by Helen Gagel | Oct 21, 2025 | Singer Profile
As I reviewed the transcript of my conversation with John Mueller, I kept hearing Frank Sinatra singing “That’s Life,” his 1966 hit about life’s ups and downsThe song features this refrain: “I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king.” John...
by Helen Gagel | Sep 16, 2025 | Singer Profile
George brings his beautiful bass to every choir he sings with! As Sounds Good Choir added more choirs in different communities throughout Chicagoland, a new type of singer was born—the choir hopper. Choir hoppers are those singers who can’t get enough of Sounds Good...
by Helen Gagel | Aug 18, 2025 | Singer Profile
Jason Allen’s singing career began at the tender age of two while riding in the back seat of his Aunt Bet’s car. “We were headed down south for a funeral, and my aunt started singing. I kept saying, ‘Sing, Aunt Bet, sing’ and soon I began to sing along.” Jason went on...
by Helen Gagel | Jul 14, 2025 | Singer Profile
Judy Peres is writing a memoir that promises to be what booksellers call ‘a good read.’ “Old Growth: A Memoir of Love, Lumber, and Late-Life Exuberance” relates Judy’s adventures after age 60, when many of us are easing into retirement. Not Judy! She took a buyout...
by Helen Gagel | May 28, 2025 | Singer Profile
– Recycling Champion, Community Activist & Intrepid Alto – Betsy is a lifelong activist for the causes she believes in. Some of us are fortunate to have a life-changing experience while still young enough to learn from it. For Betsy Vandercook, it...
by Helen Gagel | Mar 18, 2025 | Singer Profile
Soprano, Social Worker & Blues Cruiser At the tender age of 11, few of us know what we want to be when we grow up. Betty Dayron is the exception: she knew she wanted to be a social worker, and she went on to fulfill her dream in a 43-year career with the agency...
