Home Edition is a quartet specializing in the production of wonderful four-part barbershop harmony. They are all members of the Fun Center Chordsmen, the Mansfield chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society or SPEBSQSA.
Home Edition is the chapter’s most tenured registered quartet, having been together since 1989. Home Edition appears regularly on the annual shows of the Fun Center Chordsmen. They have appeared in several “Town Roasts” and have performed for many events, parties, and conventions in the Richland County area. They have provided dinner entertainment at J. Gilbert’s restaurant in Columbus on several occasions. That’s right, they “sang for their supper.”
In 2001, Home Edition completed their first tape/CD recording of their favorite songs. In 2002 and 2003, they took on the challenge of presenting Young Men In Harmony classes to high school choral students in a five-county area. Additionally, they have helped raise scholarship funds for students who attend a Harmony Camp each August in Columbus, including profits from their treasury.
Bruce Larcomb (Bass) is the newest member of the quartet, joining in 2023. Bruce sang his first barbershop song 70 years ago in a high school quartet. He did not sing "barbershop" in earnest until he joined the Alliance chorus in 2005. Bruce became a member of the Fun Center Chordsmen in 2020. He thoroughly enjoys singing with this quartet.
Gary Oswalt (Tenor) has been with the quartet since 2018. Gary was a charter member of the Fun Center Chordsmen beginning in 1974. He took a sabbatical from singing to pursue other opportunities for several years. Gary renewed his BHS membership in 2018. Overall, he has been singing barbershop for 29 years. Gary has sung with several quartets over the years, including Richland Sound System, Good Advice, Mem'ries, and Barnyard Boys before joining Home Edition. Gary retired from Sprint Corp. after 34 years of service, and also managed and operated a Drafting & Design business, retiring again in 2013.
Jerry Starrett (Lead) has been with the quartet since 1990. Jerry has been in BHS for 41 years. He joined the Fun Center Chordsmen in 1984. For 15 years he was a dual member with the Singing Buckeyes in Columbus and has competed at International competitions 3 times with them. Jerry was involved in various types of restaurant work for almost 50 years before retiring. He now enjoys working part-time at Gordon Foods as a cashier. For Jerry, barbershop singing has been a lifelong passion.
Dave Kracker (Baritone) is the remaining original member of the quartet which was formed in 1989. Dave has been a barbershopper since joining the Society in 1961. He has sung in different quartets in many of our shows over the past 50 years. Dave is a charter member of the Fun Center Chordsmen, serving as the founding director for 22 years, and subsequently as an Assistant Director. He is also a dual member of the Singing Buckeyes chorus in Columbus, having sung with them in numerous international contests in the past.
