Brenda's Music Recording Project

In 1982 a trio of sassy and funky songstresses named Vanity 6 took the world by storm with a self-titled debut album and hit single "Nasty Girl" - Vanity, Susan and myself making our mark on the soul-pop world with our unique brand of funk, camp, and fun.


In 1984 Apollonia Kotero was brought in to front the group and star as the leading female in Prince's "Purple Rain" film.  The ensuing album, Apollonia 6 was another slice of pop heaven and was just as popluar if not more so than the Vanity 6 album with 3 of the songs co-penned and highlighted by my lead vocal on; "Blue Limousine", the effervescent "A Million Miles (I Love You)" and "Some Kind of Lover".

Throughout that time blueprints were laid for a solo album co-written and produced by Prince and myself.  As happens,  many times in life plans were made, tracks were laid; the ultimate "groovin-funk number "17 Days" being one of them; but circumstances and detours hindered the project and it was never completed.


In earlier 2016 talk and plans with Prince occurred.  An old friendship was rekindled, unfinished plans were put back into motion to complete that solo album, and the future seemed bright and purple.


On the morning of April 21st 2016, all of this changed.  The unexpected and untimely death of Prince sent the world into shock.  Behind the scenes - the impact felt by his close friends and associates has been suffocating and devastating.  One man single-handedly started a musical revolution and gathered some of the greatest musicians of our time to his purple family.  A world without Prince seems unimaginable and yet, for my part, I am ready to carry on some of that legacy.  With the help of you, the fans, I can complete this project his untimely death put a hold on.


Combining the earthy elements of my 2011 release "A Capella" with some of the soul-pop sensibility of the Vanity/Apollonia material - this new forthcoming solo album, I believe, will have made Prince proud.  From the response of so many fans in the social media engines to those I had the pleasure of speaking with directly at the tribute shows to Prince at First Avenue in Minneapolis the consensus was all the same...."When are we going to hear more music from Brenda!?!?!?!"


I have a modest goal I am trying to achieve for the cost and expenses of this project in the amount of $7,000.00.  Please understand...the more money I am able to raise, the more music I will be able to give you on this disc.  For those of you willing to be a part of this in support and contribute to my fund, I am offering a number of incentives for your pleasure and for the benefit of this project.


I have been blessed with the gift of a voice and I would like to "Once Again" share it with you.

INCENTIVES:

$50.00 or more -
Will ship to anywhere in the world

Free copy of pre-released disc of "Once Again" with limited edition poster by famed rock music legends artist Cynthia Blair (http://www.cynthiablair.com).  This picture poster is a one-time item exclusive for those of you contributing and will not be seen anywhere else.

$150.00 - 
Will ship to anywhere in the world

The first 3 people to donate $150.00 will receive a
4" X 6" early black & white promo photo of Vanity 6 laminated with autographs on back including 2" button pin of rare promo shot.  Also included is a signed copy of the new disc, "Once Again".

$250.00 -
Will ship to anywhere in the world

A signed copy of the new disc,  "Once Again" with your name and special thanks on the liner notes. 

$300.00 - 
Will ship to anywhere in the world

The first 2 people to contribute $300.00 will receive a rare 26 1/2" X 16 3/4" promo poster  made for the Latino market for the single "Sex Shooter" along with a signed copy of  the new disc, "Once Again"

$350.00 - 
Will ship to anywhere in the world

The first 2 people to contribute $350.00 will receive a 4" X 6" black & white promo photo of Vanity 6 laminated with autographs on the back - a Vanity 6 lipstick pin in original packaging and a Vanity 6 fabric sew-on badge and a signed copy of  the new disc, "Once Again".

$400.00 - 
Will ship to anywhere in the world

The first person to contribute $400.00 will receive a 45 rpm record of  the single "Blue Limosuine" on the A side and "Some Kind of Lover" on the B side.  Rare release of 2 Brenda Bennett songs from the Warner Bros. platinum album, "Sex Shooter" by Apollonia 6 along with a signed copy of the new disc, "Once Again".

$450.00 -
Will ship to anywhere in the world

The first 3 people to contribute $450.00 will receive a 33 1/3 rpm record of the song "Sex Shooter" by Apollonia 6.  It has the album version as well as an extended dance version.  They will also receive a signed copy of the new disc, "Once Again".

$500.00 - 
WIll ship to anywhere in the world

The first person to contribute $500.00 will receive this 1984 - 45 rpm record of Prince's "When Dove's Cry" on the A side and with the rare Prince and Brenda Bennett recorded version of "17 Days" on the B side along with a signed copy of the new disc, "Once Again".

$500.00 - 
Will ship to anywhere in the world

The first person to contribute $500.00 will receive this 1984 - 45 rpm record - collectors edition - of Prince's "God" on the A side and with "Purple Rain" on the B side showing purple rain ralling along with a signed copy of the new disc, "Once Again".

$500.00 - 
Will ship anywhere in the world

The first person to contribute $500.00 will receive this 1987 - 45 rpm record of Prince's "You Got the Look" on the A side with "Housequake" on the B side.  This is on the early Paisely Park Records Label.  You will also receive a signed copy of the new disc, "Once Again".

$600.00 - 
Will ship anywhere in the world

The first person to contribute $600.00 will receive this floor length duster robe of black velvet and faux fur at color and cuffs.  Exclusive to promotion photos for my first solo album release of "A Capella".  Size:  Medium.  You will also receive a signed copy of the new disc, "Once Again".

$1, 000.00 or more - 

Your name listed on the CD cover as executive producer. along with a signed copy of the new disc, "Once Again" and  a "Once Again" t-shirt.

ALL OF THE MEMORBILIA ITEMS ARE ORIGINAL

I will do my best to keep you all informed along the way posting progress reports as I proceed with the recordings.

Estimated delivery of the "Once Again" CD - 
October 2017

I want to thank Cynthia Blair and Noreen Berthiaume for the fabulous photos and Jeremy Gloff for your assistance in compiling this campaign.