PLATINUM
PLATINUM is the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2000 International Quartet Champion.
Quartet Members
Winning Members:
- Tenor: Gary Lewis
- Lead: Joe Connelly
- Bari: Tony DeRosa
- Bass: Kevin Miles
Contest Placement
International
| 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|
| 2nd | 1st |
District (SUN)
- 1999 - 1st
Recordings
| Be Our Guest | Auld Lang Syne |
|---|---|
| Be Our Guest | It's Only A Paper Moon |
| I'm Beginning To See The Light | Smilin' Through |
| What'll I Do? | Dayton, OH |
| I Can't Give You Anything But Love | Just In Time |
| The Way You Look Tonight | You Don't Know Me |
| Slap That Bass | You're An Education In Yourself |
| Bring Him Home | I Can See It (from "The Fantasticks") |
| Who Will Buy? | Hushabye Mountain |
| There, I've Said It Again | Down Where The South Begins |
| That Old Feeling | Careless |
| As Long As You're Not In Love With Anyone Else/Undecided Medley | Annie's Song |
| Memories Of You | Cuddle Up A Little Closer |
| Bye Bye Blues | Auld Lang Syne |
| Jimmy Webb Medley - Didn't We/McArthur Park |
Extended History
Platinum first organized in 1998 and soon won the 2000 SPEBSQSA International Quartet Championship in Kansas City.
Lead Joe Connelly became the first THREE TIME Gold Medalist with this win having won in 1987 (Interstate Rivals) and 1992 (Keepsake), and would later go on to win a fourth in 2011 (Old School) He learned from many outstanding quartetters including his dad Mike who sang baritone with the Roaring 20s.
Baritone Tony De Rosa was also a member of the 1992 champs Keepsake, making this his second gold medal. Tony would go on to win his third in 2007 with Max Q singing lead and his fourth in 2017 with Main Street. He first appeared on the International Contest stage at the young and talented age of 12 with his dad Joe as chorus director of the Tampa Heralds of Harmony. Tony would later go on to direct them as well, along with Sweet Adelines International chorus Toast of Tampa.
Tenor Gary Lewis first earned gold with The Real Deal, 1994 Collegiate Quartet Champs. With PLATINUM, he became the first collegiate champion to win an international gold medal. He would go on to win his second international gold medal in 2007 with Max Q, singing baritone, and his third in 2022 with Quorum, singing bass. Gary came from Bowling Green State University, home of an outstanding music program and several gold medal champions.
Bass Kevin Miles has been a longtime member of The Dapper Dans of Disney World (4 years), the popular “Americana” 8-part a cappella group, Voices of Liberty (21 years) and is almost as well known as “the voice” of Walt Disney World greeting the public and reminding you to “watch your step”.
Platinum is famous for their “lock and ring” as well as long posts. A good example is adaptation of the songs Be Our Guest and Auld Lang Syne, which are the titles of their two popular CDs.
They were helped by some outstanding arrangers such as Ed Waesche, Greg Volk, Walter Latzko and Clay Hine and coaches including Jim Casey, Randy Loos, and Gary Wulf.
They are now officially retired but do accept shows on very rare occasions.
Tony currently sings lead with 2017 champs Main Street.
Gary is currently gunning for gold with Quorum, which would make him the first and ONLY person to win the men's quartet contest on THREE different parts, leaving only lead left to go.
Kevin, successfully recovering from “carrying” Joe and being the quartet’s chick magnet for all those years, is still active with the Dans and occasionally singing with the VOL. He and his wife are involved in a company that offers singing opportunities for people who desire to perform in a chorus in large and exciting venues (www.singliveusa.com).
External Links
- Official website
- AIC page
- Wikipedia: Platinum (quartet)
- Barbershop Music Database: Contest scoring history