Classic Collection

The story of the 1982 Int’l Quartet Champion Classic Collection is pretty unique in many respects. It all began in Hastings Nebraska in 1968. Original baritone, and long-time barbershop enthusiast, "Papa Joe" Heltne, and his son Terry invited two aspiring singers, one a natural tenor and the other an operatic vocal major from the Hastings College choir, to join them for an evening of singing. Before it was over, Larry Wilson a lead, and Curt Hutchison, a tenor, agreed that this foursome, originally called “Three Lads and a Dad,” should stay together. They worked hard and rose in the ranks of the Central States District. After a short hiatus due to Larry’s four year stint in the Navy, they changed their name to “Classic Collection” , and eventually found themselves the winners of the 1975 Central States District Quartet Championship.

In 1977 Classic Collection won another district contest and became the first quartet champion of the newly created Rocky Mountain District. By achieving the fledgling district’s highest honor at its very first convention, they became the ONLY Society quartet ever to have captured the championship in TWO different districts. Harkening back to their early quartet days, this hardworking, conscientious quartet strived each year to hone their skills, and dramatically improve their scores. After 6 years on the International contest stage, (rising through the ranks that started at 32nd place in 1976) they had stuck with it long enough and worked hard enough to realize their dream. In 1982 they achieved the coveted gold medal and lifetime honor of International Quartet Champion.

Group members: Curt Hutchison (Tenor), Larry Wilson (Lead), Terry Heltne (Bass), George Davidson (Bari)

Discography

Masterworks Series

I've Seen My Baby (and It Won't Be Long Now) When You Look in the Heart of a Rose Lil From Daffodil Hill It's the Same Old Shillelagh In the Land Where the Shamrocks Grow Little Silver lady Put Me to Sleep with an Old Fashioned Melody Nobody Knows What a Red Head Mama Can Do Sweetheart of Sigma Chi Oh, You Beautiful Doll All the World Will Be Jealous of Me Can't You Hear Me Callin' Caroline Paper Doll Seems like Old Times Baby Won't You Please Come Home I Don't Believe In 'If' Anymore The Last Waltz Portrait of my Love Medley Moonlight Becomes You With Plenty of Money and You Miss You If You Were the Only Girl in the World If I Could Be with You My Blue Heaven Makin' Whoopee Finian's Rainbow Medley Jezebel

Tenor Curt Hutchison, Lead Larry Wilson, Baritone George Davidson and booming Bass Terry Heltne won the SPEBSQSA Central States District Championship in 1975. Moving to Denver in 1977, they won that District as well. And in 1982 they won the International Quartet Championship by the largest winning margin (296 points) up to that point. These same four men have been singing together for 31 years, and Masterworks series brings us a 27-tune "best-of" recording of one of Barbershop's all time greatest groups. Classic Collection specialized in nostalgic, romantic heart-tuggers, and from "I've Seen My Baby," "When You Look In the Heart of a Rose," "In the Land Where Shamrocks Grow" and "Little Silver Lady" to "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," "Paper Doll," "Moonlight Becomes You," "My Blue Heaven," "Makin' Whoopee," and the final cut "Jezebel," every one of these cuts is sweet, harmonic and true. If you love Classic Barbershop, this wonderful, entertaining collection is for you—enjoy!

Listen to "The Last Waltz" in Real Audio.

Classic Collection

Moonlight Becomes You With Plenty of Money and You Miss You I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas If You Were the Only Girl in the World Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home Too, Toot, Tootsie Sleepy Time Gal Goofus If I Could Be with You My Blue Heaven Remembering Time

What we have here is a classic collection of Barbershop tunes by, well, The Classic Collection, 1982 SPEBSQSA quartet Gold medalists from Denver. These four champions haven't lost a beat since that glorious night in Pittsburgh--this is one of five top-drawer recordings they've produced?the trademark rock-solid bass and baritone parts with the sweet leads soaring above haven't changed. Butter-smooth harmonies and nostalgia are the CC's stock in trade, and nobody does it better! 12 well-chosen songs, from the sweetly romantic "Moonlight Becomes You," "Miss You," "If You Were The Only Girl In The World," "If I Could Be With You," "My Blue Heaven" and "Remembering Time" to the upbeat flapper anthems "Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home," "Toot, Toot, Tootsie," "I'm A Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas" and "With Plenty of Money and You." We also enjoyed the silly "Goofus." Whether they're tugging our heartstrings or tickling our funny bone, the Classic Collection is all about great entertainment!

Signature

West Side Story Medley Waitin' for the Evenin' Train Hard Hearted Hannah I'll Be Seeing You Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long Makin' Whoopee Sweet Georgia Brown Finian's Rainbow Medley Jezebel

The Classic Collection has honed its skills even more since they were named SPEBSQSA Quartet Gold medalists on a hot summer night in Pittsburgh in 1982. The Denver quartet has steadily expanded its repertoire by keeping alive the memories of outstanding past champions, as well as including new arrangements in "Signature," their 5th excellent album. They lend their own distinctive interpretations to such Suntones' (1961) standbys as the "West Side Story" and "Finian's Rainbow" medleys, "Jezebel" and "Sweet Georgia Brown;" the Four Renegades' (1965) "Makin' Whoopee," the Buffalo Bills' (1950) "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long" and "Waitin' For The Evenin' Train." Also included in the 9 songs are some of their own winners, "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Hard Hearted Hannah." Rich harmonies and great material, sung with feeling and personality by four great champions. What could be better?

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