EDMONDS — Sno-King Community Chorale director Frank DeMiero defies anyone to attend a Brothers Four concert and try not to sing along.
“Try it with ‘If I Had a Hammer,’” DeMiero said. “It can’t be done.”
The Brothers Four is an internationally known quartet that had its start 57 years ago in a fraternity house at the University of Washington. The group is set to sing with the chorale Friday at the Edmonds Center for the Arts and Saturday at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon.
The concert title, “I Hear America Singing,” is a great one because, just like favorite hymns and children’s ditties, American folk songs are enjoyed by all generations, said DeMiero.
Today’s young parents are teaching their toddlers the tunes first loved by their grandparents and the generation before.
“What is interesting is that these songs just don’t grow old,” DeMiero said. “They are timeless.”
Bob Flick, the remaining member of the original Brothers Four, agrees.
“It’s a joy to see how these simple traditional songs still connect with people,” said Flick, now in his 70s.
Part of the appeal is the melody and harmony in folk music, he said.
“I am proud of the fact that we knew Pete Seeger (and other famous folk singers) and that we remain true to the intent of the songs they wrote,” Flick said.
Now married to film and television actress Loni Anderson and living in California, Flick said he is happy to be back in his home territory performing again with the Sno-King Chorale.
“Frank DeMiero is respected up and down the coast,” Flick said. “The 100-voice chorale performed on our 50th anniversary CD.”
The quartet continues a rigorous tour schedule, having performed throughout Japan earlier this year.
“Who knew back at the UW that we would be on such an adventure, not just in the Northwest or around the country, but around the world,” Flick said.
Except for Flick, the personnel of the Brothers Four has changed over the years. Still, all are Washington state natives and many have been part of the group for decades.
“And the group has never sounded better,” he said.
Mike McCoy, a veteran folk performer, has performed with The Brothers Four on special recording projects and occasional stage presentations since the late 1960s. Guitarist Karl Olsen also is a choral director, writer and arranger. Mark Pearson, guitarist and banjo player, has been a strong and consistent part of the group’s signature sound since he joined in the late 1960s. Flick, the founding member, plays bass. The other original members included John Paine, Mike Kirkland and Dick Foley.
Flick said the group’s signature sound is possible because of the old love songs and ballads that are “beautifully created.”
Think of “Try To Remember,” “Greenfields,” “Where Have All The Flowers Gone,” “500 Miles” and “This Land is Your Land.”
“One of our favorite songs is ‘Try to Remember’ from the long-running Broadway show, ‘The Fantasticks.’ It fits right in with our love of melody and harmony,” Flick said. “The song looks back at the Septembers of our lives, and is even more meaningful to me at this age.”
Another favorite is “Green Leaves of Summer,” from the 1961 John Wayne movie “The Alamo,” and which garnered the group an Academy Award nomination.
“By the end of our shows, it becomes a robust sing-along. We like that,” Flick said. “The secret, though, is for audience members to warm up in the car on the way to the show.”
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
If you go
The Brothers Four perform with the Sno-King Community Chorale at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. Tickets are $27.50 or $22.50 for students and seniors. Call 425-275-9595 or buy tickets at www.ec4arts.org.
Also, the chorale and the quartet perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at McIntyre Hall, Skagit Valley College campus, 5201 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. For tickets, $25 general admission, call 866-624-6897 or buy online at www.mcintyrehall.org.
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