Phillip Ingram

Phillip Ingram (born July 11, 1958) is an American vocalist & musician. He is perhaps best known as one of the founding members of the Motown Group "Switch" and is the younger brother of James Ingram. He was also a forming member of the R&B band Deco.

Biography

Ingram was raised in Akron, Ohio. He came from a musical family with six brothers and sisters who all sang and played instruments but only Phillip and his older brother, James, pursued a musical career.

In December 1976, the band Switch was formed with Phillip Ingram, Greg Williams, Jody Sims, Bobby DeBarge, Tommy DeBarge and Eddie Fluellen.

Switch was signed to the Gordy subsidiary of Motown Records in May 1977 and went on to record five albums for the label, with Ingram sharing lead vocal duties with Bobby DeBarge. Their first album went platinum with such hits as "They'll Never Be", "I Wanna Be Closer." Their second album went gold, which included "Best Beat in Town" and "I Call Your Name."

Starting in 1984, Ingram went behind the scenes writing for various artists and working with various artists, films and commercials.

He still sings and records for television and radio commercials, works on films, radio station IDs, and recordings. In addition, he is working on production of new and upcoming artists along with Rex Salas. He has toured with Sheena Easton and a new incarnation of Switch.

College voice instructor

Ingram was a faculty member at the California College of Music (CCM) in Pasadena, California, and taught vocal lessons twice a week with their Vocal Arts Program.

Personal life

Ingram has been married twice and lives with his second wife, Rebecca, in Reseda, California. Both are devout Jehovah's Witnesses, Ingram being an elder in his local congregation, as well as a pioneer, a person who devotes over 70 hours a month to the Jehovah's Witnesses evangelism.

Discography

Albums (as Hot Ice)

• 1978: Switch (Gordy)US No. 37, R&B No. 6

• 1981: This Is My Dream (Gordy) – U.S. No. 85, R&B No. 21

• 1981: Switch V (Gordy) – U.S. No. 174, R&B No. 48

• 1991: The Best of Switch (Motown)

• 1978: "There'll Never Be" – US No. 36, R&B No. 6

• 1979: "Calling On All Girls"

• 1979: "I Call Your Name" – U.S. No. 83, R&B No. 8

• 1980: "Don't Take My Love Away" – R&B No. 41

• 1981: "You And I" – R&B No. 57

• Back to School (1986)