Written by Delaney Holman
There is a quiet, elderly community living in the alcove-like rooms at the Martin Boyd Assisted Living facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. However, on Thursday nights at 7 p.m., the sound of brotherhood and song begins to float through the hall. The bellowing of harmonies comes from a group of men just down the hall in a community room. A sweater-vested, white-haired, sensible-sneaker ensemble is keeping an old art form alive in Chattanooga: Barbershop Quartets.
As a collective, this group practices and gathers as “The Choo Choo Chorus,” an all-male chorus born from the Barbershop Harmony Society in Nashville, TN. Officially, the chorus performs in breakout barbershop quartets, a grouping of four men who blend a cappella singing to create a sound unique to this configuration. Each person is responsible for their own part. There is no standout lead singer; it is every member building a song together.
Jimmy Tompkins, the chorus’s charming and at times stern director, keeps the men’s pace with snaps and a wistful bounce in his step. During these practices, one of the men most on beat and best developed in his singing is Paul Blazek, a tall, jolly man who has settled into the risers after serving as director for 33 years and passing the torch to Tompkins.
Blazek became a barbershopper in 1976, bouncing between the Nashville, Marietta, Cleveland, and Tullahoma choruses, serving as a director for a combined 36 years, never taking a salary, and even attending many classes to learn to direct and sing better.
Blazek relinquished the director position after suffering from a heart attack in 2019. “I recovered remarkably well, the surgeon told me afterwards, ‘We only see recoveries like yours in runners and swimmers and singers.” He said, “And then he looked at me, he said, ‘And judging by your body type, I’m gonna go with singer.”
The same bounce that Tompkins has resides in the hearts of many members, despite the average age being over seventy. The music keeps them young. “It is physically good for you to be a singer. It’s also hard to be unhappy while you’re singing. It just is, it’s good for your body and your soul,” said Blazek.
The members have built something together, the group gathers on risers around a pitch pipe, leaning in and out of one another between high and low notes. Not only in song but also in life, this group of men leans on one another and has carved out a place of brotherhood where it was dwindling
“There aren’t as many opportunities for men to be social with men anymore,” said Blazek.
The chorus not only offers the men health benefits, but also a sense of community in an age when men are more likely to face loneliness and self-isolation. A review by the American Journal of Men’s Health details how humans inherently need social connections and that traditional masculinity norms can increase vulnerability and loneliness in men.
Blazek’s father was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, a men’s social organization founded in 1888. “But those groups aren’t as popular as they used to be. And so there aren’t as many opportunities for men to be social with men,” said Blazek.
The Choo Choo Chorus is composed of a vast array of men, lawyers, doctors, menial workers, and even ministers. “But when we’re together singing, we’re just family, basically, and it’s good to be with other men. It helps you develop as a man,” said Blazek, who describes himself before the intervention of barbershop quartets in his life as socially awkward and never a people person.
“Barbershop helped me so much by putting me into this mix with all these other people that I had to interact with and sing with and perform with, and entertain with, and be a part of those groups. It caused me to re-examine myself and learn more about who I really am. It’s a wonderful community,” said Blazek.
The men perform without microphones; their voices carry loudly, and when they’re together, it’s sonorous. The power of their resonance carries through the city, having performed in the past at City Hall, for the Lookouts baseball team, and the Red Wolves soccer team. The Choo Choo Chorus is not only a community in itself but also works to add to Chattanooga’s overall community.
“We try to find whatever opportunities we can to get ourselves out because it helps the community, but it also helps us,” said Balzek. “By showing these folks that, you know, we are a group of entertainers, it is an art form, it is a truly American art form. And there is a feeling, and it’s truly not a made-up feeling. Our brains are wired to enjoy harmony.”
That feeling is best expressed when harmonies are delivered by barbershop quartets: four men blending the melody, tenor, bass, and baritone, who tie the chords together to deliver the barbershop’s special sound. Through the Choo Choo Chorus’s breakout quartet groups, the chorus embeds itself in the community.
On Valentines Day, four men from the Choo Choo Chorus suit up in matching red blazers, black hand-tied bows, and carry an arsenal of roses. Upon request, clients can pay the quartet to deliver a song, a note, and a rose to their valentine.
“We usually end up singing at a couple of doctors’ offices and stuff, but we went to one, and it wasn’t any of the nurses. And when we asked for the lady by name, they said, ‘Oh, okay.’ And it was the oncology department, and the woman was receiving chemotherapy. Oh, wow. That was a tough one. But it was worth it. Because her husband loved her enough to do that. (…). It’s so special,” said Blazek.
These Valentine’s Day performances also serve as fundraising events for the chorus. “Arts are an important part of our culture. Why would people pay to go to the Hunter Museum? Because it adds value to the community to have the arts in it. You’re not just supporting the Choo Choo Chorus, you’re also making somebody else happy,” said Blazek.
The Choo Choo Chorus is made up mostly of men in their later years, and yet they contribute to the art scene not to pave a new path, but to brush off an old one: barbershop quartets. “The way I became a barbershopper was by being exposed to it, being dragged to it. But once I was there, I realized that this was something I wanted to do,” said Blazek. “And even now, the chapter has been in Chattanooga since ’62, and we’re still one of the best-kept secrets in Chattanooga.”
Music Moves
Written by Cooper Thompson
Standing on the back deck of the house that Daniel Randolph practically rebuilt himself, a former English teacher-turned-handyman reflects on the unlikely throughline that has held his life together: singing with the Choo Choo Chorus (CCC). Randolph has woven music through his life, from church a capella, the Chattanooga Boys Choir, and now the CCC. Randolph’s love for barbershop is less about a hobby and more about inspiration. The Chorus offers a purpose and a place to belong in a world that keeps telling people there’s no time for any of that.
Randolph, 38, is one of the youngest members of the Chorus. Many of the singers beside him are great-grandfathers whose children are well into their 20s and long moved out. Randolph, however, is still chasing toddler Barret, and caring for two-month-old, Natalie, at home. “Right now, I feel like I’m kind of at a stopgap,” said Randolph.
“If I drop out, it’ll be really sad for the guys who I’m singing with,” said Randolph. So he continues showing up to help carry the music forward. “Guys should keep singing and share that music with other people; it can help find an outlet, find an escape,” Randolph said.
During COVID-19, Randolph realized he had become constricted to just work, family, and a sense of going through passages in life. Isolation, he says, was settling in as friends grew busier, moved away, or disappeared into their own responsibilities. Randolph had the time to teach his son, Barret, what barbershop harmony is all about in hopes that he might follow in his footsteps and carry on the music for more generations.
The Choo Choo Chorus aided in what began as a “stopgap” becoming something deeper: a place to belong, a brotherhood of voices, and a reason to keep reaching “for a little bit more joy.”
Director Jimmy Tompkins leads the Choo Choo Chorus through a song during their weekly practice. The Choo Choo Chorus in Chattanooga, TN gather every Thursday at the Martin Boyd Christian Home assisted living facility for practice. Thursday, February 5, 2026. (Photo by Delaney Holman). 
Benny Malone sings baritone in Nearer, My God, to Thee during rehearsal. He brought the rhythm to the harmony. Thursday, February 5, 2026 (Photo by Conner Coady) 
Choo Choo Chorus manager, Pete Jones addresses the Chorus at the end of practice, while director Jimmy Tompkins holds a sign advertising their valentines day quartet performances. Every year, the all male Choo Choo Chorus from Chattanooga, TN sells their barbershop quartet performances for valentines. Thursday, February 5, 2026. (Photo by Delaney Holman.) 
The Choo Choo Chorus gathers to practice together for their valentines day quartet performances. The Choo Choo Chorus in Chattanooga, TN gather every Thursday at the Martin Boyd Christian Home assisted living facility for practice. Thursday, February 5, 2026. (Photo by Delaney Holman). 
A barbershop quartet made up of Judd Jadoobirsingh, Pete Jones, Steve Grubb, and Ron Weaver sing at a barbershop to advertise their singing valentines day performances. The Choo Choo Chorus in Chattanooga, TN often performs in breakout quartet groups, especially for their valentines day performances. Friday, February 6, 2026. (Photo by Delaney Holman). 
The male barbershop quartet made out of Pete Jones, Judd Jadoobirsingh, Steve Grubb, and Ron Weaver file into Ridge Cuts Barbershop to advertise their valentines day performances. The Choo Choo Chorus in Chattanooga, TN performs in their quartet groups all over Chattanooga on valentines day at the order of customers. Friday, February 6, 2026. (Photo by Delaney Holman). 
Manager of the Choo Choo Chorus, Pete Jones holds the door open for his quartet members, Judd Jadoobirsingh, Steve Grubb, and Ron Weaver. The Choo Choo Chorus is an all male Chorus out of Chattanooga, TN which breaks out into barbershop quartets to perform. Friday, February 6, 2026. (Photo by Delaney Holman). 
The Choo-Choo Chorus meets in the Martin-Boyd Christian Home every Thursday at 7:00. They Thursday February 5, 2026 (Photo by Conner Coady) 
Danny Randolph sings bass in the Choo-Choo Chorus. He is the youngest member of the chorus at 38 years old. Thursday, February 5th, 2026 (Photo by Conner Coady)
Meet the storytellers
Delaney Holman is a senior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, majoring in communication with a concentration in journalism and a minor in political science. Holman serves as the Head Editor of Rising Rock for the Spring 2026 semester. She also wrote for the Strike Magazine Chattanooga issue 10 and is continuing to write for issue 11. Holman works as a research assistant, writes for the University Echo, and is an intern, writing human interest stories for Chattanooga’s Parks and Outdoor Department. Holman envisions focusing on politics and using her skills in written and photojournalism to engage with and learn from people in the Chattanooga area. She believes in a journalists responsibility to share stories that foster curiosity, understanding, and community. Let Delaney tell your story to bridge the societal gaps that disconnect us, utilizing the power of staying informed, connected, and compassionate. To contact Delaney, email her at kqb147@mocs.utc.edu.
Corbin Winters is a Senior studying communication with a minor in creative writing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He works as a staff photographer with the UTC Echo. Winters has also photographed youth travel baseball working with Glossy Photos over the summer. His passion is listening to diverse stories and hearing untold perspectives. In his free time Winters enjoys playing marimba, teaching marching band and writing creative fiction. After graduating, Winters plans to pursue photojournalism, using the camera as a way to connect people through powerful, real-world stories. You can reach him at zvx374@mocs.utc.edu or view his photography work here.
Cooper Thompson is a senior studying communication with a minor in marketing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Thompson was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. He is the Vice President and Social Media Manager for the UTC Men’s Club Soccer team. Thompson works for Vecoma at the Yellow River and serves as their main wedding photographer. He also focuses on sports photography, and Thompson brings his camera with him to document his travels around the world. This past summer, he captured the emotions and beauty of Japan while focusing on the messages that lie in each of his photos. Thompson is a hard-working, determined, and kind person who uses his skills and personality wherever he goes. Growing up, playing soccer has always been his main passion, and after college, he aims to pursue a career in sports photography. To connect with Thompson, email him at mbw143@mocs.utc.edu .
Moses Malone is a graduating senior at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga majoring in communication with a minor in film & television. While he enjoys photography, his main skills lie in video and audio production. He has a passion to pursue a career in writing and directing gripping and heartwarming films that will strive audiences to be better versions of themselves. In his free time, you can find him building relationships with other film artists in the city of Chattanooga. To contact or collaborate with Moses, email him at hhp457@mocs.utc.edu.
Conner Coady is a senior studying psychology and communication at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Coady utilizes his concentration in Social Sciences to journalism and the world of mental health as he documents intersecting societal and emotional issues. His photos have been published by the The University Echo and he has been on the front line of mental health awareness and action. When Coady is not in the photo lab, you can find him at local live music events, reading classic literature, or moderating discussions surrounding films as President of UTC Film Club. For further inquiries, please contact Conner at STR943@mocs.utc.edu and view his photography here