THE DIFFERENCE
Newport News, Virginia, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE
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Q + A: R&B Vocal trio 4IIC
Posted to: Entertainment Music and Nightlife Music Q and A
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Video:4IIC performs “My Forever Love” by Levert at the Apollo Theater.
(Apollo Theater)R&B vocal trio 4IIC perform at the Apollo Theater. (Courtesy)
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By Patty Jenkins
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 1, 2010
Backstage with ... 4IIC
Base of operations Hampton, Newport News
Style of music R&B
Bio Ron “RK” Pierce, Joe Shivers and Jerry Hairston make up the group 4IIC (four to see).
“We met at a place that used to do karaoke, a place called Crabbers over in Hampton. We all used to sing individually,” Pierce said.
That was nearly four years ago. Harmonizing as a quartet, originally, with former member Estte Pierce, no relation to RK, they kept the name and, in May, released a 10-song CD of original music called “The Intro.” The trio was invited to perform at a Living Legends show in New York City in August. They arrived early and decided to visit the Apollo Theater, which was closed at the time. Stopping to talk with a security guard, they shared their story of why they were visiting the city and then asked the guard if he would give their demo material – CD and DVD – to whoever was in charge. Less than an hour later they received a call from the producer of Amateur Night.
They were invited to come back for an upcoming show but had to decline because of work obligations. The offer was extended, and in May, 4IIC performed “My Forever Love” by Levert on the legendary Harlem stage. They captured third place and were invited back for June’s Show Off competition. This time, they did not place.
On playing the Apollo
Pierce: “It was humbling to just to be able to step on the stage of history. That’s how I looked at it. Before me, look at all the groups like Michael Jackson, Jackson 5 and James Brown and all the artists that came before us. It brought tears to my eyes – you could almost feel the energy up onstage. It’s amazing.”
Shivers: “Oh, my goodness. In my opinion there are no words to describe what that experience was like. It was overwhelming in a good way. As an aspiring performer, it was a dream come true.”
Hairston: “The experience was unbelievable. Just to be on that stage and on that level and thinking about all those that have preceded us as far as all the top-notch entertainers that have been on the stage before. It was just mind-boggling.”
See them perform 7 p.m. Friday at Fort Monroe in Hampton and 8 p.m. Sunday at 17th Street stage at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Website www.4iic.com
- Virginion Pilot
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Venue
Ella Fitzgerald Theater
2410 WICKHAM AVENUE
Newport News, VA 23607
36.9841091 -76.4126072
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Cost: ADULT ($10.00*)
Right from an encore appearance at the nationally acclaimed Apollo, 4IIC is a group known for their unique vocal style and smooth harmonies and is backed by the dynamic 4IIC Band. As individuals their professional careers span over 20 years in the music industry. They are quickly becoming one of the most sought after male vocal groups along the East Coast. - Eventful
R&b Group 4iic Plays For Grown-ups
December 18, 2009|By Sam McDonald, smcdonald@dailypress.com 247-4732The trio 4IIC is carving out a regional niche for itself by singing R&B music made specifically for grown-ups.
It won attention back in January by releasing "Believe in Change," a tune inspired by Barack Obama's historic run for the White House.
Since then, the singers in 4IIC have been working hard to capitalize on that burst of exposure. They hope to release a debut CD early next year.
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On Saturday, the Peninsula-based vocal harmony group plays the Senior Holiday Gala Saturday at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News.
"People are looking for grown-folks music," said 4IIC singer Ron "R.K." Pierce. "There are a lot of fake musicians out there who are doing nothing true from the heart."
Modern R&B is often obsessed with sex, but blind to relationships, he said. "Our songs are about life," Pierce said. "It's real music, couples' music. We want to bring that back. That's been missing for a long time."
In August, the group performed in New York City as part of the 2009 Summer Stage Living Legends Tribute honoring The Manhattans; Ray, Goodman & Brown, Meli'sa Morgan, Blue Magic, and Chuck Jackson.
Also, the group recorded new material at Revolution Studios in Yorktown. Several tunes are already making the rounds in Southern soul and beach music circles. The group's song "You Are the One" has aired on "Butch Halpin and The Carolina Sounds," a syndicated beach music radio show that's also broadcast over the Internet.
Group member Jerry Hairston said the pop-leaning "Believe in Change" didn't fully represent their sound. "That was a one-time deal, in reference to singing about the President," Hairston said. "Our main focus is R&B."
Bandmate Joseph Shivers said 4IIC's music has been compared to that of classic soul harmony groups including The O'Jays and the Temptations. "But I think we're creating our own sound," Shivers said.
Local sax player Brian Pinner, a fan, believes the group is on the right track. "In a time when so much of our music is overshadowed by technology and gimmicks, 4IIC has the talent to put it out there like it's supposed to be," he wrote. "These gentlemen combine old-school musicianship with a modern sound."
Hairston said that the group's camaraderie is one key to that sound.
"When we all three get together, it's magic," said Hairston, who, in his day job, works as a Newport News police officer. "We're like family. We might get angry and fuss and fight, but we always come back together. It's a beautiful thing."
- Daily Press
4IIC
About 4IIC
Jerry Hairston, Joe Shivers & RK Pierce worked together to offer the best that they had within them to bring forth a musical collaboration that would produce an album, The Intro that would touch anyone. The magic that these guys make when they are in the studio is just incredible. You can tell that they really gave their heart and soul into this project. A CD that you will not be able to take out of your CD player.
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Genre
R&B Soul
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Band's website
http://www.4iic.com
4IIC
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See details 4IIC – The Intro
Right from an encore appearance at the nationally acclaimed Apollo, 4IIC is a group known for their unique vocal style and smooth harmonies and is backed by the dynamic 4IIC Band. As individuals their professional careers span over 20 years in the music industry. They are quickly becoming one of ...
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News
04-29-2010
Spring fever: catch it!
Spring is in the air and it’s time to set aside the hard core novels you curl up with under a blanket by the fire and move on to the lighter fare books fit to be stuffed in a canvas bag and taken with you wherever you go, indoors or outdoors. This spring has produced a bumper crop of fantastic books you won’t want to miss! View the April 28 edition of Margie's Memos for more.
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- Local Talent Books and Music, Inc.
Discography
4 II C - "The Intro" (2010)
Believe In Change (single release 2009)
Photos
Bio
THE DIFFERENCE is a dynamic R&B vocal group known for their unique vocal style
& smooth harmonies. The Difference has performed at the legendary Apollo Theater on two occasions. They are backed by a dynamic band consisting of great, seasoned professional musicians.
As individuals their professional careers span over 30 years in the music industry.
They are becoming one of the most sought after male vocal groups along the East Coast.and have performed at some of the area’s premier events such as, The Hampton Jazz Festival’s After Party, Portsmouth’s Umoja Festival, The Virginia Beach Soul Festival, Funk Festival and Beach Events Concert Series. They have also contributed their time and talents to Community Non-Profit National Awareness Foundations. Their commitment to community service garnered them an invitation to perform at the 2009 and 2011 Summer Stage “Salute to the Legends” in Harlem, N.Y.
The Honorees for this event were Keith Sweat, Freddy Jackson, Black Ivory, Ray, Goodman & Brown, Blue Magic, The Manhattans, Melissa Morgan & Chuck Jackson. The Artists in attendance were filled with delight as The Difference performed the legendary ballads “Any Day Now”, "You & I" and “Special Lady.”
The Difference has opened for national recording artists such as, The Manhattans, Keith Sweat, Ray, Goodman & Brown and Cherelle. They have also shared the stage with Nationally Recognized Comedians Capone, Marc Curry, Coco Brown, Sherri Sinclair and Kool Bubba Ice.
In early 2009 they released their first single “Believe in Change” which was written & dedicated to the election of President Barrack Obama. Jazz Saxophonist Brian Pinner was honored to have The Difference perform the title track on his CD “Just Being Me.”
The Difference will be legends in their own time as the road to success seems to be in front of them. The trio's first cd entitled “THE INTRO" received moderate airplay. They have been in the studio with Blackstreet alumni, Levi Little, producing new hits for their upcoming album "Transition."
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