The Quartet's Story
Singing in the Church Choir
Fran, Joe, Paul and Jim Schmitt were all members of the St. Luke's church choir. Another brother, Ray, played the organ. Disappointed that the choir was not available for a summer wedding, a parishioner asked Ray if his brothers could sing for the nuptials. The Schmitts were such a success that soon they were in higher demand than the choir. The director declared, “There will be but one choir in the church where I am the director.” After consulting with Monsignor Hugo, the decision was made: the few must give in to the many. Crestfallen, the five brothers quit the choir and walked to the family home where their mother suggested they sing to soothe their wounds. She wisely advised, “When one door closes, the Lord opens another.”
You Guys Should Be Barbershoppers
A few months later, O.H. “King” Cole, father of Chordette Virginia Cole Osborn and president of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), discovered the quartet by chance when their melodies caught his ear at the Hotel Manitowoc. He invited them to join the Manitowoc chapter (now the Clipper City Chordsmen), where they met future coaches Milt Detjen and Johnny Means. Within 18 months, they mastered the challenging techniques of the uniquely American a cappella style, winning every contest on the road to the championship.
Chosen Last Every Time,
the Schmitt Brothers Come in First
After winning local and regional competitions, 40 quartets earned the right to compete in the two-day international contest in Toledo in front of arguably the most discerning audiences in the country. Performance order was chosen at random, and the Schmitt Brothers came in last every time.
Singing last in the preliminaries, last in the semifinals and last in the finals, the four unknown songsters stood backstage, nervously waiting for the judges to announce the winner as 8,000 conventioneers eagerly awaited the decision. They felt lucky to be in the final five. One by one, the fifth, fourth and third place winners ran up the ramp to the stage. Only when the second-place quartet left them standing alone did they realize, “We WON!”
Two Rivers Welcomes their Hometown Heroes
Thousands crowded the platform at the train station in Manitowoc, where the 400 line was officially allowed a delay to welcome the Schmitt Brothers home. The quartet's mother joined her sons in a convertible leading a cavalcade of hundreds of cars parading to City Park in Two Rivers, where the story of their stunning victory was told and the quartet sang to enthusiastic applause.
Traveling Along, Singing a Song
The Schmitt Brothers “traveled along singing a song,” logging more than 2 million miles and performing in 3,000 programs in 35 years. Their debut at Carnegie Hall—where they would take the stage many times during their career—was nearly derailed by a crustacean. Arriving late, Joe apologized, admitting that he didn’t know it would take so long to prepare his second lobster. When they showed up to compete in the Lions Club International Quartet Contest in New York City, every other quartet dropped out on the spot, conceding that the Schmitt Brothers would win anyhow. Performances—which reached as high as 135 in 1953—were routinely booked years in advance. They especially cherished their two-week trip to entertain the troops in Alaska.
Practice, Practice
Despite their amazing success, singing was hard work. With chapter meetings every Tuesday, lessons with Mayme Gruber in Milwaukee every Wednesday, and performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Schmitt Brothers had a full schedule. Over the years, the quartet also recorded 10 albums and an award-winning educational filmstrip on the finer points of barbershop singing.
Their Biggest Fans
The Schmitt Brothers were seldom home. Despite the hardship, their wives supported their husbands—while raising 35 children among the four families. These ladies were the quartet’s biggest fans and were often recognized and thanked by the quartet on stages around the country. The quartet firmly believed that without the wives' loving support, the quartet could not exist.
The Magic of Their Singing
For those who had the opportunity to hear them live, it was evident how much they enjoyed singing together. The Schmitt Brothers perfectly blended delicate tones, delivering booming crescendos and cascading decrescendos. And as the last chord rang, elated smiles spread warmly across their faces. The thundering applause was a bonus.
The Schmitt Brothers recorded 10 albums, and their Greatest Hits is still available today on Spotify and Apple Music. They truly enjoyed singing together and generously shared their talents. The magic of their singing brought harmony and joy to all who heard them.