A brief history…

Born Donna Charles on October 10, 1951, Donna’s home is in Cypress Island, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. At the age of 8, Donna’s parents began to notice her interest in and talent for music and were very supportive of her musical interest. When Donna reached the 7th grade at Carver High School in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, she joined the school band. Encouraged by her music teacher, she learned the clarinet, saxophone, viola and flute. Donna’s musical career was influenced many times by hearing Curtis Mayfield and Gladys Knight on the radio as well as watching Soul Train and American Bandstand on television. Right out of high school, in 1970, Donna began her professional career of playing keyboard and singing for the artist Bobby Price. After a year, she moved on to work with one of the hottest regional groups of the time, “Cosmic Sky.”

Donna, being more of a leader, formed her own group that she named after a verse in the Bible, “Chapter IV.” They soon began to play seven nights a week. Her one-night performances took her all over Louisiana, parts of Texas, New Mexico and Alabama. She experienced some problems with bass players so she mastered the instrument and has been playing the bass ever since. Along the way she had the pleasure of playing bass for artists Barbara Lynn and Archie Bell.

Just as things were going well, Donna was involved in a car accident which kept her out of the music business for several years. Then in 1994, with a strong desire to continue her musical career, Donna formed another band, this time featuring a variety of Zydeco, Oldie Soul and Hip-Hop.

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