Draft:Rickie Byars

Rickie Byars is an American gospel singer from North Carolina, who recorded under the names Chemise, and by married names such as Rickie Byars Beckwith and Rickie Byars Muldrow. She is the mother of Georgia Anne Muldrow and ex-wife of Ronald Muldrow.

Biography
Born in North Carolina, Byars studied with choir directors in segregated churches. She received an scholarship to several colleges based on the East Coast. She rejected other offers, relocated to Atlanta, and began attending Morris Brown College and studied composition. She later moved to New York and became a background vocalist and one of the top jazz musicians there. By 1980, she relocated to Los Angeles. Together with her husband, Ronald Muldrow, she began using the name "Chemise" and had a Top 40 hit with "She Can't Love You", written by Byars and Muldrow. The song peaked at No. 39 on the dance charts. She also married Muldrow and together they have a daughter, Georgia Muldrow. Later on, she was invited by her future husband and songwriting partner Michael Beckwith to form a choir.