A Capella Group Performs at Peg Egan PAC

The kings of a capella – The Persuasions – will perform on July 3 at 7 pm for Peg Egan Performing Arts Center’s (PAC) free concert series.

The Persuasions first came together on the street corners of Brooklyn in 1962. All the original Persuasions came from a strong history and deep background in church-based music. They’re singing style and musical inventory has always included the heavy influence of gospel, a major measure of soul, and a dose of pop.

Legendary musician Frank Zappa and his wife Gail discovered The Persuasions in 1968. At the urging and encouragement of a good friend of the group, Zappa listened to a tape of the group over the phone. The result: he signed them and produced their debut album A Cappella on Zappa’s Straight label, in 1970.

The Persuasions next signed with Capitol Records and have since gone on to release a string of commercially successful and critically acclaimed recordings.

In March 2000, The Persuasions released an album in tribute to their old friend Zappa, Frankly a Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa. At the time, Jerry Lawson of The Persuasions said, “Frank gave us our start, and this is our way of saying thanks.”

The Persuasions continue today with original members Jimmy Hayes, “Sweet Joe” Russell, with a supporting cast including Raymond Sanders, B.J. Jones, Gil Torres and Dave Revels.

The Persuasions started out as a bunch of kids hanging around singing a cappella. They have gone on to become the undisputed grand old men of the genre.

The Peg Egan PAC is located on Church Street in Egg Harbor, and all concerts are free and open to the public. In case of rain, all concerts are held at the Calvary Methodist Church 4650 County Rd. E, Egg Harbor. Carry-ins welcome. For more information call 920.493.5979.