The Lettermen

The world may define harmony as a combination of musical sounds considered to be pleasing.
The Lettermen define harmony as Lettermenizing. Since the groups inception The Lettermen
have always taken a current song of the day and put their 3-part harmony to it which is called
Lettermenizing a song.

Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton and Rob Gulack, each of whom are entertainers in their own
right, have kept the meaning of harmony alive with their soft, romantic, harmonic blend of
music which is as popular with their fans today as it was in 1961 when The Lettermen recorded
their first hit, “The Way You Look Tonight”.

For The Lettermen debut single record in the summer of 1961, Capitol Records decided to put a
romantic ballad on the B-side of “That’s My Desire”, which was an attempt at a doo-wop single,
figuring radio stations would have to play the A-side because the B-side was so sweet, and slow,
and did not necessarily encompass the commercial sound of the day.

The B-side was “The Way You Look Tonight”. Soft, melodic and romantic, it was a departure
from the rock ‘n’ roll music of the day. Eventually, listener requests made it a must for radio
station play lists nationwide. The song shot to No. 13, on the Billboard chart. The group’s
second single that year did even better. “When I Fall In Love,” another soft, slow ballad hit
No.7, establishing The Lettermen as the most romantic singing group of a generation.

The Lettermen have recorded over 75 albums – eighteen gold records internationally – and a
myriad of hits including “When I Fall In Love”, “Goin’ Out Of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes Off
Of You” and “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” to name just a few. They continue to perform
interesting, updated arrangements of several classics such as “The Way You Tonight” and
“Theme From A Summer Place”.

While always honoring their roots, audiences are showing a resounding love for the
“Letterminized” new arrangements of “Never Enough” from the mega-hit The Greatest
Showman, “Sugar” Medley (“I Can’t Help Myself”, “Sugar”, “How Sweet It Is”) and “Happy”
Medley (“Happy”, “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy”, “Happy Together”).
These talented individuals interestingly play with the harmonies on songs like “Suspicious
Minds”, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” and “Over The Rainbow”. Their amazing vocals
continually swoop over one another, mesmerizing audiences all over the world.

The one constant that has remained through the years is the unique three-part harmony as
only The Lettermen can achieve. Though musical tastes have changed over the years, The
Lettermen legacy continues. Harmony will always endure the true test of time – just as The
Lettermen have stood the test of time.

DONOVAN TEA
Donovan Tea is the epitome of a true born and raised Texas gentlemen. As the second most
tenured member in the history of The Lettermen, his vocal talents have been shared with
audiences around the world including Japan, The Philippines, America, etc.

Donovan began performing at the tender age of 17. He has performed in choral groups,
television shows, night clubs and cruise ships during the course of his storied career.
Besides being a natural performer, Donovan is a prolific published songwriter. Many of his
songs have been recorded, and some have even been included in Lettermen performances.
In 1984, while Donovan was the lead production singer in the Lido show in Las Vegas, The
Lettermen approached him and asked him to travel to Los Angeles where he sang with the
group. They found that they had a natural blend and Donovan was honored to be asked to join
the group. Donovan is now celebrating 35 years with the Lettermen. Donovan Tea has
remained a continuous member of The Lettermen since he joined the group and to this day he
still enjoys performing in front of a live audience.

You will find Donovan, during his time off, enjoying his favorite things in life such as spending
time with his wife, children, and training horses on his property outside of Nashville, Tennessee.

Career:

• Winner of vocal competition in Guilford, England
• Lead singer for The Young Americans
• Toured Europe
• Performed with L.A. Master Chorale at Hollywood Bowl
• Opening for Sammy Davis, Jr.; Rich Little; Tony Bennett
• Solo artist at the prestigious “The Horn” in Los Angeles
• Cruise industry
• Featured act in “Casino de Paris” at The Dunes Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
• The Stardust Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
• Became a member of The Lettermen in 1984

Appearances/Accomplishments:

• Performed for President Gerald Ford
• Guest-starred on NBC’s holiday special “Merry Christmas, Fred, From the Crosby’s”
• Tap danced with Fred Astaire
• Sang backup for Bing Crosby on the song “White Christmas”
• Participated in “Nashville’s Christmas For Kids”
• Time Life
• Benefit performances for “HomelessHeart.Org”
• Telethons (Jerry Lewis MDA; Children’s Miracle Network; etc.)
• National Anthems (National Championship Air Races; Pittsburgh Steelers & Pirates; etc.)

BOBBY POYNTON
Bobby graduated with a degree from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BFA in drama.
Once completing his college education Bobby worked on many television movies and theatrical
productions. He found that even though he was keeping busy it was never enough.

The opportunity came to audition for The Lettermen in 1988. Bobby enjoyed the traveling and
the performing but felt torn between his career and his family. As a result, he decided to put all
of his efforts into raising his family and decided to leave the group in 1995. During this time,
besides spending time with his family, Bobby explored various other entertaining avenues. As
time went on, Bobby realized that he really missed performing as he did with The Lettermen.
As life would have it, his realization coincided with an opportunity to rejoin The Lettermen in
2011. Bobby realized his return to The Lettermen was a true honor and he couldn’t wait for the
chance to recreate the magic on stage and in the recording studio.

After 40 years in show business Bobby still realizes that the most important things in his life are
his wife, children and family. Bobby finally found the balance between performing and family,
and he couldn’t be happier.

Credits:

• Days of Our Lives
• Jake and the Fatman
• Life Goes On
• Scarecrow and Mrs. King
• The Sentinel
• Touched By An Angel
• Viper
• Promised Land
• Walker: Texas Ranger
• Sang a duet with Jennifer Love Hewitt, on the soundtrack of the 2001 animated feature film
• “The Adventures Of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina,”
• Became a member of The Lettermen – 1988-1995
• Rejoined The Lettermen – 2011-present
• Associated Acts:
• The Diamonds 2001-2011
• The Vogues

ROB GULACK
Rob Gulack came to The Lettermen after an exhaustive nationwide talent search in 2019. To
quote Rob, he says “I’m now ready to begin this next chapter in my life on the road again with
the world-renowned Lettermen”.

Music has always played an important part in Rob’s life. When in college he performed in a
choral group that traveled through central and northern Europe on multiple occasions, singing
at some of the most prestigious cathedrals on the continent.

Rob signed his 1st recording deal in 1997 which included singing multiple styles of music for a
movie soundtrack division. Rob ultimately missed live performing and decided to get back out
there in front of the audiences he loved. Once again Rob became a live performer.
During this time, Rob had a young family and it became more difficult to be away from home.
He painstakingly made the difficult decision to step back from music industry and focus on his
family and a new career opportunity that would keep him closer to home.

As time went on Rob began writing, and performing, again in Southern California with a classic
rock band. This allowed him to keep music and performing very near and dear to his heart,
while at that the same time remaining focused on his family.

When the opportunity came along to explore the possibility of joining The Lettermen, he
decided to take the chance and see if he could, at this time in his life, fulfill his life’s passion.
After almost giving up hope on the dream that was always in his heart, the door finally opened
for him and he wasn’t going to miss out and by not taking the chance. Of all the applicants in
the nationwide search, Rob stood out with a voice and a personality you could not overlook.

Career:

• Citrus Singers, Citrus College, Glendora, CA – 1993-1996
• Interscope Records – 1997-1999
• The Blue Note Swing Orchestra – 1999
• Became a member of The Lettermen – 2019

Website: TheLettermen.com