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January: The Four Freshmen Get Their Name

In this month in 1949, while in Green Bay, Wis., to perform at the Piccadilly on Green Bay's south side, the decision is made to begin billing the group as the Four Freshmen. For more on the circumstances surrounding that decision, click here.

January 8: Curtis Calderon's Birthday

Curtis, who was born on this date in 1975 in San Antonio, Tex., is the "freshest" of the Freshmen as the most recent member of the group. He joined in mid-2001 and sings the second part. For more on Curtis, click here.

January 23: Ken Errair's Birthday

Ken was born on this date in Detroit in 1928. He sang bass with the Four Freshmen for nearly three years (May 1953-April 1956) in what is known by fans as "Group 2," and at a time when the Freshmen released their first two albums -- "Voices in Modern" (1954) and "Four Freshmen and Five Trombones" (1956). He replaced original member Hal Kratzsch. His own "Solo Session" album was released in 1957. He died in a plane crash June 14, 1968.

April 19: Don Barbour's Birthday; Death of Ken Albers

Don Barbour was born on this date in 1927 in Columbus, Ind. He joined with younger brother, Ross, cousin Bob Flanigan, and Hal Kratzsch to form the original Four Freshmen in 1948. He died in an auto accident in Los Angeles on Oct. 5, 1961, after he had left the Freshmen to pursue a career as a soloist. He sang the second part for 12 years, departing in September 1960.

Ken Albers, a long-time member of the Four Freshmen, died on this date in 2007. See the Dec. 10 entry for more information.

May 16: Brian Eichenberger's Birthday

Brian was born on this date in 1976. He's been singing with the Four Freshmen since July, 1996. His hometown is Apple Valley, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. For more on Brian, click here.

June 14: Death of Ken Errair

See entry for Jan. 23.

July 21: Bob Ferreira's Birthday

Bob was born on this date in 1970 in Somerville, Mass. He's been the fourth-part singer and drummer with the Four Freshmen since 1992. For more on Bob, click here.

August 22: Bob Flanigan's Birthday

Bob Flanigan is an original member of the Four Freshmen who lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Mary, and celebrated his 77th birthday in 2003. He was born on this date in 1926.

A native of Greencastle, Ind., he joined with three other Hoosiers -- Ross and Don Barbour and Hal Kratzsch -- in 1948 to form the Four Freshmen. He sang the top part (lead)with the group for 44 years, until September 1992.

Today, Bob and Ross survive and meet fans at FF reunions, fan conventions, and whenever possible FF concerts where the current version of the Freshmen are performing.

Sept. 3: Vince Johnson's Birthday

Current Freshmen member Vince Johnson was born on this date in 1970 in San Luis Obispo, California. He began singing the third part with the group in January 2000. For more on Vince, click here.

Sept. 20: First Professional Performance

This marks the date of the first professional performance by the musicians who later would be known throughout the world as the Four Freshmen.

On this date in 1948, Don and Ross Barbour, Bob Flanigan, and Hal Kratzsch performed in public for the first -- and nearly last -- time together as professional musicians, at the 113 Club in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (The 113 Club was located at 113 Washington Blvd.)

The group was known then as The Toppers, then a month later as the Freshmen Four. The name Four Freshmen would not be used for several months yet.

For the complete story on this historic first performance, check out the start of Chapter 4 (page 39) of Ross' book, "Now You Know: The Story of the Four Freshmen."

Read about the Happy Birthday tribute to the Freshmen recorded by a very young Brian Wilson, in his pre-Beach Boys days. Click here.

Oct. 5: Death of Don Barbour See entry for April 19.

Oct. 6: Hal Kratzsch's Birthday

Original Freshmen member Hal Kratzsch was born on this date in 1925 in Warsaw, Ind. He sang with Don and Ross Barbour, and Bob Flanigan, from their first professional job on Sept. 20, 1948, until May of 1953, for a total of 4 years 8 months. He died Nov. 18, 1970, of cancer. He also produced one album of his own, "Thanks to You by Hal Kratzsch," on Capitol in 1955. It was recorded for Capitol's "Kenton Presents" series.

Dec. 10: Ken Albers' birthday

Ken Albers -- arranger, trumpet player, mellophone player, and bass singer with the The Four Freshmen -- was born on this date in 1924 in Woodbury (some accounts say Pitman), N.J. (He died April 19, 2007). For more on Ken, click here.

Dec. 13: "In Session" Album Released

The Freshmen release on this date in 2004 their first album in years with all previously-unrecorded (by the Freshmen) numbers. Performing are Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, Vince Johnson, and Bob Ferreira. Brian arranged most of the numbers, Vince one, and ex-Freshmen Bill Comstock one.

Dec. 31: Ross Barbour's Birthday

Ross Barbour is an original member of the Four Freshmen who lives in California with his wife, Sue, and was born on this date in 1928. (Dec. 31 is also their wedding anniversary!)

A native of Columbus, Ind., he joined with three other Hoosiers -- his older brother, Don, cousin Bob Flanigan, and Hal Kratzsch -- to form the Four Freshmen in 1948. He stayed with the group for 28 years, retiring in August 1977.

Today, Ross and Bob survive and meet fans at FF reunions, fan conventions, and whenever possible FF concerts where the current version of the Freshmen are performing.