Thoroughbreds

The Thoroughbreds are a seven-time international champion chorus that is part of the Cardinal District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The Thoroughbreds won the international championship in 1962, 1966, 1969, 1974, 1978, 1981, and in 1984. The chapter has also produced several championship quartets including the Bluegrass Student Union, Interstate Rivals, Second Edition and The Barons.

History

The Louisville #1 Chapter had its beginning in 1945 after local businessman Fritz W. Drybrough invited a number of friends to his home on July 11 to listen to a once-popular style of music, barbershop harmony. The four-part close harmony, a cappella style of singing, had been in vogue from the turn of the century through the 1920s, but with the advancement of the electronic media, the "barbershop style", along with vaudeville, was steadily replaced by the crooners and big band of the swing era.

From that original gathering, and with the help of friend Ed Mall and then Society International President Jerry Beeler from Evansville, the Louisville Barbershop Chorus was conceived with a membership of 33 men under the direction of Burt Harmon and then Bob Ising. Drybrough served as the first president of the chapter. Society co-founder O.C. Cash presented the Louisville #1 Chapter with its charter on June 10, 1946.

Contest Placement

The Thoroughbreds entered and won their first Cardinal District contest in 1958. After finishing eighth in 1959, sixth in 1960, and second in 1961, the chorus won the Society's International Chorus Championship in 1962. That was the beginning of a remarkable run of success. Following the championship in 1962, during the decades of the 60s, 70s and 80s, the Thoroughbreds competed on the International stage 13 times winning six more championships, finishing second five times and third twice.

International

Ineligible for two years after each gold medal.

								1959	1960
								8th	6th
1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
2nd	1st			2nd	1st			1st
1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980
	3rd	2nd	1st			2nd	1st
1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990
1st			1st			3rd	2nd	2nd	2nd
1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
	3rd		6th	6th	8th	14th		5th	11th
2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
15th				19th

District (CAR)

• 1958: 1st (first time competing)

Recordings

• All American Harmony
• Salute To America
• Champs Back To Back (split album with Vocal Majority
• Songs Of Inspiration

External Links

• Official website
• Barbershop Music Database - contest history
• Wikipedia article

References

Barbershop Harmony Society - International Chorus Champions
1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972
1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992
1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2022	2023	2024