Happiness Emporium

Every now and then, in Quartet singing, four guys who have been singing in other groups for years find their musical paths crossing - and something special happens. The Happiness Emporium was formed in December, 1972, and right away they sounded like a winner. In their first year and a half they won 4 contests and placed in the Top 10 in International Competition. Then, a year later, in June, 1975, the Happiness Emporium was proclaimed the International Champion of Barbershop Quartet Singing.

The members of the quartet have a combined total of over 100 years of quartet experience. They have sung with 7 District Champion quartets, toured Pacific military hospitals on USO tours, and have sung for Barbershop Chapters all over America, Canada, England and Sweden. They have also sung for countless conventions, variety shows, radio and TV, The Grand Ole Opry, on New York's Broadway and London's Barbican Centre.

The Happiness Emporium officially retired as an active quartet in July of 1993, after 21 years of performing. Each of the quartet members returned to singing in other quartets, attempting to fill the gap left by not actively doing Happiness Emporium shows. However, after "occasionally" doing a show here and there from 1994 through 1996, the H.E. decided to actively "return to the circuit" late in 1996 and began taking shows in early 1997. Their return to an active show performing status was made easier by reverting to the concept of "have pitch pipe, will travel". A repertoire formerly consisting of scores of songs has been pared down to include the most requested all time crowd favorites. To ensure that their repertoire treasures are not forgotten, the quartet has been busy re-releasing previously recorded music onto compact disc. Their great sounds previously available in tapes and records are even greater in stunning digital compact discs. They also have a 61-minute video of 2 completely different shows: one show from Charlotte, North Carolina and the other show performed at the World Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota, then the home of the famous Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion.

Group members: Bob Dowma, Rob Johnson, Jim Foy, Rick Anderson

Golden Gospel

I'm Feeling Fine Step into the Water 'Til the Storm Passes By God Sits On High When God Dips His Love in My Heart How Long Has it Been Still Feelin' Fine The King and I Yes, He Did Where No One Stands Alone I'm Bound for the Kingdom

First formed as a Barbershop quartet in 1972 from members of other groups, the HE sounded great right away, a fact that became clear to all with their 1975 Gold medals as International Quartet Champions. Performing and recording actively for the next 21 years, they retired in 1993, only to return to the circuit in 1996. "Golden" was recorded in the 34th year of the group's existence, and it is dedicated to songwriter Mosie Lister, now in his 80s, who has been writing classic Gospel tunes for over 50 years. 7 of the 11 songs are Mosie's, and not coincidentally, favorites: "'Til the Storm Passes By," "I'm Feeling Fine," "Where No One Stands Alone," "The King and I," "How Long Has It Been," "Still Feelin' Fine" and "I'm Bound for the Kingdom." Other favorites are the foot-tapper, "God Sits On High" and "Step Into the Water." All songs are fairly heavily accompanied, but the highlight of all of them is the rich, heartfelt harmonies of this legendary group. When that joyous Gospel stuff just keeps on flowing, why retire?

Beneath the Cross II

Gonna Build A Mountain In This Very Room Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown Here I Am Lord The First Baseball Game Shall We Gather At The River Savior Again To Thy Dear Name We Raise He's Gonna See You Through Let Us Break Bread Together An Old Convention Song Into His Likeness This Train/Saints Medley

Legends in the Barbershop community, "Beneath The Cross II" was produced in the 32nd year of HEºs singing together as a quartet. Enjoying each otherºs company and the "Joy of singing songs of our Lord" has kept Bob, Rod, Rick and Jim blessed with good health. Similar to the singers, these 12 songs are rich in harmony, deep spirituality and just plain good feeling! Some favorites: "Gonna Build A Mountain," "Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown," "The First Baseball Game," "Shall We Gather At The River," "He's Gonna See You Through," the rousing "An Old Convention Song," and the final cut, "This Train/Saints Medley." Beautifully sung, inspiring stuff from one of Barbershop's Best!

Listen to "Shall We Gather At The River" in RealAudio.

5622 CD $14.98

That's Entertainment / Control Yourself

Astaire Medley: I'm Putin' On My Top Hat, When There's A Shine On Your Shoes, I Wont' Dance, Steppin' Out With My Baby, Easter Parade Jolson Medley: Mammy, Rock-A-Bye Your Baby, Swanee Durante Medley: Start Off Each Day With A Song, Ink-A-Dink-A Doo, I Can Do Without Broadway Cohan Medley: Give My Regards To Broadway, Yankee Doodle Dandy, You're A Grand Old Flag That's Entertainment I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing Lerner & Loewe Medley: On The Street Where You Live, Gigi, I've Grown Accustomed Ot Her Face Godfrey Medley: Trail Of The Lonesome Pine, Slow Poke Alice Blue Gown Thank You World Ain't She Sweet When I'm Sixty Four I'm Looking Over A Four-Leaf Clover Brothers Walkin' My Baby Back Home Minnesnowta Control Yourself Dream A Little Dream Of Me It's A Good Day Sleeping Child Firefly Harmonizin' Medley: Harmonizin', Sweet Lorraine, When My Sugar Walks Down The Street, I'm Just Breezin' Along With The Breeze, Button Up Your Overcoat

The H.E. were International Champions in 1975. This double CD, comprising "That's Entertainment" and "Control Yourself," contains a smorgasbord of the best Broadway and show tunes, with some traditional barbershop as well. Many of the cuts on "That's Entertainment" are in fact medleys, organized around the original performer that popularized the songs, e.g. Astaire, Jolson and Durante, with a preface by the group themselves discussing the relative merits of each. In general, good-natured banter prevails, and the asides allow the listener to feel as if they were enjoying a live show! Of course, a Championship Group also possesses impeccable technique and originality, displayed through the uniqueness of their arrangements. The Happiness Emporium has much to smile about on that score, and so will you after you hear them!

5539 CD $14.98

Right From The Start / Rise And Shine

My Lady Loves to Dance Back in 1910 Sleeping Child What I Ask For My Little Boy Rock-A-Bye Baby Days From the First Hello to the Last Goodbye Run, Run, Run Bring Back Those Good Old Days Linda Rose and Will I Ever Tell You? Have a Happy Day God Bless America On a Wonderul Day like Today Heart of my Heart All The Things You Are If I Were A Rich Man And I Love You So When I Lost You It's A Good Day On the Way to Home Sweet Home It's Good to Know I'm Welcome In My Old Hometown Rubber Duckie Medley: We've Only Just Begun, Dear Hearts and Gentle People, Top Of the World We'll Be Seeing You

Bob Dowma, Rod Johnson, Bob Spong and Jim Foy got together in 1972, and 2 1/2 years later they were Barbershop Champions. Since then theyºve been dealing in happiness, singing with it and creating it in their audiences. This is a compilation of 2 cds (with a groovy flashing cover), "Right from the Start" and "Rise ºN Shine," and thereºs a lot of happy nostalgia here. "Bring Back Those Good Old Days" sums it up, but theyºre all good: "What I Ask For My Little Boy," "Back In 1910," "If I Were A Rich Man," "Itºs A Good Day." 23 feel-good songs in allÇa great deal from four merchants of happiness!

5468 CD $14.98

That's Life

Child Set School Days Set Camping Set Why Do They All Take The Night Boat To Albany Marriage Set You Made Me Love You Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast When I Grow Too Old To Dream This Old House That's Life Broadway Intro Showboat Medley Toyland My Baby Just Cares For Me Close As Pages In A Book What I Did For Love Motherhood March

Dedicated to longtime arranger Ed Waesche, who is an integral part of the Emporiumºs style, "Thatºs Life" delivers a big bang for the buck! Full of "sets," such as the School Days, Camping, and Child, as well as a "Showboat Medley," "Broadway Intro" and many more, these 1975 gold medalists keep it coming! Their sound anticipates the contemporary arranging style that would be popularized by todayºs luminaries ("Why Do They Take The Night Boat To Albany"), while retaining the comfortable stability of the familiar.

5184 CD $14.98

Double Feature

Harmonizin' Medley Give My Regards To Broadway Durante Medley You're a Grand Old Flag Minnesnowta Swanee Brothers Control Yourself Easter Parade That's Entertainment I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing Hard To Be Humble I Never Knew You And many more..

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