Bob Hurka
Music has always been a part of Bob’s life as his entire family was musically talented and performed in various venues. At 8 years old he was performing in family events, and his first “outside the family” gig was for the Cub Scouts, playing the Ukulele and singing.
Bob’s natural talent was honed through a musical scholarship at Northern Illinois University. His expertise in jazz and vocal harmony inspired him to write vocal arrangements, at age 17, for his first organized quartet, “The Mellow Fellows”. Just after High School, that same vocal group renamed itself “The Contenders” and went on to record at RCA, CBS and Chess Records, recording original songs - most of which Bob wrote and arranged. One original song, “I’ll Show You How To Love”, hit the local top 40.
While in the military, Bob was accepted into a traveling show that performed at NCO and Officer’s clubs throughout Germany. As part of that show, a trio including Bob, called “The Eternal Triads” was formed and before his tour of duty concluded, they were asked to perform at local German restaurants. Upon his return from the service, Bob changed the members and renamed “The Contenders” to “Graffiti Unltd.” and served for 34 years as leader, vocal arranger, lead singer and keyboard player. Bob left the band in 1998 to pursue efforts in forming a duet and he continued to entertain this way, performing in clubs, restaurants and private parties in and around the Chicago suburbs until moving to Tennessee. The band that he formed (Graffiti Unltd.) in 1965 had been performing in the Chicago area until 2018.
Bob left Illinois in 2012 to relocate near family in East Tennessee, and immediately re-started his musical pursuits in partnership with Julia, “one of the most vocally gifted singers that he’s ever heard.” Although Vocal Point performs mostly throughout East Tennessee, they've performed in many venues from Florida to North Dakota and are comfortable with any musical era, Country through Broadway.
Bob’s natural talent was honed through a musical scholarship at Northern Illinois University. His expertise in jazz and vocal harmony inspired him to write vocal arrangements, at age 17, for his first organized quartet, “The Mellow Fellows”. Just after High School, that same vocal group renamed itself “The Contenders” and went on to record at RCA, CBS and Chess Records, recording original songs - most of which Bob wrote and arranged. One original song, “I’ll Show You How To Love”, hit the local top 40.
While in the military, Bob was accepted into a traveling show that performed at NCO and Officer’s clubs throughout Germany. As part of that show, a trio including Bob, called “The Eternal Triads” was formed and before his tour of duty concluded, they were asked to perform at local German restaurants. Upon his return from the service, Bob changed the members and renamed “The Contenders” to “Graffiti Unltd.” and served for 34 years as leader, vocal arranger, lead singer and keyboard player. Bob left the band in 1998 to pursue efforts in forming a duet and he continued to entertain this way, performing in clubs, restaurants and private parties in and around the Chicago suburbs until moving to Tennessee. The band that he formed (Graffiti Unltd.) in 1965 had been performing in the Chicago area until 2018.
Bob left Illinois in 2012 to relocate near family in East Tennessee, and immediately re-started his musical pursuits in partnership with Julia, “one of the most vocally gifted singers that he’s ever heard.” Although Vocal Point performs mostly throughout East Tennessee, they've performed in many venues from Florida to North Dakota and are comfortable with any musical era, Country through Broadway.
Julia Misslin
Julia is a vocalist and musician starting early in her life as church organist in Charleston, South Carolina. When her husband moved the family to Chicago, Julia was selected to be part of group of 8 singers who performed choreographed musical and comedic skits programs for both large and private audiences, including large fundraisers for the Joliet Diocese. She studied under Fred Waring at Penn State in choral directing and was a choir director for many years.
She was the featured soloist in several large choral societies from Charleston to Chicago. She has entertained audiences, not only with her singing but her talent for comedy. When Bob Hurka moved to East Tennessee their pairing was an instant hit with audiences. Julia says that singing with Bob is like singing with a twin brother, “the vocal blend of our tones is so rich that often we create overtones of sound that thrill and surprise us. The sharing of very different musical backgrounds has widened our repertoire considerably, so we cover everything from nuts-to-soup and all-stops in between.”
Comedy still creeps into everything they do as they both share a love for making people laugh. Come find out what Vocal Point is all about and enjoy a memorable evening of great songs, laughter, and entertainment that will leave you smiling.
She was the featured soloist in several large choral societies from Charleston to Chicago. She has entertained audiences, not only with her singing but her talent for comedy. When Bob Hurka moved to East Tennessee their pairing was an instant hit with audiences. Julia says that singing with Bob is like singing with a twin brother, “the vocal blend of our tones is so rich that often we create overtones of sound that thrill and surprise us. The sharing of very different musical backgrounds has widened our repertoire considerably, so we cover everything from nuts-to-soup and all-stops in between.”
Comedy still creeps into everything they do as they both share a love for making people laugh. Come find out what Vocal Point is all about and enjoy a memorable evening of great songs, laughter, and entertainment that will leave you smiling.