We've been ongoing - THE FOUR FRESHMEN SOCIETY - since 1992 after the original, The Four Freshmen Appreciation Society, was organized in 1987. Our official membership is stable at 2,500 members, including single and couple active registrations. You should know that the FF Society, an enthusiastic, support organization, is like no other. There are member contributions from a variety of expertise areas. Although all major bookings are coordinated by International Ventures Incorporated, Society members often are responsible (in concert with IVI) to stage the Freshmen world-wide. The annual Freshmen conventions, reunion and new member recognition, are always popular and well-attended events, featuring FF Alumni and the current group (Bob, Brian, Curtis & Vince). I appreciate your stopping at our site to learn how important and exemplary the Four Freshmen are, and they have been so since 1948. The Freshmen themselves have a website which you can visit by clicking HERE.
PS: Interested in joining the Four Freshmen Society? Click HERE!
The Freshmen provided on-air introductions to their favorite Sinatra songs on Sirius Radio's channel 75 (Siriusly Sinatra). They recorded their comments while at the Balboa Bay Club on August 15th. The one-hour Sirius radio program airs on August 25, August 28th and August 30th. Go to www.sirius.com, scroll down to Listen Online, click it and follow directions. The music is on Channel 75 (Siriusly Sinatra) and airs at 6pm EDT on August 25th, 3pm EDT on August 28th and 12noon EDT on August 30th.
Saturday, May 10, 2008 ![]() What's going on here!!??? Click HERE to find out..
Thursday, December 27, 2007 We're delighted to announce that our Four Freshmen were voted Best Vocal Group of 2007 by Jazztimes magazine! Congratulations, guys!
The Freshmen sing "Day by Day", "Lulu's Back In Town", "It Could Happen To You", "You've Come A Long Way from St. Louie", "Once In Love With Amy" (by Leroy), "Teach Me Tonight", "Poinciana", "Route 66", "Nights Are Long" and "Baby Won't You Please Come Home". The program includes the Ross/Bob patter that was such a big part of their act.
Click HERE to enjoy this program.
Here are three cuts from the "Live From Las Vegas" DVD; enjoy!
"Angel Eyes"
"If I Only Had A Brain"
Click HERE!
The Four Freshmen!![]() Curtis, Bob, Vince and Brian onstage at Livermore, California, October 1, 2007 Photo courtesy Dan de la Torre
Just who ARE these guys?The Four Freshmen were born at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN in the Summer of 1948. The original quartet was comprised of:
Their first professional booking was September 20, 1948 at the "113 Club" in Ft. Wayne, IN. Since then, the group has worked steadily and have recorded a score of albums and CDs. Personnel changes over the years have occurred (the presently performing Freshmen are Group #22 to bear that name and create that sound) but the music has remained true. Two of the original members, Don and Ross Barbour, were raised in Columbus, Indiana; and, as you enter the city limits:
![]()
![]() Here's Ross with Group #22 in Ross' home town Left to right: Curtis, Vince, Ross, Brian and Bob
This from the Las Vegas Sun, January 3, 2008![]()
The Four Freshmen SoundThe Freshmen are unique because of the Freshmen "sound". Singing groups at that time had the lead voice in the middle of the chord; the Freshmen was the first male group to put the lead voice at the top of the chord. This led to arrangements that are as distinctive as fingerprints. If you've ever heard a Four Freshmen cut, you'd recognize another -- anytime, anywhere. The Freshmen called their style "open" harmony (as opposed to "close" harmony) because they spread their four voices over the area that a five-part group would cover. Add their unique musical phrasing (more like instruments would play than voices would sing) and the Freshmen Sound came flowing out. Want to know more about how the Freshmen make the "sound" in Ross Barbour's words? Click HERE.
MusicianshipThe other thing that made (and makes) the Freshmen unique is their instrumental musical ability. Most singing groups just sing; the Freshmen provide their own accompaniment playing nearly a dozen instruments.
There's much more to see -- and hear: indicates the most recently changed section(s)."Updated:" after each section title shows the date of the last change to each section. What's new on this site? (Updated: See date at the top of the page)
|