No More 
Free Beer

For Today the Kingston Trio 
Rolls in Fame and Top Money

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AROUND Stanford U. and Menlo Business College, in sunny California, everyone felt sure the three guys who sang together so well -- Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds -- could make a good living if they turned pro. Although their stuff was strictly harmony and anti-rock 'n' roll, the trio that played instruments and sang for free beer on the campus was certain to head for something, most everyone agreed.

But few realized that the three lads, who chose the name Kingston Trio because it sounded like a cross between Calypso and Ivy League, would hit the top. Today the Kinston Trio, dishing out lyrics that for a change are not off color and can be heard in the best of homes, have the best-selling LPs in the land. Singing perfectly in tune, they even startled the odd ones at the last jazz festival.

It was the faith a talent agent, Frank Werber, had in the trio that got them started as pros. He signed them to play in San Francisco's nightspot, "the Hungry i," but as word of their performances-humorous patter sprinkled between musical numbers the customers could understand-reached out across the country, - they packed up their guitars, banjos and bongos and headed east. People stood in line at Chicago's Kelly's and at New York's Blue Angel and Village Vanguard.

On their first TV appearance, the trio crashed "Playhouse 90," then after several others they returned to San Francisco where they made their first album which included an oldie, "Tom Doo1ey." Deejays everywhere started playing it and the bit jumped to bestseller past the million mark.

The Kingstons hit the road so fast and furious they often rehearse new numbers in mid-air while flying between cities, giving surprised passengers free concerts. Within two weeks once they made New York, Billings, Mont.; Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Idaho, Salt Lake City, Tucson and Washington, D.C.

In spite of fame and fortune, the three still have the same sized heads they started out with. Never content, they do extensive research for new material. Example:

Their "Merry Minuet," a bit of delightful whimsical satire with serious undertones.

Music has always been a part of their lives. Dave Guard and Bob Shane grew up in Hawaii with ukuleles in their hands. Nick Reynolds' father played a swinging guitar when Nick was born in Coronado, Calif. In athletics all three hold letters and trophies in tennis, track, football, baseball, basketball and swimming. Guard is even a judo expert, which could come in handy around hecklers.

Dave, who worked his way through Stanford with a B average and still manages to read a book a day despite his heavy schedule, is married to the former Gretchen Ballard of Pasadena whom he met at Stanford. They have a year-old daughter.

In September, 1958, Nick married Joan Harris, who was a comedienne at a club nearby when the trio played at the "Hungry i." When not on the road they live on a houseboat in San Francisco Bay and drive the only Fiat-Nardi-Vignale sport coupe in the U.S.

Bob, married recently to Louise Brandon, daughter of a prominent Atlanta lawyer, is a bullfight aficionado and mariachi fan. Like Nick, he's a water-skier.

When Bob and Dave lived in Hawaii they had a comedy diving act that was good for laughs and a few coins. Today they're diving for gold pieces with one of the most exciting combos in the land.