On April the 28th, in a little house on 1510 Hair Street in
Jackson MS, In a time when hospitals were not easily accessible to
people of my race, my mother Laverne Bowers (Beasley), instead, was
surrounded by a handful of midwives and sisters from the church (Church
Of God). I was my mother's first born and she was nervous! Thankfully,
my grandmother, Pauline Robinson-Mitchell, was there to assist in my birth. My father,
Charles A. Beasley, Sr. was working in Chicago at the time. Shortly
after my birth, he brought us back to Chicago. That is when I began my
life in music. My Grandfather, the late Bishop of the State of Ohio, 'Church of God In Christ in Toledo Ohio'. The Elder, Sam C. Allen, kept me in the church and under his watch, kept me grounded. I was the piano player for his great church that brought great Singers Including Rance Allen, whom I had the pleasure of singing in his mist. I remember we sung together one evening and the Church had him to hush so I could finish his song. Now, that was a Kodak moment. My mother and father were accomplished singers and with relatives such as Aretha Franklin, Mel Jackson and yes, even the Clark Sisters and Bridgett Campbell. I figured I've got some talent myself somewhere in me? My mother told me about my kinfolks and she said it's a hard road to travel. I'm committed to traveling this road in hopes that my time will come. I used to keep up with Elizabeth Franklin (Aretha's aunt) who would keep asking for Aretha's assistance for me. But Aretha was always too busy and I was not in her circle. I remember the late great Isaac Hayes would come to my mom's house in Memphis, and sit a spell in the backyard, and give me some pointers. I remember when also the late Curtis Mayfield called to keep me encouraged and told me to never give up, and I won't ever give up Of course, that was because Sidney Miller of BRE Magazine encouraged him to call me. At that time there was a battle within me about singing in churches and night clubs. Curtis said to me "When GOD gives you a talent, Keep using It and he will direct you, Just keep on singing and praying". I'm still traveling and believing more positive about the outlook. Mr. Sydney Miller featured me on the front of a couple of his Magazines as an up and coming artist, I guess I'm still up and coming? Oh, yes I am!! My first introduction to school was in Jackson Miss. where I attended Christ the King Church on Lynch st. (I remember that because I was in Kindergarten and left my blanket behind that my mother hand-made especially for me).
I then was transferred to Chicago and attended a school called Betsy Ross
Elementary. That's where my singing debut began. In 1965, my sister and I
were sent back to Jackson, MS. to live again with our grandmother,
following the separation of my parents.
During my junior high school years I was regarded as one the best male vocalist talent in Jackson.
I graduated from Wingfield High School and received 6 Scholarships in music! I went on to attend Jackson State University
for 4 years. I joined the choir as well as marched in the band (Sonic
Boom Of The South). playing 1st trumpet. A trumpet major, majoring in music. I was also invited to sing at many functions and did
just that throughout my college years. I captured the talent awards at
every show I performed! I also was nominated in Jackson Music Award as, 'Male vocalist
of the Year.'
I was convinced that my musical voice was a gift from God.
During
my college years I was so determined to break into the professional
world so I traveled to Memphis, TN and went straight to Stax Records.
After singing for them, they were very impressed and offered me a
contract that very same day. I accepted and was told to come back to
take pictures, give a bio, and I began recording all in that same week. I
thought to myself, "Wow, I'm about to take the journey of a lifetime!"
Then in about a few weeks I heard of some trouble arising. they went bankrupt). Stax Records
had closed it's doors. I was devastated. Soon after, I started my own
record label, Chavanda Records (named after my daughter, Chavanda) under
Big Brother Publishing Co. (named after my son).
I began
filling my record label with several songs. Some written by myself,
and some remakes from others. I felt that I could sing as well or better
than most, and figured that if I pursued and prayed hard and long
enough, my prayers request would be heard and my wish granted. I
performed at many churches, in state and out, by singing and playing the
keyboard.
I was once at a church function and was singing a
song and right in the middle of the song a preacher jumped up and
prophesied. He spoke these words. "If anybody ever sign this Brother up,
they will become millionaires." I have been trying to do it all myself
all of this time, and have had the fortune of meeting great people. Just this pass Sunday, Easter, 2011, I was Prophesied to again. This is where I met Prophet Terry. He said, within 2 months, my time that I've been so desperately seeking, and working toward will come. All I can say is "TO GOD BE THE GLORY"!
I believe that God has a purpose in how he connects people to share in each others life. THE WINDS BENEATH MY WINGS. THIS SONG IS IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER, LAVERNE BOWERS. SHE
PASSED THIS LIFE TRYING TO HOLD ON FOR HER CHILDREN TO BE ALLOWED TO
VISIT (RESCUE) HER AT SIX IN THE MORNING. (SHE LEAVES (7) CHILDREN).
THE NURSING HOMES POLICY WAS NO VISITORS UNTIL SIX AM. OUR MOTHER
WAS TRANSFERRED TO THAT NURSING WITHOUT APPROVAL AND ONLY
'A' NIGHT NURSE ON DUTY FROM 10P.M. TO 6A.M. ??? SHE WAS THERE ONLY
1 DAY , ALL THE WHILE, MY SISTER WAS BEGGING TO STAY THE NIGHT
BECAUSE SHE KNEW THEY WERE NOT PREPARED TO RECEIVE OUR MOTHER. THEY
HAD TO GO THROUGH FOUR BROKEN OXYGEN MACHINES TO FIND ONE THEY SAID
WORKED. OUR MOTHER NEEDED OXYGEN ASSISTANCE AT NIGHT WHILE SHE
SLEPT. RIDICULOUSLY, THE FOURTH MACHINE HAD TO BE PROPPED INTO THE
ELECTRICAL SOCKET BY PUSHING MY MOTHER'S BED AGAINST IT TO KEEP IT
PLUGGED AND IT KEPT FALLING OUT. SHE PASSED AWAY TRYING TO HOLD ON
UNTIL THE MORNING. OUR MOTHER WAS A TRUE SOLDIER FOR GOD.
OPRAH, YOU WERE SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO MY MOTHER. THANKS. MOM,
WE LOVE YOU! LAVERNE BEASLEY BOWERS. BORN IN ARKANSAS AS
LAVERNE ALLEN. SEP. 01, 1934 - JAN. 28,
2007....... I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU MOM. FROM YOUR FIRST SON AND CHILD, I CHERISHED THE TIME GOD GAVE US. REST MOM, I'M SURE I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. BY THE WAY, I'VE TRIED TO LET OPRAH KNOW HOW SHE INSPIRED YOU. I'VE SENT EMAILS BUT YOU KNOW HOW THE RICH AND FAMOUS TREAT LITTLE PEOPLE.
