Gwen Simmons

Gwen started her career in show business in New York City. She went to the city on a scholarship to work on her master’s degree in theatre arts, majoring in acting. After a few months of watching other show business people, she figured it would be easy for her to make quick money and be famous too. She made her way alone, to the Apollo Theater in Harlem, every Wednesday night for a talent show. For five consecutive weeks she won first place. This led to several shows with famous artists, and a recording contract. In stage life she learned the art of manipulating people’s emotions with music. In the night club on 44th street in NYC, she met Rick Shorter. Gwen was auditioning for a show at the club. He informed her that she could eliminate all the trouble of auditioning, and that he would get her on the show. He did, and from then on Rick managed her professional career. At that time, he had his own publishing house and recording company, managed five other musical rock groups, and was musical coordinator of the Broadway show “Hair.”