Waterford, Mi.

248-318-2870
reedmusic@yahoo.com

In 1960, after dancing to the tunes of Marv Johnson (they later became friends and toured in Europe) Frances came to Detroit in hopes of joining the Motown roster of artists soon destined to become mega stars. She found it difficult to get an audition with this record label but she was persistent. In 1965, her persistence paid off. Frances told her husband, "I'm entering the WCHB Talent Show and I'm going to win." His response was "Nobody wants to sign a 22 year old with 2 babies." Frances replied "You're going to eat those words!"
And eat those words he did! In June 1965 Frances came in 1st place out of 5,000 contestants singing her own rendition of The Shirelles "Everybody Love a Lover". Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, was a judge and co-sponsored the contest. Frances won $500.00, a dozen long stemmed roses and a one year recording contract with Motown. She was awarded the prestigious honor of becoming the first female artist on the Motown Soul Label.
Frances recorded "Keep On Loving Me"/ "Fight Fire With Fire" which was released 2 days before her 23rd birthday. It was reported that the record sold 10,000 copies on it's own merit, although it was never promoted by the label, even though WCHB announced that the release being played was by contest winner Frances Nero every 1-1/2 hours.

After three years, because of the lack of promotion, Frances asked to be released from her Motown contract. Originally a jazz singer, Frances was not permitted to perform in local clubs due to contract stipulations disallowing her to work for anyone else although she did appear on several local Detroit television programs. Canadian television "Swinging Time" with host Robin Seymour gave "Keep On Loving Me" promise when the song was picked four days in a row by their panel of judges - unfortunately losing out to Gary U.S. Bonds