The Fellas
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) and Andrew 'Drew' Rhoden (lead vocals/2nd tenor) and Anthony Cooper, Jr. (lead vocals/baritone/bass), who proved to be a perfect addition to the group in July 1991.
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.
Now, original members Ricardo Wright, Anthony Cooper, Jr and Joe Rivera III have reunited to perpetuate Classic Soul music, along with JoQuae DeVonish who was a member of the latter lineup of the Fellas. Classic Soul returns from Detroit, MI, Philadelphia, PA & NYC
More About The Fellas
ANTHONY COOPER, JR - Anthony Cooper, Jr. began studying the creative process as a child. He joined "The Fellas" when fellow performing colleague Ricardo Wright told him of the forming of a group. Mr. Cooper has toured extensively, performing in musicals and in dramatic theatre across the U. S. and abroad. Anthony's also an Audelco Award winner and member of SAG and AEA.
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 through mutual
friend, Anthony Warr in 1993. This was when he began to sing with the Fellas. So 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. Afterwards he moved to NYC to pursue an acting career where he was a member of The National Black Theater. 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.
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
· Albert ‘Ceasar' Berry – founding member of the Original Tymes
· Joe Herndon – bass vocalist for The Temptations
· Billy Bannister – Road Manager for the Temptations
· Onaje Allan Gumbs – Grammy nominated Jazz pianist
· Maurice ‘The Voice' Watts – NYC Radio Disc Jockey & Promoter
· Jimmy Merchant – founding & performing member of Frankie Lymon's Legendary Teenagers
· Herman Santiago – founding & performing member of Frankie Lymon's Legendary Teenagers
· Jimi Dougans – founding member of The Young Senators
· David Sea – performing member of Dennis Edwards & The Temptations Review
· Elaine McDuffie – CEO & Editor of online magazine 4REAL MAGAZINE
SONG LIST
Get Ready, Ain't Too Proud To Beg, You're My Everything, Since I Lost My Baby, Don't Look Back, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You), I Wish It Would Rain, Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), My Girl, (I Know) I'm Losing You, I Can't Get Next To You, Heavenly, I Love Music, Backstabbers, Just Another Long & Lonely Night, Stairway To Heaven, She Used To Be My Girl, Love Train, I Believe In You And Me, Maybe Tomorrow, I'll Be There, La La La Means I Love You, Sitting In The Park, I Do Love You, Distant Lover, Let's Get It On, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, It Only Takes A Minute, Going In Circles, It's A Thin Line (Between Love & Hate),