THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 18, 1995 TAG: 9509160064
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICKEY WRIGHT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
FROM KARAOKE TO Grammy in less than two years is the sort of Cinderella story All-4-One sing of in their current hit romancer, ``I Can Love You Like That.''
It's also a dream that happens to be true in the case of the multiracial vocal quartet. They'll play at Little Creek Amphibious Base Wednesday evening.
``I moved out to California,'' 24-year-old group member Delious Kennedy said over the phone last month from Atlantic Records' New York offices, ``and hit every talent show there was.''
Kennedy, who uses his first name only professionally, recounted the events following his hooking up with Tony Borowiak, Jamie Jones and Alfred Nevarez, ending with a matter-of-fact ``. . . and the rest is history.''
History that was preceded by his leaving the family home in Chesapeake, where they remained following his father's retirement from the Air Force. Before All-4-One could come into being, land their version of ``I Swear'' atop the Billboard Hot 100 for 11 weeks and win a Grammy for the single, Delious Kennedy had to lie to his mother.
``My mama cried, but I told her, `I have to go.' It's just something you have to do.''
He laughs, recalling his daring.
``I told 'em I had $2,000, but I really only had about $900. And rent is $600. Rent is expensive in California, so it was $625 for a one-bedroom. And no health insurance. I had to worry - `What if there was an accident?' - but I had to do it.''
Since then, All-4-One has become the kind of worldwide success story its packagers no doubt hoped for. Representative of a certain '90s-style adult-contemporary eclecticism - both ``I Swear'' and ``I Can Love You'' have also been hits for country star John Michael Montgomery - the outfit's polite harmonies and sentiments have also hit big in England, Japan, France, Germany, Australia and South Korea.
There's always time to sing, though. And not for these guys any measure of stage fright, not even at the Grammys.
``I was excited,'' said Kennedy. ``I couldn't believe we were up there. You look out, and there are all those people you recognize.''
``No, I don't really get nervous anymore. Once you've sung something a lot, which believe me, `I Swear,' we've sung a lot, it's not a big deal. I think our rehearsal is more like, `Let's correct this part.' ''
With two albums and incessant touring behind them, there's not much of that, either.
``On the first album, we had just gotten together, and we were still learning about each other. Now, we pretty much know what the others are going to do, so we can try anything and everyone is right there.''
As is the formula, which remains intact on the most recent All-4-One recording, ``And the Music Speaks,'' right down to another Montgomery song and an old doo-wopper, the Dubs' ``Could This Be Magic.'' (Expect a little variation on the group's upcoming Christmas disc, which Kennedy describes as a mix of ``new and traditional songs with the All-4-One harmonies.'')
After this fall's tour, the four might actually have a party to celebrate the past couple of years' worth of achievements. Kennedy, though, couches the news in a typically laid-back manner.
``Oh, I don't know. I think we might take a break.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Butch Belaire
The member of All-4-One, clockwise from top left: Tony Borowiak,
Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy and Alfred Nevarez
by CNB