Easternaires

The Easternaires were the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 1955 Mid-Atlantic District Champions and three time international medalist quartet. They first formed in 1954 with Dan Heyburn (tenor), Tommy Dames (lead), Bob Bohn (baritone/musical arranger), and Ray Michalski (bass). They won the Arthur Godfrey talent show shortly after their formation. In 1956, Harry Richter replaced Ray and the quartet earned 5th place bronze medals in the international contest. Bill Annichiarico of the Home Town Quartet replaced Harry in 1959 and Dan and Tommy switched voice parts and the quartet took 4th in that contest. In 1961, the Easternaires made a recording contract with RCA and released their one and only LP, “Once Over alrighty.” Shortly after the release of their album, they were given the offer to replace the Buffalo Bills in the Music Man. Tommy Dames decided to stay behind and Eddy Ryan of the Rocketones replaced him as tenor. Ray Stone of the Hometown Quartet and George Evans of the Confederates Quartet helped fill in during this time as well. Eddy and Dan both returned at the end of the tour. This foursome stayed together until 1968 when Bill fell ill and Jim Jones (previously of the Buffalo Bills) replaced him as bass. Jim Mallet would also join them as bass. Eventually Bob Bohn switched to bass and Dave Mittlestadt (lead of the Play-Tonics) joined them as the baritone. This foursome would be the most popular version of the Easternaires. In 1970 they earned a 5th place bronze medal which would be their third and final medal. The Easternaires continued to travel the country performing for thousands of people with their amazing show antics and Bob Bohn’s incredible arrangements. They retired in 1979 after nearly 25 years of singing together. Eddy Ryan later released two CD albums of the Easternaires, “Slightly Different” (2000) and “When The World Was Young” (2003). In 2018, they were inducted to the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Hall Of Fame. Bill Annicharico died in 1970, Bob Bohn died in 1993, Dan Heyburn died in 1996, Ray Stone and Harry Richter both died in 2006, George Evans died in 2007, Dave Mittlestadt died in 2012, Tommy Dames died in 2014, and Eddy Ryan died in 2019. Today only Jim Jones, Jim Mallett, and honorary bass Johnny Russo survive.