Rachelle Ferrell

Rachelle Ferrell (born on May 21, 1961 in Berwyn, Pennsylvania) is a female R&B\jazz singer and musician.

She started singing when she was six years old and has the ability to sing in the whistle register (she references her highest notes in "it only took a minute" as "Minnie Riperton wailing"). Rachelle received classical training as a violinist when she was thirteen and in her mid-teens as pianist and singer.

When she was 18 years old, Rachelle enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston where she honed her musical skills in songwriting, arrangement and of course, singing. She graduated from Berklee within a year and taught music for a while with Dizzy Gillepsie for the New Jersey State Council of Arts.

Rachelle was also a backup singer for artists such as Lou Rawls, Patti LaBelle, George Duke, and Vanessa Williams. In the late '80s, Rachelle sent a composition tape to Blue Note Records and was signed to a record contract.
In 1990, Rachelle released her debut album, "First Instrument" in Japan which was recorded with bassist Tyrone Brown, pianist Eddie Green, drummer Doug Nally, trumpet player Terence Blanchard, pianists Gil Goldstein & Michel Petrucciani, bassists Kenny Davis & Stanley Clarke, tenor saxophone player Wayne Shorter and keyboardist Pete Levin.

The album was released in the U.S. in 1995 on Blue Note Records. The album was able to peak at #151 on the Billboard 200, #2 on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums chart and #6 on Billboard's Heatseekers albums chart. In Japan, the album was quite popular with jazz fans.
Also in 1990, Rachelle released the album "Somethin' Else" which was also released in Japan and Europe for commercial reasons.
Two years later in 1992, Rachelle released her self-titled album and first album released in the U.S., which peaked at #161 on the Billboard 200, #25 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and #4 on Billboard's Heatseekers albums chart.
Rachelle's first single "Til You Come Back to Me" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks, becoming her highest chart appearance to date.

The second single from the album "Welcome to My Love" peaked at #42 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks. The third single "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This" featuring singer Will Downing, peaked at #72 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

The last single from the album, "With Open Arms" peaked at #68 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks, making it her longest chart appearance to date.

Despite the excellent reviews Rachelle's self-titled album received, it didn't receive a lot of commercial success mostly because the album received scant radio play.

Rachelle did extensive tours in America and her record label provided heavy promotion before and after her concerts. They also produced a promotional concert video for local broadcasts to coincide with area appearances.
In 2000, Rachelle released the album, "Individuality (Can I Be Me)" which peaked at #71 on the Billboard 200 chart, #16 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart, and topped Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. The album included R&B, jazz and gospel music.
In 2002, Rachelle released a live album, "Live at Montreux 91-97" which peaked at #8 on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums chart. These days, she continues to be active in the music biz, still performing.

To see Rachelle's official website, go to:
http://rachelleferrell.com/

To see the music video for "Til You Come Back to Me," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h65azRDIg4Q

To see a video of Rachelle performing "With Open Arms," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdhUdhMV-bs

To see a video of Rachelle performing, "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This" featuring Will Downing, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf83djaaTS4


[updated on 05\07\12]

Tracey Lee

Tracey Lee (born on October 22, 1970 in Buffalo, New York) was a rapper from the mid-'90s. He moved to a lot of different places before settling down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tracey graduated from Howard University in 1994 with a degree in Communications. He was signed to the Bystorm\Universal Records label in 1996.

In 1997, Tracey Lee released his debut album "Many Facez" which peaked at #111 on the Billboard 200 and #23 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The late Notorious BIG was featured on Tracey's album on the track "Keep Ya Hands High."
In the spring of that same year, Tracey scored a hit with the song "The Theme (It's Party Time)" which peaked at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100, #19 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks, #6 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart and #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The remix version featured rappers Busta Rhymes and Pirate. Two more songs "The After Party (The Theme II)" and "Give it Up Baby" were released as promotional music videos.

In 2000, Tracey Lee released the singles "We Like" (featuring rapper Fatman Scoop) and "Go Head" which didn't chart at all on the Billboard charts. After that, it seemed as if Tracey Lee faded into obscurity.

During that same year, he released a CD sampler "Live From The (215) Sampler," but a follow-up album was never released. After that, it appeared as Tracey faded into obscurity.

In 2006, Tracey graduated from Southern University Law School, receiving his Juris Doctorate and is now an attorney.

To see the music video for "The Theme (It's Party Time)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESo_4GqjKeo

To see a fan-made video for "The Afterparty (The Theme II)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33YtlXSFDxk

To see the music video for "Give it Up Baby," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s_RnS5w_Mw

To see a fan-made video for "Keep Your Hands High" featuring the late Notorious BIG, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icBsHjWZT5U

To see the music video for "We Like," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqdtJRWZ2Nk

To see a fan-made video for "Go Head," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggT4AAvWCV0



[updated on 08/03/13]

Shades

Shades was a female R&B group from the 90's that consisted of members Monique Peoples, Danielle Andrews, Shannon Walker Williams and Tiffanie Cardwell. They started singing when they were kids and even sang in church choirs.

Before her music career took off, Monique worked as a hairdresser and sang karaoke. Danielle sang with a band called Brand New Flavor.

Shades met while attending Boston's Northeastern University and were originally signed to Atlantic Records, which didn't work out.

Soon after, Shades was signed to the legendary Motown Records. They opened up for Montell Jordan and Salt 'N' Pepa, and also contributed to the Whoopi Goldberg movie soundtrack "The Associate." They presented at the Soul Train Music Awards and appeared on BET.

They even performed at the Whaling City Festival in 1997 and at Impact's Super Summit XI concert along with performing in cities such as Las Vegas and Providence, Rhode Island.
In 1996, Shades released their first single "Tell Me (I'll Be Around)" which peaked at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100, #34 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks and #19 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart. The song is their highest chart appearance on the Hot 100 to date.
A year later in 1997, Shades released their self-titled debut album which didn't appear to chart at all on the Billboard 200.
The follow-up single "Serenade" peaked at #88 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart. It didn't appear on the R&B charts at all.

A promotional single "I Believe" was released, but didn't chart. After that, it seemed as if Shades had faded into obscurity.

These days, Danielle Andrews continues to sing. She is in a band called the Rockwells and sang back-up for Enrique Iglesias after the group broke up. She also toured with artists such as Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child, Bon Jovi and Lenny Kravitz.

Monique Peoples (now Monique Peoples-Graham) hosts an online radio show called "Lipstick and High Heels" on hurricane radio.net and continues to work as a hairdresser in Newport, Rhode Island. She used to be in a band called Deney Terrio's Dance Party.

Shannon Walker Williams pursued acting. In 2004, she married Boston Celtics basketball guard Ray Allen and has two sons. Tiffanie Cardwell is a writer.

To see the music video for "Tell Me (I'll Be Around)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61o60nYS_Uo

To see the music video for "Serenade," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DmpILc4CS0

[updated on 05\07\12]

Paperboy

Paperboy (born Mitchell Johnson in Los Angeles, California) is a hip-hop rapper from the early 90's. Before getting into the music biz, he was a baseball player.

At the age 16, Paperboy was writing music and even worked with lead singer of the Sylvers, Foster Sylver. Before Foster left for a music meeting in Vegas, he told Paperboy if he didn't have what the executives were looking for, he was going to play them his music.

Luckily, when Foster went to the meeting, they were looking for hip-hop music & Foster kept his word. One day, Foster knocked on the door of Paperboy's house, Paperboy answered the door and the rest is history.

In 1992, Paperboy released his debut album, "The Nine Yards" which peaked at #48 on the Billboard 200 chart and #26 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on June 22, 1993.
In 1993, Paperboy's biggest hit to date, "Ditty" peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, #20 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart, #9 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #23 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #17 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 22 weeks.

The song sampled Zapp's song, "Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing)" and the single was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

The follow-up single from the album, "Bumpin' (Adaptation of Humpin')" didn't chart on the Hot 100, but managed to peak at #90 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.
In 1996, Paperboy released his sophomore album, "City to City" which didn't appear on any Billboard charts at all.

Despite the single, "P's Cure" being released, the album wasn't as successful as his debut album. After that, nothing much was heard from Paperboy and he had seemingly faded into obscurity.
In 2004, 8 years after his last album, Paperboy released his third album, "The Love Never Dies" on Thump Records.
These days, Paperboy is still active in the music biz, releasing his fourth album, "The New News" in 2008 which is available digitally on iTunes. The album features appearances by rappers Krayzie Bone, E-40 and Slim Thug.

To see Paperboy's MySpace page, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/ogpaperboy

To see the music video for "Ditty," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imhEIcv7tI4

To see the music video for "Bumpin," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha6Zs42--3U

To see the music video for "P's Cure," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSeMqU3x1kg

[Updated on 04\07\2016]

Around the Way

Around the Way were an R&B\hip-hop trio  that consisted of members Michael Anthony Bertot, Ileana "Lena" Fraticelli and Kashu "Kash" Myles.

Not much information is given on them, but Lena was a part of a freestyle\dance female trio called Solid. They released only one single "Loving You" in 1988.

In 1993, Around the Way released their debut album "Smooth is the Way" which didn't appear to chart on the Billboard 200 chart.
The trio's only chart appearance was with the song "Really Into You" which peaked at #89 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song sampled Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers' R&B hit song, "Just the Two of Us."

The follow-up single from the album "Way Back When" was released, but didn't chart at all. After that, it seemed as if the trio faded into obscurity.

Michael Bertot did some production and appeared on a few freestyle\dance music singles and compliation albums. It's unknown what Lena Fraticelli and Kash Myles are up to these days.

To see a fan-made video for "Really into You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwo0KEgdO6E

To see the music video for "Way Back When," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACjsASXmvdY


[Updated on 04\07\2016]

Seiko

Seiko (born Kamachi Noriko on March 10, 1962 in Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan) is a female Japanese pop singer who has been dubbed the "eternal idol" by the Japanese media because of her long music career and popularity in Japan during the 80's.

In the US, Seiko was able to score a moderate pop hit with a member of one of the most popular boy bands of the early 90's.

Seiko gained the stage name "Seiko Matsuda" and in 1980, she rose to teen idol fame in Japan with the song, "Hadashi no Kisetsu" (or "Season of Bare Feet" as translated in English).

During that same year, her song, "Kaze Wa-Aki-Ro" (or "Wind is Autumn Color" as translated in English) hit #1, making it the first of Seiko's 24 number 1 hit songs in Japan.

Seiko used to hold the record for most number one singles and most consecutive number one singles on Japan's Oricon chart by a female singer until Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki scored her 26th pop hit in 2006.

She was also the first person in Oricon history to have a single and album debut at #1 in the same week.
In 1990, Seiko attempted to break into the North American music market when she released her first English-language self-titled album.
Seiko's highest chart appearance to date in the US, "The Right Combination" featuring New Kids on the Block member Donnie Wahlberg, which peaked at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Another single from Seiko's US album, "All the Way to Heaven" was released in Europe, but it's unknown how or if the single ever charted.

Despite the success of "The Right Combination," the album sales for Seiko's US album were mediocre.
In 1996, Seiko released another English-language album, "Was It the Future" which failed to generate any significant sales.

Despite the album flopping, the single "Good For You" managed to peak at #38 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.
Seiko continued to release albums and singles in Japan. In 2002, she released her third English-language album, "Area 62" where the singles "All To You" and "Just for Tonight" were moderately successful on the Billboard dance charts.

In July of 2006, Seiko's Japanese compliation album "Seiko Matsuda" (which consisted of 74 CD's) became the highest-priced album in the Oricon history, costing 100,000 yen (which is $850 in the US).

In August of 2009, Sony Records re-released 16 of Seiko's early albums under the Blu-spec CD format and 13 of them entered the Oricon Top 100 Album chart at the same time, making her the first female artist to do so. Seiko is also the second artist to perform many concerts at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.

Seiko's on the top 3 list of Most Number One albums, Most Top Ten Singles, and Most Top Ten Albums. HMV Japan ranked her as the #10 Top Japanese Artist of All-Time and #7 Top Singer of All Time.

She still continues to release music, her most recent album, "My Prelude" which was released in Japan in May 2010.

Seiko still holds annual contests, Christmas dinner shows, and New Year's Eve countdown shows. Along with music, she makes appearances in television, commercials, film, and radio. She was married to actor Masaki Kanda from 1985 to 1997. She has a daughter, Sayaka Kanda, who is also a singer.

To see Seiko's official website, go to:
http://www.seikomatsuda.jp/

To see the video for "The Right Combination," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfqH-LNX5CI

To see the music video for "All the Way to Heaven," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoaAkwU5mxg

To see the music video for "Good For You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHJ4ghCMaUA

To see the music video for "All To You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBVGUDsG0go

To see the music video for "Just For Tonight," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc1MkxtsTh4

Terri Gonzalez

Terri Gonzalez (born in New York City) is a female singer from the 80's. Terri got a high adminstrative position with a well-known music publishing company called Chappell Music.

In the mid-70's, she hooked up with soul group, the Tymes, but they soon disbanded. After that, Terri kept herself busy with session singing for musicians such as the Kay-Gees, Grace Jones, and Chaka Khan.

Terri even wrote the song, "Caught Up" for music act Inner Life and also wrote the song, "Caught Up in a One Night Love Affair."
In 1980, Terri signed a record deal as a solo artist for a small disco record label called Eastbourne Records.

She released the singles, "Hunger for Your Love" and "How Good is It" and an album called "Good to the Last Drop" was planned, but never released.
Terri signed to Becket Records and released two singles, "Treat Yourself to My Love" and "Born a Winner" which were minor club hits.

The single "Treat Yourself to My Love" managed to peak at #64 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #76 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart in 1982.

Not much music was released from Terri after that and she wrote songs along with doing session work for other artists such as Carmen McRae, Al Jarreau, and Sheena Easton.

She also sang the chorus for the theme song for the 1985 movie, "D.A.R.R.Y.L" called "Somewhere I Belong" that featured the late Teddy Pendergrass.

Terri did a nationally publicized radio spot for Budweiser Beer, sang with Earth, Wind, & Fire's Phillip Bailey, and sang with Chic at Madison Square Garden in an all-star lineup that was hosted by Paul Simon & Bruce Springsteen to help raise money for the homeless.
In 1987, Terri released her debut album, "Is There Rockin' in This House" on Atlantic Records which was produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers.

The title song and "Love Promises" were released as singles, but didn't make much impact on the charts.

Even though Terri hasn't released anything solo since, she still continues to work in the music biz. She toured with Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra along with continuing her songwriting and session singer.

Occasionally, Terri still does recording and commercial work. She is also available for live or sequenced performances, songwriting, recording projects, jingles and television commercials & voice-overs.

To see Terri's MySpace page, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/terrigonzalez

To see the music video for "Is There Rockin' in This House," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs00TP6QX7c

To see a fan-made video for "Treat Yourself to My Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxCSvY26gPA

To see a fan-made video for "How Good Is It," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtXhG2iEVoA

PC Quest

PC Quest were a pop music group from Shawnee, Oklahoma that consisted of brothers Chad & Stephen Petree, Drew Nichols and Kim Whipkey.

They were managed by George Tobin (who discovered & managed teen pop sensation Tiffany) and songwriter/producer Tim James.

In 1991, PC Quest released their self-titled debut album on Headliner Records. It's unknown how or if the album made the charts.

The first single "Can I Call You My Girl" peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Their second single "After the Summer is Gone" became their highest chart appearance to date, peaking at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #66 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

In 1992, the group released their sophomore album, "Directions" which flopped. Most of the songs from the album were later re-recorded by Tiffany for her 1993 album, "Dreams Never Die." After that, it seemed as if the group faded into obscurity.

These days, Chad Petree is the guitarist and co-lead singer for new wave/indie rock band Shiny Toy Guns.

Kim Whipkey is a wife & mother and still sings occasionally. It's unknown what Steve Petree and Drew Nichols are up to today.

To see the music video for "After the Summer's Gone," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrwOUOPmZig

To see a fan-made video for "Can I Call You My Girl?," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTCjMfLw3R4



[updated on 06/19/13]

Kevin Paige

Kevin Paige (born on October 10, 1966 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a pop singer from the late '80s\early '90s. His dad was a radio singer for NBC back in the '40s.

After he earned consecutive All-State drummer honors in high school, Kevin gigged with a few local bands such as the Press, Xavion, & Finger Print before starting a solo career and signing to Chrysalis Records in 1989.
During that same year, Kevin released his self-titled debut album which peaked at #107 on the Billboard 200 chart.
His first single "Don't Shut Me Out" peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the fall of 1989, making it his first hit song.
Kevin's second single "Anything I Want" peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the singles led to him performing as the opening act for Debbie Gibson's world tour.
In 1990, Kevin released the last single from the album "A Touch of Paradise," but the song failed to chart and unfortunately he never released a follow-up album. After that, he went on to become a songwriter for Zomba Music Group.

These days, Kevin is a music minister at Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis. He and his wife, Bethany Paige have released a few Contemporary Christian music albums together.

To see Kevin and Bethany Paige's website, go to:
http://www.kevinandbethanypaige.net/

To see the music video for "Don't Shut Me Out," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuWE26Qwqdg

To see the music video for "Anything I Want," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVhBVuLpMsc