Platinum

Although Platinum has only been in existence since 1998, they bring to the stage a wealth of musical knowledge and performing experience.

Tenor - Gary Lewis has been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for eight years. In 1994, he sang tenor with "The Real Deal," which captured the MBNA Collegiate Quartet Championship in their very first attempt. Gary has a degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. The BGSU Men's Chorus is considered by many to be one of the best programs in the country. Gary Lewis is a choral music educator at Defiance High School and shares his Northwest Ohio home with wife Jody, and their new son Adam.

Lead - Joe Connelley has been singing barbershop harmony for twenty-two years. Joe is a full-time barbershopper. He travels throughout the United States and Canada coaching many men's and women's quartets and choruses. He is a certified Presentation Judge in the Barbershop Harmony Society's Contest and Judging Program. He sang lead in two International Champion Gold Medallist Quartets (1987 "Interstate Rivals," and 1992 "Keepsake"). Joe's wife Debbie sings lead in the Sweet Adelines International Championship Quartet "Showtime."

Baritone - Tony DeRosa has been barbershopping for nineteen years and comes from a family with musical experience. His parents Joe and Lois are long-time barbershoppers and music educators. Tony is the youngest man ever to win the coveted International Champion Quartet Gold Medal (1992 with "Keepsake"). Besides being the musical director of the International award-winning Tampa, Florida chapter, Tony also coaches many quartets and choruses across the country. He works full-time with the "Voices of Liberty" of Walt Disney World as a first and second tenor.

Bass - Kevin Miles has always enjoyed listening to barbershop music, but now is compelled to join in on all the fun. He brings to "Platinum" over a quarter of a century of professional singing experience. He traveled with Derric Johnson's "Re'Generation" and is currently travelling with the vocal duo "Miles and Webb." For the past sixteen years, Kevin has been a bass / director of the "Voices of Liberty." Making announcements throughout all four theme parks, he is known as the "Voice of Walt Disney World." He lives in Orlando with wife Jeri and children: Molly and Matthew.

Discography

Auld Lang Syne

It's Only a Paper Moon Smilin' Through Dayton Ohio Just In Time You Don't Know Me You're A Education In Yourself I Can See It Hushabye Mountain Down Where The South Begins Careless Annie's Song Cuddle Up A Little Closer Auld Lang Syne

Folks, barbershop singing doesn't get any better than this. At least it didnÕt in the SPEBSQSA International Finals of 2000 when Tony De Rosa, Joe Connelly, Kevin Miles, and Gary Lewis were awarded the first place Gold Medals! For those of us who were unable to attend the performance their recording is here! YouÕll be treated to a program of pure barbershop, "ItÕs Only A Paper Moon," "Dayton OH," "Just In Time," right on up to a stunning finale of their award winning "Auld Lang Syne." Just ask yourself, "WhatÕs more precious than gold?" Obviously, the answer can only be...Platinum!

Listen to "It's Only A Paper Moon" or "Auld Lang Syne"

Be Our Guest

Be Our Guest I'm Beginning to See the Light What'll I Do? I Can't Give You Anything But Love The Way You Look Tonight Slap That Bass Bring Him Home Who Will Buy? There, I've Said It Again That Old Feeling As Long As You're Not In Love With Anyone Else Why Dont' You Fall In Love With Me Undecided Medley Memories of You Bye Bye Blues Jimmy Webb Medley - Didn't We / McArthur Park

Coming in second at Anaheim, Platinum's first year in competition they generated excitement before the first note was sung, by virtue of their pedigree. The lead, Joe Connelly, and the baritone, Tony DeRosa, were both in the mighty Keepsake, 1992's Championship Quartet. Well, that said, we expected state-of-the-art arrangements, coupled with sizzling performances, and "Be Our Guest" meets the challenge. Most of the material is outside the formal barbershop idiom, with great songs, such as "The Way You Look Tonight," "I'm Beginning To See The Light" and "What'll I Do" representative selections. The tags, of course, are stunning, with special mention going to "Who Will Buy" and the title track what lung power. If it's subtleties you prefer, "Memories Of You," written by Eubie Blake, has harmonies layered so closely that the voices move as one complete symmetry. The note placement and phrasing of the "Jimmy Webb Medley," arranged by Jim Clancy, allows the tonality of each voice within the harmony to blossom fully into a resplendent bouquet.

Listen to Be Our Guest in Real Audio

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