Full Effect Barbershop Quartet, featuring three Lee University alumni, recently won the Next Generation Barbershop Quartet Championship at the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) International Contest in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Lee alums Andrew Easterling (lead), Caleb Hayes (baritone), and Wyatt McCarter (bass) performed alongside Brett Beard (tenor). The quartet was seeded for first place leading up to the BHS competition. 

“Performing in the BHS Varsity Quartet Contest was a dream come true for me, and to do it with my three best friends was the biggest of blessings,” said Easterling. “We have been working since last August, and for all of it to pay off with such a victory was huge for us.” 

Full Effect’s performance included “Cuddle Up a Little Closer” and “Naughty Angeline,” both popular barbershop songs arranged by Clay Hine with elements of jazz and swing. 

“It was so special to be a part of such a storied contest, and we felt that our hard work and preparation paid off,” said McCarter. “We wanted to bring a fresh, entertaining energy to the contest, and we felt that our love for this hobby was on full display during our performance.” 

All the competing quartets were scored in three categories: music, sound, and performance. There were multiple judges for each category, and quartets needed to meet certain harmonic and performance requirements. 

Full Effect follows in the footsteps of Four Voices, another barbershop quartet comprising Lee alumni Brandon Guyton, Chad Guyton, Lester Rector, and Jayson VanHook, who won the same competition in 1996. Brandon Guyton served as Full Effect’s primary coach leading up to the contest this past summer. 

Since July, Full Effect has performed locally and regionally and anticipate several events in the near future. The group attended the Dixie District BHS Lakeside Harmony Weekend in early August, a weekend-long intensive, during which barbershop quartets and chorus could receive coaching, attend classes in music, and perform together. Full Effect will also compete in the Dixie District’s 75th Fall Convention and Competition in Oxford, Alabama, on Sept. 22-23.  

“We are focused on the future and what is to come,” said Easterling. “This competition was never the end goal; we have so many other dreams and goals that we want to accomplish together.” 

On Sunday, Dec. 3, Full Effect will return to Lee University to perform in the school’s annual Classic Christmas event alongside Lee’s choral ensembles. 

To watch Full Effect’s performance of “Cuddle Up a Little Closer,” visit youtube.com/watch?v=gkgwrT2XDzk.

For more information about Full Effect, follow them on Facebook.