"Barbershop is a melding of traditions, all of which converged
in the burgeoning US and peaked in the 'gay 90s'.

No one tradition can claim it."-Greg B

I agree.

That melding of traditions happened with R&B music too.

**

Btw, Greg, I believe that involvement in most types of musical groups can build good character and improve musicianship.

And I like your use of "Stepford aspects" -though I don't like the concept of the lock step Stepford wives {or stepford anything}.