Valerie Barrymore & Foundation of Funk

Valerie Barrymore a music award winner for Best Vocalist has something to say. Valerie has a brand new single entitled:”LET LOVE TAKE OVER YOU” This single is creating a buzz all across the nation.
Valerie Barrymore was born and raised in Detroit. She attended Michigan Christian College, where she was chosen as a lead vocalist for the school’s annual program `Celebration in Song’. After college she toured Italy,Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, the Eastern United States and the Southern United States. In Japan she appeared at Club PePelomoco and Club ViVi. In the early 1990’s Valerie came back to Detroit and did some recording with one of Detroit’s Techno Geniuses, Mr. Blake Baxter, soon after she started working with The Steve Somers Band, she fronts the band and impresses audiences with her dynamic stage presence and high-energy. Also a talented writer, she penned the tracks `Desire’, ‘Love Me Now’ and several others. In 1999 she formed Foundation of Funk and started Barrymore Publishing and B. Rox Records. She has been nominated for several Detroit Music Awards Best R&B & Funk vocalist in 2005 she won the award!
Valerie has appeared on the very same stage with some of the top of the line entertainers; she appeared at the Afro-American Festival w/ Betty Levette, the Michigan State Fair w/ The Ojays, the Royal Oak Theater w/Morris Day and the Time and the Common Ground Festival w/ Ms Gladys Knight. In 2006 Valerie surprised even herself by taking a role in the play “WE ARE NOT GOOD GIRLS” directed by T.J. Hemphill, which received great reviews. Valerie’s popularity is growing extremely fast with her work with Motorcity Women [formerly known as The Detroit Women].
Valerie has had international airplay with her song I Believe and believes some of the same success will come with her new single “Let Love Take Over You” Valerie is putting the finishing touches on her latest CD L O V E.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Steve Somers was born in New York City and raised in the San Francisco Bay area. He has lived in Michigan since 1980. During the seventies he formed his own band and toured the Pacific North-West several times. Upon moving to Michigan, he stopped touring to attend Eastern Michigan University, where he received a Master’s degree in 1986. He has been active as a composer as well as an arranger for the Steve Somers Band and Foundation of Funk with Valerie Barrymore. Hough has also performed solos in classical and jazz guitar concerts. He also taught music at Washtenaw Community College.
After forming originally was also known as the Steve Somers Band in 1990 and adding a horn section in 1991, he has been very busy performing locally and touring throughout Michigan.

Billy Wilson is from Ypsilanti, Michigan. He supplies the vital, forceful bass guitar and soulful lead and back up vocals for the band. His career extends back some twenty-five years. He has worked with a variety of artists, including Joe Williams, James Cleveland and Martha Reeves. He also sang briefly with the Platters and the MCA recording group `Imagination.’ Billy is President and Founder of the Motown Alumni Association.

Jesse Godfrey is from Detroit, Michigan. He has been playing drums professionally for more than twenty years. He was one of the original founders and the drummer for the Sins of Satan and Roundtrip. He is a member of the Perks Music Association. He has worked with some of the top names in show business including the Bar-Kays and Parliament. His energetic style and riveting solos take Foundation of Funk over the cutting edge.

Sabrina
is the newest member of the group. Former member of Detroit famous group, Straigh Ahead. She plays 11 instruments. Sabrina, tenor sax and vocals, has performed with many national acts including Les McCann, Freddie Hubbard, Ed Harris, Betty Lavette, Roy Ayers just to name a few. She has traveled all over the world playing music.

Elena Papillo
Born and raised in Wi