CSD names 12th Street Rag to Hall of Fame
| Type of post: | Chorus news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | John Braden |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Wed, Nov 5 2025 |
The Central States District inducted 12th Street Rag into the Central States District Hall of Fame for the quartet's long-standing dedication to advancement of Barbershop in the CSD and beyond.
The award came at the CSD Fall Convention Oct. 11. Four of the quartet's six members -- Rick Kready, Micah Jeppesen, John Fortino and Barry Moore -- were present at the Lawrence convention site. John thanked the district on behalf of the four as well as his brother, Mark Fortino, and Keith Schweer.
The Heart of America Barbershop Chorus' own 12th Street Rag became CSD champions in 1994 and advanced to International quartet semifinalist six times between 1999 and 2007. The district named the quartet CSD Barbershopper of the Year in 2003 for its work in Youth in Harmony.
12th Street wins International Seniors championship
The quartet did not sing again for 17 years after the 2007 contest. In 2024, Mark's son, Anthony, invited them to join Anthony's 2023 International champion Midtown in its swan song set at the Cleveland International Convention.
Once 12th Street came together again, they realized they were old enough to compete in Seniors Quartet competition. They won the CSD Seniors contest in 2024 and qualified for the International Seniors Quartet contest, which they won at the January 2025 Barbershop Harmony Society MidWinter Convention.
The award came at the CSD Fall Convention Oct. 11. Four of the quartet's six members -- Rick Kready, Micah Jeppesen, John Fortino and Barry Moore -- were present at the Lawrence convention site. John thanked the district on behalf of the four as well as his brother, Mark Fortino, and Keith Schweer.
The Heart of America Barbershop Chorus' own 12th Street Rag became CSD champions in 1994 and advanced to International quartet semifinalist six times between 1999 and 2007. The district named the quartet CSD Barbershopper of the Year in 2003 for its work in Youth in Harmony.
12th Street wins International Seniors championship
The quartet did not sing again for 17 years after the 2007 contest. In 2024, Mark's son, Anthony, invited them to join Anthony's 2023 International champion Midtown in its swan song set at the Cleveland International Convention.
Once 12th Street came together again, they realized they were old enough to compete in Seniors Quartet competition. They won the CSD Seniors contest in 2024 and qualified for the International Seniors Quartet contest, which they won at the January 2025 Barbershop Harmony Society MidWinter Convention.
