Music with stories and melodies usually found in “old school” but with an updated appeal to both younger and older audiences is what defines “Modern Classic” aka Qupid. He is a singer/songwriter dedicated to the preservation of the genre of music called, “Classic Soul”. He received the name from one of his younger fans and his eldest son who is a hip-hop artist. “The name describes my intentions and goals precisely, to write and sing brand new Classic Soul Music,” says Qupid.
At the tender age of five, he marveled his mother’s house party guests by singing songs by Marvin Gaye, Al Greene, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, and other soul artists. His hope was that they would invite him in to perform. They eventually gave in but required that he sing a Marvin Gaye song. “To this very day, I don’t do a concert without including a Marvin Gaye song or tribute,” he says.
His “Big Break” Interrupted
Qupid is not new to the music scene. As a teenager, he became a member of a music group called, “The Love Streak” comprised of three band members and five singers including Modern Classic then known as “Little Frankie, the kid with the five octave golden voice.” Opening for many of the top acts of the 70’s including Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, The Spinners, The First Choice, and many other legends of the era, the group won the crowd and often overshadowed their main acts.
It was to no surprise when after seeing them perform, 20th Century Records along with Barry White wanted to sign them and saw them as “the next Jackson Five”. It was believed by some that they could surpass the Jackson Five because The Love Streak had five singers that could all lead. After being invited to upstate New York to perform for a weekend and receiving royal treatment, the group did not sign because the record company offered them separate contracts. They were attracted to Little Frankie’s high voice and “Squeaky”, the female singer’s vocals only.
Angered and disappointed the group did not sign, Qupid (Little Frankie) and “Squeaky” left the group. The manager and leader withheld any contact information from them so they could not sign as solo artists. At the urging of his mother, Qupid vowed to never sing with a group again. Even though groups were popular at the time, he remained a solo artist.
A Boost In Confidence
During this time, he performed at well-known clubs such as Sweetwaters, Studio 54 and the Helmsley Hotel opening for such greats as Pattie Labelle, Millie Jackson, Cuba Gooding Sr., and Al B. Sure just to name a few, hoping to get discovered by a major label. It was also during this time that Qupid would be introduced to songwriting partnerships including one with Kevin Nance, who was briefly engaged to Natalie Cole, and a partnership with a young female songwriter by the name of Amber. Kevin asked Qupid to write the lyrics to a song he was working on for Stevie Wonder. They formed a writing partnership that would soon part after the flop of a record company they both agreed to join as staff writers. Kevin Nance would go on to form a group called, Machine and would have a number one disco record, “There but for the grace of God”.
It was with Amber that Qupid gained confidence in his songwriting skills. The first song written by he and Amber, “How I long for You” was presented to Gamble & Huff of Philadelphia International Records who wanted the song for Phyllis Hyman’s last album. Although the song wasn’t chosen, it gave Qupid the boost in confidence he needed.
Music & Education
Doors were beginning to open for Qupid but he abruptly stopped pursuing music to focus on education and helping youth in the public school system. However, his colleagues and students wouldn’t allow him to stay away from music upon discovery of his background. The requests to perform at assemblies, graduations, and talent shows began to pour in. He began to use singing as a way to get students to behave in class by promising a song during the last five minutes of class. They jumped at the opportunity and he realized the influence that music and celebrity had on the youth. He vowed to use this tool to help as many young people as possible.
A-Train Productions, A Perfect Compliment
When his eldest son introduced him to Mr. A.B. Peterson, President and CEO of A-Train Productions, an entertainment company, Qupid was inspired to resume his music career. A-Train founded and headed by Mr. A.B. Peterson, Mr. Al Levine and Mr. Steve Reiss similar to Motown in the early days groom and develop their artists. They encourage them to write their own material and even pair them with producers and writers to help them if needed. They also teach their artists how to conduct themselves on interviews, on stage, and in public. Qupid was very impressed and saw A-Train as the perfect compliment to his own goals and aspirations.
After signing with A-Train, Qupid resumed live performances. He’s shared the same stage with Shirley Jones of the Jones Girls, Gerald Alston of the Manhattans and continues to pay tribute to his music idol, Marvin Gaye. His main goal, however, is to continue writing and creating new music following in the classic soul sounds created by Smokey Robinson, Gamble & Huff, and the music masters who laid the foundation and left the blueprint.
Joining forces with staff producer, “Ebony” and Musician/Arranger/Writer, A.B. Peterson of A-Train has proven to be the perfect vehicle for this endeavor. “I believe we have formed the most dynamic writing team I’ve ever worked with. I have finally found the chemistry I observed in LA & Babyface, Jam & Lewis, Gamble & Huff, and all the successful writing teams,” he says. He hopes his team can be just as successful.
Qupid hopes his new CD, “I Still Believe in Love”, written, produced and arranged by himself, Ebony, and A.B. Peterson will be the catalyst that leads him to the achievement of his ultimate goal, the creation of brand new Classic Soul Music thereby earning him the name, Modern Classic.
Doors were beginning to open for Qupid but he abruptly stopped pursuing music to focus on education and helping youth in the public school system. However, his colleagues and students wouldn’t allow him to stay away from music upon discovery of his background. The requests to perform at assemblies, graduations, and talent shows began to pour in. He began to use singing as a way to get students to behave in class by promising a song during the last five minutes of class. They jumped at the opportunity and he realized the influence that music and celebrity had on the youth. He vowed to use this tool to help as many young people as possible.
When his eldest son introduced him to Mr. A.B. Peterson, President and CEO of A-Train Productions, an entertainment company, Qupid was inspired to resume his music career. A-Train founded and headed by Mr. A.B. Peterson, Mr. Al Levine and Mr. Steve Reiss similar to Motown in the early days groom and develop their artists. They encourage them to write their own material and even pair them with producers and writers to help them if needed. They also teach their artists how to conduct themselves on interviews, on stage, and in public. Qupid was very impressed and saw A-Train as the perfect compliment to his own goals and aspirations.