This impressive set of initials stands for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. The Society saw its beginning in 1938, the time of mult-initialed governmental agencies in the United States, and it is easy to recognize the tongue-in-cheek attitude with which it began.

One man rebelled against a trend toward practically eliminating self-produced harmony brought about by the increased popularity of radio. This man was the late Owen Clifton Cash, tax attorney.

Twenty-six men attended the first meeting of the "Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in the United States" (this name was changed to its present form shortly afterward). This historic songfest was held on the roof garden of the Tulsa Club in the Alvin Hotel at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 1938.

Cash had unwittingly struck a chord which had found response in the hearts and memories of thousands of men across the continent, the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. was on its way to establishing a chapter in every city and hamlet in North America.

Today the society boasts more than 800 chapters with over 35,000 members, the largest organized all male singing society in the world.

Now you know all about how barbershopping got organized, but how about where it started?

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