STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) – A barbershop quartet from Stevens Point says their music can help heal the soul. They’re called ‘Alternative Medicine.’
“It’s a ton of fun to sing with these guys,” the quartet’s tenor Patty Bourgeois says.
What’s not to love about a barbershop quartet? When done right, it can send you to a happy place.
“It’s better than any drug,” baritone Joel Bourgeois adds.
The Stevens Point team of Patty, Joe Larson as lead, Dennis Stephani on bass, and Joel, all complete the sound to create Alternative Medicine.
“We want folks to feel the music and feel better having heard it,” Joel said. He’s been barber shopping since he was 14.
“My dad would come home from barbershop practice in a better mood and I wanted me some of that,” he added.
Years down the line he met his wife Patty at a barbershop competition.
“We met because of barbershop,” she shared. “That’s just always been a thing that we share.”
They moved from Texas to Stevens Point three years ago. Anxious to sing once again, Joel and Patty went on the recruiting trail.
“This is the finest quartet I’ve ever been able to sing with,” Joe said.
“I was nervous, you know, about singing in public, outside of a choir where you’re with many people,” Dennis said.
He got over his stage fright and the group took off. Singing in variety shows, at sporting events, and nursing homes.
“We’re not like the old quartets they’ve heard before,” Patty said. “That there’s new ways to do things and good harmony out there.”
That harmony stopped on February 28.
“I’m still improving slowly day by day,” Joe said. He didn’t know it at the moment, but a stroke sent him to the hospital for five days.
“My stroke took away my dexterity in my right hand. My handwriting went to pot. Piano playing was out the window,” he added.
“For the most part it seemed okay, but he was slurring his words,” Dennis said. “I thought, this isn’t good for a singing group.”
“I was thinking, well the voice is fine, but the words are awful mushy,” Joe said as he pointed out his mumbled voice.
“We were going to ride this train with him as far as it would go,” Joel said.
That train ride would take him through several weeks of speech and physical rehab. Leaving the Portage County Health Care Center the only way they know how.
“They told me I should expect to get 98% back. So, I’m over 90 I think,” Joe said.
The group is back to performing. Bringing people with them to their happy place.
“It’s rare when you can find four individuals that get along as well as we do,” Joel shared.
As he said, better than any drug. They’re Alternative Medicine.
“Music heals the souls and people should feel better after they’ve heard us,” Patty says.
The group hopes to soon get into some mixed barbershop competitions. They say that’s when the notoriety — and business — picks up.
NOTE: This story was recommended to us by a viewer. If you have an idea for Dale, you can email him at dale.ryman@wsaw.com.
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