My Father is the Great Robert J. Troutt aka Pastor Bob,
He was born in Okmulgee, Oaklahoma in 1936 and came to San Francisco California during the early 1940's. His first vocal recital was held at the San Francisco Opera House on Van ness.
"I sang cool clear waters by "The Sons of the Pioneers" says Troutt when I asked him about his first music performance. "It was a country western song, I was about 8 years old then". As a youth he took private piano lessons and sang in the choir at El Bethal Baptist Church in San Francisco. He attended Mission Jr. High School where he and some friends formed a vocal group called "The five Shades" he said they used to sing at parties and at the local recreation center for fun.
Later on down the line as a young adult he entered the service and became a member of The El Dimingo's. The El Dimingo's was a R&B pop group, they recorded thier first album called "I'm not kidding you" in 1957 followed by "Evening Bell" which was a minor hit in the SF Bay Area. The El Dimingo's toured Northern California with James Brown, Lou Rawls, Faye Carol, Eddie Foster, Johnny Talbot and many more.
Troutt was apart of many other bands ("The Mystics"1958) and groups, to get his name out there and to make extra money he also acted as a background singer for "Mary Handy and the Butterfly's" along with the "Sputnicks" from Los Angels.
During 1959-1971 he joined up with a group called "Chain Reaction" I can remember hearing them as a child thinking it was the radio. Chain Reaction toured Northern California and made it onto the Billboard top 40 chart with their hit song "Lady in Red" on fish records. I'm not sure why they broke up or why they stop singing. From listening to my faither I think the members of the band just had different goals. My dad says "I sang to feed my family, I wasn't into dope and being star. We loved good music and making people feel good, but in the end as a group we didn't have the same priorities". Chain Reaction was: Robert Troutt, Lawrence Thompson, Curtis Stanton and Charles Harris.
Last year I put together a surprise birthday studio recording for my father. He sang & recorded a few jazz tunes (summertime and that ole blk magic are on the play list above). He claims to not want to sing anymore, but I know that's not true. My father is an amazing soul.
His main thing these days is doing outreach on the streets working with people who are dealing with the realities of drug abuse, homelessness and hunger. You can find him weekly driving through the streets of the SF East Bay visiting with folks and dropping off goods ( food, clothing, furniture, bibles, job apps and toys etc...) to people in need.
(If your interested in volunteering with his minstry just send a message about yourself and what your outreach interest are)
THe CD that my father recorded will be released Next Year Feb 2008. A portion of the proceeds made will go to his street ministries helping to end poverty.
If you like his music, please show him some love by leaving a message or comment. Thanks for visiting with us.
God Bless,
Valerie Troutt
You can visit Pastor Bob every 1st 3rd and 5th Sunday 11am-3pm at
New Fellowship Community Church
1608 Webster St @ 17th
Oakland, Calilfornia 94612
Slamming Free soulfood dinner every 1st Sunday.
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