‘Just Friends’ singing group

Every Monday evening for over an hour, they practice.

 

Then, depending on the time of year, they perform about once a week.

 

For a group of 10 who’ve named themselves “Just Friends,” it seems they take their singing pretty seriously.

 

According to founding member and de facto director Randy Lewer, Just Friends was formed in 2002 by a group of New Richland area residents who “just like to sing.” Back then, like today, there were about 10 members, all men who shared their Christian faith and their patriotism, along with some level of skill at singing in harmony.

 

“Some have gone, new ones have come, and we just keep on singing,” observes Lewer.

 

Deceased members Roger Groskreutz and Jim Peterson, for example, are remembered and missed. New members Brian Vairma and Brad Stencl found out about the group and were welcomed within the past year.

 

“We’ve gone from being a New Richland group to being more of a southern Minnesota group,” observes Lewer.

 

They have a repertoire which includes dozens of songs and have performed so many places that they are remembered and called out like wins at Bingo every few minutes. The group has been invited to weddings, funerals, birthdays, fairs, churches, care facilities, campgrounds and community celebrations in a wide circle around their home base of New Richland. The farthest away was at a church in Rogers. The largest crowd was at the Steele County Fair.

 

They adjust the length of their performance to the circumstances, sometimes singing only a few songs, other times, many more. They have fond memories of having once been given the stage and told to perform as long as they wanted.

 

“We stayed for two hours,” states group member Dale Krueger.

 

“And the crowd stayed,” declares Doug Riskedahl matter-of-factly. “That shows you we have something people enjoy.”

 

None of the group members are paid for their work: in fact, since some now commute from communities including Moscow and Mankato--giving them more than an hour’s worth of driving for every practice—it’s evident they take part at significant personal expense.

 

Despite this, Lewer says it is typical to have full attendance. Even with the widely ranging locations and times of their presentations, he adds, “We’ve never performed with fewer than eight.”

 

There is no set fee for their performances. “We accept what we’re given,” says Dean Buendorf. “We like to think the more they like the music, the more they’ll give.” Donations are used to purchase equipment including microphones, a sound system, and supplies—perhaps especially the sheet music they practice from.

 

“It’s getting harder and harder to find songs written with the right harmonies,” observes Lewer, who selects the group’s music. He explains the parts are tenor 1, tenor 2, baritone and bass; many songs available in the more standard soprano, alto, tenor and bass arrangements are much easier to come by, he says. Indicating the group of men around him, he points out good-naturedly, “But that’s not who we are.”

 

Since the qualifications to join Just Friends are not particularly rigid, group members joke they would welcome anyone who loves their music. They are not seeking other vocal ranges, however, because they find something fundamentally distinctive about all-male harmony.

 

“It’s richer and deeper,” observes Brian Vairma. “It’s not typical, and that’s part of what makes it special.”

 

Also special to them is the opportunity to “spread the message of God in word and song,” says group member Dennis Maurer.

 

That shared underlying value perhaps is a big part of the reason the 10 group members go to the effort to learn the many harmonies needed for their performances, and why the group has continued to thrive for more than 20 years.

 

To a great degree, it’s also the camaraderie. Members joke that they come so they can pick on each other—or watch others do so. Joking aside, they admit enjoying each other’s company, challenging themselves and improving their skills as musicians, and knowing they are part of something valuable. “There’s a lot of emotion,” says Paul Hanson.

 

They mention the gratification of performing for an appreciative audience. The song “Angels Among Us,” for example, is a universal crowd pleaser. “You see people tapping their feet or singing along,” observes Vern Wilker, “it just makes you want to keep on singing.”

 

In answer to why he keeps taking part, founding member Larry Crabtree famously responded, “I could be having the worst day of my life. Then I come to practice and we sing these great songs together. We joke around and we make beautiful music.

 

“No matter how I felt when I arrived, I feel great when I go home.”

 

The members of Just Friends include Brian Vairma, Dale Krueger, Dean Buendorf, Brad Stencl, Doug Riskedahl, Larry Crabtree, Paul Hanson, Randy Lewer, Vern Wilker, and Dennis Maurer. Among the accompanists who have assisted the group are Gratia Johnson, Melissa Williams, Cindy Espe and Jan Prescher.

 

For booking information call Randy Lewer at 507-461-1173, or visit the group’s Facebook page, Just Friends Gospel.