An interview with Barbara TUCKER featuring the BCREW (1 in Music)

1 In Music e-meets Barbara Tucker and the BCREW for a tête-à-tête with this powerhouse female group putting the Gospel in House Music.

[This interview was first published in October 2022]

What made you decide to join the BCREW and what would you like to see in the future for THE BCREW?

BARBARA TUCKER: The BCREW is an acronym for Barbara’s crew. Singers that I jam with. I love harmonies and the sisterhood of a harmonic sound with awesome singers. ❤️, The future that I would love to see for the BCREW. Festivals concert. People feeling Awakenings of love and power. & More recordings

DAWN TALLMAN: These ladies are my sisters whom I love & love to sing with, so it was a no brainier. It’s an honor to be a part of this sisterhood. “I see us touring & recording more. Spreading love to the world. I’m truly excited about what God is going to do for us.”

CHARLOTTE SMALL: Where I am in my life now, I think the BCREW is a sisterhood for me. There are all types of music in this world, but a lot of music today is not positive and uplifting. The BCREW strives to bring a positive message to the world and that is something that matters to me. That’s why I am here. My Dream for the BCREW is whatever God has planned for us. I trust in the Lord, and I know that Great Things are in store for the BCREW.

MITCH MATLOCK: I loved the BCrew because my friends were in it and some of us always sang BGV’s together. Being a part of the BCrew to Me is like a natural progression of what we have been doing for so many years already. I would like to see the BCrew Blow ALL THE WAY UP!!! All we need is a certified Billboard #1 hit-Calvin Harris, David Morales, Tiesto, …. yes, I love Soulful House and Traxsource, However, I’d like to see the BCrew expand beyond.

The BCREW’s music

1 In Music: What is unique about you and your music?

The BCREW: THE BCREW is a group of Solo Singers that decided to get together with the direction of Barbara Tucker to spread the Gospel through House Music.

1 In Music: What or who shaped your music and who supports you?

The BCREW : THE BCREW has been shaped from all types of music like Gospel, R&B, Classical, House etc. The world supports our music.

1 In Music: When did you realise you were going to make music professionally?

BARBARA TUCKER: I’m still wondering. … lol

MITCH MATLOCK: I always knew I’d be a singer. I was in a hip hop group rapping and even though I had verse to “spit”. I was the one who had to sing the hooks. I didn’t really have any confidence back then, so I started taking vocal lessons. My first professional gig was for a house artist named Lenny Walker. Because of my training I wound up arranging his background vocals both in the studio and on stage. That was the battery in my back. After Lenny Walker it was Faith Evans, then MJB…the rest as they say is history

DAWN TALLMAN: I realized at 5 years old as I sang my very first solo in church. While I was singing, I looked out into the congregation and saw happiness, tears & smiles. I knew I wanted to make music for the rest of my life.”

CHARLOTTE SMALL: I realized that I wanted to be a professional musician at a young age because that was the thing that made me most happy. Whether it was playing violin, singing, and especially now teaching. I enjoy what I do and am grateful to God that I am helping to teach and train the younger up and coming professional musicians.

Your type of music

1 In Music: What type of music do you listen to?

BARBARA TUCKER: I like gospel, hymns, neo soul and house authentic house

DAWN TALLMAN: “I listen to all types of music. My playlist is very eclectic. It ranges from gospel to hiphop & anything else in between.”

CHARLOTTE SMALL: I listen to all types of music. Most of all I love orchestral music.

MITCH MATLOCK: I listen to Gospel, RnB, Hip Hop and Jazz mostly. I do listen to opera
occasionally if during my scan of stations, a voice strikes me.

1 In Music: Who, to you, is the most undervalued music artist?: 

BARBARA TUCKER: Not sure …. When u see how the industry is played … you see who and why … if that makes since.

DAWN TALLMAN: “I’ve never really looked at any artist as ‘undervalued’ “

MITCH MATLOCK: I believe there are a lot of artists who are undervalued. I have a whole list: David Hollister, Aaron Hall, Case, Christopher Williams, Donnell Jones and a whole host of others.

CHARLOTTE SMALL: I can’t answer that question honestly. In my opinion there are so many undervalued music artists.

Your Ways

1 In Music: How do you prepare for your performances?

BARBARA TUCKER: For me, rest is very important before a show. I would also do a workout and have some fresh ginger tea with Manuka honey. And meditate alone before I go on.

DAWN TALLMAN: “When preparing for a performance, I always make sure to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, practice & pray that God flows through me to bless the people I am singing to.

MITCH MATLOCK: I listen to the music and be quiet – drink tea, do my makeup, stress about whether I look fat, then go kill it.

CHARLOTTE SMALL: Practice, Practice, and practice again. Repetition in my opinion works

1 In Music: What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?: 

BARBARA TUCKER: When I’m not doing music I love to write. I love tai chi. I work on my book as well

DAWN TALLMAN: Truth is My whole life revolves around music, but when I’m not doing music, I am with my children & my family. I am very passionate about my family.”

CHARLOTTE SMALL: I like the read and meditate on God’s word. That helps me in every aspect of my life.

MITCH MATLOCK: I’m a secretary in a school – I love working as opposed to not knowing how my rent will be paid. I am also a choir director, and a preacher. I Love Ministry. Outreach, Deliverance, Soul Reaching, Prayer and Fasting – I am passionate about church, yes, I am the church – but getting to the church house makes my week complete and begins it as well.

1 In Music: Success to you is…?

BARBARA TUCKER: In music, success to me is being able to sustain yourself with the gift the Creator gave you and people getting the message I’m expressing.

DAWN TALLMAN: Success to me is being able to do what you love & are called to do. It’s not about the ‘lights camera action’ it’s about what you do after you get off the stage.

CHARLOTTE SMALL: Success to me is when I have worked hard, and I achieved the goals that I have set for myself. However, I believe that every day I am learning and am faced with new goals.

MITCH MATLOCK: Success to Me is being happy with what you are doing at any given moment.

1 In Music: What do you wish you were told when you started out and that you think would help anyone who starts out?: PUT GOD FIRST!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you ladies!

1 In Music: Any upcoming projects?

The BCREW: We currently have a song out on Quantize Recordings called ‘Party Thang’ & an upcoming EP on the way!!”

1 In Music: Thank you so much for your time, ladies. One last question. Where can we find you music?

The BCREW: You will be able to find us on all platforms, Itunes, Traxsource, You Tube, Facebook, etc. In the meantime, for all other questions and bookings contact our manager James Germany at*******@gm***.com or 917-295-8595

More about The BCREW

The Bcrew was founded in 1997 by Barbara Tucker under the direction of Gladys Pizarro. The group consisted of Barbara Tucker, Dajae, Mone and newly signed artist Ultra Nate. They released on Strictly Rhythm Records Partay Feeling Produced by Erick Morillo and written by Barbara Tucker. The song had much success and the girls traveled all over Europe Performing at venues such as The Ministry of Sounds and more. The girls went on to continue their solo careers. In the early 2000’s Barbara decided to revamp the Bcrew with some new singers with a different sound. The girls included, Dawn Tallman, Sabrynaah Pope and Charlotte Smalls. They recorded a banging track produced by Dj Pierre entitled Peacemaker for Tony Humphries label Yellow Orange Records. A year later Sabrynaah Pope passed away, a sad time for the group. The BCrew continued in between their own solo projects to perform. Fast forward to 2021 the Bcrew has teamed up again working on a EP under Barbara Tucker’s Record Label BStar Music Group. The members now are Barbara Tucker, Dawn Tallman, Mitch Matlock and Charlotte Smalls. These Divas are ready to give you some new music and great vocals and will be working with the likes of Dj Spen, Jose Burgos, Neil Pierce, Georgie Porgie, Eric Kupper, Terry Hunter, Michael Gray, Michele Chiavarini, Micky More and Andy Tee. And some of the writers for the project will be Barbara Tucker, Kenny Bobien and Duane Harden. The project will be Executive Produced by James Germany (Atwork Entertainment and Barbara Tucker (BStar Music Group). Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready. The mission of The BCrew is to touch, move and inspire globally of unity, hope and togetherness, always a song of love in the heart and out of the voice to THE WORLD.