Excel DRUMS

Excel Lewis was born in Washington DC. Excel  started playing drums at an early age of 6. Ten years later, Lewis got his first opportunity to play drums behind a local singing group called the Fabulistics. He began to play drums for numerous rock and R&B bands. 

In 2002 Excel moved to Jacksonville Florida where he would eventually meet Richard Boyce and Julius Walker. Together, they formed The band Str8up Jacksonville’s top dance band.

RICHARD BASS GUITAR

Richard Boyce was born in Greensboro, NC. Later his family relocated to Plainfield, NJ in 1956. In that same year at the age of ten, he and his younger brother Frankie received guitars for Christmas. Richard  began to use his guitar to accompany the well-known Happyland Gospel Singers. Richard eventually joined his brother Frankie, their father’s new group the Gospel Revelations, soon after the brothers went on to form the Seeking Wonders gospel group. 

In 1960, Richard and his brothers Frankie and Jojo grew a love for R&B and began to record and perform which soon earned them notoriety in the New York/New Jersey music circuit, they even performed at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem NY. During that same time, Richard and his brother Frankie began performing backup and recording demos for the popular local group George Clinton and the Parliaments. 

Today, Richard continues to write songs and performs as bassist with Str8Up band, he also plays bass for Julington Baptist Church in Jacksonville which he has been a member since the early 80's.

 


 

JULIUS LEAD GUITAR

Julius Walker, born and raised in St Louis established a love for guitar at the age of 5.

Mr Walker would dream of one day becoming accomplished musician, but that would have to wait until his education was complete, while in school Julius was enrolled in the United States Army, which afforded him the opportunity to play in band that performed for many platoons around the world, although music was his first love, Julius dedicated his life to the world of engineering the planes that The United States army used in Desert Storm.

After returning to the states in the late 1990s, Julius decided to go back to his first love, music. When he picked up the guitar again, he met Excel Lewis, and Richard Boyce joined the Str8up band.

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SHARRIS LEAD VOCALS

Sharris Fransisco was born and raised in Detroit’s Motown,  Sharris's mother began training her to sing  at the age of 5.

Sharris  is no stranger to the world’s foundation for soul music. With a love for Latin music, reggae and soul music, Sharris Fransisco aims to bend the ear of her listeners to make them fall in love with a new international sound. 

Sharris has performed with greats such as, Jennifer Holiday, the late pop singer Aaliyah, and Andy Williams. She has toured with Kenny Leon’s True “Color’s Theatre Company”, and also as a singer and dancer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She has also performed in the touring Broadway Musical “Fame”.  Throwing a party and telling a story when she is performing on  stage, is her goal. Therefore, providing an enjoyable time for her audience.

ERIC LEAD VOCALS