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The Four Townsmen
   The Four Townsmen began their singing career together in 1959. The group consisted of Chuck Marshall ( lead vocals), Pete Kouklakis ( tenor ), Bob Kraushaar ( baritone), and Lou Gadani ( bass ). Their musical adventures began by performing locally in the Canonsburg, PA area at talent shows, school dances and record hops. After placing together almost 35 arrangements, the group felt they had enough material to perform outside their local arena. Their desire to perform took them to the road. During their travels, the group was introduced to many music industry contacts including Odell Bailey, a recording agent. Upon Odell's request, The Four Townsmen recorded their first original song entitled, "It Wasn't So Long Before (Graduation is Here)" co-written by the groups lead vocalist, Chuck Marshall and friend Alan Mark. A second tune, "Sometimes (When I'm All Alone)" was recorded for the flipside of the original 45rpm on the Art Flow label.
 The release of The Four Townsmen 's first 45 aided to their public awareness and things quickly began moving along in their career. Soon, they found themselves as the opening act for great performers such as Bobby Vee, Paul Anka (Atlantic City), The Lettermen, and Brian Hyland. As 1963 evolved, college and the U.S. Army separated the guys for many years. In October of 1998, the new Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Museum in Sharon, Pennsylvania was opened and The Four Townsmen were asked to be represented in a showcase with their record and memorabilia from the 60's. It was quite an honor. Since the lead singer Chuck Marshall had passed away in 1985. In 1998 the group enlisted the singing talent of Hug McKinney and a reunion was in the works.
 The remaining original members along with the new lead vocalist proved to be quite rewarding and it appeared that there was more potential at hand then just a reunion of the group. After the debut performance on stage at The Vocal Group hall of Fame and Museum, the Four Townsmen chose to persue a new and broader musical journey. Shortly ,after the announcement of The Four Townsmen's reunion the band began to receive numerous engagements offers of all kinds. Staying together lead to the honored performance at the 50th Anniversary Show for Porky Chedwick at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Four sensational seasons had passed from 1998 through 2002 and the Four Townsmen were going strong with an array of concert dates and special appearances. The group had once again charted songs in the top 10 oldies countdowns in the Pittsburgh area and on New Years Day of 2003 recieved the number two song on the Mon Valley Memories show with their remake of Frankie and the Fashions original song " What do I have to Do". Great news seemed to be an everyday occurence for the group until the original baritone vocal, Mr. Bob Kraushaar chose to retire from the group. Although this came as a quick decision, the remaining original members along with lead vocalist Hug McKinney were determined to continue with out the fouth member. Concerts were continually booked , along with a search for a new baritone to complete the four part harmony that the group had been so well known for. Although, saddened by the event of the retirement of the original baritone ,The Four Townsmen went on without a hitch and salute Mr. Bob Kraushaar for a fine 40 years in the entertainment bussiness.
The recruitment of a new baratone introduced to the 4 T's stage a fine gentlemen, by the name of
Nevin Van Riper. Nevin quickly grasped the 4th man position within the harmonies and
added a new excitement both within the music and on the stage. Nevin , being no stranger to the stage
aided in both musical strength and public relations
and thus a tightly woven musical relationship was produced .
 Today, The Four Townsmen continue to perform their do-wop routine in and out of the Tri-State area. They have since released two new full length cd's on independent labels and have peformed on the same stages and venues as Charlie Thomas and The Drifters ( Save the last Dance for me ) , The Orlons ( South Street), Johnny Angel and The Halos, The Orioles ( Crying in the Chapel ), The Memories ( Love Bells ), The Jaggerz ( The Rapper ) and many more. |
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