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Remember when music was real and the words meant something? For the artist who had pride and joy for the one he loved, he made sure the whole world knew about it. If he lost his love, the singer poured his heart to every note he sang, pleading for his love to come back. Artists did not have to call their loved ones inappropriate names, even if their hearts were broken. THE FELLAS have come to perpetuate Classic Soul of the 1960s/1970's. You won't see sagging pants on stage or hear any profanity coming through micrphones. Class and Style return when THE FELLAS take the stage. The Fellas were formed in the summer of 1991. The group consisted of founding members, Joe Rivera III (lead vocals/1st tenor), Ricardo Wright (lead vocals/1st tenor), Andrew 'Drew' Rhoden (lead vocals/2nd tenor) and Anthony Cooper, Jr. (lead vocals/baritone/bass). The Fellas are patterned after the Temptations, whose style allows anyone to step out front and sing lead, without compromising the harmony. Not wanting to be known as an "oldies" group, The Fellas are also armed with original material catered to the adult audience. Artists that influenced The Fellas (besides Motown acts) are The O'Jays, The Manhattans, The Spinners, Rachelle Farrell, Marvin Gaye, Will Downing and Phil Perry, to name a few. Today in 2011, original members Ricardo Wright and Joe Rivera III have reunited to perpetuate Classic Soul music, along with JoQuae DeVonish, a member of the latter lineup of the Fellas and Roman Barksdale. Classic Soul returns from Detroit, MI and New York City. ROMAN BARKSDALE - Roman got his first break in the industry as a member of Black & Latino Rap group THE MEAN MACHINE out of New York City. They were signed to the same record label as THE SUGARHILL GANG in the late 1970's. Roman brought his crooning skills to THE MEAN MACHINE. In 1984 he and Joe Rivera III co-founded R&B band PERFECTION. During the group's 2 year history, PERFECTION was the houseband on the record 'Don't Let Them Starve' produced by Arthur Crier, Eugene Thompkins and Jay Siegel (lead singer of THE TOKENS of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' fame). In 2011 Joe & Roman have reunited to bring back Classic Soul. JoQUAE DeVONISH - JoQuae began singing at a very early age. At the age of 10 he sang with the group Soul Direction and had his first stage perfomance.As a young man, in the early 90's JoQuae met Joe Rivera III through mutual friend, Anthony Warr in 1993. This was when he began to sing with the Fellas. Soon afterwards the members of the group went on to lead their lives and in 2009 The Fellas reconnected. JoQuae currently sings lead & first tenor. JOE RIVERA III - Joe started his career in high school where he co founded an acapella group. After high school he played keyboards and sang lead in a few local R&B bands. In 1991, Joe cofounded The Fellas with Ricardo Wright. The group disbanded in 1993. Afterwards Joe went on to sing with NYC doowop group Earl Lewis & The Channels from 1995 to 2009. In November 2009, the Fellas regrouped with Joe doing leads and singing 1st tenor, 2nd tenor and baritone backup vocals. He also scores out all music for the group. Joe was inducted into the DooWopp Hall of Fame in 2007 as a member of Earl Lewis & The Channels. RICARDO E. WRIGHT - Ricardo started his singing career with his two sisters, Rosalyn and Denise, as The Wright Trio in Detroit, Michigan. Afterwards he moved to NYC to pursue an acting career where he was a member of The National Black Theater, touring across the USA and abroad in Asia. In 1989 he joined R&B band CLOUT where he was the lead singer and he met keyboardist Joe Rivera III. When the band parted ways, he and Joe co-founded The Fellas. In November 2009, Ricardo returned to The Fellas where he sings lead, 1st tenor, 2nd tenor and baritone background. Travel back to the 1960's and 1970's as THE FELLAS take the stage with class & style. Our show incorporates smooth choreography and tight harmonies, as it was done years ago. Be prepared for audience participation; you might even SHARE the microphone with THE FELLAS. The Fellas can provide the following to suit your entertainment needs: • 30 minute, 45 minute or 60 minute sets • 1 set or 2 sets • Perform live with our band • Perform live with your band • Provide charts and music to the client’s band • Perform with tracks Among professional references are: Jimmy Destri - Founding member of the rock group Blondie. Inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2006); GC Cameron - former lead singer of The Spinners and The Temptations; Sonny Turner - performing lead singer for The Platters featuring Sonny Turner; Bobby Jay - former NYC Disc Jockey (WCBS-FM) and current Sirius XM Disc Jockey, Joe Herndon - bass singer for The Temptations, David Sea - performing member of The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Albert 'Ceasar' Berry - founding and performing member of The Tymes, Jimmy Merchant - founding and performing member of The Teenagers (now The Legendary Teenagers) and Barbara Harris - founding member and lead singer of Barbara Harris and The Toys.