GLENN
LEONARD
The
lead singer of The Temptations from 1975-83, Glenn is a native of Washington,
DC. He successfully established 3 groups by the time he was in his early
20’s: The Chancellors, The Instant Groove, and The True Reflections.
He was also a member of another popular and successful recording group
from DC called The Unifics. He recorded his first record with his first
group, The Chancellors, on Cap City Records. He later would record with
The True Reflection on Atlantic Records.
With the success of his groups, Leonard soon would come to the attention
of the world renowned Tempts in 1975, who were looking for a new lead singer.
Glenn had a long, illustrious career as the first tenor and lead singer
of the Tempts from 1975-1983. He sang on 10 albums with them, and appeared
on television specials world-wide. Most noted for songs like I’m
on Fire; Go for It, The Best of Both Worlds, Eyes, Ever Ready Love, and
the Christmas classic, Silent Night, from their esteemed Christmas album.
He also recorded Power with the Tempts -- the song that is currently showcased
in the Blackberry world-wide television commercial campaign.
One of Glenn's most memorable moments with the group was when they did
the “Reunion” tour and album. Sharing the stage and recording with the
likes of Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, Richard Street,
Otis Williams and the greatest bass singer to ever live, Melvin Franklin.
After leaving The Tempts in 1984, he became a born again Christian.
He entered into full time ministry and was licensed in 1986. He became
ordained and received a doctorate degree in the early 90’s.
In 2002, Leonard decided to reunite some of the great former members together,
to share the history and to give back to the fans. Some of this all-star
cast included Damon Harris, Ali Woodson, Barrington Henderson, GC Cameron,
and the late Ray Davis and Harry Barry. As a tribute to the super
talented supporting cast, Joe Herndon, the current bass singer with the
Tempts, came from Glenn's group.
Mr. Leonard had recently released a solo album that is garnering attention
world-wide, and also performs with his long time group, Glenn Leonard’s
Temptations Revue.”
Due to his vocal talent, showmanship on stage, and personality off-stage,
Glenn is always a fan favorite! He currently resides in Washington, DC,
and is a 2013 inductee into the R&B Music Hall of Fame!
CARLTON
FLONNOY, SR - lead and background vocals
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Carlton has been a lifelong singer.
His father, Joseph Ray, Sr., was a Gospel singer with the Dixie Wonders.
Sam Cooke was a good friend of Carlton's father and was a regular in their
home rehearsing. Flonnoy was a permanent fixture at these rehearsals
where he learned everyone's parts and how to harmonize. At the age
of 4 was his first time ever being on stage, which was with Sam Cooke and
the Soulsters. Ever since, the stage has been a part of his life.
His first road band was at the age of 24 with “Elegance” opening for acts
such as Teddy Pendergrass, The Chi-Lites and the Pointer Sisters.
Carlton toured Japan twice as lead vocalist with “Elegance”.
In 1982, Carlton was recruited by a Florida band called Hi Octane and relocated
from California to Florida. After Hi Octane broke up, Carlton has
performed as lead vocalist with Florida bands such as West of Cairo, Catch
22, Richie Kicklighter, The Worx, G-Force and Earl Wise & Friends.
Every Sunday you can hear Carlton singing for the Lord at the Center for
Positive Living in Sarasota, Florida. He is presently awaiting the
release of his recently recorded gospel CD.
YAHALOMA
RAMOS - lead and background vocals
A multi-talented recording artist, Yahaloma was born to multi-Platinum,
international recording artist Evelyn Thomas. At a young age, she toured
with her mother, dancing, acting and singing on stage and on television
in New York, London, Paris, Brussels, and other points around the world.
Yahaloma has played with bands such as Natures Vibe, and opened up for
George Clinton and P-Funk, Shabba Ranks, Mary Mary, and is always highly
requested throughout the SE United States. She co-wrote an album with The
Commodores’ “Brick House” Walter Orange and Craig Deanto (Child Activist).
She has also performed honoring the mothers of celebrity artists T-Pain,
Neo, and Little Wayne, for their contributions to the community.
Among many awards she has garnered, her song “Can’t Wait” received Honorable
mention for the Billboard World Song in 2010, and her album “Who Hears
The Cries” was nominated for a Grammy in 2003. She has a recently released
album titled “Beautiful” as a well as a single which has received rave
reviews. She has recorded with the likes of Carlton Coffie, Lord Metatron
and Joseph Israel.
Hitsville Live is blessed to have the beautiful and talented Yahaloma on
board!
LATRAIA
SAVAGE - lead and background vocals
TOMMY
LOBUE - lead guitar and vocals
LoBue was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. and began playing professionally in 1979.
A true music and guitar afficianado, Tom enjoys Blues, Rock, Jazz and R&B,
and was influenced by the likes of Steve Morse, Robben Ford, Jeff Beck,
Jimi Hendrix, and Wes Montgomery. Tom is proud of his guitar collection;
his favorites being a 1971 maple neck Fender Stratacaster, a 2006 rosewood
fretboard Stratacaster, a 1968 Gold Top Les Paul, a 1998 Parker Nitefly
and an Ibanez Hollowbody Archtop. Tom only plays through tube amplifiers
and has a hand built Fender Deluxe Reverb and a Roccaforte Custom 40.
Tom produces a sound that is uniquely his. He is well known through the
SW United States for not only his sound but for is outstanding guitar work.
GARY
DAVENPORT - bass
Beginning in kindergarten with an eighth size violin, Davenport added trumpet
and piano before finding his primary instrument in junior high: the electric
bass. Focusing on electric and doubling on upright, Gary received an AAS
in Music and continued his studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston,
MA.
National touring came with a twleve piece R&B review that exposed Gary
to his musical home of Memphis, TN. Upon moving to Memphis, he became an
in-demand player on the local scene, holding a house gig with his own band
on Beale Street. He soon would be called to Los Angeles, where he worked
as bassist and co-producer with Mike Post, best known for his volumes of
television music. Branching out on his own, Gary produced and co-wrote
songs for the original band 13 Curves. This combination created a strong
indy release with tracks used in the movie “Soccer Mom” and ABC Family’s
hit show “Make It Or Break It.”
Davenport has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada and Europe.
A personal highlight of service was performing in Kuwait and Baghdad, Iraq
for our troops in 2008 as part of the first-ever blues show brought to
US soldiers by Armed Forces Entertainment.
GENE
HART - keyboards
LOREN
BERRY - drums
The heartbeat of The Hitsville Live Band, drummer Loren Berry is a native
of the St. Louis, Missouri metroplex. The traditional blues and jazz sounds,
well-known in the St. Louis area, as well as the Motown Sound, had a huge
musical influence on him.
At age 15, Loren played his first professional gig with a local country
group. He enjoyed playing the different genres of music in the area
and his ability to adapt to the various genres soon earned him many calls
from a variety of groups when they needed a drummer on short notice.
At 22 Loren hit the road to Denver, Colorado seeking a career in music.
Within just a few months, he was touring the Northwest United States with
a regional act. On May 18th, 1980 Loren got up close and personal
with Mt. St. Helens as it erupted while doing a show in the state of Washington
with a touring national act. This event sent him back to Denver and
ultimately back to St. Louis.
Over the next ten years he worked the area with a few local groups who
were house-hold names in the region. In the early 90s Loren moved to Sarasota,
FL. After a brief hiatus he formed a song writing project with Capitol
Recording artist Jeff Adams. Loren’s co-efforts can be heard on several
CDs available on the internet.
In the late 90s he was recruited to be the drummer for a well known group
in Punta Gorda, FL. called BNX. The group disbanded in 2003, and in 2004
Loren founded and hand picked the lineup for one of SW Florida’s most popular
show & dance bands, The Crashers. Loren will be the first to tell you
that The Hitsville Live Band contains the best line up of musicians he
has ever worked with and he is very proud to be a part of it.
CLAUDJA
ROBINSON - lead & backup vocals
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