It was in Iowa where he discovered barbershop

Even a pending open heart surgery can't keep Bob Nance from singing.

For the past 63 years, Nance has made it to nearly every Thursday night Harmony Hawks rehearsal at the Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Cedar Rapids. Of more than 70 men on the roster, he's the group's oldest member at 87 years old.

Despite his age — and even with a 'uncooperative' back and heart — he's always there, singing along with his booming bass voice.

'If I have any claim to fame it's that I've sung in a quartet for many years and I've always been the bass,' he said.

He's been singing since he was three years old. His family of four musicians — his father, stepmother, big brother and himself — formed a gospel quartet in Oklahoma, where he grew up.

'(My parents) started me out singing solos at gospel singing conventions,' he said. 'Maybe that had something to do with launching what little name I may have made as a singer.'

But it wasn't until he moved to Cedar Rapids in 1952 for a career in agricultural journalism — 22 years with WMT radio as farm services director and 17 years as communications director for Vigortone Ag Products — that he got into barbershop.

Barbershop is a specific style of a cappella music that is characterized by four-part harmonizing chords from the lead, tenor, baritone and bass voice.

The lead typically sings the melody, while tenors harmonize above them, baritones complete the chord below them and basses carry the lowest register.

'When I first heard barbershop music, I liked the ring of the barbershop chord,' he said.

The 'ringing chord,' he explained, is so unique that if you heard it, you'd recognize it.

Also known as the 'angel's voice,' 'fifth voice,' 'overtone' or 'barbershop seventh,' the 'ringing chord' comes from singing with a straight tone and no use of vibrato. When all voices are tuned just right, their synchronization create a perceived 'fifth voice,' or overtone.

'It's so pure,' Nance said. 'There's no middle ground in there for moving your voice around. You sing only your part, and you'd be surprised how wonderfully brilliant and what a good feeling it is to ring that barbershop chord.'

Nance joined the Harmony Hawks in 1953 and has been with them ever since.

Fellow chorusman Gary Lindsay described Nance as a 'cornerstone' for the chorus, adding Nance has an 'incredible voice.'

For 40 years, Nance also sang for the Vigortones — a Harmony Hawks quartet sponsored by his former employer, Vigortone Ag Products Inc.

The quartet has performed around the world. It has regularly competed in international barbershop competitions and placed 16th among hundreds of quartets in 1967.

The group also entertained soldiers for the United Service Organizations (USO) during the Vietnam War.

Nance said singing, especially barbershop, always has been more than just a hobby for him.

'Once you hear and become one voice in a quartet that you literally love, that passion is yours,' he said. 'That's something you're going to want to do for the rest of your life.'

He paused.

'If your voice holds out.'