Q + A: R&B vocal trio 4IIC

Backstage with ... 4IIC

Base  of operations  Hampton, Newport News

Style of music  R&B

Bio  Ron “RK” Pierce, Joe Shivers and Jerry Hairston make up the group 4IIC (four to see).

“We met at a place that used to do karaoke, a place called Crabbers over in Hampton. We all used to sing individually,” Pierce said.

That was nearly four years ago. Harmonizing as a quartet, originally, with former member Estte  Pierce, no relation to RK, they kept the name and, in May, released a 10-song CD of original music called “The Intro.” The trio was invited to perform at a Living Legends show in New York City in August. They arrived early and decided to visit the Apollo Theater, which was closed at the time. Stopping to talk with a security guard, they shared their story of why they were visiting the city and then asked the guard if he would give their demo material – CD and DVD – to whoever was in charge. Less than an hour later they received a call from the producer of Amateur Night.

They were invited to come back for an upcoming show but had to decline because of work obligations. The offer was extended, and in May, 4IIC performed “My Forever Love” by Levert on the legendary Harlem stage. They captured  third place  and were invited back for June’s Show Off competition. This time, they did not place.

On playing the Apollo

Pierce:  “It was humbling to just to be able to step on the stage of history. That’s how I looked at it. Before me, look at all the groups like Michael Jackson, Jackson 5 and James Brown and all the artists that came before us. It brought tears to my eyes – you could almost feel the energy up onstage. It’s amazing.”

Shivers: “Oh, my goodness. In my opinion there are no words to describe what that experience was like. It was overwhelming in a good way. As an aspiring performer, it was a dream come true.”

Hairston: “The experience was unbelievable. Just to be on that stage and on that level and thinking about all those that have preceded us as far as all the top-notch entertainers that have been on the stage before. It was just mind-boggling.”

See them perform  7 p.m. Friday at Fort Monroe in Hampton and 8 p.m. Sunday at 17th Street stage at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Website  www.4iic.com