NILES — Eighty-three-year old Billy Shelton has seen a lot in his days as a performer with the R&B American doo-wop band, The Spaniels Forever.

The last of the original Spaniels, Shelton has sung on stages across the world to crowds of all sizes, listened to screaming fans and received praise from other notable singers, like Michael Jackson.

The band’s original members formed in 1948. Like many other African American singers, they dealt with racial discrimination ,like being forbidden to use a bathroom or eat at a restaurant during a tour. 

Shelton plans to share some of that history as he and The Spaniels Forever take to stages across Berrien and Cass counties in honor of Black History Month in February.

After seeing the group perform at his church for a Christmas concert, the Rev. Jeff Whittaker, with Michiana Christian Embassy, said he approached the band and asked them to share their music with local schools. The Spaniels Forever agreed to do more. 

“[Shelton] plans to share stories about some of the discrimination he experienced, as well as growing up as a singer,” Whittaker said. “Billy’s stories and history should really be fuel for your future.”

Shelton and the Spaniels Forever, whose members includes Hiawatha Burnett, Parnell Davis and Patrick Pitre, will perform at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Brandywine High School; 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Southwestern Michigan College’s Dowagiac campus; and 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at Edwardsburg High School. 

The performance at Southwestern Michigan College is free and open to the public to attend.

Whittaker praised The Spaniels Forever for always wanting to share the joy of music. The band will be performing for the schools free of charge, an act of kindness that The Spaniels Forever have often displayed to audiences across their fan base.

“We are very, very grateful,” Whittaker said. “They came because they want to help the kids. The schools were really excited to hear that we could do this.”

Whittaker credited Shelton’s ability as a passionate musician and storyteller. Shelton began singing at 3 years old.

In an earlier interview with The Daily Star, Shelton recalled how his family used to live above a bar. After some bar patrons heard him singing one night, Shelton started sneaking down to perform to earn extra money.

Shelton first joined Pookie Hudson and Calvin Fossett to form The Spaniels in 1948.

Since then, Shelton’s fan base has only grown. Shelton’s history includes meeting with music legends like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole. 

In addition to listening to a living legend speak on Black History, Whittaker said he hopes that students walk away with a sense of appreciation for a new style of music. Whittaker hopes even students who are not familiar with doo-wop will enjoy the concerts, he said.

The Spaniels are perhaps most known for their song “Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite.” The song was a mid-1950s hit, and is heard on the soundtrack of the movie “American Graffiti.” The band has also been inducted into the Rhythm and Blues, and Doo-Wop halls of fame.

The group is known for their performances across the Michiana, from free church concerts to singing for a group of hospice patients. Whittaker said this giving spirit is a continued inspiration.

“Billy has a tremendous heart for kids and passing things along to the next generation,” Whittaker said.