17th Annual

The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival, the premier American showcase for vocal harmony music, celebrates its 16th year in 2000. The annual national competition draws from hundreds of vocal groups from around the country with regional competitions in eight cities. The winning group from each festival is flown to perform in front of celebrity judges and a sold out house of enthusiastic a cappella fans at the National Finals.

2001 Mid-Atlantic champions

4:2:Five

4:2:Five is not your parents' a cappella. What used to be street-corner barbershop and doo-wop, has now evolved into a fresh new sound and 4:2:Five is right at the breakpoint. With driving vocal bass, slamming vocal percussion, and tight harmonies, these five young men create a sound that is all their own using nothing more than their highly trained mouths. 4:2:Five has performed at the 2000 Orlando International Fringe Festival, on several radio stations, and won Ed McMahons internet based talent search www.Nextbigstar.com. The guys have been seen at NBC's Today Show, every news station in the Orlando area, and you might even catch 4:2:Five on a television commercial or doing a jingle on the radio. 4:2:Five's unique sound is derived from the diverse backgrounds of itıs members, the individual talents possessed by each, and the belief that the music always has and always will come first.

Members: Earl Elkins, Jr., James May, Layne Stein, Geoff Castellucci, Scott Porter

2001 Contestants:

4real ­ In 1987, a high school quartet named The Braxmen was formed at Indiana Senior High in Indiana, Pennsylvania. As students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The Braxmen expanded their sound and extended their audience beyond the universityıs walls. Original members left and new members joined ­ a new name of Mixed Emotions was adopted. Despite their successes, the group ultimately parted ways. Two years passed before some members ran into each other at a local concert ­ and the magic was still there. That was three years ago. Today, 4real is an a cappella quintet that delivers your favorite songs from the Fifties, Sixties and Nineties with an unmistakable modern sound that can only be called 4real!
Members: Sean Moran, Chris Murphy, Mark Ferrari, Ben Tinker, Devon Lippmann

4:2:Five is not your parents' a cappella. What used to be street-corner barbershop and doo-wop, has now evolved into a fresh new sound and 4:2:Five is right at the breakpoint. With driving vocal bass, slamming vocal percussion, and tight harmonies, these five young men create a sound that is all their own using nothing more than their highly trained mouths. 4:2:Five has performed at the 2000 Orlando International Fringe Festival, on several radio stations, and won Ed McMahons internet based talent search www.Nextbigstar.com. The guys have been seen at NBCıs Today Show, every news station in the Orlando area, and you might even catch 4:2:Five on a television commercial or doing a jingle on the radio. 4:2:Five's unique sound is derived from the diverse backgrounds of itıs members, the individual talents possessed by each, and the belief that the music always has and always will come first
Members: Earl Elkins, Jr., James May, Layne Stein, Geoff Castellucci, Scott Porter

BlueLine ­ is a mixed sextet that performs jazz, gospel, and pop music. Started in fall 1999 by friends whose day jobs weren't providing enough time on stage, the group has achieved a tight blend and performed in competitions, music festivals and private events. BlueLine is named after a DC Metro line as an homage to local hero Duke Ellington, whose signature song was Take the A Train.
Members: Anita Willis, Ashley Burt, Kakki Reynolds, Brian Lewis, J. P. Vidas, Sam Janniere

The Humbuckers ­ Formed in April 1999, The Humbuckers perform contemporary rock originals and covers. The Humbuckers have performed throughout the Washington D.C. area and beyond at venues such as the National Press Club, the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Taste of Arlington, Borders Books and Music, and the Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival. In March 2000, The Humbuckers performed at the Mid-Atlantic regional for the Harmony Sweepstakes. In January 2001, The Humbuckers were voted "Artist of the Month" by a cappella enthusiasts across the country who voted on vocaluniverse.com. The Humbuckers plan to release their debut CD in May 2001, and will be performing at fairs and festivals in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland during the Spring and Summer.
Members: Chris Walsh, Bradley Terrill, Eric Olsen, David Lieber, Dave Trendler

InDEciSIon is a vocal quartet which performs a capella music in the grand style of American barbershop. Formed in 1999, the popular group has delighted large and small audiences with their close harmonies and unique brand of humor. InDEciSIon is comprised of men with accumulated experience of more than 100 years in vocal music. Not that they are OLD, mind you, but its important for you to know! InDEciSIon provides an unusual and thoroughly entertaining addition to your gathering or special occasion. InDEciSIon is certain you'll have a good time. Well, we think you will. Then on the other hand,
Members: Bob Yelton, Ed Avery, Bill Hickman, Shelby Robert

Mutual Agreement ­ While remembering their Gospel roots, and utilizing contemporary chord arrangements, these six young men seek to preserve a musical art form that has played an important part in our musical heritage. Always acknowledging Jesus for the way they have been blessed, they sing in memory of those songsters who the Lord allowed to "pave the way".
Members: Gerald Best, James (Slim) Davis, Dunbar Henri, Eddie Hicks, Mark Allen, Donald Jackson

One-Handed Catch ­ is an award-winning womenıs barbershop quartet. These four women registered the quartet in 1992 and have enjoyed singing and being together ever since. They have entertained audiences just about anywhere you might imagine, from the Greek Islands to the White House to hotel lobbies, churches, living rooms and at celebrations of all kinds.
Members: Sherry Stanton, Melissa Panagides Busch, Jinny Guy, Nancy Machado

Take Note! is a mixed a cappella quintet based in northern Virginia. The group sings a variety of popular and jazz standards from the 1920ıs to today. Performing at area festivals, private receptions and public concerts, Take Note!ıs signature sound hones in on melodic, blended arrangements rather than the traditional chord/solo-based charts of our college years. Take Noteıs! most recent exciting event was a performance at the packed steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the First Annual A Cappella Festival in Washington, DC. A favorite singing spot for Take Note! is the corner coffee shop on any evening. Combining a love of music and the fellowship of harmony singing, the group inspires crowds everywhere to, Take Note!
Members: Sara Newman, Mary Stewart, Barry Astrow, Nick Amatuzzi, Jeff Sands