1995 Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

11th Annual

The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival is the premier American showcase for vocal harmony music. 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.

1995 Chicago Champions

Chicago Voice Exchange

CVX is an entertaining award-winning five-member a cappella group based in Chicago. CVX is a three -time winner of the Midwest Harmony Sweepstakes competition, and has entertained crowds at venues such as sports events (Cubs, Sox and Bulls games, the World Cup), holiday events, festivals, industry conferences and bake sales.

One of the first actions of the group was to argue long and hard about what the name of the group should be. There were a whole host of possible names: WeWopDoo (from Peter Harlan, master of cheese), New Caboose, Vox Populi, Digital Voice Exchange, Five Guys named Moe, etc. Eventually, a compromise was reached with Chicago Voice Exchange. Hurrah.

1995 Results
1st	Chicago Voice Exchange
2nd	The Sound
3rd	Voice By Choice
Best Original Arrangement	“Good Lovin’”
Best Original Song	The Raven

1995 Participating Groups

4 On The Floor

AC Rock
Ac Rock is one of America's great a cappella quartets, singing classic rock 'n roll favorites from the 1950s through the 1980s. Ac Rock sings boomer rock in stunning vocal harmony without instrumental accompaniment. It's an engaging mix of tightly-crafted music and freewheeling humor that pleases audiences of all ages. Ac Rock performs for corporate events, conventions, industrial shows, charity auctions and stunt marketing events all over the country. Centrally based in Chicago, Ac Rock has easy access to all parts of the US and Canada. Summer festivals, school shows and private parties, too. Ac Rock is the right group for your group.

Chicago Voice Exchange
CVX is an entertaining award-winning five-member a cappella group based in Chicago. CVX is a three -time winner of the Midwest Harmony Sweepstakes competition, and has entertained crowds at venues such as sports events (Cubs, Sox and Bulls games, the World Cup), holiday events, festivals, industry conferences and bake sales.

One of the first actions of the group was to argue long and hard about what the name of the group should be. There were a whole host of possible names: WeWopDoo (from Peter Harlan, master of cheese), New Caboose, Vox Populi, Digital Voice Exchange, Five Guys named Moe, etc. Eventually, a compromise was reached with Chicago Voice Exchange. Hurrah.
Listen to: High & Lonesome | Listen to: Mexican Polka

Members: Tim Eaton, Peter Harlan, Dan MacDonald, John Milne, Joe Dennis

Four Shadow
Four Shadow, the famous a cappella group from Minneapolis, Minnesota, performs for crowds across the nation, singing over 150 shows a year in over 40 states for audiences of all ages and musical tastes. In addition to a number of original songs, they perform tunes by artists like the Beatles, Paul Simon, the Dave Matthews Band, and Howie Day. Four Shadow has shared the stage with Huey Lewis, the Persuasions, and Lonestar, and performed live on NBC's "Today" show.

Every Four Shadow show is filled with a winning mix of audience interaction, infectious energy, friendly humor and strong a cappella vocals. One of the nation's hottest a cappella groups, these guys demonstrate beyond a doubt that the most powerful and versatile instrument of all is one which we each possess - the human voice.

Tets

The Sound

Throat Culture
Describing themselves as "eclectic a cappella," Throat Culture's diverse material draws upon a variety of influences, including gospel, doo-wop, classic pop and Motown. Alto Betsy Brickey puts her creamy tone to good use on "Chameleon" and "Sweet Dreams" (Eurythmics). "Damaged Goods" is reminiscent of the style and vocal inflection of Stevie Wonder. Their songwriting style is personal and original, and tends toward dark themes of love and loss, but with an irreverent twist.

Voice By Choice

1995 Judges TBA

Complete list of 1995 participants

National Finals Recordings

Interested in Performing?

We are always seeking groups who would like to participate in our events.

Groups of any style are welcome, but you must have between 3 and 12 members. We have a rule book which explains many of the details of the event, which you can see by clicking here. All groups must audition in order to compete. Generally this is done by sending a current tape and photo, although live auditions are sometimes arranged. The purpose of the audition is to make sure the group is appropriate for the Festival and to help the Director determine the performance order. If a group has competed previously, the audition process may be waived.

How to enter

Please send music and photos to the regional director :

David Wilner (Chicago) David Wilner competed in the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes with Blind Man’s Bluff and Fiveplay, winning First Place, Audience Favorite, and Best Original Song with each group. During his six years in Blind Man’s Bluff, David toured nationally and recorded five albums. He also spent seven years with the classic rock quartet Ac•Rock, recording two albums. Today, David emcees events throughout the Chicagoland area and performs in the band The Four C Notes. He has been the regional producer of the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes since 2017.

P.O. Box 4502, Naperville, IL 60567
847-226-3366
david@davidwilner.com

Our Hall of Fame - The Harmony Sweepstakes National Champions