John first started singing Barbershop as a 12-year-old bass in the junior high school octet, The Chordsmen. Since his high school music program did not have a Barbershop quartet, he and three friends formed their own quartet and were taught by one of the member's father (who was truly a Barbershop nut!) In college, John sang baritone with the California Lutheran University Kingsmen Quartet, AKA, The Conejo Canaries with three other music majors. John loves to wear his real straw hat or skimmer that he has owned for over 40 years! His pitch pipe is just as old, but seems to be dying from overuse!