The Quartet

Our Story

It all started on a cold February day in 2006 when Karl, Scot, Walt and Dave formed a quartet to sing for the annual Men of Note Singing Valentines event. The four members all liked the sound and decided to continue singing together. Their first public paid performance was six months later and Smooth Brew was off and running as a performing quartet.

Over the last 18 years the group has expanded its repertoire with pop rock, vocal jazz, doo-wop, classical barbershop and vintage harmony selections and sets for Variety, Patriotic, Inspirational/Sacred and Christmas. Their active performing schedule keeps them busy with an average of 25 paid performance a year at venues and events including corporate events, community gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and private parties.


Hiram Brown


Tenor@smoothbrew.net

Hiram wasn't bright enough to pass his college Physics classes and even audition for a singing group or musical theater much less perform. He's been desperately playing catch up ever since. While allowed to sing at church (deep abiding grace and Tenors are in short supply....) it was clear that a deeply suppressed ham was looking for escape when he joined the Men of Note Chorus and Avanti quartet post 2000. An unabashed nerd's nerd he loves to sing and make people smile any time the opportunity arises.

Gary Applegate


Lead@smoothbrew.net

Gary started performing as a soloist with a capella and accompanied ensembles at the seasoned age of four, but didn't get serious about ensemble singing until college. (Singing in bars for free food and drinks was particularly appealing.) Gary has fond memories of performing with the Boys Next Door Quartet, Guys and Dolls - The Vocal Group, and the Avanti Quartet. He is a long-time member of the Plano Men of Note chorus and a gold medalist performer with the Vocal Majority.


Jon Reed


Bari@smoothbrew.net

Jon has been singing in church and school choirs for as long as he can remember. He found the Barbershop art form in 1982 when he first joined The Vocal Majority. He has been a member of choruses in Denver, Dallas, Detroit and Plano. He loves to sing and teach tags until the cows come home. Jon has been singing with Smooth Brew since 2012 and is Jon’s first quartet with an actual name!

Walt Lammert


Bass@smoothbrew.net

Walt sang with an a cappella chorus in college 50 years ago, but rediscovered a cappella when he started singing with Smooth Brew in 2006. Walt also provides the live sound and recording expertise for the quartet. Based on his quartet experiences, he authored "The Guidebook for Performing Quartets" for the Barbershop Harmony Society.