Carla L. Benson: Difference between revisions
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{{Multiple issues|sections=April 2010|peacock=April 2010|refimproveBLP=May 2010|wikify=April 2010|orphan =April 2010}} |
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'''Carla Benson''' was a vocalist. Along with her cousin [[Barbara Ingram]], and friend [[Evette Benton]], they formed the top in-house backup group at [[Sigma Sound Studios]] for [[Thom Bell]], getting the nickname "Sweethearts of Sigma".<ref name="Jackson2004">{{cite book|last=Jackson|first=John A.|title=A house on fire: the rise and fall of Philadelphia soul|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=AXfvmkm-BzEC&pg=PA137|accessdate=27 May 2010|date=2004-10-27|publisher=Oxford University Press US|isbn=9780195149722|pages=137–138}}</ref> |
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It has been reported {{Who|date=April 2010}} that Camden City native, Vocalist Carla Benson holds the fabulous distinction of having appeared on more hit records with more name artists than any other vocalist in the history of the Record Business. |
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Carla Benson graduated from Camden High School and immediately began pursuing her college education at [[Rowan University]], then known as Glassboro State College, as a Music Education Major. During her second semester, she was invited to audition for a newly formed record company called Philadelphia International Records. |
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Carla began her professional career singing with her first cousin Barbara Ingram who died in 1994 and Evette L. Benton, now Director of Head Start in South Jersey, all Camden natives. Named “The Sweeties” for the “sweet, angelic sound” these ladies produced by legendary powerhouse vocalist Patti Labelle, The Sweeties became the in-house background recording vocalists for Philadelphia International Records throughout the 1970s and early 80’s. Always singing the top most recognizable note, it is Miss Benson’s voice you sing along with when you hum along with Billy Paul on “Me and Mrs. Jones” and it is Carla’s crisp soprano you sing along with on The Spinners “I’ll Be Around”, McFadden and Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”, Patti Labelle’s “New Attitude” and “On My Own” to name a very few. Indeed, if you are a fan of ‘Old School’ and Philadelphia International Records artists like Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, The O’Jays’, and many others, then you have been listening to and enjoying the vocal talents of Carla L. Benson for decades. |
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The Disco era also hit the music industry with a vengeance during this time and The Sweeties were heavily sought after for their vocals. Precluded by confidentiality agreements from ever revealing actual artists and title songs, Miss Benson and The Sweeties were the actual vocalists for several major disco hits as well as the named vocalists for MFSB, The Salsoul Orchestra, The Ritchie Family, Grace Jones, The Trammps, The Village People, Gloria Gaynor, Claudia Berry and hundreds of others. After the run away success of Saturday Night Fever, even John Travolta tried his hand at recording and insisted on the vocal assistance of the famed Sweeties. (complete discography included separately) |
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With the decline of disco, The Sweeties were without work and decided to break up the group. However, feeling the need to continue performing, rather than return to college, Carla Benson auditioned for and won roles in several off Broadway productions of ''Ain’t Misbehavin''. Additionally, she was approached to produce the annual fundraising event for The Dr. Charles Henderson Auxiliary, the only African American auxiliary of The Cooper University Hospital. She wrote, directed an ensemble cast, produced and performed in her creation she named “Rhapsody in Black”. That year, the auxiliary exceeded their own expectations and was able to donate the largest contribution to the hospital in their history. That record still stands today. |
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Having previously recorded the background vocals for “If Only You Knew”, “Love, Need and Want You” as well as a few others for Patti LaBelle, Ms. LaBelle was already familiar with the musicality of The Girls. In the mid-80’s, the opportunity arose for Miss Benson to reunite with her family and life long friend in order to tour and record exclusively with Patti, which she did for almost five years. As they toured the world and most major cities in the United States, Ms. LaBelle fondly referred to Carla as "Sweetie Number One". It was during her tenure with Ms. LaBelle that they recorded the soundtrack for “Beverly Hills Cop” and did the popular video “Stir It Up”. Patti received her first platinum album, entitled “Winner In You” on which The Sweeties performed and also received another of their platinum albums during an on air interview on the popular television show “People Are Talking” with Richard Bey. |
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Several years earlier, Miss Benson gave birth to her first son, Larry. She also occasionally did substitute teaching for the Camden School system where her love of inner city teenagers began to take seed and grow. |
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After almost five years on the road, Miss Benson felt the need to be closer to her son. She formed her own band and began performing in local venues. Catching the attention of several Entertainment Directors for the Atlantic City casinos, she was offered the opportunity to open in the main room of The Claridge Hotel and Casino. This was a particularly poignant moment for her. It brought back a particular memory of walking along the same boardwalk, decades earlier with her beloved grandmother, affectionately called “Me-Mom by her 27 grandchildren. Carla remembered passing the grandeur of The Claridge Hotel when her Me-Mom said to her, “See that place there? We ain’t allowed in there right now suga, but, maybe one day YOU”LL be able to get in.” |
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The show was a massive success and Miss Benson was hired to perform for all the special events at The Trump Casino for two years as well as featured spots in the Claridge Casino lounge. |
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Tony Award Winning Director, Joseph Walker was hired to produce a series of musicals for Rutgers University. It was under his direction that Carla starred in productions of “Dreamgirls”, “The Amen Corner”, “Buddy Bolden” and “Raisin”. Mr. Walker often remarked that he felt Carla was his own personal musical theater discovery and, before his untimely death, he was writing another musical especially for her which he hoped to have produced on Broadway. Mr. Walker’s Musical Director, Tony Booker, was instrumental in Miss Benson being signed to a five year contract at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC where she was featured in their annual production of “The Black Nativity”. |
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A few years earlier, Carla gave birth to her second son, Adam. |
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Louise White, mother of Carla Benson, never missed a performance of her daughter’s anywhere on the East Coast between New York and Washington. During the third year of her five year run, Mrs. White became seriously ill. Carla immediately opted out of her contract and returned home to be by her mothers’ side. The Law had always held a particular fascination for Carla, so she decided to explore that interest. In 1996, she graduated at the top of her class from The Technical Institute of New Jersey, Pennsauken Campus as a Certified Paralegal. She immediately began working part time as an Executive Legal Secretary in Arbitration in the chambers of The Honorable Judge Vogelson at The Hall of Justice in Camden. She laughingly refers to this time as proving to her that she “is a musician”.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} |
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In 1999, she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Vocal Music. Miss Benson worked as a Permanent Substitute at Camden High School. |
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In 2000, Carla was approached to participate in a special project that would highlight the studio musicians of Motown. Because she was a studio musician at Philadelphia international Records, this project held a particular appeal for her. The project called “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” turned into an award winning documentary, now available on DVD, and went on to win three Grammy Awards. Encouraged by her mother to return to the work of her heart, Carla toured the world with the infamous Funk Brothers for three years. Due to the advanced ages of The Funk Brothers, the touring schedule was very sporadic, leaving big chunks of ‘downtime’. |
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Also during this time, Miss Benson was approached by writer John A. Jackson, his book “A House on Fire”, the Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul was released in 2005. Miss Benson is credited with the opening quote and is quoted extensively throughout this successful rendering, in book from, of life at PIR. |
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In 2001, Dr. Stephanie Branch offered her the position of Teacher of Music at The Charles E. Brimm Medical Arts High School in Camden. Miss Benson and her students thrived in the classroom. Her unique methods of teaching developed out of her unusual background and were extremely effective for her students. She likes to say she ‘lives” her craft. Indeed, many music teachers are not professional performers. She says, |
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“Music is NOT in a book. It is in the eyes and laughter and tears and frowns of my students. Through music, I can teach virtually anything as music touches every subject known to mankind. My children need to know more than do-re-mi. they need to know the importance of participating in the voting process and the absolute necessity of being able to read and they must, must reconnect with their dreams and goals. I can help them do all of that, through MUSIC as I teach it”{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} |
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Carla advised Dr. Branch of her on-going commitment to The Funk Brothers before signing a contract. Dr. Branch thought it a plus to have a music teacher who was also a performing musician, as long as the absences were not too long in duration or frequency. However, after two years, Dr. Branch left to begin her tenure as Superintendent of Leap Academy, also in Camden. The interim powers that remained at Brimm Medical Arts did not have Dr. Branch’s vision or understanding of a touring Musician and forced Miss Benson out. She used the time to complete the quest she’d begun so many years ago. She attended classes at the Women’s Opportunity Resource Center in Philadelphia to complete her business plan and “AWAKENING’S”, inc. was born. |
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After years of a long, slow debilitating illness, Mrs. White died in February 2003. Watching her mother slowly decrease in such a painful manner took a heavy emotional toll on Carla. Her mother required frequent hospitalization, many emergency as well as scheduled surgeries and round the clock home care. She’d begun Certification classes late in 2002, but was unable to complete them at that time. In December 2004, she completed the classes and, in April 2005, Miss Benson received full Certification as a Teacher of Music. |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2010}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Benson, Carla L.}} |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:American singers]] |
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[[Category:People from Camden, New Jersey]] |
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