Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Chorus of the Comstock Barbershop Quartet members, clockwise from left, Tom Hammill, Bob Wise, Gil Graham and Chuck Abercrombie, rehearse a song for their annual singing valentines fund-raiser. The group will take bookings to deliver a singing valentine in Carson City for Feb. 13 and 14.
With a smile on their faces and harmonic songs in their hearts, the Chorus of the Comstock Barbershop Quartet is tuned in to St. Valentine's Day.
Lovers and true romantics have the opportunity to send a Valentine greeting to that special someone Feb. 13 or 14. The handsomely dressed gentlemen will deliver to a home or business a "Singing Valentine." Included in the $25 cost is a red rose, greeting card, chocolate candy and two love songs.
"We're ready to go," said Gil Graham, a member of 21 years. "We've had a year to practice - we're better."
Eight-year member Tom Hammill said last year's appointments were fully booked.
"If you want us, you need to call early to get your desired time slot," Hammill recommended.
Dressed in black slacks and black loafers, black vests with gold sequins, white dress shirts and a black bow tie, Graham, Hammill, Bob Wise and Chuck Abercrombie have performed together for three years.
Abercrombie said the hardest thing for them to do is sing a love song to a man.
"You can't look them in the eye," he said.
"It's hard to watch the elderly ladies who start crying," Graham added. "It kind of makes you want to start crying."
Crying or laughing, the quartet is full of enthusiasm, humor and harmony for St. Valentine's Day.
"We had one woman who just got out of the shower and slammed the door in our faces," Graham recalled. "And another who had just woken up."
The quartet are all members of the Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. The group is also available for private parties, birthdays, anniversaries and public events.
"We will have a second quartet servicing Carson Valley," Graham said.
Most popular songs to be sung by the quartet include, "Heart of my Heart," "Let me Call you Sweetheart" and "I Love you Truly."
Hours for delivery of a singing Valentine are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Appointments will be made on a first-call, first-booked basis. Society member Ted Nagel will be taking appointments. The money they make goes back to the society to fund their public functions.
"We get a lot of the same customers each year," said Abercrombie. "We've had a doctor and his wife in Genoa for several years. And each year, the wife cries.
"It's great when we arrive to sing for someone. A lot of times the people don't know we're coming and the surprised look on their face is great. It sometimes gets videotaped."
Book 'em now
What: Send a Valentine greeting to that special someone Feb. 13 or 14. Four handsomely dressed gentlemen will deliver to a home or business a "Singing Valentine."
When: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Feb. 13-14
Where: Carson City and Carson Valley
Cost: $25
Call: Ted Nagel, 783-1992