Biographies

The original version of "Yesteryear" was formed in February 1984. Over the years, several personnel changes lead to the present foursome. We placed in the top twenty at our first International contest in July 1992 in New Orleans. In 1993, we broke into the top ten, placing 8th in Calgary, Canada. We received our Johnny Appleseed District Championship that October. Our first medal came in July 1994 receiving a bronze for third place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We won silver medals in Miami Beach, Florida (1995) and again in Salt Lake City, Utah (1996). Then on July 6, 1997, we were named "International Champions".

The quartet officially retired in 1999, but have remained very close, even finding some time to get together to do a show or a gig once in a while, to add to the food kitty. Actually, each has gone on to continue barbershopping their own way, with quarteting, coaching, and administrative duties. THERE’S BEEN NO REST FOR THE WEARY!

We hope to continue to be able to share our love for this hobby with our audiences for a long time to come! We'd love to have you come along with and have a good time.

Singing Tenor is Dan Trakas. Dan is an original "Yesteryear" member and a two-time JAD quartet champ, winning also with the "Matinee Idols" in 1976.  Dan is currently an owner operator. He lives in Sheffield, Ohio with his wife, Bobbi

Mark Blake is our Lead and newest member. He is the senior pastor at his parish.

Our baritone is Rod Nixon. Rod has had four JAD Championships, 1972-"Sound Advice", 1976-"Matinee Idols", 1979-"Sound Syndicate" and "Yesteryear" in 1993. He's Past President and Director of the Elyria Cascade Chordsmen in Elyria, Ohio. In 1982, Rod was named "Coach of the Year" in JAD, and served as a judge in the old sound category. Rod and his wife, Laura, live in Amherst, Ohio. Rod is President and Owner of a mortgage sales company and is the founding member of "Yesteryear".

Basso Profundo is Randy "Beef" Baughman (pronounced "bach"man). Beef is a Past Director of the Maumee Valley Chapter of Toledo, Ohio and came to "Yesteryear" in July 1988. His vocal experiences include two summers at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio and a high school quartet called "Melvin and the Nuclear Turnips". He also spent a few years on the road in a popular country western band called "Sagecoach". Beef works as a music educator and lives in Bowling Green, Ohio with wife, Janine and their son, William.