Forever Preps

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

The Four Preps are forever. Even the insignia each of the Four Preps wears on his blazer displays the motto, "Prepus infinitum," which is Latin for "without limit or end."

After 56 years, the Four Preps almost have the right to say "without end."

The Four Preps present their Hollywood Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Carson Valley Inn.

"The group started in 1954, but we're having more fun than ever," said original member Bruce Belland.

Belland and the original Four Preps released the million-seller "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" in 1958.

The present incarnation of the Four Preps was formed in 2004, when Belland asked professional singers Bob Duncan, formerly with the Diamonds and Crew Cuts, and Michael Redman and Skip Taylor, both also Crew Cuts members, to be the 50th anniversary version of the Four Preps.

The present group has been performing 50 to 60 shows around the country each year since they were featured in the PBS special, "Magic Moments, Best of '50s Pop," in 2004.

"Our show is oldies galore," said Duncan. "The songs make you think of things you were doing 50 years ago. People watch our show with their memories."

Their show features hits from the Four Preps, Diamonds, Crew Cuts and other groups of the 1950s and '60s, including "26 Miles (Across the Sea)," "Big Man," "Gidget," "Sh Boom," "Unchained Melody," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Little Darlin'," "Silhouettes," "Earth Angel," "Runaround Sue," "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll," "Tossin" and Turnin"," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" "You Belong to Me," "Go Away Little Girl," "Book of Love," "Shangri La," "At the Hop," and "Blue Velvet."

The group sings Christmas favorites along with an audience participation version of "The 12 Days of Christmas."

Bass singer Taylor said that it's good for a lot of laughs.

"We have so much fun and it carries over to the audience," said Taylor. "There's nothing like being on stage and seeing how much fun they're having."

The Four Preps Hollywood Christmas concert is 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Carson Valley Inn. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22, available at the Carson Valley Inn hotel desk or at 783-6606. The Carson Valley Inn is on Highway 395 in Minden. Information, www.cvinn.com

Information about the group at thefourpreps.com