Barbershop quartet keeps singing after member’s stroke

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Aging Untold) — A Stevens Point barbershop quartet called Alternative Medicine continues performing together after one of its members suffered a stroke and spent five days in the hospital.

The group includes Patty Bourgeois on tenor, Joe Larson on lead, Dennis Stephani on bass and Joel Bourgeois on baritone.

A group built around barbershop

Joel Bourgeois said he has been singing barbershop since he was 14, inspired by watching his father come home from practice in a better mood.

The group’s goal, he said, is straightforward.

“We want folks to feel the music and feel better, having heard it,” Joel Bourgeois said.

Joel and Patty Bourgeois met at a barbershop competition.

“We met because of barbershop. That’s just always been a thing that we share,” Patty Bourgeois said.

The couple moved from Texas to Stevens Point and began recruiting members to form a new quartet.

Stephani said he had to overcome nerves before joining.

“I was nervous about singing in public — outside of a choir where you’re with many people,” he said.

The group went on to perform at variety shows, sporting events and nursing homes.

Stroke sidelines a member

Joe Larson suffered a stroke that sent him to the hospital for five days.

“My stroke took away my dexterity in my right hand, my handwriting went to pot and piano playing was out the window,” Larson said.

Stephani said the group was concerned about Larson’s ability to continue singing.

“For the most part it seemed OK, but he was slurring his words and I thought, ‘Oh, this isn’t good for a singing group,’” Stephani said.

Despite the uncertainty, the group stood by Larson.

“We were going to ride this train with him as far as it would go,” Joel Bourgeois said.

Recovery and return

Larson went through several weeks of speech and physical rehabilitation at the Portage County Health Care Center. The group performed as he left the facility.

“They told me I should expect to get 98% back, so I’m over 90, I think,” Larson said.

The group has since returned to performing.

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