THE STORY
Three little Black Girls from Camden
To their own surprise, these young women became the most highly sought after background recording vocalists at the Famed Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. Their discography grew to over 25 pages. Only one is left to tell the story.
BIO
BARBARA INGRAM, EVETTE BENTON and CARLA BENSON, THE SWEETHEARTS OF SIGMA aka THE SWEETIES, unofficially claimed to be the “Most Recorded Female Group In the Business” in the 70's and early 80's in Philadelphia. Carla Benson is the sole surviving member of this highly acclaimed, infamous trio of women whose discography, while still incomplete, reached over 25 pages ( see Facebook “TRIBUTE TO THE SWEETHEARTS OF SIGMA” page for current discography)
The trio was born when Carla's first cousin, Barbara Ingram got word a new record company could use some background singers. Carla volunteered best friend, Evette L. Benton and after a single audition for co-owner of the newly formed Philadelphia International Records, Thom Bell, these three Camden natives became the in-house background recording vocalists for Philadelphia International Records. Producers from all over the world came to Philadelphia to record at the famous Sigma Sound Studios for that special Philly Sound throughout the 1970’s and early 80’s. Carla, Barbara and Evette were part of that sound. No doubt, you've been humming along with these ladies for decades. It is these women’s voices you sing along with on Billy Paul on “Me and Mrs. Jones”, The Spinners “Love Don't Love Nobody”, Evelyn Champagne Kings "Shame”, Keni Burkes, “Keep Rising to the Top” McFadden and Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”, Patti Labelle’s “New Attitude”, “If Only You Knew” and “On My Own” to name a very few. It is said that every hour, every day, somewhere in the world, someone is listening to a song these ladies recorded. Named “The Sweeties” for the “sweet, angelic sound” these ladies produced by legendary powerhouse vocalist Patti Labelle, The Sweeties were sought after by producer’s worldwide.
In the 80's, Carla Barbara and Evette began touring and recording with Patti Labelle, the only artist the ladies ever recorded and toured with exclusively. Patti had been Carla's favorite singer since the age of 10 and first heard “Down the Aisle” by Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells. To her, this was "The Gig of a Lifetime”. Years later, after Carla left the group, in an interview, Ms. LaBelle, always the gracious Lady, fondly referred to her as "Sweetie Number One".
Barbara made her transition in 1994. Evette completely left the business and returned to her first love, education, advancing to South Jersey Director for the Headstart program, which was a federally funded pre-school program for inner city residents. Carla had a new son and headed back to school where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, as well as two certifications, one as a Paralegal from the Technical Institute of New Jersey and the other as a Spiritual Counselor from the Universal Life Church in California.
Carla developed a Love of Theater as a young girl and needed to remain active in the Performance arena. She wrote and directed an ensemble cast; produced and performed in her creation she called “Rhapsody in Black”©. There was standing room only and Carla received 5 curtain calls. Her love of acting led to lead roles in several off-Broadway productions including “Dreamgirls” and “Ain’t Misbehavin”. For three consecutive years, she appeared as a featured performer in the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC’s annual production of “The Black Nativity” directed by famed Director Mike Malone, Founder of the famous Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts also in Washington D.C. Carla has performed in productions directed by Tony Award Winners, Joe Walker ("The River Niger") and George Faison, ("The Wiz")
Wanting to stay close to home, Carla formed her own band and began performing in local venues. When she headlined in the main room at the Claridge Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, Patti Labelle came to see her. Backstage, moments before the curtain went up, Ms. LaBelle graciously and ceremoniously draped her full-length Black mink coat around Carla's shoulders giving her her blessing and wishes for a Great show. Carla remembers that moment as “one of most touching and humbling moments of my life”.
John A. Jackson’s book, “A House on Fire”, the Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul was released in 2005. Carla Benson is credited with the opening quote and is quoted extensively throughout this successful rendering, in book from, of life at PIR.
Miss Benson is a “Featured Performer” in the award-winning documentary, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown”, written by Allan Slutsky, which went on to win three Grammy Awards. She toured the world with the infamous Funk Brothers, who were the studio musicians of Motown, for three years. This pairing added many additional artists such as Chaka Khan, Ronald Isley, Heart, Ben Harper and Ruben Studdard to Miss Benson’s already extensive list of artists she’s worked with. The project evolved and developed into an award-winning documentary, used in music classrooms globally.
Carla Benson can be heard on jazz guitarist Larry Carlton’s recent CD, “Larry Carlton Plays The Sound of Philadelphia”. She won the title track on Michael Pedicin's lp “Because of Love”.
For 15 years she was Lead Vocalist for the Franklin Alison Orchestra, an upscale Wedding Band out of Princeton, NJ. And Loved it. During the same time period, she returned to the classroom and, to her complete surprise, discovered an uncommon love for the inner-city high school youth of Camden. She earned her New Jersey State Teachers Certification as a Teacher of Music in 2005 and taught Vocal music in Camden's high schools for 22 years, sometimes as a contract teacher and sometimes as a Substitute. In 2022, her High school Alma Mater, Camden High School, asked her to deliver the Commencement Address. She was honored and welcomes opportunities to work with our high school youth.
Prior to Covid, she'd been the Vocal Music Director at her church, “Sword of the Spirit Christian Center” in Camden, under the leadership of Pastors Willie and Bernadette Anderson. An unabashed Christian, she says she “continues to be a Work in Progress”. She is the proud and loving mother of two sons and five grandchildren,
Carla Benson Sample Vocals
