Biography
Besides her gospel background, Penny Ford's musical roots run deep down into her family tree. As the daughter of veteran record executive and producer Gene Redd Sr. (King Records) and singer Carolyn Ford, as well as the sister of singer Sharon Redd (the dance classic "Beat the Streets"), Ford encountered abundant music at an early age through her father's collaborations with James Brown and Kool and the Gang. Formal training commenced at age five with piano lessons, after which she competed in local talent shows throughout the Cincinnati area. In 1979, during a summer school break, she toured with Dayton, OH, funkateers Zapp on Parliament-Funkadelic's World Funk Tour; the next year brought a string of performances in Japan.
After returning from Tokyo, Ford paused in Los Angeles on her way back to Cincinnati and secured demo work for Motown's music-publishing division, Jobete. Her vocal reputation quickly spread, establishing her as a sought-after session singer. She can accurately claim the title "Ms. New Jill" before new jack existed. Signing with Total Experience Records, home of the Gap Band, she contributed to their hit single "I Found My Baby"; the new jack sound itself draws heavily from Total Experience artists.
Under the name Pennye Ford, she launched her solo recording career with the album Pennye, which produced two R&B charters: "Change Your Wicked Ways" and the slammin' "Dangerous" (whose 12" remains essential for dance collectors). Produced by Jonah Ellis, Oliver Scott, Jimmy Hamilton and Maurice Hayes ("Have Myself a Good Time"), and Yarborough and Peoples ("Don't Stop the Music"), Pennye brimmed with sassy soulfulness and foreshadowed the new jack style; on "Serious Love" she performed as a one-woman band. She also joined Scott for the duet "Silent Night" on A Total Experience Xmas (Total Experience/RCA, 1984).
In 1986 Ford succeeded Lorena Shelby as lead singer of Klymaxx ("I Miss You"). Following a year of touring she spent six months with the SOS Band, recording "It's Time to Move" for the Police Academy soundtrack. She then served as principal background singer for Chaka Khan on European dates while continuing session work, including two albums for funkmeister George Clinton. Her association with Chaka Khan led to a late-1989 trip to Germany when Khan, then based in London, asked Ford to cover a session for the new group Snap on the track "The Power." The record's massive success prompted a year-long tour with Snap. As co-writer of four Snap singles—"The Power," "Oops Up," "Mary Had a Little Boy," and the Euro hit "Cult of Snap"—that together sold nine million copies, Ford attracted the notice of Soul II Soul's Jazzie B. She contributed to his two albums (Vol. III: Just Right) as well as tracks for Teena Marie, Johnny Gill ("Wrap Your Body Tight" remix), and Betty Wright's "Paradise." Additional appearances include recordings by Chaka Khan, Mica Paris, Kym Myzelle, and Massive Attack. After departing Snap, Ford became the focus of a major-label bidding war and signed with Columbia/Sony in June 1991.
She took her time crafting the Columbia/Sony debut Penny Ford, assembling an elite roster of collaborators. Producer/bassist Randy D. Jackson, formerly of Journey and a prior associate of Narada Michael Walden, handled primary duties. The lead single, a remake of Aretha Franklin's "Daydreaming," features a swinging hip-hop beat, "wacka-wacka" guitar by John Mitchell, sparkling piano by Greg Phillanganes, and a tight sax solo by Gerald Albright. "I'll Be There" (distinct from the Jackson 5 standard) unfolds as an inspirational mid-tempo groover anchored by percolating bass, gospel-ish ooing background vocals, and the uplifting refrain: "If you're restless I will follow you/if you're weak I'll give you the strength/if you can't go on I will see you through/I'll be there I'll be there I'll be there...." The jacked-up "Nevertheless" employs syncopated double-time vocals and samples James Brown's "Funky President." Ian Price co-wrote the musically playful "This Love," while "All in Me" supplies midnight moodiness.
Ford maintained an active schedule of session and concert work across the U.S. and Europe.
After returning from Tokyo, Ford paused in Los Angeles on her way back to Cincinnati and secured demo work for Motown's music-publishing division, Jobete. Her vocal reputation quickly spread, establishing her as a sought-after session singer. She can accurately claim the title "Ms. New Jill" before new jack existed. Signing with Total Experience Records, home of the Gap Band, she contributed to their hit single "I Found My Baby"; the new jack sound itself draws heavily from Total Experience artists.
Under the name Pennye Ford, she launched her solo recording career with the album Pennye, which produced two R&B charters: "Change Your Wicked Ways" and the slammin' "Dangerous" (whose 12" remains essential for dance collectors). Produced by Jonah Ellis, Oliver Scott, Jimmy Hamilton and Maurice Hayes ("Have Myself a Good Time"), and Yarborough and Peoples ("Don't Stop the Music"), Pennye brimmed with sassy soulfulness and foreshadowed the new jack style; on "Serious Love" she performed as a one-woman band. She also joined Scott for the duet "Silent Night" on A Total Experience Xmas (Total Experience/RCA, 1984).
In 1986 Ford succeeded Lorena Shelby as lead singer of Klymaxx ("I Miss You"). Following a year of touring she spent six months with the SOS Band, recording "It's Time to Move" for the Police Academy soundtrack. She then served as principal background singer for Chaka Khan on European dates while continuing session work, including two albums for funkmeister George Clinton. Her association with Chaka Khan led to a late-1989 trip to Germany when Khan, then based in London, asked Ford to cover a session for the new group Snap on the track "The Power." The record's massive success prompted a year-long tour with Snap. As co-writer of four Snap singles—"The Power," "Oops Up," "Mary Had a Little Boy," and the Euro hit "Cult of Snap"—that together sold nine million copies, Ford attracted the notice of Soul II Soul's Jazzie B. She contributed to his two albums (Vol. III: Just Right) as well as tracks for Teena Marie, Johnny Gill ("Wrap Your Body Tight" remix), and Betty Wright's "Paradise." Additional appearances include recordings by Chaka Khan, Mica Paris, Kym Myzelle, and Massive Attack. After departing Snap, Ford became the focus of a major-label bidding war and signed with Columbia/Sony in June 1991.
She took her time crafting the Columbia/Sony debut Penny Ford, assembling an elite roster of collaborators. Producer/bassist Randy D. Jackson, formerly of Journey and a prior associate of Narada Michael Walden, handled primary duties. The lead single, a remake of Aretha Franklin's "Daydreaming," features a swinging hip-hop beat, "wacka-wacka" guitar by John Mitchell, sparkling piano by Greg Phillanganes, and a tight sax solo by Gerald Albright. "I'll Be There" (distinct from the Jackson 5 standard) unfolds as an inspirational mid-tempo groover anchored by percolating bass, gospel-ish ooing background vocals, and the uplifting refrain: "If you're restless I will follow you/if you're weak I'll give you the strength/if you can't go on I will see you through/I'll be there I'll be there I'll be there...." The jacked-up "Nevertheless" employs syncopated double-time vocals and samples James Brown's "Funky President." Ian Price co-wrote the musically playful "This Love," while "All in Me" supplies midnight moodiness.
Ford maintained an active schedule of session and concert work across the U.S. and Europe.
Albums
Singles
