could it be i'm falling in love packet inserts

and

Present

Pittsburgh’s First Annual

Awards Gala

November 9, 2013 August Wilson Center

Event Overview

Tribute and Concert

40th Anniversary

August Wilson Center November 9, 2013 Objectives

1) Celebrate the 40 Year Anniversary of the hit song “Could it Be I’m Falling in Love” written by Pittsburgh area natives Melvin and Mervin Steals

2) Honor contributors to popular music during the song writing era of the Steals Brothers who hail from the Pittsburgh area through recognition awards

3) Inspire and encourage youth in the Pittsburgh community to pursue performance arts as an interest

4) Raise money for at risk youth (Urban Impact Foundation), specifically directed to Urban Impact’s 100 voice choir; Urban Impact has excelled in developing the latent potential of North Side youth.

5) Raise money also for those in need in the greater Pittsburgh area (Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank) to reduce hunger in western Pennsylvania

6) The goal is to produce concerts and present awards on an annual basis to individuals with western Pennsylvania ties that have impacted popular culture across the broad spectrum of the entertainment field, thereby encouraging young artists to pursue their dreams in the Performing Arts.

Background The song, “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” made its indelible mark on popular culture forty years ago, peaking at No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, and selling over one million copies. The song was inspired by love resulting from the coming of age life experiences of the song writing duo of Melvin and Mervin Steals from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Although originally recorded by the Spinners, the song has been recorded by several artists and continues to be played around the world.

After graduating from high school, the song-writing twins went to Cheyney State College located outside of Philadelphia. It was at Cheyney where their lives were forever changed as a result of encounters with many budding artists in the entertainment industry. For example, meeting singer Eddie Holman on Cheyney’s campus led to an audition for Gamble and Huff in the Shubert Building on South Broad Street. Melvin and Mervin’s association with the Philadelphia International record label laid the foundation for their song “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” receiving consideration for recording by the Spinners. The rest is history.

Awards and Recognition Several local persons are under consideration for receiving recognition for their contribution to popular culture through their involvement in the music industry via music composition and performance.

For More Information, contact: Adrena Steals [email protected] 724-869-8545

mailto:[email protected]

About the Steals Bros

Mervin Steals "Mystro"

Melvin Steals "Lyric"

The song, “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” made its indelible mark on popular culture forty years ago, peaking at Number One on the R&B chart and Number Four on Billboard’s Pop Singles chart, selling over one million copies. The song was inspired by love resulting from the coming-of-age life experiences of the songwriting duo of The Steals Brothers from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Although originally recorded by the Spinners 40 years ago, the song has since been recorded by numerous artists and continues to be played around the world. Melvin and Mervin, Leola Steals’ baby boys and talented twins, began their storied career in the third-floor bathtub of their home at 1405 Green Street in L.A., aka Lovely Aliquippa. Sports enthusiasts and music lovers throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania are well acquainted with this former steel town that lies twenty miles north of Pittsburgh along the western shore of the scenic Ohio River. Alliquippa is hometown to such illustrious sports figures as NFL Hall of Fame tight end and coach Mike Ditka, NFL defensive lineman Sean Gilbert, Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett, two-time Super Bowl Champ Ty Law, New York Jets’ formidable defensive back Darelle Revis and NBA Hall of Fame point guard “Pistol Pete” Maravich. It is the birthplace of the legendary musical genius Henry Mancini. (1924). Melvin recalls singing Mancini’s beautiful ballad “Moon River” to his high school sweetheart and future wife-to-be Adrena Richardson while riding upon The Gateway Clipper beneath star-lit skies as it slowly wound its way along the three rivers that form Pittsburgh’s golden triangle. Later pleasant memories of romantic experiences like this would inspire the composition of the powerful lyrics Melvin wrote for the Steals Brothers’ first certified gold recording. Although both boys had high expectations about playing basketball in the NBA, the pathways of their lives led them instead down the same trail that Mancini chose to follow. Once they were smitten by it, the allure of the music industry became too compelling for either of them to ignore. And like their aforementioned hometown hero, the Steals Brothers went on to compose a number of songs, which are still being played around the world forty years later. This brings us back to the porcelain tub in their third-floor bathroom. It was in there at the tender age of nine that the twins began the seminal work that would later manifest itself in the composition of three multi-million-selling records and over one hundred original songs.

Fatherless and lacking the financial means to buy musical instruments of any kind did not deter the brothers. Each boy was determined to unleash and develop the latent potential God had placed within him. Their efforts to do so would begin promptly at 7:00 PM each Saturday night. Seated in tandem, one behind the other, Melvin and Mervin would use their voices and their hands to replicate the most popular R&B songs that they heard on WYLE, the Steel City’s first R&B radio station, earlier in the week. Their early attempts at music making did not sit well with Mrs. Leola Steals. When the twins took their bathroom show on the road to the second-floor living room, all hell broke loose! Instead of pleasing and making her proud of them, their clamorous cacophonies enraged their mother. And it was at her insistence that Melvin and Mervin began to search for more acceptable ways in which to satisfy their strong desire to create beautiful music. They found the outlet they were looking for in Mt. Olive Baptist Church. They decided to become singers. Mervin, more so than Melvin, gravitated toward gospel music and sang in their schools’ choirs from grade seven to twelve. However, both boys loved soul music and would sing in several groups as they moved toward their senior year. Mervin also began tinkering around with the piano. After graduating from high school, the songwriting twins went to Cheyney State College, located outside of Philadelphia. It was at this country’s oldest Historical Black College/University (HBCU) that their lives would be forever changed because of their encounters with many future artists in the entertainment industry. For example, meeting the up-and-coming singer and former classmate Eddie Holman on Cheyney’s campus led Mervin to compose the music and most of the lyrics for the brothers’ first commercial recording. “I’m Not Strong Enough” released on the Party Time label in 1967 tells the story of Mervin’s stormy relationship with his current lady-love. The Four Perfections, a quartet from Cheyney, recorded this song in Cameo Parkway’s studio. The group included fellow classmates Barry Lessene, Raymond “Chip” Porter, and Melvin and Mervin Steals. Melvin sang the lead on “I’m Not Strong Enough,” and Barry sang the lead on its flip side entitled “I’ll Hold On.” Sigma Sound’s Joe Tarsia was their engineer. The former song was a huge hit in England and is currently ranked No. 79 in Kev Robert’s book, “The Northern Soul Top 500.” When subsequent efforts to support themselves by doing gigs in Philadelphia and the surrounding area proved futile, the starving brothers made their way from their apartment in Germantown down to Center City for an audition with Gamble and Huff in the Shubert Building on South Broad Street. Melvin and Mervin’s association with these prolific Philadelphia songwriters and producers and their close associate Thom Bell would lay the foundation for their song “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” receiving consideration for recording by The Spinners. In addition to their first American Classic recording, Melvin and Mervin co-wrote two other million-selling Steals Brothers Classics (SBCs): Gloria Gaynor’s Disco hit “Honey Bee” along with WAMO’s “Brother Matt” Ledbetter and Hip-Hop artist Chubb Rock’s monster recording, “Treat ‘Em Right,” along with Detroit’s well-known musical director Mckinley Jackson, Howard A. Thompson, and" Chubb Rock" Richard Anthony Simpson . The rest is history.

Recognition and Awards

Tribute and Concert 40th Anniversary

August Wilson Center November 9, 2013 The Awards ceremony is a meaningful tribute to honor individuals in our communities who are

changing the lives of others through the Arts, Education and Mentorship. By celebrating lifetime achievers, difference makers and youth, the awards ceremony helps to instill hope, love and

encouragement to keep making a difference!

The Promise Award: Youth Achievement Award

This Award recognizes a high school student who has demonstrated achievements in the areas of the Arts and or academics and serves as a model of promise for a brighter future.

Making a Difference Award

This Award recognizes an individual for their outstanding commitment to serve and make an impact in their communities through the arts, education, and mentorship.

The Legends Award

This lifetime achievement award is presented to the Steals brothers for their exemplary achievements in the areas of the Arts, Education & Mentorship. Dr. Melvin and Mervin Steals represent courage, faith, love and perseverance while instilling hope for a brighter future.

The IMPACT Award

This award recognizes an individual or organization that has positively Impacted, Mentored, Paved the way, Advocated and Contributed To the advancement and empowerment of others.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Tribute and Concert 40th Anniversary

August Wilson Center November 9, 2013 Double Platinum Level: $10,000 Eight (8) passes to VIP Meet and Greet Eight (8) complimentary tickets to the concert Double Platinum Sponsor recognition includes:

Logo visibility on event Facebook page

Acknowledgement in Memorabilia slideshow display

Stage recognition at the concert

Urban Impact newsletter feature and website recognition

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank newsletter feature and website recognition

Back cover page ad and whole page ad inside concert playbill

Company logo on promotions including posters, flyers and concert signage

Platinum Level: $5,000 Four (4) passes to VIP Meet and Greet Four (4) complimentary tickets to the concert Platinum Sponsor recognition includes:




Whole page ad in concert playbill

Company logo on promotions including posters, flyers and concert signage

Gold Level: $2,500 Two (2) passes to VIP Meet and Greet Two (2) complimentary tickets to the concert Gold Sponsor recognition includes:




Half page ad in concert playbill

Patron Level: $500 Two (2) passes to VIP Meet and Greet Two (2) complimentary tickets to the concert Name mentioned in the playbill

Concert Playbill Ads Consider placing an ad in the Steals Bros Concert playbill. Distribution will be 500. The 6” X 9” concert playbills will be printed in full color. Cost of ads will be as follows:

Full page ad $500 Half page ad $250 Quarter page ad $100

Ad Size Inches (W x L)

Trim (Final size of program books) 6 x 9 ( 5 15/16 x 9 )

Bleed ( trims 5 15/16 x 9 ) 6 1/4 x 9 1/4

Full Page 5 x 7 7/8

1/2 H 5 x 3 7/8

1/4 H 5 x 1 7/8

About Eddie Holman

Vocalist extraordinaire Eddie Holman is among the most listened-to artists in the fields of popular and classic R&B music. His unforgettable falsetto voice and the tune that he popularized is perhaps the most recognizable urban love-song in much of the English-speaking world. "Hey There Lonely Girl" is the beautiful tune that seems to touch every ones soul as it emanates from airwaves or churns from the turntables of fans. It is the composition that distinctly defines how it feels when the young gent helplessly yearns for his lady, the object of his affection, who has been spurned by her ex! The song concludes: "Don't you know this lonely boy loves you!". No other classic love-song in modern recorded history has had

as much an impact on the lovelorn, or said it better than this 1970 mega-hit.

Although he started singing at the age of two, Eddie Holman's venture into show business began after his family relocated to New York City from Norfolk, Virginia in 1954, when he was eight years of age. It was there that his strikingly beautiful mother exposed her child prodigy to the piano, guitar, singing, and the performing arts in and around the bustling city. As Eddie's musical talents blossomed, his unique gifts led him to victory on the most challenging stage in the Metropolis, The Apollo Theater Amateur Night. With a choirboy image, Little Eddie Holman as he was then called became so proficient as a performer that, in time, his vocal prowess as an adolescent was even showcased before crowds at the elegant Carnegie Hall and popular Off Broadway Theaters. In search of creative freedom, and in order to expand his artistic boundaries, Eddie was enrolled in Harlem's prestigious Victoria School Of Music to study along with other gifted youngsters while he appeared regularly on NBC's "The Children's Hour."

Eddie's star shone even brighter when, during his teen years, he moved to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pa., where he attended Overbrook High School, and further advanced his secular education by joining the proud alumni of Cheney State University. While attending the university, Eddie's ultimate dream materialized with the release of the first of a caravan of charted hit-songs: "This Can't Be True, Girl." This musical selection signaled the beginning of a collection of prolific love ballads that would provide a rock-solid foundation for the launching of the illustrious career of one of the recording industries pioneers of romance.

While on the edge of major international acclaim, Eddie Holman continued to release a number of successful albums, some under his own gospel label, Agape, and on which label he plans to record additional longed-for projects in the near future. Schoochiebug Music Publishing and Agape Records (Eddie's companies) are the exclusive sources that Eddie continues to use to glorify his maker in his own way.

Eddie's lyrical masterpieces are so timeless that in 1998, Hollywood got in on the act by adopting "Hey There Lonely Girl" as one of its theme songs in the Martin Lawrence/Tim Robbins film titled, Nothing To Lose. Also, in 1999 Toyota featured the song in a worldwide television commercial, advertising the Camry automobile. Eddie's repertoire has secured unending accolades over the years and his admirers include industry artists such as Isaac Hayes, Dionne Warwick, and super-rapper NAS. In fact, NAS was so impressed by Eddie's style that he sampled his song, "I Love You" which was co-written by Eddie's creative wife Sheila on his platinum mega-hit CD titled God's Son. It was at Sheila's insistence, by the way, that Eddie reluctantly committed to record his greatest R&B classic.

Eddie's smooth-flowing style is a reflection of the primary musical influences in his life: Jackie Wilson, who is arguably the greatest stage talent ever, and the velvet crooner himself, Nat King Cole. These two industry giants are the creative example for the younger Eddie by their boundless exhibition of class and style. Jackie's undulating vocal gymnastics and Nat's soothing voice served as the backdrop for the sensational vocal orchestrations synonymous with Eddie Holman. As a frequent touring roommate of Jackie's, and although influenced by Jackie more than anyone else, Eddie tirelessly shaped his own unique style by molding his delivery into an electrifying display of raw vocal prowess, as witnessed by the fever-pitch eruption of applause from the congregants of T.J. Lubinsky's PBS tribute to "Doo Wop, R&B 40" which aired in the year 2002.

Eddie Holman works year-round, performing at concert halls around the country and throughout the world, mesmerizing throngs with his rich tenor voice and the original Philly sound (which Eddie helped define). Eddie can even be located performing on some of the more popular cruise ships perusing the Atlantic, and he can also be witnessed serving up a heaping dose of pop and soul where his popularity is at an all-time high, English clubs and the pride of the UK, Wembley Stadium. Touring with the Eddie Holman Band is something that he enjoys immensely because of the fan appreciation, the spontaneous adulation, and the opportunity to share his golden classics with a new generation of fans. Daily, new music enthusiasts are turned on to the Philly sound, and prominent among the ambassadors of soul is the pride of Philadelphia, Eddie "Smooth as Silk" Holman.

A loving father of three, Eddie Holman is an ordained Baptist minister that uses his music as a tool to encourage togetherness in families. He recognizes his talent as a gift from his creator and feels an obligation and an indebtedness to use his abilities, music and otherwise, to spread good will everywhere he is blessed to perform. As for today's music, he thinks that much of it is positive and some of it is noxious. He believes that those who are blessed with creative talent have a responsibility to encourage personal accountability and to set the best example possible because of the powerful influence that they have on the lives of so many young ones. He says: "lyrics send powerful messages that impact the listener of songs in ways that the artist will never know." Eddie insists, "no genre of music is flawless and no music culture is completely bad."

Eddie Holman is to this day a model Pennsylvania resident who works closely with community leaders, generously caring for the needs of those less fortunate. In line with this, Eddie plans to pen some of his noteworthy personal and public experiences by writing his autobiography. His interest in the arts extends far beyond the recording industry; it takes in the countless educational systems that prepare our children to appreciate all of the performing arts.

Once in a lifetime a talent in the mold of the fabulous Eddie Holman happens into our lives with a sound and an aura that is so incomparable that the public embraces it with heartfelt affection. Like a Nightingale in springtime in one fell swoop, Eddie Holman delivers a melodic phrase with passion, and then woos the awestruck audience with bursts of tantalizing musical ecstasy. A true singer's singer, Eddie will continue to expend himself ceaselessly to the ends of the earth, as Philly's musical gift to the world. Eddie Holman's exemplary career has certainly stood the test of time, and his dignified musical legacy is one that will continue to flourish for as long as there is a song to sing.

About Johnny Angel and the HALOS

We are proud of the buzzing around town regarding the HALOS... comments like.. "They are nonstop action, with such a high energy level"...' They are having as much fun as the audience, maybe even more". "They are dancers, singers, musicians, no, they are true entertainers"... "They make oldies new again. It's like yesterdays songs with today's drive"... "They hold the crowd’s attention, from the teeny boppers to the senior citizens." When you experience an evening with the HALOS, you will become a part of the fabulous fifties, the soulful sixties, the unpredictable seventies and see parities of the Blues Brothers

and Rock n' Roll Hall-of-famers and much, much more. The HALOS trace the street corner, a cappella scene, the great dance crazes, and the familiar sing-along songs you all remember and entertain you whether you are a dancing fanatic or wish to sit back and watch the shows

Johnny Angel & the HALOS not only perform the music of the fifties, sixties and seventies but have performed with many of the greats from that time period. They have worked with such soul greats as: The Four Tops, Temptations, Supremes, Contours, Spinners, Delfonics, Marvelettes, Ben E. King, Martha Reeves And The Vandellas, Little Anthony And The Imperials, Eddie Holman, Jerry Butler and the Godfather of soul, James Brown. They have worked with the legendary rock n' roll greats like Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Bo Diddly, Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Dee Dee Sharp, Len Barry, Shirley Alston Reeves (original lead singer of the Shirelles), Ronnie Spector, Danny and the Juniors, Lou Christie, Shangri-La's, Vogues Tommy James and The Shondells, Gary U.S. Bonds, Crystals and the fabulous Dion. They have performed with many of the Doo Wap greats, i.e. THE SPANIELS, MAGNIFICENTS, BILL PINNNEY and the original Drifters, Edsels, Dubs, Tymes, Marcels, Cleftones, Jimmy Merchant of The Teenagers, Eugene Pitt of The Jive Five, Vito Balsamo of Vito and The Salutations, Art Loria of The Earls, Randy Silver of The Impalas, Orioles, Ravens, Johnnie & Joe, Don & Juan, Four Dots and Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners. They have also shared the stage with many of the great pop artists, Sha-Na-Na, The Mamas and the Papas, Blood Sweat And Tears, Leslie Gore, Jan and Dean, Three Dog Night, Lettermen, Turtles, Peter Noone, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Grass Roots and even The Monkees.

Johnny Angel and the HALOS have performed for as many as 60,000 fans at Three Rivers Stadium and the Regatta and for private viewings of 100. They appeared at the Walt Disney, World Premiere Movie, "Angel's In the Outfield". They have sung the National Anthem many times for the Pittsburgh Steelers and The Pittsburgh Pirates. The HALOS have appeared on many of the Oldies/Rock n' Roll Radio programs... 3WS, WYJZ, KDKA and WAMO, to mention a few. They have performed for the Light Up Night festivities in Downtown Pittsburgh. You can find several of their Christmas releases on the "Home for the Holidays" CD's produced by 3WS Radio to help feed the homeless and WSSH for Make-A-Wish. They have recorded for Aircraft Records, Steel Town Sound Records, OLAH Records and recently on the Varese Sarabande Vintage Label.

You probably heard the HALOS singing the a cappella commercial "What are you smiling about?" for Eat N' Park in 1993. In 1995, the HALOS released their first solo CD, “Jeet, Jet?,,,No, dju?" on Olah Records and in November of 1996 the Halos released their first solo Christmas album, "Good Christmas Tonight". On August 14th, 1998 they recorded a CD single for the Varese Sarabande Label honoring legendary DJ,

Porky Chedwick and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In October, 1996 the HALOS took a trip to Cleveland with the great Porky Chedwick and became one of the first groups to sing inside the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. In October 1996, the HALOS performed on the maiden voyage of the Costa Victoria Cruise Ship. Johnny Angel and the HALOS were the founding fathers of the Porkstock event at Three Rivers Stadium, a two-day concert honoring Porky Chedwick. The group has performed for Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Ridge. You can see and hear their Street Corner Singers Exhibit they wrote and recorded for the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, PA.

Johnny Angel and the HALOS have the ability to be the opening act and/or provide musical back-up for the greatest performers on the circuit today or as the actual headliner act. They can provide high energy concert shows or hard driving dance music. Johnny Angel and the HALOS are gifted entertainers who enjoy performing.

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