For Heaven's Sake evolved through a ten-year span beginning in 1986 when Laurie Shepherd and Mary Ann Wert began singing in their first quartet together. Two quartets later, by adding Mary Ann's daughters one at a time, For Heaven's Sake emerged. They first joined their voices in 1995, and went on to win the Harmony, Inc. International Quartet Contest in Saint John, New Brunswick, making them the 1996 International Quartet Champions. Aside from entertaining on barbershop shows and other public forums, this foursome was honored to represent Harmony, Inc. at the World Harmony Jamboree in Anaheim, California in July 1999. Along with many noted a cappella groups, they were selected to perform at the first-ever Sing 2001! A Cappella Celebration held in Nashville, Tennessee. They were honored by Harmony, Inc. by receiving the "Image of Harmony Award" given to a quartet for their outstanding service to their community, and their Harmony, Inc. Chapter/Area/International organization. They also hold the distinct honor of being the "oldest" active Queen quartet in Harmony, Inc.....ouch!
The quartet has produced three recordings: "What a Wonderful World" which nominated for a 1999 CARA (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award) for Best Barbershop Album, and won first runner-up for Best Barbershop Song by the Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA). Their second recording "Now and Again" was released in November 2003. Their most recent recording called "I Wish You Love" was released in the fall of 2008. This recording was also nominated for a 2009 CARA Award for Best Barbershop Song.
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Laurie Shepherd (lead) is a second-generation barbershopper, and used to attend chorus meeting nights with her father, singing along with her Dad when she was a teenager. She joined the Northern Blend Chorus of Harmony, Inc. in Watertown, NY in 1986. Before too long she was singing tenor in a quartet with Mary Ann and two other gals from the chorus. She is the busy mother of two children, Gabriel, 17 and Carley, 14. She is a teacher's assistant and is a Certified Image and Wardrobe Consultant offering seasonal color draping and makeovers.
Mary Ann Wert (baritone) is a restaurant owner with her husband, Chuck. He is the bass in Cornerstone, a well-known Society comedy quartet. In 1985 she joined Northern Blend Chorus, and in 1995 became its front-line Director. Chuck and Mary Ann produced two lovely daughters who, at the tender ages of 8 and 11, began harmonizing with Mom and Dad and they formed their family quartet, Compound W. The family still sings together whenever they manage to be in the same place at the same time! In case you haven't figured it out, Mary Ann is the mother of Katie and Lorie!
Katie (Wert) Taylor (bass) "officially" became a barbershopper when she joined Northern Blend in 1987 at the age of 12. Her love of barbershop singing was probably the largest factor in her life that made her decide to pursue music as her career. She teaches K-12 vocal music. Katie and Ricky were married in July 1996, and the couple has added two sons to their family, Gavin in January 1999 and Zachary in October 2000. In 2003, Katie became Co-Director of Northern Blend with her mother. Katie also is a 2008 Harmony Queen with U4X in which she sings tenor with three lovely ladies from Chicago, IL.
Lorie (Wert) Autote (tenor), like her sister, joined the chorus at the age of 12. She patiently sat through years of quartet rehearsals, absorbing by osmosis the style and quality of what eventually became her quartet. And so, "For Heaven's Sake" was born in early 1995. At age 18, she was the third youngest Harmony, Inc. member to bring home her Gold Medal! Lorie is a secondary Math teacher. Lorie and Christopher Autote (pronounced OH-tot) were married in 2000 and their sons, Drew and Evan were born in September 2003 and August 2006.
For Heaven's Sake, in addition to performing on barbershop shows, is committed to sharing their knowledge and love of barbershop with today's youth ~ the future of our wonderful style of music! The quartet continues to encourage involvement with barbershop singing by promoting workshops with high schools kids and is active with education throughout their organization. They have had many wonderful experiences, and hope to spread the "barbershop bug" to as many people as possible!!!
