Singing group pays tribute to pop greats
FOUR BY FOUR TAKES ON THE BEATLES AND OTHER GROUPS
When the members of Four by Four hit the stage of Southminster United Church next month, audiences can expect more than a show paying tribute to some of the biggest names in popular music.
Four By Four, which last performed in Lethbridge two years ago, will be back on April 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $64.50 at the Ticket Centre in the Enmax Centre, 403-329-7328.
The Las Vegas-based foursome performs the works of The Beach Boys, The Bee Gees, The Beatles and some of Motown’s biggest hits.
Texas native Douglas “Katch” Grey, a singer, dancer and songwriter was with the group when it performed here last time and says it’s fun for the performers as well as the audience.
“The pacing is done so well. It keeps us on our toes as much as the audience,” says Grey, who has spent the last 12 years performing on stages around the world.
Grey is a veteran not only of “Four By Four,” but also “Oh What a Night,” the tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons which is also produced by ChapQuist Entertainment.
In his early 30s, Grey was introduced to the music he performs while being driven to school by his dad who would have the radio tuned into “oldies” stations.
And while the young Grey wanted to listen to more current music than his parental chauffeur, he now looks back at those days fondly because he was introduced to some spectacular pop music.
“My dad loved the Bee Gees and Motown,” he said in an interview Thursday from his Las Vegas home. Four By Four also includes James Bullard, Josh Woodie and Ryan Coddie.
While the band covers artists, they don’t imitate them. The group sings in their own voices so audiences are hearing an authentic performance, not a live identical version of the originals.
“We have to do justice to a song and put our own personality in,” said Grey, adding he might phrase things a bit differently in his performances. But the group sticks to the original lyrics, melodies and arrangements.
Grey, who has a solo album out on iTunes, said the repertoire was initially a challenge with singers having to move seamlessly from one range to another.
“The Beach Boys harmonies are hard to master,” said Grey but members work privately and together to get the songs right.
“The guys have to be able to do it all but we’re all seasoned professionals.”
Grey said he has favourite tunes in each section and enjoys the chance to move in a show from one artist to another.
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