business
Barbershop quartet keeps singing after member’s stroke
By Dale Ryman at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· June 29, 2026
· 2 min read
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Aging Untold) — A Stevens Point barbershop quartet called Alternative Medicine continues performing together after one of its members suffered a stroke and spent five days in the hospital. The group includes Patty Bourgeois on tenor, Joe Larson on lead, Dennis Stephani on bas...
Key takeaway A group built around barbershop Joel Bourgeois said he has been singing barbershop since he was 14, inspired by watching his father come home from practice in a better mood.
Why this matters in The Midland
The story of Alternative Medicine, a barbershop quartet from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, has a unique connection to Midland , Texas, as the group's founders, Joel and Patty Bourgeois, originally hail from the Lone Star State. Their experience forming a new quartet in Wisconsin after moving from Texas highlights the portable nature of musical talent and the importance of community in fostering artistic expression. The fact that Alternative Medicine has performed at nursing homes, among other venues, also resonates with Midland's own strong tradition of community outreach and support for local healthcare institutions. As Midland continues to grow and develop its own cultural scene, the example of Alternative Medicine's dedication to their craft and to each other serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that music and performance can have on building and sustaining community bonds.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Aging Untold) — A Stevens Point barbershop quartet called Alternative Medicine continues performing together after one of its members suffered a stroke and spent five days in the hospital. The group includes Patty Bourgeois on tenor, Joe Larson on lead, Dennis Stephani on bas...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dale Ryman at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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