA International Competition held in Louisville, KY, Fred King was honored as one of only 20 men in Barbershop History to be enshrined into the Barbershop Hall of Fame.
President of TLC Tours
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