CHRIS UHLE -
Tenor chrisuhle@bellsouth.net
Chris sings the tenor for the quartet (and
sometimes Lead and baritone). He was born into a very musical family,
and grew up singing in the church. From a very young age, Chris has a
great love of God and music. He sang a solo rendition of
" The Lord's Prayer" at the young age of six. By age
twelve, he had already composed and published twenty-four original pieces of music.
He studied piano with Sarah Clemson at the Miami Conservatory of Music.
He was a student conductor in both high school and college, and also
lettered in orchestra, band, and chorus. He studied Vocal Music
Education at University of South Florida, and earned a business degree at
LaSalle University in Chicago, Illinois. Chris has served as the Minister
of Music for several churches in Central and Southern Florida, such as the
First Baptist Church of Plant City, the First United Methodist Church of
Brandon, First Baptist Church of North Miami, and Westview Baptist
Church of Miami. He has been a Tenor Soloist at Sunrise Presbyterian
Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, and Miami Shores Community Church . He directed
the Southern Sounds Barbershop Chorus in 1978-1979. Among his favorite
hobbies of composing and arranging music, he also enjoys golf, tennis,
and singing with American Vocal Band. Chris has sung with several
notable quartets
such as: Four Man Vocal Band, Miami Music Machine, Freestyle, Critics'
Choice, Main Street USA, and The Genuine Article (1995 Sunshine District Champions). Chris is the proud
father of two daughters, Angie and Erica, and has one brother, Bill. Next
time you see Chris, ask him if he remembered his hat. Ha Ha!
KEVIN FERGUSON -
Lead fergusons2@bellsouth.net
Kevin sings the lead for the quartet (and
sometimes tenor and baritone). He accepts no credit for any amount of musical
talent, and to this day states that it is by the Grace of God, that he has
any talent at all. He was born into a very musical family, and grew up
singing in his home church, Central Church of Christ in Miami, FL. He has a long list of previous quartets
that he fondly recalls as "family", such as Critics' Choice,
Freestyle, Main Street USA, Harmonix, The Halos, Good Tyme Gentry, Miami
Music Machine, Quest, and The Genuine Article (1995 Sunshine District
Quartet Champions). Kevin joined the Miamians Barbershop Chorus in
1985, while still in high school (which he narrowly escaped from in 1986).
Kevin remains active in his home church, South Dade Christian Church, and loves
to travel to Southern Gospel Music concerts throughout Florida.
His three most favorite people in the world are his mother (Esther), Pastor
Bill Bailey, and Pastor Randy Perry. His favorite singers are Brian
Free & Assurance, Tony Gore, Kirk Talley, The Hoppers, The Dove
Brothers, Randy Chisolm, Randy Perry, Vonnie Wood, Debbie Domer, Wilma
Smith, Excalibur, and The Gas House Gang. Next time you see
Kevin, ask him what the "real" lyrics are for "Turn
your Radio On". Ha Ha!
REX DARROW -
Bass dadobabo@hotmail.com
Rex attributes his deep love of music to his mom
and dad. Music was always a big part of family life, which resulted in him
playing instruments and singing at family gatherings. He has one sister,
Connie, who is also a musician. Rex contracted polio at age six,
although, this does not slow him down in the least.
The happiness and inspiration he found through music has been with him all of
his life. His life has been filled with rich experiences found in family,
church, friends, and school. While in school, Rex sang in the chorus,
played tuba in the band, and played guitar and piano in the jazz band.
He was awarded the John Phillip Sousa Award, as a senior at Troy High School
in Pennsylvania. Following graduation, he moved with his family to Miami,
FL., where he attended University of Miami. He graduated in 1965, with a
BMUS degree, and became an elementary school teacher and music teacher.
He later earned a Master's Degree in Administration, and became an Assistant
Principal at Pinecrest Elementary. Rex continued in the education field,
as Principal at G.W.Carver Elementary, and South Miami Elementary Expressive
Arts Center. As a principal, he received numerous awards, such as the
"Region V Principal of the Year", and the "State of Florida Award
for an "A" School. He received Miami Herald front page
recognition for hang gliding over Biscayne Bay to motivate his students to
read, City of South Miami recognition for outstanding leadership as a
principal, and the "Florida Arts Association Leadership Award".
He is married to his lovely wife of 38 years, Babs, since 1967.
They are the proud parents of Rex II and Caroline. Their new
granddaughter, Soleil, is the "apple of their eyes". Rex is an
Elder at Granada Presbyterian Church in Coral Gables, where he and his family
are active and dedicated members. Since
joining the Miamians Barbershop Chorus in 1973, Rex has sung bass in such
notable quartets as The Lemon City Yellers, The Happy Association, Classic
Example, Tropic Tones, and now the American Vocal Band. The next time
you see Rex, ask him why he has LIABILITY INSURANCE on his crutches.
"You know they have a mind of their own" Ha Ha!
MICHAEL VERDESCA -
Baritone verdescamj@hotmail.com
Mike sings the baritone for the quartet (and
sometimes tenor and lead). He grew up in a Christian home, with two
loving parents, that shared their love of God and music. Mike started singing in high school, where he
qualified for the All-State Chorus in 1975. He performed in the opera La
Boheme, and several other productions throughout his high school and college
years. Mike attributes his love of music to his parents and their love
of Broadway Musicals. He has played the keyboard in various instrumental
groups and bands that perform around South Florida. Some of his favorite
singers are Abba, Queen, The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Elton John, John
Denver, Steven Curtis Chapman, and For Him. Mike has worked at Teco/Peoples'
Gas Company for over sixteen years, and worked for the family business in
prior years. He has remained a
dedicated member of the Miamians Barbershop Chorus since joining in 1996. Next
time you see Mike, ask him which quartet he is singing with this week. Ha
Ha!