From Karaoke to the Platters

By Paul B Allen III

The inspirational tale of how Paul B Allen III went from singing in karaoke establishments, to become the lead singer of one of the greatest vocal groups of all time, The Platters (Only You; Smoke Gets in Your Eyes; The Great Pretender, etc.).
Paul was not allowed entry into his elementary school chorus because of his “tin ear,” so the trip from "reject' to lead vocalist was an incredible journey.
Paul shares that journey, as well as all the things he did, step by step, that led him to performing at venues like the world-famous Kennedy Center, backed by the National Symphony Orchestra, and his singing for the rich and famous all around the world, including performing for the Royal Family in London, Prince Albert in Monaco, and being invited to the White House to perform for the President of the United States of America.
This book is made up of two parts that are linked together by Paul’s real-life experiences in the music industry, as an internationally published songwriter and as the lead vocalist of The Platters.
Part One tells step by step how he did it (and how you can too), and Part Two tells what happened once he “arrived.” It is a truly fascinating account that can only be told by someone who has lived the life. And as you read, you’ll feel like you’re living it right alongside of him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul B Allen III
• Release date: Sep 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370997329

Paul B Allen III

Paul B Allen III is best described as a Renaissance man. He has written songs that have been number 1 on the charts in America and Europe, has been the lead singer of one of the greatest vocal groups of all time, The Platters, and he has acted in major Hollywood blockbuster movies, as well as in commercials. As an author, Paul's style of writing is eclectic. He has currently finished his fourth book, a historical sci-fi / fantasy, named "Benjamin Franklin: Time Tripper," and his three other books currently available are the non-fiction, autobiographical "how-to," From Karaoke to The Platters; a comical set of short stories named, The Tall Tales of Erasmus Obadiah Short; and a superhero screenplay rendered to book form, Xiuying: The Power of X. Extended Biography: Sexy. Rich. Smooth. Warm. These are terms you'll most often hear as people describe his voice, the voice that brought him to stardom as the lead vocalist of one of the greatest vocal groups of all time, The Platters! Paul B Allen, III was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but raised in San Bernardino, California. He has been involved in music virtually all of his life. Paul became the lead singer of the band, "Raw Sugar" a group established by his younger brothers, Corey and Milo. In a very short time, the band developed a tremendous following in the Southern California area. Sometime after the "Raw Sugar" days, ex-James Brown saxophonist, Dr. Larry "T-Byrd" Gordon, heard Paul singing and was "knocked out" by his smooth vocal phrasing. T-Byrd immediately asked Paul to join his band. As the lead singer for "T-Byrd's" band, Paul performed for the rich and famous in Texas, including former Presidential candidate, Ross Perot, multi-millionaire Paul Bass, and The Dallas cowboy Cheerleaders. As a vocalist, Paul has performed at many impressive venues, such as The Kennedy Center, backed by the National Symphony Orchestra, in Washington, DC. And the list of stars and dignitaries he has performed for is even more impressive, including performances for The Royal Family in England; Prince Albert, and his sister, Princess Caroline, of Monaco; and The President and First Lady of Fiji. Paul was also invited to the White House to perform for the President of The United States of America. In March of 1997, Paul was asked by the original management company of The Platters to become the newest member of the group that they helped establish, and have continued to manage, since 1953. Since that time, Paul has led the group in performances on nearly every continent of the globe. Paul is not only a world renowned vocalist. He is also an internationally published hit songwriter. He has written hits for UK Jazz Fusion band, Incognito (Top Ten on Billboard Magazine's UK Charts with Paul's song "Always There") and for Brothers In Rhythm (#1 on Billboard Magazine's Dance Charts with Paul's tune "Such A Good Feeling"). His songs have also been recorded by film and fashion diva, Grace Jones; Dance Music Divas Jocelyn Brown and Charvoni; Be-Bop music greats Side Effect; Soul music stylist Miki Howard; Jazz drummer extraordinaire, Bily Cobham; DJ Miss Behavin' of the UK (nominated for a BAFFY Award with her version of Paul's "Such A Good Feeling"); Dance Club king, Imhoot of The Netherlands; the legendary family vocal group, The McCrarys; the landmark African group, Sweet Talks; and Waye Henderson, a founding member of the world famous Jazz Crusaders. Paul also enjoys acting. He has worked on the movies Lethal Weapon 4, starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, Rush Hour 2, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, Undisputed, starring Wesley Snipes, Ving Rhames and Peter Falk, and Miss Congeniality 2, starring Sandra Bullock and Regina King. Paul has also done commercials for The History Channel, UPS, and The Station Casinos, in Las Vegas, NV. He was also the principal in a 30 second commercial for Nevada Federal Credit Union as the spokesperson. Most recently, Paul has written and performed five songs that will appear in a soon to be released Sci-Fi film in the UK called, "COOLIO-Time Travel Gangster." And, Paul's first ever solo CD, titled "Paul B Allen, III - The Arrival" was released October 2, 2014 and given worldwide distribution. He has also co-written a screenplay that is being turned into a feature film in China. Now Paul has published four books in all. This non-fiction book, "From Karaoke to the Platters," the time travel fiction "Benjamin Franklin: Time Tripper," the fiction fantasy folk-lore piece, "The Tall Tales of Erasmus Obadiah Short," and and the Female Asian Super-Hero screenplay in book form, "Xiuying: The Power of X."

Book preview

Part 1

How I Did It – How You Can Too

Chapter 1

Left Behind

Seventeen words.

Doesn’t seem like a lot, does it? But his next seventeen words would change the course of my life forever.

We’re starting a new class in vocal chorus, he began, and I’ll take anyone who can carry a tune.

Wow, we thought, this is fantastic!

After all, this was a poor, rural, Black school, and this would be the first extra-curricular activity in the school’s history. A teacher from a neighboring White school would come here once a week, and we would be excused from the regular reading, writing, and arithmetic, and allowed to do something fun. Sing!

The music teacher listened as each of us, one by one, sang the musical scale he had given. At the end of that marathon session, he would let our fifth-grade teacher know whom to send to the cafeteria for the class that would officially begin the next week.

When the fateful day arrived, 33 of the 35 kids in the class were sent to the cafeteria. Only two hopeless cases were left behind. Their names were Henry and Paul.

As the kids filed out of the classroom, some pointed, while others snickered, at the two rejects being left behind.

Though neither Henry nor Paul, appeared to care all that much, inside, Paul was embarrassed and ashamed. I know. I’m Paul.

I have often thought of that music teacher over the decades. Although I never got to attend even one of his classes, each time I think of him, I smile.

As I sang for the Royal Family in England, I thought of him and smiled.

I also thought of him as I sang for Prince Albert of Monaco, and, again, a few days later, when I was invited to the White House to perform for the President of the United States of America.

When I stood before my first audience as the new lead vocalist of The Platters, man, did I smile!

It was an amazing journey, going from reject to lead singer of one of the greatest vocal groups of all time. I’d like to tell you the things I did to get from there to here.

Part One, How I Did It – How You Can Too! uses autobiographical excerpts from my life to demonstrate the ten steps that changed my world, and that can change yours too, if you’re willing to give them a try. Yes, it’s true. Just like I did, you can go from singing karaoke to singing on stage as a professional vocalist.

Want to learn how to sing on key? Would you like to improve the quality of your voice?

How about writing music for your own lyrics and poems? Or, would you like to learn how to take any song and put it in YOUR key, making it very easy for you to sing?

Part One gives you all that and more.

Part Two will show you what it’s like to be on the road with a world-famous group. You’ll see the good, the bad, and the ugly, because if you think it’s all fun and games, you are in for a shock.

But also in Part Two, is a section called The Perks, which tells you about the upside of being a professional vocalist. You’ll learn about the immediate desirability you will gain in the eyes of the opposite sex. You’ll learn about the opportunity you have to travel the world in first-class luxury, while getting paid for it, and about the opportunities you will have to meet and work with some of your all-time favorite musical artists, TV personalities, movie stars, and some of the world’s most powerful political figures.

Last, but certainly not least, you will learn about the kind of money you can make at this level. You will be amazed.

The Perks, will convince you that going from karaoke singer to a professional vocalist in a performing group like The Platters is definitely worth the effort!

The trail has been blazed, and you now hold in your hands the only road map ever created to help karaoke singers reach their goal of becoming professional vocalists.

This autobiographical map will get you to your desired destination and will show you how to join me in this small, rare, and incredible world I now have the privilege of working in.

The bottom line is this. I’ll show you how to go from being a karaoke singer to a professional vocalist, but, in order to balance the scales I also have to make you aware of everything else that will come with the fruition of your musical dreams.

Most of it is fantastic, some of it is terrible, and nearly all of it is unbelievable.

If you’re still game, grab your road map and take this trip with me now.

You’ll find that I’m nothing like that music teacher from my old elementary school. I promise you here and now, I will never leave you behind.

Chapter 2

The Miracle Mile

My family moved from Omaha, Nebraska to San Bernardino, California in the hot summer of 1963. I would be attending Mill Elementary School as a fifth grader when summer vacation was over.

San Bernardino is a valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains. In ’63, the air was so crisp and clear you had the feeling that you could reach out and touch any one of those mountains. Coming from the flatlands of America, mountains were awe-inspiring to me.

San Bernardino was a vibrant city back then, kept alive by Norton Air Force Base, and the Aerospace Industry that was based there. The city was growing, thriving, and filled with opportunity.

Parts of the city had beautiful homes, whereas other parts were zoned for ranches, filled with horses and cows, and just a few older houses sprinkled in between. In those areas, the houses were cheap but fairly nice, and sometimes there would be hundreds of yards between those older homes.

Sometimes, there could even be a mile...

That was the area my family moved into. We had a three bedroom house with a huge living room, a formal dining room, and a large bonus room, which was our family room, and where you had to come to watch TV (there was usually only one TV per household in those days). It would later serve as my bedroom.

Our back yard was nice, and also large. We had five peach trees, one loquat tree, one orange tree, and one pomegranate tree (which always looked more like a bush to me), and all bore sweet, delicious, fruit!

We also had a detached garage at the end of the paved driveway, and there was a basketball goal attached to it, so my younger brothers and I had our own tiny basketball court to play on.

My father rented this house from a very kind man with a wonderful family of his own. Dad paid Mr. Cabrera’s full asking price of $80 a month.

24887 Central Ave in San Bernardino, California, will always be a fond memory for me, as it is where my odyssey began.

There was exactly one mile from my house to the school I attended, and there were more horses and cows than people in between. It was not until I was an adult that I realized how important that one-mile gap between my house and my school really was. I would later name it my Miracle Mile.

****

When I attended school the very first day, I was amazed at what I found. 99% of the students were Black! In all of my previous school years in Omaha, I usually only saw one Black face in my class, and then, only if I was looking in a mirror!

My shock and amazement continued. My teacher was a Black woman. I had never seen a Black school teacher in my life.

Then I learned that the principle of the school was also a Black woman! She was a trail-blazing pioneer named Dorothy Ingram. In those days, a trip to the office to see Mrs. Ingram meant that you were probably about to face the paddle. Usually, one trip to see Mrs. Ingram provided all the inspiration you needed to stay on the straight and narrow for the remainder of the school year.

Mrs. Ingram was a disciplinarian, as were all of her teachers. She was always fair, and absolutely fierce, when it came to protecting and providing for the kids who attended her school. Even if you didn’t have a quarter for the delicious hot lunch (and there were times I didn’t), you still ate. Mrs. Ingram saw to that.

I was lucky enough to attend fifth and sixth grades there. But mine would prove to be the last (or next to last. Cut me some slack. This stuff happened over 50 years ago) graduating class of Mill Elementary. This wonderful all Black school, with all of its pioneer history, would soon be dissolved and turned into first, a community center, and later a Head Start location. The students from Mill would soon be bussed to schools farther away, schools with more money, schools that were predominantly White.

Mrs. Ingram, however, would never be forgotten by the city and people she loved so much, and served so well. A major library was named after her in San Bernardino many years later.

But it was at Mill Elementary that I was first told, in so many words, that I was a terrible singer. Not even average, terrible.

After their first class in chorus, the kids came back to the classroom formerly manned by my beautiful and intelligent teacher, a woman named Mrs. Russo (who was from somewhere back East where they pronounce the letter R as are-ra with nearly as much emphasis on the ra as on the are), Henry and me. They were happy, excited, and enthusiastic. I, of course, acted as if it was no big deal. I didn’t want to be in any stupid chorus. At least, that’s what I told all the other kids.

But, after school was let out, and I started the long trek home alone, I definitely had the blues. The more I thought about it, the more upset I became. I was never a cry baby, but tears welled up in my eyes (in retrospect, maybe that means that I really was a cry baby). I was mad, embarrassed, and missing out on a lot of fun.

I had never before been told that I was not great at something I had attempted to do. I was always one of the smartest kids in class, thanks to the advanced training methods of the Nebraska school system, and two extremely intelligent and nurturing parents.

When tested in California before starting fifth grade, the school officials came to our home and told my parents (with me listening in secret close by) that I was working at the ninth grade level. When I heard that, I got the big head, but it lasted only a few seconds, because the next words out of their mouths were that my younger sister, Gayle, was working at the eleventh-grade level! From that day on, I looked at my little sis with new found respect, but waited 40 years to tell her why!

Anyway, the point is that I had never felt inadequate at anything before in my life. Now here I was being told that I had a terrible voice.

So, the music teacher doesn’t want me, huh? Well I’ll show him!

This was a defining moment for me.

When somebody knocks you down, you can stay down, you can get up and run, or you can jump right back up and fight. Well, in my case, I’ve always been too stupid to stay down, and too slow to run...

But now that I had made up my mind that I was going to prove him wrong, how was I going to go about it?

I gave it some serious thought. Actually, for a couple of days, especially as I walked back and forth to school, virtually alone with my thoughts, the ideas of how to practically achieve what I wanted to achieve began to be formulated.

The first thing that occurred to me was that if you wanted to build muscles in your body, you’d have to exercise them. I didn’t know about vocal chords or the diaphragm in those days. I just imagined the voice as a muscle, like a bicep, and I instinctively knew that if I wanted people to think I was at least a decent singer, I was going to have to exercise that vocal muscle and build it up and make it stronger. But, I was embarrassed to sing in front of anyone else, especially now.

That’s when the light came on! It hit me that I could use that one-mile stretch between school and home to practice. So what if the horses and cows felt like I was torturing them? Who were they going to tell? With a whole mile and no people in between, I could sing all the way to school and all the way back home again. I could sing as loudly as