Jump to content

Kaaren Ragland

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Kaaren Ragland (talk | contribs) at 20:28, 22 January 2024 (My name is Kaaren Ragland and I continue to clear the record and remove inaccurate and irrelevant information on my cite which is both libelous and defamatory. Some third party with an agenda continues misrepresent my life which violates your rule against libelous living persons. Thank you in advance for your attention in this matter.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Kaaren Ragland is the founder of the group The Sounds of The Supremes.

Biography

Kaaren Ragland was born in Richmond, Virginia. She attended the Northfield School in Massachusetts, Brown University (BA) and studied acting at Boston University’s School of Fine Arts (MFA) where she also took classes in the Music Department. Ragland's later education included a JD from UCLA. She states that her mother, a well known Virginia educator, always stressed the importance of a well-rounded education.

Career

While at Boston University Ragland became the first African American ingenue to be hired by the National Shakespeare Company. Later she appeared in several productions of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf" in Los Angeles, and Buffalo Studio Arena as well as many other stage appearances including the National Touring production of "Eubie" with Cab Calloway, and in productions of "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Balm in Gilead" in Los Angeles.

In 1977, last original and founding member Mary Wilson decided to disband The Supremes and forge a solo career. However, as Wilson had numerous contracts for the group worldwide with major promoters Wilson contracted Ragland as a member of the group for concert tours in the United Kingdom, Europe, South East Asia and Australia. (See Fed Ct Docs)

Late in 1989, Ragland formed a group called "The Sounds of the Supremes" with whom she has appeared in over 70 countries around the world in both Concert and Charity events. Wilson attempted to prevent her using the name "The Sounds of the Supremes” in a court action in 1996. But based on extensive contractual evidence and her concert performance history that began in the UK in 1978 the court found in Ragland's favor, granting her the right to use her own name The Sounds of the Supremes. and as a result Ragland negotiated a settlement with Wilson in clearance of her name and participation as a member of The Supremes. In point of fact Universal the owner of Motown and the moniker The Supremes has supported and hired The Sounds of the Supremes on numerous occasions. (See all contracts and docs Fed Ct Los Angeles 1996)


'Sounds of the Supremes' Personnel

  • Kaaren Ragland, Althea Burkhalter, Angel Rose
  • Former members: Roberta Freeman, Van Jewel, Wendy Smith, Hollis Payseur, Kathy Merrick, Amy Keys

Albums

Live At The Highclere Castle (2007)

  • 1. Symphony
  • 2. You Keep Me Hanging On
  • 3. Where Did Our Love Go
  • 4. Love Child
  • 5. Love Is Here And Now You're Gone
  • 6. Reflections
  • 7. Stoned Love
  • 8. "You Can't Hurry Love"
  • 9. Come See About Me
  • 10. Back In My Arms Again
  • 11. Baby Love
  • 12. Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart
  • 13. Stop In The Name Of Love
  • 14. Someday We'll Be Together
  • 15. "I Hear a Symphony"
  • 16. Symphony Reprise


References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaaren_Ragland&oldid=1198035129"