Tessie Porter
Tessie Porter
Destined to sing, she started performing for ice cream at the age of three in local venues with her mother and father.At the age of fifteen. Tessie organized her firs group entitled “Ambition Band”, together they performed in local venues, talent shows and more. With this tun-of-event she received her notoriety as a contestant on “THE GONG SHOW” in Miami winning first place and being recognized by one of the judges David Hudson. “The Honey Man”, whom would eventually invite her as his background singer for his international tour. She was introduced to T.K Productions where she recorded her first single entitled “If It Was Me”. The T.K. Family consist of CEO Henry Stone, Betty Wright, Clarence Reid, Willie Clarke and a host of others. In the early 80’s, Tessie recorded her first gospel single called “Be Prepared” with the group The Understand Marksman Singers from the project “Who” produced by Jerome Vickers, Larry Collier and Ronnie Collier.Tessie’s achievements led her to the “Top 40” moiety of apparatus rooms such as Blue Martini, Mangos, O’Harris, Christopher, Ritz Carlton, The W Hotel, The Breakers Hotel and many other venues from Key West to Palm Beach. She was a constant on the national television show “BIG BREAK” hosted by Natalie Cole where she won first place. While attending an event, Tessie was introduced to Michael Sterling by a mutual friend. Michael Sterling produced and wrote her debut single entitled “Heat” released from the album “Self” that was played in heavy rotation by radio stations Hot 105 and WEDR 99 JAMZ. Tessie became Arista international recording artist Blu Cantrell’s background singer which handed here international exposure performing on the Jay Leno Tonight Show and 106 & Park. On her musical journey, Tessie was blessed to grace the stage with Jamaican legend Willie Stewart, former drummer for Third World on his “Rhythms of Africa Tour”. She had the wonderful experience of meeting Richard Roundtree and Fred Williamson while performing at the Nation Golf Association in West Palm Beach. In addition to her journey, Tessie was called Miss Ann Klien, the talent agent at the time for the Miami Heat to perform “America The Beautiful” at their pre season game. Her career has taken her on numerous shows nationally and internationally. In 2006, her acting debut would be seen in a theatrical gospel play “Family Matters” at Cooper Temple Upper Room Ministry. In 2008, she received a call back after auditioning for a potential television series by Malik Yoba of “New York Undercover”. In 2015, she was blessed to grace the stage once again in another theatrical gospel play “Family Divided”. Tessie is on of the featured lead singers with the “Ladies of Soul” an R&B, Pop, Jazz & Gospel group out of Miami Florida. She is currently and continuously blessing her audiences with her soulful voice and her tremendous acting craft and believes it is important to give back to others by imparting her knowledge and experiences of singing and writing with the understanding of musical industry to those wanting to hone their craft.