The Fellas
Tribute Band in New York City, NY
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Why hire The Fellas?
We are THE FELLAS, a 60s/70s R&B vocal group. We perform a tribute to the 1960's/1970's Classic Soul artists of that era. 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.
About
CLASSIC SOUL brought to you by THE FELLAS
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.
Personnel
JoQUAE DEVONISH: Lead vocals, 1st tenor & 2nd tenor background vocals
JOE RIVERA III: Lead vocals, 1st tenor, 2nd tenor and baritone background vocals
RICARDO WRIGHT: Lead vocals, 1st tenor, 2nd tenor and baritone background vocals
ROMAN BARKSDALE: Lead vocals, 1st tenor & 2nd tenor background vocals
Influences
INFLUENCES ARE:
o The Temptations
o Marvin Gaye
o Billy Stewart
o The Jackson Five
o Billy Stewart
o The O'Jays
o The Spinners
o The Delfonics
o The Manhattans
What to Expect
Typical Gig Duration: 30 - 60 minutes
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
Stage/Setup Requirements:
Four (4) stright round-based microphone stands
o Four (4) UHF cordless microphones (Shure Beta 58) or Four (4) Shure Beta microphones with 30' cables
Additional Notes:
Among professional references are: Joe Herndon - bass singer for The Temptations, David Sea - performing member of The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Jr. - performing member of The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, 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, 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.
Set/Song/Sequence List:
(I Know) I'm Losing You – The Temptations
Ain't Too Proud To Beg – The Temptations
All I Need – The Temptations
Backstabbers – The O’Jays
Bad Girl – The Miracles
Ball Of Confusion – The Temptations
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – The Temptations
Before I Let Go - Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Cloud Nine – The Temptations
Didn’t I Blow Your Mind – The Delfonics
Distant Lover – Marvin Gaye
Don't Look Back – The Temptations
Duke Of Earl – Gene Chandler
Fresh - Kool & The Gang
Get Ready – The Temptations
Heavenly – The Temptations
Holding Back The Years - Simply Red
I Believe In You And Me – The Four Tops
I Can't Get Next To You – The Temptations
I Can’t Help Myself – The Four Tops
I Could Never Love Another - The Temptations
I Do - The Marvellos
I Do Love You – GQ version
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
I Love Music – The O’Jays
I Want You Back - Jackson 5
I’ll Be There – The Jackson Five
I'll Be Around – The Spinners
In The Still Of The Night – The Five Satins
It's A Thin Line – The Persuaders
It’s The Same Old Song – The Four Tops
Just Another Long And Lonely Night – The O’Jays
Just My Imagination – The Temptations
La La La Means I Love You – The Delfonics
Let's Get It On – Marvin Gaye
Love Train – The O’Jays
Midnight Hour - Wilson Picket
My Girl – The Temptations
Oh What A Night – The Dells
Ooh Baby, Baby – The Miracles
Papa Was A Rolling Stone – The Temptations
Reach Out (I'll Be There) - Four Tops
Sarah Smile - Hall & Oates
She Used To be My Girl – The O’Jays
Since I Lost My Baby – The Temptations
Sitting In The Park – Billy Stewart
Soul Man - Sam & Dave
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
The Girl's Alright With Me – The Temptations
The Lady In My Life - Michael Jackson
The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens
The Way You Do The Things You Do– The Temptations
Together – The Intruders
Tracks Of My Tears – The Miracles
Under The Boardwalk – The Drifters
What's Going On – Marvin Gaye
When We Get Married – The Dreamlovers
You Can Depend On Me – The Miracles
You’re My Everything – The Temptations
Performance Schedule
07-12-2014 — Motowm Soul Cruise leaving from Port of Bayonne, NJ
07-11-2014 — Motowm Soul Cruise leaving from Port of Bayonne, NJ
07-10-2014 — Motowm Soul Cruise leaving from Port of Bayonne, NJ
07-09-2014 — Motowm Soul Cruise leaving from Port of Bayonne, NJ
07-08-2014 — Motowm Soul Cruise leaving from Port of Bayonne, NJ
07-07-2014 — Motowm Soul Cruise leaving from Port of Bayonne, NJ
07-06-2014 — Motowm Soul Cruise leaving from Port of Bayonne, NJ
10-12-2013 — The Patchogue Theater - 71 East Main St - Patchogue, NY 11772
10-05-2013 — Star Playhouse - 74 Hauppauge Rd - Commack, NY 11725
07-13-2013 — Richie B's Diamond Club - 33 Railroad Ave - Ronkonkoma, NY
07-07-2013 — Paterson, NJ - PRIVATE
06-22-2013 — The Cutting Room - 44 East 32 St - New York, NY 10016
Past Booked Dates:
04-19-2013 — Antonette's of East Hills - Roslyn Heights, NY
04-06-2013 — Stepinac HS - White Plains, NY
03-23-2013 — Farmingdale
10-13-2012 — Take One Performing Arts Center - Farmingville, NY
10-12-2012 — New Rochelle High School - New Rochelle, NY
08-28-2012 — Ma-Riis PArk - Harrison, NY
07-29-2012 — LINCOLN SQUARE COMMUNITY CENTER - 60th ANNIVERSARY PARTY
04-28-2012 — Paramus Elks Club - Paramus, NJ
04-27-2012 — The Tilles Center at CW Post of Long Island University
04-21-2012 — Massapequa HS - Massapequa, NY
12-10-2011 — Nuno's Pavillion - Linden, NJ
07-24-2011 — Las Vegas, NV (Corporate/Private)
06-17-2011 — "A Celebration of Motown" at The Pride Academy Charter School - East Orange, NJ
04-16-2011 — A Timeless Tribute starring THE FELLAS at The Fieldstone School (Thiells, NY)
03-05-2011 — Timeless Tribute Concert starring THE FELLAS at The Paramount Theater (Middletown, NY)
02-26-2011 — Celebration of Black History Month at The College of New Jersey (Ewing, NJ)
01-15-2011 — Rock n Roll/DooWop Concert with special guest THE FELLAS at Queens College (Flushing, NY)
Experience
2010: 7 gigs
View Complete Calendar
http://www.thefellasnyc.com/fr_home.cfm
Available for Your
Anniversary Party, Awards Night, Bar/Lounge, Casino, Christmas Party, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Cruise, Fair, Festival, Hotel, Private Party, Restaurant, Reunion, Trade Show, Wedding Reception
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