Soloists
Dawn Boyer
Dawn Boyer grew up in her father's native North Carolina, where she first heard Southern Baptist gospel choirs and developed a deep reverence and respect for the music. She's heavily influenced by Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Marion Williams. Known as a soulful "shouter" as well as a singer of quiet, deep, warm resonance, she puts all of her heart and life experience into any song she sings. Her adult background is steeped in blues, soul, and R&B, and she has performed for audiences across the nation, singing with James Montgomery, Luther Guitar Junior Johnson, and Pinetop Perkins, to name a few. Her dynamic voice is both powerful and moving, but the emotion she gives to a song and to audiences is even more so. As Deacon Randy Green of Boston's legendary Silverleaf Gospel Singers stated, "You can't fake where gospel comes from, and she's the real thing. That girl can sing!"
In addition to performing with Rock My Soul, Dawn sings on her own and with acclaimed acoustic guitarist Brett Hartenbach. She has recorded with the San Francisco-based Soul Proprietors, recently released a CD of Christmas songs, and is currently at work on another solo CD project.
Chester Buckley
Chester Buckley has sung in gospel choirs most of his life, and his powerful, rich voice never fails to move audiences. Originally from Mississippi, Buckley's family moved to Detroit and then finally to New England. It was in Kittery, Maine, that he heard Rock My Soul perform as a warm-up act for his sister, the seacoast singer Lillian Buckley, and he joined the choir soon thereafter. When Chester sings, you can’t help but sit up and take notice, and "spellbinding" is the word many use to describe his performances.
Mary Kull
A dynamic and versatile singer, Mary Kull has performed with a variety of bands and artists nationwide. In addition to her role as a soloist with Rock My Soul, she has performed as lead vocalist for several original projects, a hip hop artist, and various jazz and dance bands. Mary’s studio work includes 2 demos featuring all original material, album back-up vocals, and commercial voice-overs. Her live recordings include Clear Channel's Instant Live at the Paradise Lounge in Boston. Live Radio performances include Bozeman, Montana's KGLT 91.9 and Portsmouth, New Hampshire's WSCA 106.1. Mary recently recorded a 3-song demo and plans to record an album in the coming year.
Carolyn Morse-Finn
At the age of 18, Carolyn Morse-Finn sang throughout Europe to audiences in the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and, finally, Spain, where she stayed for 7 years. There, she managed a quintet in Madrid and did a TV appearance and several radio shows. She was invited to make a demo in London, then spent two years in Iran and Turkey, where daytime volunteer work brought her to orphanages and hospitals. She not only lifted children from their cribs and beds but lifted their spirits with music and laughter. Upon returning to the US, she sang as part of choirs and folk groups, always with a love for gospel music. She is one of the original members of Rock My Soul.
Mark Weaver
Mark Weaver grew up singing in church choirs in New Hampshire. In college, he sang barbershop with the Bates College "Deansmen." He also sang in the Bates College choir, and played his guitar and sang in local pubs. A member of the Greenand Community Church Choir, and regular soloist with that church, Mark joined Rock My Soul in April 2006, and his deep bass voice quickly earned him a spot as soloist there, too.?
Janice Rawlings Yancy
Janice has been classically trained as a vocalist and pianist for most of her life. She sings as a soloist for various church services, and has sung in classical and church choirs. Gospel is new to her, and she's having a great time exploring new techniques and learning abou this very special form of music.
