After 7
Kevon Edmonds
Keith Floyd
Jason Edmonds
After 7 Music links - click here
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After 7
After 7 had two back-to-back number one R&B/Top Ten pop gold singles with "Ready or Not" and "Can't Stop" (both written and produced by L.A. and Babyface) as well as several R&B/pop hits during the '90s. Lead singer and founder Kevon Edmonds grew up listening to "the good stuff": Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, the Temptations, and other classic soul singers. Too shy to sing in the church choir, Edmonds sang to himself "for my own satisfaction" until his teenage years when he joined his buddies in the junior high and high school choirs. While attending Indiana University, Edmonds' musical ambitions began to blossom. The I.U. Soul Revue, an extensive course on music theory, performing, and the music business, made him seriously consider music as a career. Edmonds started the group After 7 with brother Melvin Edmonds and I.U. classmate Keith Mitchell and would do occasional R&B shows in local clubs. After graduation, the trio worked nine to five jobs. Meanwhile, L.A. and Babyface had signed a production deal with Virgin Records and were scouting around for acts to produce. After they chose to work with their relatives, there was a period where the singing trio wasn't sure of the producers' intent, as they waited for L.A. and Babyface to finish other projects. But once things started rolling, they really started rolling.
The first single from After 7's debut self-titled album was "Heat of the Moment," which hit number five R&B in summer 1989. "Ready or Not" parked at number one R&B for two weeks, number seven pop in early 1990. "Can't Stop" with Edmonds on lead went to number one R&B, number six pop in summer 1990; the remixed extended version of the song proved to especially popular. The album After 7 went platinum, selling 1.5 million units and peaking at number 25 pop in summer 1990.
The group performed their single "Night Like This" in the 1991 Twentieth Century Fox movie The Five Heartbeats, starring and directed by Robert Townsend.
After 7 released two certified gold albums: “Takin My Time” in September 1992. It included the singles "Kickin' It" ,a medley of the Originals' 1969 hit "Baby I'm for Real" (written by Anna and Marvin Gaye), and Bloodstone's 1973 hit "Natural High"; The album "Reflections", included the singles "Gonna Love You Right" , "Not Enough Hours in the Night" on the soundtrack for Fox-TV's Beverly Hills 90210: The College Years, "'Til You Do Me Right" and a Jon B song, "Damn Thing Called Love."
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Website: http://www.smoothmusicawards.com/
Click on Softones
http://www.myspace.com/softones
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The Softones
The Smooth Music Awards Celebrates The Softones. They are scheduled to perform two compositions and will receive the Smooth Music Icon Award.
Softones are a "sweet soul" group from the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Their biggest hits were: "My Dream", "Can't Help Falling in Love", "I'm Gonna Prove It", "Carla My Love", and "That Old Black Magic". They recorded for the Avco Records record label, in the early to mid 1970s. They were a very underrated singing group, whose initial breakout recordings were blessed with superb production. A single listen to the lush production of "My Dream" transforms you to another place, a magical kingdom, with the majestic use of strings and French horns that is this tune's opening signature... in the same fashion as Thom Bell's early arrangements for The Delfonics, the song "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" as an example. Lead singer Harry O's high falsetto, similar to that of Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey, only higher and smoother and almost as instantly recognizable. Also in the group are Byron Summerville, Elton Lynch and P. Hale. To this date, they are still together and still singing. Like The Stylistics, The Softones were also produced by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, Joseph E. Levine, and the late Van McCoy, whose orchestra, comprising the top New York session players of the era, served as the house band for many of these Avco recording.
Band Members: BYRON AND ELTON, AND TWO NEW MEMBERS, P. HALE AND HARRY O.
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Website: www.carolgonzalez.com
Performances
Past
The Music in Me Album Launch Sept. 27, 2007 (Jam)
Christopher's Nov 15, 2007 (Jam)
Red Bones Cafe Nov. 23rd 2007 (Jam)
UWI 60th Anniversary Commemoration Feb. 17th, 2008 (Jam)
Upcoming
Western Consciousness Apr. 26th, 2008 (Jam)
Tours - May - Aug 2008
USA - Las Vegas, Florida, New York, California
London, Europe,
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Carol Gonzalez
Carol Gonzalez sings to express her heart’s deepest desires; it’s the exposure of her soul and true self; the joy of which is articulated in each piece she delivers. Having a unique tone, her sweet flavor always captivates the audience. Her talent and musical love was recognized by Michael and Sandy Fenster, and they signed a management contract with her, and exposed her to the American music scene in Manhattan, New York. While in Manhattan, Carol performed in the nightclub circuit and trained with Musical Director, Danny Holgate, of Broadway Fame, who developed a one year voice and stagecraft programme to suit her international goals. Carol then returned to Jamaica and began performing again in the Resort Circuit and extended her performances to the Caribbean Region. Carol made a solo debut appearance on “Reggae Sunsplash” in Montego Bay, Jamaica in 1982.
In the late 80s the hotel circuit slowed down and Carol began reading for a law degree. Carol Gonzalez was appointed Crown Counsel, (Prosecutor) in the Ministry of National Security and Justice of Jamaica. However, while pursuing her legal career she continued singing and was placed third in the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s Song Competition with “Don’t Cry Tomorrow”, a ballad written, composed and produced by Peter Ashbourne. She then recorded and released several singles in the United Kingdom and the Caribbean, the most successful being “Spoilt By Your Love”, “Ocho Rios” and “Second Class Love” (featuring Buju Banton), the single was produced by Donovan Germaine (CEO Penthouse Records) and Peter Ashbourne. Her voice is also renowned on advertising campaigns for many Jamaican products and she has also shared the stage with jazz greats “Marsalis Brothers”. The multitalented Gonzalez also played an acting role as an entertainment journalist named “Veronica” on Jamaica sitcom series Traxx, produced by Mediamix.
In 1998 she was invited by the Chief Justice of Jamaica to preside as Magistrate, (The Jamaica Lower Judiciary), she accepted the invitation. However, this appointment compelled her to cease singing professionally and publicly over the years. Now, her inner passion for performing has convinced her to return to music full time, which she did on September 21st 2007. Carol, with the support of her husband Dr. Vernon DaCosta, has executively produced her latest album, which was released in September 2007 on the label DaCosta Records. Mr. Dean Frazer, renowned saxophonist/musician and Musical Producer performed the functions of Musical Producer/Director of the album.
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Website: www.nevillepeter.com
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Neville Peter
Neville Peter was diagnosed with
Glaucoma at an early age, and
completely blind by the age of 12.
Neville has remarkably developed his
gifts as a singer and musician.
Today, he shines as one of the bright
emerging talents in the gospel
industry. While in college he was
voted National College Jazz Male
Vocalist of the Year by Downbeat
Magazine. Neville gave his life and
career completely to God in 1998,
and has since penned more than 100
gospel songs. His music was featured
on the gospel project of the legendary
Gladys Knight, and his music videos
have been featured regularly on BET’s Video Gospel Program. He has
shared the stage in ministry with such notables Andrae Crouch, Shirley
Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, Richard Smallwood, BeBe
Winans and many others. He has performed at the White House, Carnegie
Hall and appeared on many television programs including TBN’s “Praise
the Lord” program, Bobby Jones Gospel Show, and many others.
Management and Booking:
Rob Cochran
Good News Music, Inc.
3878 N. Lake Orlando Parkway
Orlando FL 32808
407-290-8414
rob@nevillepeter.com
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For more on Denise Barclay and her music,
visit her website: www.watergirlmusic.com/
Listen to a sample - click on the  icon.
Shout To The Lord
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Denise Barclay
Denise Barclay was born on the island of Trinidad, and was raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands. After graduating from high school she moved to the United States in1985 to attend college.
She completed her freshman year at Columbia Union College and graduated from Montgomery College with an AA in Mental Health. She then moved to New York and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Psychology at the John Jay School of Criminal Justice. After a short stint of working for the Police Department in New Haven, Connecticut, she returned to Maryland and completed her Masters in Behavioral Counseling at Johns Hopkins University.
Over the past 17 years Denise has worked throughout cities in Washington D.C. and Maryland, in the area of providing clinical services to various populations with a special focus on troubled youth and their families. She has worked in both the private and public sectors, advocating on behalf of the needs of youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. She has also served children with special needs in the Baltimore city, Howard County, and District of Columbia Public School systems. Currently, she is the Southern Region Marketing and Customer Relations Coordinator for KidsPeace National Centers, an organization that serves youth in crisis across the country. She also serves as an adjunct instructor in psychology at Columbia Union College.
In addition to her work, Denise is a Christian Recording Artist and maintains an active, part-time career in music ministry. She has a history of working with groups and choirs in the New York City and Washington DC Metropolitan areas and has completed 3 projects of her own (Healing Waters, Restored & Save A Star) in addition to production credits on an instrumental compilation owned by Jazzman’s Café, a division of the Sodexho Corporation. Her latest solo album was released in 2006 and she is currently working on a new project called “Songs We Love,” with a projected release date of July 1, 2008.
Her style can be described as Inspirational-Contemporary Christian Music, with selections varying in style, from the contemplative to the soulful. As an Independent Artist, Denise has developed her own record label, Watergirl Music, and believes in supporting and promoting Christian musicians who use their talents for the ministry of music, and not just the business of music. In addition to her regular appearances on the 3ABN Christian television network and more recently, the Hope Channel, Denise has sung for international audiences in Canada, London, and the Caribbean. Last year she was presented with the 2007 “Christian Jukebox Artist of the Year Award” in Newark, New Jersey.
Through her music, she hopes to bring a message of hope, healing, and restoration to the hearts of her listeners. And while she passionately works on behalf of children and families with special needs, her ultimate goal is to use her gifts to honor the will of God in her life, and influence others to do the same.
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‘Unlimited Praise’ Perhaps when you hear this, you are reminded of what we owe to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But, it is also the name given to a vibrate group of young people from the Seventh-day Adventist churches in St. Thomas and St. John. They endeavor, through their music ministry, to give God Unlimited Praise.
This group, under the directorship of Rhona Pinney-Simon, has been performing for over 10 years. They have not only ministered in the Seventh-day Adventist churches on the island, but have also participated in various outreach programs within the community such as churches, homes for the aged and open-air services at various sites on St. Thomas. In addition, these talented young people have performed at notable events such as the Governor’s Inauguration Service, Black History Month programs and Awards Ceremonies.
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Unlimited Praise Choir
They have also taken their music ministry to other islands within the Caribbean. Their 2003 Thanksgiving weekend, was spent in Tortola where they touched the hearts of many while hosting a benefit concert for the Tortola Seventh-day Adventist School. They also visited children’s home, where they sang song and played games with the kids. They donated games and Bible story books to the home so the children can learn more about Jesus. 2004 Easter Weekend they thrilled gospel lovers in St. Kitts, when in conjunction with the Bassetterre Seventh-day Adventist Youth Choir hosted a joint concert. On September 11, 2004 they brought it home with their first Gospel Benefit Concert in St. Thomas for STT/STJ Seventh-day Adventist School. It was an evening of Praise & Worship as they reflected on those who lost their lives during the September 11th tragedy. In 2005, Thanksgiving weekend, they traveled to Anguilla to Praise the Lord is a benefit concert for a Youth Center in Anguilla.
On November 18, 2008 they took their outreach to another level. In honor of Derek Connor Jr., a former Unlimited Praise member, they hosted a benefit concert. On December 19, 2006, 18 year old Derek Connor, Jr., was tragically killed in a car accident. As many teenagers, Derek was a struggling Christian who found his Savior and sealed his fate at a Seventh-day Adventist Youth Camp in August 2006. This experience changed his life. After his death, his parents decided to set up the “Derek Connor Jr. SDA North Caribbean Conference Youth Camp Scholarship Fund” in his honor to help other youth who are otherwise unable to attend this annual youth camp.
They continue to introduce others to the One who can change lives by the songs they sing. Every member of this group experiences the joy of singing but their mission is not entertainment. Rather, their focus is on touching lives and ultimately leading others to Jesus. In the words of its director, “If one person is led to the Lord by our ministry, then we have accomplished our goal and the Lord is pleased with our efforts.” |
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