Didi Franklyn

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Tina Turner impersonator Didi Franklyn is Emcee at the Cleveland Rocks Awards show held by the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.  She opened with "Proud Mary." and later sang another Turner classic, "The Best."

Biography

Didi Franklyn, born Barbara Boley. September 20, 1960, started singing at the tender age of 5. She was influenced by her next door neighbor who played guitar in a blues band. She would sit for hours and listen to the soulful sounds coming from his basement. That influence is still around today touring Europe and making music. He goes by the name of Travis "Moonchild" Haddix, also Didi's Godfather.

As the years rolled on people such as The Temptations, Pattie Labelle and the Blue Bells, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and many, many more became her focus. Dancing and singing at family gatherings, church and the school choir. By age 12 Didi formed a girl group called the Future-etts. They entered into school talent shows and sang around the community.
By the time she reached high school, she has already established her star like qualities. Performing on stage with recording artists like The Floaters and The Dazz band formerly the Kisman Dazz.

After high school Didi went on the road with a group called Unique Blend. As a group they opened up for groups such as Bobby Blue Bland, the Chi-lites, Ray Goodman and Brown, formerly the Moments and many others. In 1984 the band went on tour with Bill Pinkney and the Original Drifters. Shortly after that she wrote and co-produced her first single entitled "I'll Be a Fool for You" and to add to her credits are accomplishments such as voice make over's for commercials.

Didi soon broaden her talents to do a Tina Turner impersonation that has open many doors. She took the act on the road and teamed up with Eddie & the Edsels (a 1950?s group). Being one of many impersonators the revue traveled the US dazzling the world with such act like Buddy Holly, Ray Charles, Marilyn Monroe, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and of course Tina Turner.

The song bird also sings Gospel. She's appeared on Gospel shows all over the state. The Plus & Minus 60 gospel show out of Canton Ohio. Family Life TV show out of Youngstown, Ohio. Michelle Stevenson gospel hour out of Warren, Ohio and also sings the National Anthem for the American Heart Association annual walk-a-thon.

In 2002 she wrote a Gospel song entitled The Center of My World and was blessed to perform it at the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) in Detroit, Michigan.

In 2003 Didi teamed up with The Discovery Band. A very well know wedding and party band. This organization has been in existence for 18 years wowing audiences from country clubs to a concert format. The group opened up for Little Richard while they were performing in the Flats at the Taste of Cleveland.

Didi@DidiFranklyn.com

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