WELCOME TO THE PERSUASIONS - "Oh, And we still ain't got no band."
THIS IS THE HOUSE
OF A CAPPELLA
HOME OF THE PERSUASIONS
THANK YOU TO ALL THE FRIENDS OF "SWEET" JOE WHO CAME OUT TO GIVE HIM A BIG "GOING HOME" SEND OFF. THE SERVICE WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY AS HIS LIFE WAS CELEBRATED WITH FOND MEMORIES OF HIS LAUGHTER AND THUNDEROUS VOICE. HE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED
DON'T MISS OUT ON THE FUN. SIGN UP AND JOIN US TODAY FOR AUGUST 10 THRU AUGUST 12.
BELOW ARE TWO VIDEOS CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF OUR FALLEN BROTHER, "SWEET" JOE RUSSELL. WE WILL FOREVER MISS HIM. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FANS THAT PRAYED FOR JOE AND SENT MESSAGES OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
TRIBUTE PERFORMANCE OF "BUFFALO SOLDIER" DEDICATED TO "SWEET" JOE RUSSELL. JOE PASSED AWAY AT 2 AM ON MAY 5, 2012. YOU MAY SEND YOUR LETTERS AND POSTCARDS OF CONDOLENCE TO P.O. Box 170-216 c/o Arlena Hodges Russell. Bklyn, NY11217
Last January, we got an email from a singer/songwriter from Canada, Elena Yeung. She said she had a song she would really love to have us record with her. Initially, she wanted us to sing background on it, wasn't really sure what direction to take it as to whether to record it with a band. After listening to the idea we felt the song's melody and lyrics conveyed a powerful message that we could get behind. We also heard Joe's voice as the key ingredient to "take it to church." Why not a duet with Elena and Joe? And so, the idea took seed. She flew to New York last May to rehearse with us and then record. It was such a beautiful spring day that we decided we should just go to the park, sit on a bench and work the song through. Pretty soon people started gathering around listening. Funny thing though, it didn't turn into a performance because we kept on working out the ideas going with the spirit of the song and the people rode that current of spiritual energy right along with us. We could tell Joe was loving the song by the way he embraced it right away. As we all know, Joe Love his Gospel. The footage is raw as Elena happen to have her camera, nothing professional, just capturing the moment. We are so happy that she did. Thanks Elena for bringing such a fine song to the Persuasions and allowing us the opportunity to share that moment with Joe on his final recorded work with our friends, fans and Joe's family.
With a career spanning half a century and showing no signs of retiring any time soon, the Persuasions continue to take on new and exciting musical projects. Over the summer of '09, it was the music of J.J. Cale, featuring the powerhouse baritone/tenor of "Sweet" Joe Russell on "I'll Make Love To You," and basso profundo, Jimmy Hayes on "Travelin' Light." Continuing the tradition of in-house self-arranging and producing, the group is now joined by Dave Revels, former member of the Drifters and long time Persuasions friend (who sang with them on their Beatles tribute CD and later arranged and produced their U2 tribute CD) as producer/arranger of the group's recording projects, along with Jimmy Hayes. Since the departure of lead singer Jerry Lawson, the "Pers" have regrouped and continue to perform nationwide to rave reviews
The Persuasions would like to thank you, their loyal friends and fans who have stuck by the group throughout the years. We also encourage you to send us your favorite photos as they relate to the group for posting to this site.
"We will forever be grateful and faithful to you."
