THE RAELETTES

When I joined the Raelettes, they welcomed my energy, voice, and fresh ideas for choreography. We were all lead singers and all of us sang in church. I guess that's why we had such a great gospel blend.  Each girl had an exceptional voice along with great personalities.

L to R

Madelyn Quebec,
Estella Yarbrough, Center, Trudy Cohran-Hunter, Pat Peterson & Avis Harrell

Bottom Left, Estella Yarbrough, Right, Madelyn Quebec, Top Left, Pat Peterson, Center, Trudy Cohran-Hunter and Top Right,
Avis Harrell

When I joined Ray Charles entourage, I took Madelyn’s place for two weeks where I sang the soprano part. When she returned Mr. Charles asked me to stay on as their 5 th member and I sang contralto. What a glorious note! I didn’t see the beauty in it till heard and felt the bottom make the harmony resonate.

L to R: Madelyn
Quebec, Estella Yarbrough,
Center Avis Harrell
Pat Peterson, & Trudy Cohran-Hunter

When you hear “ America the Beautiful”, that’s us! This is the set of Raelettes that proudly held the harmonies down for Brother Ray.

L to R: Madelyn Quebec, Estella Yarbrough, Trudy Cohran-Hunter,
Pat Peterson, &
Avis Harrell

  L to R

Estella Yarborough,
Avis Harrell, Madelyn Quebec and Pat Peterson in our Blackwell Gowns.  Trudy Cohran-Hunter took the picture.

AVIS steps out front to sing a duet w/ Brother Ray.

This is the night we performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in Canada.  When you hear "America The Beautiful", that's us.  You may purchase this DVD on line if you have not seen the show.  Everyone was in rare form that night and gave a spectacular performance.  (L to R)  Madelyn, Estella, Avis, & Trudy.  Pat was taking the Picture

L to R: Madelyn Quebec , Estella Yarbrough,
Trudy Cohran-Hunter,
Pat Peterson,
&
Avis Harrell

Avis back stage

somewhere!

Avis & Stevie Wonder at

Brother Rays going home celebration

Jam session at theRadisson Hotel 2004.

This was the party that Brother Ray would have preferred according to Trudy’s Husband, Rev. Joe Hunter who organized it.

I sang Blues solos with Ellis Halls Band and we did back up for Stevie, who is also one of my mentors.

Taking pictures was one of our favorite past times while we awaited going on stage.  L to R:  Estella, Avis, & Pat.

Trudy was taking the picture. 

I always say that we were one of the most polished set of Raelettes

All of the girls had a flair of professionalism .

Avis, Estella, Trudy & Madelyn. Pat was taking the Picture.

Avis & Brother Ray rock the house with a Billy Preston song, " I know we're gonna' make it"  Brother Ray had a knack for selecting the right songs for the right girl.