Larry Semmins

Saying on FB she has passed away. Here too http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2015/05/15/ortheia-barnes-kennerly-obituary/27409865/ added by site Veteran Detroit singer Ortheia Barnes, known for her rich alto voice, and also her ministry and work in Africa, died Friday in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands... Barnes-Kennerly, blessed with a powerful contralto voice, grew up singing gospel music in her church choir, moving into the R&B world in her teens after her older brother, J.J. Barnes, scored success... ...Rev. Robert Smith of New Bethel Baptist Church said people need to know she was more than a singer. "She was also a great missionary who planted water wells all over Africa. This was a great passion for her. A person with that kind of love — she could receive applause and accolades for her singing, but many people drinking water in Kenya have no idea that the well is there because she worked so hard. She was a great giver of life." http://www.detroitnews.com/story/obituaries/2015/05/15/ortheia-barnes-detroit-singer-minister-dies/27403563/

On BBC Radio 4 next Saturday morning. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rtzdx hope this is of interest. Steve added by site Over on the East Coast, in New Jersey's Rahway prison, Reginald Haynes was another inmate with a similar initiative. Reginald was spotted at a convict talent show by established music producer George Kerr and a group now known as The Legendary Escorts was formed. Reginald tells the extraordinary story of how the group's first album was produced, and of the changes the scheme would bring to his later life on the outside. Duration: 30 minutes First broadcast: Saturday 13 April 2013 repeated and up again for 30 days 15th Nov 2018