Pride of San Marcos, TX, the 68-strong all-male Heart of Texas Chorus treats us to a fine collection of 14 Cowboy tunes. Some of our favorites are Cole Porter's classic "Don't Fence Me In," Barbershop quartet Sterling singing Garth Brooks' inspiring "The River," hot arranger Jay Giallombardo adds much-needed lyrics to Rossini's "William Tell Overture," Irving Mills and Luchy Millinder's "Ride, Red, Ride," The Sons of the Pioneers' "Cool Water," "If They String Me Up I'll Never Live It Down/Back in the Saddle Again Medley," the traditional folk tune "Home on the Range" and "Texas Medley." The title tune, sung by the Chorus with Sterling, is accompanied by BuffaloGrass and "Texas (When I Die)," sung by Barbershop quartet Four Brothers, has a little violin, and "Cool Water" some guitar-the rest is richly-harmonied a cappella. A big, fun, testosterone-soaked album from the Heart of Texas!

Songlist: Great American Cowboy, Don't Fence Me In, The River, Bury Me Not on the Lone Praire, William Tell Overture, Texas (When I Die), Shenandoah, Ride, Red, Ride, I'm A Wild And Wooly Son of the West, Cool Water, If They String Me Up I'll Never Live It Down/ Back In The Saddle Again Medley, Wahoo, Home On The Range, Texas Medley

Cindy Hansen had been coaching men's and women's choruses and quartets since 1981 when she was a student at Western Michigan University. In 1983 she was asked to coach the West Towns Chorus, who went on to be International Champs. She now has a "who's who" list of gold medal-winning quartets and choruses on her resume. The changes she institutes range from sound and arrangements to creating "visual packages" for the group in performance, and the Heart of Texas Chorus has received many of her "enhansenments." The result is a spirit, a sound, a "juice" that is pure entertainment, but don't take our word for it-listen to the HOTC on these 20 songs: "There's a Meeting Here Tonight," "Operator," Saturday Evening Post's "Gospel Medley," an unbelievable arrangement of "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a dynamic "All Rise," Hot Pursuit's arrangement of "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands," Vanguard's "When There's Love at Home," HOT Lite's "Ain't a That Good News"... we could go on and on, but we trust that excellence rises to the top in the Barbershop world, so just listen to "Inspiration from the Heart," and become a believer in Cindy Hansen and the men of the Heart of Texas Chorus. One more thing, don't miss bonus tracks "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby" and "I'll Be Seeing You!"

Songlist: There's A Meetin' Here Tonight, Operator, Gospel Medley, All Rise, Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Let There Be Peace On Earth, He's Got The Whole World in His Hands, Swing Down Chariot, When There's Love At Home, Ain't A That Good News, Sweet Hour of Prayer, I Woke Up This Mornin' Feelin' Fine, The Lord's Prayer, God Bless The USA, Auld Lang Syne, Armed Forces Medley, Mississippi Squirrel Revival

The 45-strong all-male Heart of Texas Chorus has been directed by International Barbershop Harmony Society veteran Eddie Martinez to District Championships and IBHS international chorus competitions. They bring us 12 classic Christmas songs, performed with buttery harmonies and ringing held chords. Our favorites are the medleys, "Away In A Manger/O Little Town of Bethlehem," "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Silent Night," "Angels From The Realms of Glory/While By My Sheep (Echo Carol)," and "Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season Medley," but it's hard to choose. A strong, beautiful second CD for the Heart of Texas.

Songlist: Joy To the World, Away In A Manger / O, Little Town of Bethlehem Medley, O, Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles), It Came Upon The Midnight Clear / Silent Night Medley, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Mary Had A Baby, We Three Kings, Angels from the Realms of Glory / While By My Sheep (Echo Carol), Jingle Bells, Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

The Heart of Texas Chorus, from San Marcos, TX, is directed by Ron Black, who has huge Barbershop Harmony credentials as a singer, judge, vocal coach and director. "Sing A Joyous Christmas" features a well-chosen collection of 15 classic carols, classical pieces and pop Christmas songs. Also included is a wonderful Plainchant, "Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent." Other favorites are "Do You Hear What I Hear," Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," "Some Children See Him," "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Little Drummer Boy," "Winter Wonderland," "O Holy Night," "Mrs. Santa Claus" (the first time we've heard this), and "Joy To The World." Powerful harmonies, richly-sung bass parts, soaring leads and fine arrangements make "Sing A Joyous Christmas" a winner that you can enjoy for years to come!

Songlist: Do You Hear What I Hear?, Ding Dong Merrily On High, Hallelujah Chorus, Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Some Children See Him, Deck The Halls, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Jingle Bell Rock, Little Drummer Boy, We Three Kings, Winter Wonderland, O Holy Night, Mrs. Santa Claus, Joy To The World

"The Beginning" is the Heart of Texas Chorus' first recording after their founding in 1994 by 20 men who wanted to form a quality barbershop chorus in the "Central Texas Corridor" from Georgetown to San Antonio. Their members ranged in age from 14 to 64, and they were lucky to have a director of the caliber of seasoned barbershop veteran Eddie Martinez, formerly of the Houston Tidelanders. The 31-strong group (at that time) started winning Barbershop Harmony regional competitions right away, and competing in the Ohio "Buckeye International" Contest. 14 songs, with guest performers Soundtrax, the top-ten Sweet Adelines quartet, who join the Chorus on "And So to Sleep Again," "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning" and "Orange Colored Sky." Other Barbershop standards show off the HOTC's smooth, dynamic sound: "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella," "Swinging on a Star," "Are You Lonesome Tonight," "In That Great Getting' Up Mornin'," "Smile," "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive" and "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die." Good early stuff from a powerful, dynamic chorus from Texas!

Songlist: Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella, Swinging On A Star, Are You Lonesome tonight, Lulu's Back In Town, Softly As I Leave You, In That Great Gettin' Up Mornin', Smile, Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive, And So To Sleep Again, Oh, You Beautiful Doll, In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, Orange Colored Sky, The Lords Prayer, I'm Gonna Live Till I Die

The HOTC has grown in many ways since its founding in 1994, Ron Black now at the helm as Music Director, growing to 59-strong and recently placing 12th in the Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Competition in Salt Lake City. 17 classic tunes: "Smile, Darn Ya, Smile," "Fly Me to the Moon," "Always," "Goodbye, Dixie, Goodbye," "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," "Dream," "Glow Worm," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Floatin' Down to Cotton Town," "If I Had My Way," "You Make Me Feel So Young," and "With A Song in My Heart." Sophisticated arrangements, smooth, ringing chords, feel-good selections-it adds up to great entertainment from a top-drawer men's chorus deep in the Heart of Texas!

Songlist: Smile, Darn Ya, Smile, Fly Me To The Moon, Old St. Louie, Amor, Always, Goodbye , Dixie, Goodbye, Oh, You Beautiful Doll, Dream, Glow Worm, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Floatin' Down To Cotton Town, Sam, The Accordion Man, If I Had My Way, Orange Colored Sky, You Gotta Have Skin, You Make Me Feel So Young, With A Song In My Heart