Take 4 totally different spices throw them in a boiling pot of funk and mix for 10 years and what do you get besides a Dallas Jazz Jam...
The Memphis Train Singers.
Laquetta Phillip's
Never has the mixing of so many vocal styles flowed so cohesively. Laquetta Phillip's (The Godmother of Soul) gospel tinged vibrato will have you waving your hands and clapping for joy (reminiscent of Aretha Franklin, Prince) . Glenda Dotson (Lady G) flows effortlessly from dirt road blues to sultry jazz (reminiscent of Gladys Knight, Phyllis Hyman, Etta James). Sheree Smith (Cherrylicious) channels the spirits of funk and Disco with such energy and excitement you won't wonder where the train gets it's steam(reminiscent of Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Donna Summer). Sandra Gilmette (Baby Gap), the balladeer, the shock registered on the faces of audiences says it all when this drummer/vocalist reaches registers so deeply sexy it will send chills up your spine.
With versatility such as this who needs male singers: These 4 women cover just about every female soul and funk legend while also covering male legends such as: Earth, Wind and Fire, James Brown, George Benson, Prince, Michael Jackson, The Isley Brothers and others and do so, so convincingly you will not believe your ears.
A native of Jasper, Texas, is one of the original singers of Memphis Train. Originally her singing talents were discovered at church and school where she was a part of many choirs, special groups, contests, and musicals during her childhood and teenage years.
In 1983 her journey landed her in Austin to attend the University of Texas where she received some formal vocal training while studying Radio-Television-Film. While at the university she was a member of the campus gospel choir, Innervisions of Blackness for many years, which gave her the opportunity to work with many of the now famous gospel artists, such as Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Chester D.T. Baldwin and others. After college she became a member of Claudia Williams and the Voices of Christ for a couple of years and gained her first recording experience.
Laquetta decided to broaden her scope by joining Memphis Train. This was the vehicle that took her soulful sound to larger audiences everywhere. She has recorded background vocals for several recording artists here in Austin, such as Millennium Swing (Blue Millennium), Spencer Gibbs, Keith Fiala, and even crooned a little on a country and western project. Her journey has also provided her the opportunity to perform "God Bless America" for the National Department of Transportation ASHTO Convention last December and the privilege to perform the national anthem at the Houston Astros game for an audience of over 30,000. She also aspires to be a chef and own several restaurants in the near future. She hopes to use good food and good music as a vessel to spread the message of love throughout the universe forever.
Glenda Knox Dotson
Born in Pineville, Louisiana, Glenda Knox Dotson is the daughter of a career army father and Minister. She enjoyed traveling all over the world and the United States for the first thirteen years of her life.
By the time she entered high school, she brought her unique vocal style to the Little Rock Central High School acappella choir and the international youth group "Up With People". Upon graduation Glenda's vocal and musical talent led her to be awarded Miss Bronze Little Rock and she was awarded Miss Bronze Arkansas in 1971. Glenda went on to continue her education at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Ms Glenda Knox Dotson made her professional debut in Austin, Texas in December of 1990. She made appearances in several of the hottest nightspots in Austin, such as Antoines, The Elephant Room, and Catfish Station. Glenda has also performed with other artist such as Kyle Turner, James Polk and Sandy Allen just to name a few. She has also done studio background vocals for Millennium Swing. She went on to become an inductee of The Women in Jazz (A Hartbeat Production). Glenda became a member of Memphis Train in February 1993.
Lady G has been wooing the audience with her soulful and sultry singing styles from rhythm and blues to jazz and has been able to give songs her own character.
Sheree Smith
Born and raised in Attalla, Alabama, Sheree moved to Austin in 1988. After appearing in several local plays (For Colored Girls....), musicals (Zachary Scott Theaters Dreamgirls and BeeHive 1993, Merry Christmas Baby and Ellington in the Park) , regional commercials and training videos; she was called upon to audition for Memphis Train.
She has also been called upon and participated in recording projects for: Mc Overlord, BeeGee's son, Spencer Gibb, Mark Goodwin, Millennium Swing, Blue Millennium, Keith Fiala, Dysfunkshun Junkshun, and Pat Magnum.
Sheree has also recorded jingles for both the San Antonio Spurs and The San Antonio Riverwalk campaigns. Since joining the band in 1992, Sheree has developed into a fiery, exciting all around entertainer whose goal is to "draw the audience into my world and make them feel as honored to be there as I am to share it with them".
Sandra Gilmette
Sandra Gilmette has been with Memphis Train for 5 years. She was born in Albuquerque New Mexico, and moved to Austin at the age of 4. Although Sandra has been self-taught on a multitude of instruments such as piano, guitar and bass guitar, her ultimate love became the drums, which she started playing at the age of 12 under the guidance of her brother. At the age of 13, her talent as a percussionist was discovered at the St. James Baptist Church where she was offered a full time position in 1978 as the first female percussionist ever to be hired in an Austin Church. In 2001, the Texas Gospel Announcers Guild bestowed upon Sandra the "Best Gospel Percussionist in Texas" award.
Her talents as a percussionist have been shared with many Gospel Artist such as Yolanda Adams, Minister Keith Pringle, Claudia Williams & The Voices Of Christ, The Clark Sisters, The Children of Faith, Beverly Crawford, Albertina Walker, Vernard Johnson, Virgil Seals and many others. She has also produced 2 Gospel releases for gospel recording artist: "Christian's With Voices" and "Structure". Today, Sandra still shares her musical talents with her church.
Sandra has also played with "Commercial Art" an R&B band out of Houston, Texas and as a vocalist, she has recorded with Spencer Gibb, son of Robin Gibb of the Bee Gee's, Keith Fiala "Bed Time Stories", and Austin Band "Dysfunction Junction".
SONG LIST:
Classic Soul Hits
At Last
Baby, I Love you
Chain of Fools
Cold Sweat
Dr. Feelgood
Gimme Some Lovin
Good Foot
Hold On I'm Comin
I feel Good
I'll Take You There
Let's Stay Together
Unforgettable
Knock On Wood
Mr. Big Stuff
Mustang Sally
Proud Mary
Respect
Rock Steady
Sex Machine
Super Bad
Think
Til' You Come Back To Me
When A Man Loves A Woman (Instrumental)
R & B
Ain't Nobody
Back In Love Again
Back Stabbers
Black Cat (Janet Jackson)
Boogie Wonderland
Boogie Oggie Oggie
Brick House
Candy
Car Wash
Celebration
Cut the Cake
Dance Shout/Shake Your Body
Disco Inferno
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough
Don't Wanna Lose Your Love
Down Home Blues
Easy
Fight The Power
Fire (Pointer Sisters)
For The Love Of You
Forget Me Nots
Fun, Fun, Fun
Free Your Mind
Giving Him Something He Can Feel
Good Times
Higher
How Come You Don't Call Me
I Like To Live The Life
I'm Lookng for A New Love (Jody Whatley)
If Only You Knew
It's Yo Thang
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Kiss
Let's Groove
Let's Work
Love Roller Coaster
Love Overboard
Love Train
Low Rider
Pick Up Da Pieces
Play That Funky Music
September
Shining Star
Sing A Song
Sweet Thang
That's The Way of The World
Tell Me Something Good
The Way
That's the Way Love Goes
To Be Real
Turn Your Love Around
Tyrone
We Are Family
What's Love Got to Do With It
Word Up
You Got The Love
You Haven't Done Nothing
Video (Indie Arie)
Motown
Got To Give It Up
I Heard It Through The Grapevine
I Wish
Just My Imagination
Midnight Train to Georgia
My Cherie Amour
My Girl
PaPa Wuz A Rollin Stone
Pride & Joy
Shoutgun
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Superstition
Use My Imagination
Wedding Favorites
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
The Way You Look Tonight
Let's Stay Together
At Last
What A Wonderful World
Love Me Tender My Cherie Amour
My Girl
The Closer I Get To You
Always and Forever
Wind Beneath My Wings
It's Alright, Ok, You Win
BAND DETAIL: Memphis Train Revue