“State of Affairz is a group that developed from the group called Mirage, with new members in 1989, and performed for private events and clubs, such as Whitten’s and Bill Dotson’s. Later they performed at Artscape, the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, The Kunta Kinte Heritage Fest, and the Carter Barron Amphitheater.” Joe Thomas, Jr.
Members included Ronnie Mariano (guitar), Charles Curtis (bass, vocals), Walter Porter or Bobby Rucks (keyboards, vocals), Joe Thomas, Jr. (saxophone, keyboards, vocals), Russell Hayward (drums), Mason Guthrie (percussion, vocals), and Nova Thomas (lead vocals). In 1997 they added vocalist Myron Cooper.
and in center Nova Thomas. Courtesy of Joe Thomas, Jr.
The group played college frats, civic organizations, private affairs, festivals, and clubs.
Their song “Surrender Your Love” took first place in R&B/Urban category of 1993 Mid-Atlantic song contest.
Members went on to play with Charles ‘Big Daddy’ Stallings & his Blues Evolution band.
Thanks, Joe Thomas, Jr.
