Group Biography

The 2005 International Collegiate Quartet Champions, Men in Black, were formed in 2001. Originally students of the Hart School of music, Tony Nasto, Oliver Merrill, Ray Johnson and Karl Hudson have become much more than a college quartet. It is no coincidence that these four gentlemen from various musical backgrounds have joined together to create the unique, youthful sound and personality of Men In Black. Their passion and drive for barbershop music has led them to four district collegiate champion awards: the 2005 NED District gold medal, NED Award for Novice Quartet, ICCA Second Place Semifinalist (New England Region) and the 2005 gold medal as the International Collegiate Quartet Champions.

Men In Black have competed in the MBNA America Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest since 2002 where they ranked last out of 21quartets. Through their loss grew a determination to learn the art of barbershop music, jumping to 13th in 2003, an astonishing 8th in 2004 and accepting first place in 2005, recording the second highest collegiate score. As members of the Northeastern District, Men In Black have been repeated participants in the Harmony Explosion Events, NED workshops, clinics and multiple chapter shows. Their unprecedented win has allowed them to expand outside the Northeast District sharing their talent with audiences throughout the society. In addition, Men In Black have recorded two albums; “Songs To Take Up Space,” followed by their second, entitled, “The Sophomore Album.” Imagine what you’ll know about them tomorrow!

Professional Bio (acceptable for media related material).

Karl Hudson

was born in Brooklyn, NY, but spent his high school days in the small town of Hopedale, MA. Inspired by music at an early age, Karl enjoyed singing while his father played hymns on the organ, as well as, singing along with the reggae, soul and R & B greats of the time. As he continued to develop his voice, Karl went on to play the saxophone, drums and taught himself piano and composition.

Raised in a Jamaican household of a culturally diverse neighborhood, his interest in music ranged from classical piano concertos and jazz, to gospel and R & B. Like music, Karl’s interest in acting came naturally, always imitating scenes from television as a child. At the age of 12 he pursued his first play. Fascinated with the creative process, he was encouraged to seek more opportunities to perform. Soon after his second role Karl discovered musicals, offering the best of both worlds. He performed as Leroy in “Fame”, King in “King and I”, Hook in “Peter Pan” and landed a small role in a production of “Show Boat” with the Hal Prince National Touring cast. His enjoyment for theater did not conflict with his concert performance.

While in high School, he auditioned for the All State Chorus and received two solos. Aside from his four years with All State, he competed and won first place for classical singing at two Rhode Island NATS competitions (national association of teachers of singing). Karl went on to the Hartt School as a musical theater major after graduating from Hopedale High School in 2000. While in college he met Ray Johnson, a fellow theater major who introduced him to Barbershop with a tag. Knowing little about the world of Barbershop, but familiar with its origin, Karl was taken by its remarkable harmony and the evolution of its sound. Singing Barbershop with the guys has brought him great joy and a passion he will embrace for the rest of his life. His years as a college student were very productive.

By this time, he found himself working among Tony award-winning actors and directors that provided him a high level of inspiration. Having completed college, he has performed a range of roles some including: Joe in “Showboat”, Monsor in the world premier of “One Man’s War”, two productions of “Ragtime” as Coalhouse Walker Jr.; Frederik Egerman in “A Little Night Music”, and Jack Wright in the world premier of “Love Blues”. He has been featured in multiple productions at the Robinson Theater, Hartford Stage Company, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, and the legendary NEC Theatre (an Off-Broadway Company). Since Graduating in 2004 with a BFA in Musical Theater, he has moved back to New York City for his career in theater and film.

Oliver Merrill

is relatively new to singing a cappella. He is greatly influenced by jazz, classic rock, funk and various other styles of music, including barbershop harmony. His musical experience began when he was very young, focusing primarily in musical theater. He has captured such roles as Action in West Side Story, Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods, Al Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, and Chairman/William Cartwright in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Oliver studied musical theater at the Hartt School of Music, where he met the other three members of the quartet. He left to pursue singing and acting professionally. During that time he co-wrote, co-directed and co-starred in an independent film with a friend, which sparked his passion for filmmaking. He hopes to start his own film company within the next few years. The quartet has become a family for Oliver.Ray, Karl and Tony have become his brothers over the last few years, teaching each other to hear and sing music in new and better ways. With them, he has exceeded his own expectations and continues to grow as a singer and as a performer. Oliver is constantly grateful for finding such a blend of voices, personality and experience.

Ray Johnson

Hi there. It's Ray. I sing baritone with Men In Black. I was born in the fall of 1982 in Pittsfield, MA. My parents are both barbershoppers. My dad belonged to the Barbershop Harmony Society until his death in Aug of 05, and my mom was/is a Sweet Adeline. They met at a barbershop jamboree in Alton Bay, NH. I've been brought up on this kind of music. I used to listen to a weekly radio show broadcast all summer long with the family. In fourth grade I began classical training as a boy soprano. I joined the Pittsfield barbershop chorus the Berkshire Hillsmen when I was 9. I got the title role in Carl Orf's "Amahl and the Night Visitors". In middle school I was in the chorus, and the select show chorus. I went to Jr. District chorus festival twice. In High School I was in the chorus, and select madrigal choir all four years, did Sr. District all four years with a perfect score on my audition my senior year, and All-State chorus all four years being in the House Quartet my Sophomore year before it was done away with. I was in a Shakespearian play every fall with Shakespeare and Co. of Lenox, and held a major role in every musical that went up in the Spring. Summers I did shows on Cape Cod at the Harwich Junior Theater and Orleans Academy. I was accepted at the Hartt School of Music's Musical Theater major at the University of Hartford. When I got there I began learning a new style of singing, along with learning to dance and officially act. While waiting for the bus, I'd teach the three other parts of a tag, and sing it. When the first contest came up I asked three of my friends to learn two barbershop songs for a contest. The rest as they say is history. I've continued my own singing career in the chorus of Berkshire Opera Company's production of L'Elisier D'Amore, and as Tevye in a local production of Fiddler on the Roof. I currently live in Boston, and work in a dental office.

Anthony Nasto

Anthony Nasto began singing at the impressionable age of five. He excelled in music and his talent brought him to several school, community and professional theater companies during his adolescence. He has performed in theater classics such as "The Wizard of Oz”, “Alice”, “Guys and Dolls”, and his most memorable teenage performances as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof”, and Olin Britt in “The Music Man”. Olin Britt, a character who sings bass in the musical’s quartet, introduced Tony to barbershop music. His fellow cast member, Bob Rosenburger, the only member of the quartet to also be a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, was so impressed by the performance he invited the quartet to sing for his chorus chapter. Taken by this experience, Tony immediately fell in love with the barbershop style. With Bob Rosenburger, he started the Big Time Sound quartet with two other members of the chorus. In addition to singing, Tony also plays the trombone, arranges and writes music of all genres. After graduating high shool, Tony attended the Hartt School of music. As a college student he participated in the Opera and Theater programs as an actor, singer and trombonist for the musical theater pit orchestra. He has performed as The Vicar in, “Albert Herring”, Marco in “Gianni Schicci”, and played 1st trombone for “Ragtime”, and “Pirates of Penzance”. While a freshman at the Hartt School Tony auditioned and joined Men in Black, a college quartet in search of a tenor. After singing bass with Big Time Sound for two years, he jumped at the chance to sing a different part in a quartet. As a member of Men in Black he has had the opportunity to perform with some of the best quartets the society has to offer, including The Boston Common, Metropolis, and Keepsake. Becoming a champion up until now had merely been a fantasy. Tony is looking forward to the constant progress of the quartet and is excited to experience new levels in the Barbershop Society. Tony is in constant pursuit of his goal to perform with the Metropolitan Opera and to become a full time arranger.

Individual Bios

Karl Hudson

Oliver Merrill

Ray Johnson

Anthony Nasto