Thanks For The Music

Masters of Soul sang hit after hit of the Motown Sound. They were awesome. They did tributes of The Temptations, The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Barry White any many, many more.

It was a fantastic show!

MORE ON THE MASTERS OF SOUL:

Masters of Soul has been called the most entertaining history lesson ever performed! This show authentically reproduces the look, choreography, style and sound made famous by the Motown and Stax record labels. The performance celebrates the music and careers of the iconic artists who had such a profound influence on the history of popular music. For many, Masters of Soul is the ultimate stroll down memory lane. For younger generations, the show offers a way to experience a period in our country’s past that produced many of the greatest music acts ever recorded.

The show features a completely live performance with seasoned musicians and world-class performers from The TFC Band. This group has toured extensively world-wide for more than 30 years, performing at private events, festivals, casinos, corporate events and military bases from coast to coast and overseas, including tours of Europe and Africa. After having toured together for decades, The TFC Band created the Masters of Motown show in 2008 as a way to heighten the experience for their fans and deliver the full package—a stage show capturing the sights, sounds and feel of the Motown era. In 2013, they expanded the show to incorporate soul music and updated the name to Masters of Soul to reflect this change.

Based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the 10-person cast of Masters of Soul has performed to numerous sold-out audiences and garnered rave reviews across the country at venues ranging from community theaters and universities to performing arts venues and concert halls.

Individual Bios JOHN HODGES (lead vocalist) - John has been performing as a full-time professional musician his entire adult life. During his career he has toured extensively across the US and overseas, including a recent five-month tour of Africa. For years, John has acted as band leader for The TFC Band, one of the most successful private party bands in the country. Building on the success of TFC, John was instrumental in creating the touring show Masters of Soul. When not touring with Masters of Soul, The TFC Band performs at major corporate events, personal celebrations and festivals from coast to coast. Thanks to his rich bass baritone vocals, John has often been compared to Melvin Franklin of the Temptations and the incomparable Barry White. A life-long resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, John enjoys spending his life with his family and is active in his local church. John’s hobby is fishing.

DARIO OUTLAW (lead vocalist) - One of Dario’s main high points in life is his love for music. Dario demonstrates on stage his talent and ability to connect with the audience. His energetic moves always keep the crowd amazed and entertained!! He is the choreographer for Masters of Soul and The TFC Band. His primary focus is the perfection of the product. Dario has been performing as a professional singer his entire adult life. Dario’s performance has been compared to Prince and specifically to the song “Kiss.” He is a life-long resident of the Tidewater area of Virginia and is very active in his local church. When he is not touring he enjoys spending time with his family and his seven-year-old godson. He also produces music in the gospel genre.

RONALD SMITH (lead vocalist) - Ronald was born a twin and has resided in Norfolk, Virginia his entire life. Ronald, lovingly known as “Smitty,” started singing with his twin brother at an early age. He has also been singing professionally his entire adult life with various bands, vocal groups, and recording artists. When he is not touring and singing with Masters of Soul or The TFC Band, he loves to spend time with his wife and family. Smitty has a vocal range that demonstrates a falsetto to second baritone range. His favorite hobby and enjoyment is cooking.

JERMAINE NEWSOME (keyboardist) - “Jay,” as he is known, is the music director and keyboard player for Masters of Soul and The TFC Band. Jay currently lives in the Tidewater area of Virginia. His many talents include producing for national and international acts. He is a full-time musician with Masters of Soul and The TFC Band. When not touring, Jay is the organist for his local church, and he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. Jay has been active in music since he was five years old. He is an accomplished piano player, bass guitarist and drummer. He also brings a host of technical talents to the table.

OSCAR WATERS (bassist) - Oscar is a seasoned performer, singer and bassist with Masters of Soul and The TFC Band. He was born in a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Oscar has worked and appeared with many national artists and various other acts and legends. He has been touring with Masters of Soul and The TFC Band for the past 18 years. He lives in Norfolk, Virginia with his wife and family. He is active with his local church and lends his talents musically. DENTRO FORD (guitarist) – “Dent” began playing guitar at the young age of nine. After graduating high school in the year 1974, he started playing guitar professionally as he continued his studies at Lancaster College. During his professional career “Dent” has played with The Playboys, The 25th Century Band, The Sounds Of The Drifters, Powerplay, Sonny Turner’s Platters Group and The TFC Band, and he is now lead guitarist with Masters of Soul. Highlights of Dent’s career include opening for Christopher Cross, The Zap Band, The Gap Band, and Brian McKnight, as well as performing in The TFC Band and Masters of Soul.

AL HUNDLEY (drummer) - Al started his music career at the age of 13 in middle school and has been performing ever since. He decided to pursue a full-time music career in 1995, and he has played with various bands during his career. He has traveled throughout this country and abroad, including a five-month tour in Africa. Al currently performs with Masters of Soul and The TFC Band, and he states that this experience has brought him great successes and a positive change in lifestyle. His talents have garnered rave reviews. When not touring he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.

DENEEN (LADY D) BROOKS (lead vocalist) - A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Deneen started singing at a young age in church. “Lady D,” as she is called, has been singing professionally with various vocal groups for most of her adult life. She is also a gospel recording artist. Lady D has performed at the Virginia Governor’s Mansion and has toured in Africa with The TFC Band. When not touring with Masters of Soul and The TFC Band, she loves spending time with her family and singing with her gospel group. She is also active in her local church. Lady D astounds audiences with her incredibly powerful vocals. She will bring you to your feet with her stirring rendition of Gladys Knight’s “Neither One of Us.”

JOYCE BOWERS (lead vocalist) - Some voices inspire and some excite, while others simply leave you in awe. Singing before audiences since the tender age of five, Joyce got her early start in the church choir and subsequently with the Family Group “The A-Z Trio.” Soon thereafter, she got her professional start with “Frank Carballo and the Dukes of Rhythm.” Joyce has been a featured performer with established groups “Happiness” and “The Gentlemen and Their Lady.” Throughout her career, Joyce has proven herself to be a serious, solid live vocalist. Currently you may see Joyce touring with TFC Presents Master of Soul where she tributes Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Thelma Houston and Tina Turner.

KENYA SMALL (lead vocalist) - Kenya is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. She started singing in church at the young age of six and is still very active in her church. She has been on 106 and Park on BET for two years, and she sang with local group “Sweet Dreams” for four years. Kenya has also appeared on Apollo several times. While currently working on her album, Kenya has been in the studio recording her own backup and lead vocals. Now you can see her touring with the Masters of Soul with her outstanding tributes to Diana Ross and Mary Wells. Her hobbies are making her own clothes and reading.

Thanks For The Music Masters of Soul