In February of 2003, Mike was put in charge of fielding quartet coaches for a clinic in Stevens Point , Wisconsin . They were to be drawn from the roster of the Land O’ Lakes District’s Association of District Champs. Knowing that Roger Harris lived in the Stevens Point area and was a well-respected coach and director, Mike contacted Roger with the intent of getting the local members of his District Champ quartet (Family Ties) together to coach the gathered quartets.

Unfortunately, Roger could not make the event, but Paul Harris and John Lowell (Family Ties’ tenor and bass) and Duane Enders (Sound Gallery’s bari ) filled out the faculty quite well. During the breaks, the faculty decided it would be fun for them to each try each of the four parts singing “polecat” songs. A lot of fun ensued.

Paul had been out of touch with Barbershop while finishing college, and Mike was just finishing his commitments singing lead with High Life. When the faculty stopped for refreshments afterward, Paul mentioned that he would like to get back into the Hobby in a big way, and asked if Mike knew of anybody possibly looking to put together a good quartet.

Enter baritone Dave Baxter, recently retired from Checkmate (1996 LOL Champs). Dave was recuperating from some health issues and was ready to make good on plans that someday he and Mike would put together a quartet in which they could sing.

The bass??? Paul’s brother and dad had sung with a great guy in a good quartet in the late 80’s/early 90’s by the name of “Ovation.” Paul was wondering if Mike knew where Bob Wozniak was and if he might have an interest. Mike replied that he saw Bob nearly every week at the Greendale chapter rehearsals, and that Bob’s family frequently saw the Baxter’s family socially.

The rest, as they say, is show biz history. They met, they sang, they laughed (a lot), and now combine to bring you Magnum – a force in Barbershop Harmony.