WORTHINGTON -- The Windom Chordhustlers have reason to be extra excited about Saturday's annual concert at BARC in Windom.
The men's singing group is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
"The singers are really going all out for the show this year," said George Bakalyar, a charter member of the Windom Chordhustlers. "We are anxious to perform."
Along with Bakalyar, Irv Sether, Melvin Wojahn and Ken Paulson have all been members since the group began 40 years ago in Windom.
"Jim Remund was an attorney, and he came from Waseca where they had a men's singing group, and he wanted to start one here," Bakalyar said of how the group came to be.
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Though Remund is deceased, there are men from all over southwest Minnesota who continue to keep the group going. There are currently 37 singers performing with the group, and new members are always welcome. Members come from Worthington, Slayton, Avoca, Westbrook, Trimont and many other area towns.
"We like to encourage men to come give it a try," Bakalyar said. "You do not have to be a professional singer. We are just guys who love to sing."
Saturday's concert has something for everyone. The first half of the show will feature songs such as "There is No Business Like Show Business," "Give My Regards to Broadway," "76 Trombones" and "My Wild Irish Rose."
"The second half is always a mixture of religious and patriotic songs," Bakalyar said.
The Chordhustlers will sing "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," "Ride the Chariot," "God Bless the USA," and the show will close with the group's theme song, "Keep The Whole World Singing."
A special tribute will be paid to 33 former members who are now deceased. The group will sing "A Vacant Chair," and a chair with a black cloth draped over it will be placed on the stage.
"We did this for our 25th anniversary, and we want to do it again for our 40th," Bakalyar said.
For the first time in the group's 40-year history, a women's quartet will perform as special guests at the concert. Northern Lights, from Spirit Lake, Iowa, is this year's guest quartet.
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All past Windom Chordhustlers members are invited to this year's show, and a luncheon for past members will take place after the first show. Bakalyar hopes many past singers will come out for fellowship.
The Chordhustlers host one large concert every year, but they perform throughout the year.
"We sing a lot for local programs, and in the summer, we spend three Sundays singing at different churches," Bakalyar said. "We sing at 10 to 12 churches each one of those Sundays."
Funds raised on Saturday will be donated to BARC to help with its expenses. Shows take place at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets may be purchased in advance from any Chordhustlers member, or call Bakalyar at (507) 831-2338 for tickets.
