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SHOWBIZ TIME MAGAZINE. June Issue  P.14   Continues Next                                       Cover of the Magazine     Table of Contents     

THE WORLD GREAT FAMILY SINGERS

The Bee Gees: The Gibb brothers were born on the Isle of Man; Barry Alan Crompton Gibb on 1 September 1946, and fraternal twins Robin Hugh Gibb and Maurice Ernest Gibb on 22 December 1949. The Bee Gees were a singing trio of brothers — Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb — that became one of the most successful musical acts of all time. They were born on the Isle of Man to English parents, lived in England for several years and moved to Australia where their music careers began; their world-wide success came when they returned to England. The grop's name is derived from the initials "B.G.", primarily standing for Brothers Gibb. The multiple Grammy Award-winning group was successful for all of its forty years of recording music, but it had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a harmonic "soft rock" act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as the foremost stars of the disco music era in the late 1970s. No matter the style, the Bee Gees sang tight three-part harmonies that were instantly recognizable; as brothers, their voices blended perfectly, in the same way that The Beach Boys voices blended. Barry sang lead on many songs, and an R&B falsetto introduced in the disco years; Robin provided the clear vibrato lead that was a hallmark of their pre-disco music; Maurice sang high and low harmonies throughout their career. The three brothers co-wrote most of their hits, and they said that they felt like they became 'one person' when they were writing. The group's name was retired after Maurice died in January 2003. It has been estimated that the Bee Gees' album and single sales total more than 180 million units, easily making them part of the list of best-selling music artists. Their 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame citation says "Only Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees.

Boomkat is an electronica and pop music duo, with brother-and-sister Kellin and Taryn Manning. Their debut album Boomkatalog.One was released in 2003. The first single "The Wreckoning" hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Taryn is also an actress who has appeared on Miami and Boston Public, as well as the films Crazy/Beautiful, Crossroads, Hustle & Flow, and 8 Mile.

The Carter Family: The most influential group in country music history, the Carter Family made their first recordings for Ralph Peer on the Victor label in 1927, in Bristol, Tennessee.  During the next 17 years they recorded some 300 old-time ballads, traditional tunes, country songs, and Gospel hymns, all representative of America's southeastern folklore and heritage. The original Family consisted of Mother Maybelle Addington Carter (1909-1979), who played guitar and sang harmony; Sara Dougherty (1898-1979), who played autoharp and sang alto lead; and Sara’s husband, Alvin Pleasant (A.P.) Carter (d.1960), who played fiddle and sang bass. They operated out of their homes in the Clinch Mountain area of Virginia until 1938, when they moved to Texas for three years, and then to Charlotte, North Carolina.  A.P, Sara and Maybelle rejoined for a last public performance at the Jimmy Rodgers Memorial Festival in Meridian, MS in 1953. The last public performances by both Maybelle and Sara was at the first A.P. Carter Memorial Festival at the Carter Fold in Hiltons, VA in August, 1975, after which Maybelle Carter, who has been called the "Queen of Country Music," continued the tradition and her career with her three daughters, Anita, Helen, and June who is married to Johnny Cash. After working on WRWL Radio in Richmond, Virginia, from 1943 to 1946, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, as they were billed, moved first to WRVA, also in Richmond, for 18 months, and then to WNOX in Knoxville, Tennessee.  When they were finally tapped by the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville became their last stop and home.  In popularizing and preserving old folk songs, the family made accessible tunes that were later used by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Odetta, Woody Guthrie, and many more.

The Corrs are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Celtic folk-rock and pop rock group from Dundalk, Republic of Ireland. The members of the band are four siblings, three sisters and one brother: Sharon Corr (Violin, Vocals) was born on March 24, 1970. The second eldest in the band and an accomplished violinist in her own right. Her violin, the tin whistle, bodhran and musical arrangement bring a traditional Irish edge to the band's music that blends seamless with their contemporary sound. Caroline Corr (Drums, Bodhran, Piano, Vocals) was born on March 17, 1973. Second youngest of the quartet. The quietest of the four, she was taught piano by her father. Despite coming late to drumming, she demonstrated considerable guts and her prodigious talent when she leapt in at the deep end to become the band's drummer. Andrea Corr Lead vocals, tin whistle) was born on May 17, 1974. The youngest of the siblings and voted the most beautiful woman in the world by several publications. Besides her considerable musical talents she has also appeared on the big screen in "Evita" and "The Commitments". Jim Corr (Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals) was born on July 31, 1964. The eldest of the four siblings he is a naturally gifted guitarist and keyboard player. Performing since the age of 15, Jim was the driving force behind the formation of the group.

The Emotions. The Emotions are an all female soul, disco, and R&B singing group that was most successful during the late-1970s and 1980s.  In the 1950’s in Chicago, Illinois, Joe and Lillian Hutchinson began raising a family filled with love, creativity and talent. Born in this decade were three ladies considered by the rest of us as true legends and national treasures collectively known as The Emotions. Jeanette, Wanda and Sheila Hutchinson began singing at ages three, four and five under the tutelage of their father. Joe Hutchinson, Sr. had his little girls singing from sun up to sun down. This is the foundation of the intricate harmonies and solid musicianship that has given The Emotions their sound which is recognized by so many today. In the early years, the Hutchinson girls sang gospel with their dad in churches and on radio shows all around their native Chicago. Joe, Jeanette, Wanda & Sheila even performed for the legendary Mahalia Jackson.

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