Many bands are defined by one member of the group, often the lead vocalist. Local examples include Sweet Justice (Beth Justice), MoDeBree (Kelli Moss), Red Star Crush (Lori Sclater) and the now defunct Rosie Soul and the Rock n’ Roll Cowboys (Rosie Soul). Imagine what happens when that lead vocalist leaves the band!

 

That’s where Richmond’s self-described “Old School R&B/Nu-Soul” group The Soul Proprietors found themselves last year – twice. Original lead vocalist, Kelley Allison, developed a medical condition that affected her voice.  Her replacement lasted less than 2 months before she decided to go back to grad school.  That lead to a 3-month process to find a new lead singer. “Our singer is the focal point…for the people that listen and watch…It’s that lead singer that they identify with,” explained Dave Schieferstein (guitar, vocal).

 

Craig’s List and Facebook ads along with recommendations from fellow musicians yielded a list of 10 names. They wrote letters asking each of them to learn 4 songs for an audition. According to Dave, it’s a “tricky process” to translate from an audition to how a singer will work on stage with the band.

 

 

The “Evy” that Dave speaks about in that quote is their new lead singer, Yvette “Evy” Perkins. “Evy is the first 3 letters of my name backwards” she laughs. Calling herself “A R&B/ Gospel/ Funk vocalist”, the Richmond native says she grew up singing in church and later in gospel groups, so the band’s material is pretty new to her. It’s a learning curve she says she’s enjoying (with a little help from a lyric crib sheet used during the show). Her gospel roots are quickly getting an R&B infusion and she’s liking it.

 

 

 

 

The band’s backing is solid and their harmony vocals blend well with Evy’s lead. They mix it up on stage and one song often leads seamlessly to the next.  Another standout is Logan T. Beaver (sax, keyboards), a recent graduate of VCU’s Jazz Studies program. Saturday night at McCook’s was Evy’s on-stage debut. You could see and hear her get more comfortable as the night progressed. It’ll only get better.

 

The Soul Proprietors play several times every month, mostly in the Richmond area. You can catch them this Saturday at Big Al’s Sports Bar starting at 8 p.m.

 

Band Members

David Schieferstein – guitar,

Winfred Bradley – bass,

Logan T. Beaver – sax,

Jay Copp – drums,

Yvette “Evy” Perkins – vocals

 

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