Musical Sisters Spread Gospel of Nonviolence

Like most teenagers, the Redick sisters love music. Whether it’s gospel, R & B or rap, the three girls from Lancaster listen to it, sing it, write it and lately, record it.

Unlike many teens, however, Elisha, 19, Latoya, 17, and Nyesha, 12, write and perform only inspirational music, or music with a positive message. What’s more, they’re putting their money where their mouth is.

“These are very talented girls who are also human beings,” said Warren Holden, head of Music Bi’ness Collective, a Hollywood record company. “They’re honor students who are committed to producing and singing songs with a nonviolent, positive message. They’re not just about making money, they believe in sharing it.”

The sisters, known in music circles as L.N.E., recently recorded “Stop the Violence,” a moving gospel song composed by Mt. Vernon Middle School history teacher Opal Jones. The Los Angeles teacher wrote the song last year after a colleague’s 7-year-old grandson was killed by a stray bullet during a gang battle at an Inglewood park.

“It’s so fantastic that the girls are singing this message to their peers, one that I hope will touch their hearts and change their mind-set,” Jones said.

All proceeds from the sale of the song will be donated to the families of the Columbine High School students who were killed in Littleton, Colo., last month, and to the Easter Seals Circle of Friends, an after-school program for at-risk inner-city children.

“We unconditionally agreed to do this, because from the first time we heard the song, we knew it was worthy, and I strongly approve of its message,” said Bill Redick, the girls’ father.

Latoya agreed. “When I’m down, music helps me, and I want to help people when they need it. We want to send a message to young people that they should take the right path in order to realize their dreams.”

Jones tapped the girls to record her song after hearing them perform last year at the Watts Summer Games at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

About six months ago, Redick and his daughters brought the recording to Holden. He joined forces with Rodney Trotter, a Tarwand Productions record producer, who professionally produced the song. They hope to release it next month.

“I was floored by it,” Trotter said of the Jones song. “The music is incredible, and the girls’ talent is, too. Right after I heard them, I signed them.”

The sisters have completed seven tracks for a premiere album for MBC/Tarwand. They also opened for gospel great Andre Crouch at a recent Easter Seals fund-raiser at B.B. King’s Blues Club at Universal CityWalk. The event raised $4,000 for Circle of Friends.

The sisters, who pen their own songs, said their desire to reach others stems from their warm, loving upbringing. Religion, strong values and a love of music are emphasized.

Bill Redick, a firefighter, and his wife, Mattie, an elementary schoolteacher, said they believe their children’s interest in music is a positive, creative outlet that keeps them busy and keeps them together.

“I wouldn’t do anything without my sisters,” Nyesha said.

“We get into arguments, like all sisters, but we try to let everyone have her say,” Latoya continued. “We’re there for each other.”

Elisha summed up their relationship: “In the end, it’s always back to ‘I love you.’ ”