Sounds of the Supremes

supremess o u n d s o f t h e



Sounds of the Supremes

SOoUf NthDeS

SUPREME

“The three lovely ladies gently took 3
the audience on a nostalgic journey
to Motown”...
— “Malay Mail” – PJ Hilton, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

S ince the late 1980s, when “Sounds of the Supremes’ Day” recording, television, cabaret,
and the same year Australian theater, and musicals. They
‘70’s/’80’s “Supreme” Kaaren Entertainment Industry honored deliver a fantastic vocal blend of
Ragland founded the group, the them with a prestigious ‘Mo Motown classics, standards, and
Sounds of the Supremes have Award’. Radio Regenborgen contemporary songs coupled
performed in over 60 countries (Germany) presented the with stylish choreography, and
and achieved a remarkable group with their 2001 Lifetime unrivaled glamour.
degree of worldwide success. Achievement Award “for keeping
The only female group of its the music alive”. Six years later The music of Motown which
type that perform all of The in 2007 the ladies released the influenced a generation has
Supremes 25+ chart topping hit album “Live At Highclere Castle” shown itself to be one of the
songs “live in-concert” today. in England on Succession most definitive and enduring
Records. “Live At Highclere contributions to American Pop
London’s “What’s On” Castle” is available from iTunes, history. It musical legacy lives
described their incomparable Amazon.com and from most on today with the Sounds of the
energy-packed show as “a non- online retail outlets. Supremes under the leadership
stop bravura performance of of ‘70’s/’80’s “Supreme”
immense vitality” recreating Joined by Kathy Merrick and Kaaren Ragland.
“perfectly the frenetic style and Althea Burkhalter, these three
sound of the original lineup.”In American women possess more
1998 the mayor of Springfield, than 40 years of experience in
Illinois, declared August 21

Sounds of the Supremes

Kaaren the late 80s with whom she’s appeared in 40
Ragland countries, Kaaren continues to leas this definitive
trio whose recordings include, Detroit-LA,
“Music made in Heaven...” Live in Germany, and notable appearance on
— “Sydney Morning Herald”, Australia the ‘95 Mercury/Verve release by jazz legend,
Herbie Hancock, Dis is Da Drum. The City of
A s a member of “The Supremes” from Springfield, Illinois, honored the group in 1998
the late 70s through the 80s Kaaren when the Mayor declared august 21, “Sounds
Performed at the London Palladium, for the Her of the Supremes Day”; that same year, the
Royal Higness Princess Margaret, at Europe’s Australian Entertainment industry bestowed a
“Pori Jazz Festival”, the “Bottom Line” in Japan, prestigious “Mo Award” on them. In Germany,
and on the “Legends of the Rock” stadium tour Radio Regenborgen recently presented the ladies
of Australia as part of the group’s extensive with their 2001 “Lifetime Achievement Award”
worldwide concert appearances. for keeping the music alive.
4 On stage she appeared in the Broadway musical,
“Eubie” with Cab Calloway, the New York based
National Shakespeare Company as their featured
Ingenue, “Balm in Gilead”, and the renowned
musical, “The Little Shop of Horrors” in
Los Angeles.
Kaaren continues to lead this definitive
trio whose show recordings include Detroit-
LA (recorded live in Germany), a notable
appearance on the ‘95 Mercury/Verve release
by jazz legend Herbie Hancock, Dis is Da Drum
and her groups’ 2007 release: Live At Highclere
Castle (in the U.K.).
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Kaaren
studied acting at the School of Fine Arts, Boston
University. Stage Credits include the Broadway
musical, “Eubie” with Cab Calloway, and the
New York based National Shakespeare Company
as their featured ingénue. Also, “Balm in Gilead”
and the renown musical, “The Little Shop of
Horrors” in Los Angeles.
Founding The Sounds of the Supreme in

Sounds of the Supremes

Kathy Merrick Althea Burkhalter

B orn in Washington DC, Kathy attended A lthea, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is a 5
Howard University where she majored in versatile entertainer who gained early
drama, music and dance. recognition locally as a member of “Brandywine”,
As a founding member of international vocal opening for Philadelphia’s Billy Paul (Me &
recording group, Shades of Lace, during the Mrs Jones). With formal training at Cuyahoga
80s, she appeared on BET’s “Video Soul”, Community College for voice, piano, and acting
Don Cornelius’ “Soul Train” and “Showbiz and as a successful graduate of the Babizon
Today” (CNN). The group was featured in live School of Modeling in her hometown, Althea
performance at the legendary (Live At The) has since performed live throughout the Unites
“Apollo” and at Casinos: The Sands, The Dunes States and as a studio singer in Florida for
and Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas. Sunshine Records.
In the early 90s Kathy’s considerable vocal A resident of Las Vegas, she has notably
talents led to world tours wit Boz Scaggs, James performed at Bally’s and Stardust, MGM Grand,
Ingrams and “New Edition’s” Johnny Gill with and Mirage, to name a few.
whom she also appeared on “The Tonight Show” Prior to joining Sounds of the Supremes, her
and “Arsenio Hall”. Her sultry good looks led stunning, soulful, gospel-tinged voice was a
Jeff “Splash” Kutash to invite Kathy to sing feature of ex-”Checkmate” (“Black Pearl”), Sonny
lead vocals in his “Cover Girls” revue, and Charles’ group “The Emeralds” at the Las Vegas
Donny Moore’s “Playboy Girls of Rock‑N‑Roll”. Hilton and Stratosphere showrooms .
Kathy has been a member of The Sounds of the She also appeared for a notable period of time
in New York, New York, as a member of Motown
“Supremes since 1997. legend’s Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. Althea
Incomparable energy packed show originally joined Sounds of the
featuring more than 20 hit songs in Supremes in 1997.
a “non-stop bravura performance of
immense vitality” recreating “perfectly
the frenetic style and sound of the
original lineup”

— “What’s On” Magazine: Cafe Royal, London U.K.

Sounds of the Supremes

History of

“The Supremeeven he most hardened critics would
find it difficult to resist the Sounds
of the Supremes” – the charismatic
Ragland said the band would be
taking us on a musical journey – and I
thoroughly enjoyed the ride”
— “Stage & Television” Magazine, U.K.

Supremes music lives on...”

— “New Stairs Times”, Singapore.

“6
born again Supremes”
“— “Drum Media” Magazine, Australia

Sounds of the Supremes

A rare vocal vintage

The Supremes; The Forum, Hatfield But now she’s back with two new partners on Where Did Our Love Go.
WHEN are the Supremes not the singing “all the old songs for the old
Supremes? When there’s a lawsuit teenagers and some new ones for the new The other new girls, Karen Jackson,
over the name. teenagers” as she put it last night. took the lead on Baby Love, but it
That explains last night’s clumsy The revival might be seen as an attempt was very much Mar Wilson’s show.
introduction to “the fantastic to cash in on the name. And it might look Not that it dwell too long on the past.
Supremes. Mary Wilson with Kaaren as if the Supremes were living on, only in
Rasland and Karen Jackson.” name and a tired stage act. But if they keep The old hits — dating back to 1984
If anyone has a claim to the putting on shows with as much energy when the newcomers were still
Supremes’ name surely it’s Mary and enthusiasm then nobody is going to at school — were laid to rest two
Wilson, at present suing the Motown complain. speedy, but dignified medleys.
record company over her right to it.
She’s the last of the founder Low-cut Kaaren and Karen went off stage to
members of the Detroit singing leave Mary Wilson alone for a moody
group that started 16 years ago. The girls — in sequined, low-cut green ballad that had a touch of Judy
Diana Ross, superstar, actress and dresses, appeared to an overture from an Garland about
singer, has no need of the name now. orchestra made up of four Detroit musicians it — ‘with her voice so strong and
And the other original Supreme, and a six-strong British powerful that she was able to put
Florence Ballard, died two years ago. horn section. aside the microphone and still be
Even so it is a surprise to see Mary Mary Wilson, who is 34 today, wore her clearly heard throughout the hall.
Wilson back on a British stage. Only hair tied in a bun and looked quite matronly
last summer she has announcing compared with her two young associates. The other girls then returned for 7
her intention of leaving the group to Kaaren Ragland in particular is quite a find. last year’s sexy You’re My Driving
have her second baby. “We call her the sex kitten.” ‘said Mary — Wheel and warm applause. It was
and she showed why with her sultry vocals a super effort and a Supremes’
performance.
— MAURICE CHITTENDEN.







Sounds of the Supremes
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