Prisoners to Prophets...
In 1968, behind the walls of Trenton State Prison, a young Reginald Haynes started a singing group. Little did he know then that the group he named THE ESCORTS would become a legend in their own right.
Like countless artists before him, Reginald sang on street corners, local talent shows and occasionally, in various church choirs. Then suddenly, although still a teenager, he found himself behind prison walls because of what he terms, "a stupid and foolish act." There are various ways of doing time in prison, says Reginald. " You let the time do you and become involved with an element worse then the most hellish of acts, or you can decline your surroundings and become involved in doing the time and turning the negatives around you into something positive and playfully fruitful.
Following his first love, singing, Reginald sought out three other inmates who shared his view of prison life and his lust for singing. Out of this simple act grew what was later to be recorded as a history-making event. THE ESCORTS were born and a Cinderella story began to unfold.
Two years later, in 1970 THE ESCORTS were doing what they did best. Performing on stage at the infamous Rahway State Prison as prison officials, prison guards, visitors and hardcore inmates cheered, stomped, clapped. Little did they know that the late, great LINDA JONES (HYPNOTIZE), sister to one of their fellow inmates, was sitting in the audience accompanied by her producer/manager, George Kerr. Kerr who was a veteran from the stable of Barry Gordy,Jr. and the early mot own days was in his own words" shocked and amazed to find this type of raw, pulsating talent in prison. " After the show George Kerr approached Reginald and told him that he thought THE ESCORTS were stupendous. Then he said something that would change Reginald's life forever and earn them both permanent residence in world history. Kerr said I want to do something that's never been done in the history of the entertainment world. I want to record THE ESCORTS here in Rahway State Prison. Reginald was elated at the prospect of turning professional and so their journey into the entertainment history books began.
Like countless artists before him, Reginald sang on street corners, local talent shows and occasionally, in various church choirs. Then suddenly, although still a teenager, he found himself behind prison walls because of what he terms, "a stupid and foolish act." There are various ways of doing time in prison, says Reginald. " You let the time do you and become involved with an element worse then the most hellish of acts, or you can decline your surroundings and become involved in doing the time and turning the negatives around you into something positive and playfully fruitful.
Following his first love, singing, Reginald sought out three other inmates who shared his view of prison life and his lust for singing. Out of this simple act grew what was later to be recorded as a history-making event. THE ESCORTS were born and a Cinderella story began to unfold.
Two years later, in 1970 THE ESCORTS were doing what they did best. Performing on stage at the infamous Rahway State Prison as prison officials, prison guards, visitors and hardcore inmates cheered, stomped, clapped. Little did they know that the late, great LINDA JONES (HYPNOTIZE), sister to one of their fellow inmates, was sitting in the audience accompanied by her producer/manager, George Kerr. Kerr who was a veteran from the stable of Barry Gordy,Jr. and the early mot own days was in his own words" shocked and amazed to find this type of raw, pulsating talent in prison. " After the show George Kerr approached Reginald and told him that he thought THE ESCORTS were stupendous. Then he said something that would change Reginald's life forever and earn them both permanent residence in world history. Kerr said I want to do something that's never been done in the history of the entertainment world. I want to record THE ESCORTS here in Rahway State Prison. Reginald was elated at the prospect of turning professional and so their journey into the entertainment history books began.
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