Pullman Porters Bio
Pullman Porters is a soulful singing duo comprised of twin brothers Todd and Troy Garner, who were born into a musical community. Their father Emmett Garner Jr., was the top R&B promoter in Chicago who became vice president of Curtis Mayfield's Curtom Records. The Garner brothers were provided with an environment that molded their aspirations toward music and the arts.
Todd and Troy left the South Side with their mother at the age of seven and moved to Los Angeles, where they later graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the arts (LACHSA). Their musical talents did not go unnoticed, and they soon found themselves at the side of Lenny Kravitz, who led them around the world singing backup vocals on his "Circus" world tour.
In the wake of this life-changing experience, the Garners began writing their own songs and formed the band The Seven's Door, which later landed them a recording contract with Capitol Records. Even without an album release, the label's confidence in the group gave them the push to form their rock band, The Seventh Hour. Their eponymous first album, a unique blend of rock, R&B, metal, soul, and funk was released independently on Stone Cold Records.
Established in 2014, the Pullman Porters project is a tribute to the Garners’ roots and their father's influence and love of soul and R&B. The brothers’ heroes include Jimi Hendrix, Anthony Hamilton, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, Teddy Pendergrass, Donny Hathaway, and Gregory Porter.
In 2015, Pullman Porters collaborated with Brazilian House artist DJ G on their upcoming House EP titled "Don't Speak," which is slated for a Summer 2018 release. In 2017, they released their debut R&B single, "That's What They Say," which is now available worldwide through their indie label Stone Cold Records. Pullman Porters garnered the attention of iHeart radio, which featured the twin duo during the months of April and June of 2017 on 19 stations. Todd and Troy's side projects have included singing backing vocals with the touring band of EDM soul artist Pretty Sister, as well as singing alongside country recording artist Boo Ray on his two albums.
In honor of their Chicago roots, Pullman Porters has officially partnered with the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porters Museum. The national archive honors the Pullman Porters, a workforce that was the catalyst in the development of the African American middle class. Dr. Lyn Hughes, the museum's founder and president, was impressed with the brothers' family history and their talent, and personally approved the use of "Pullman Porters" as the name of their duo.
The Garner brothers want to help promote awareness about the history of the Pullman Porters and raise money for the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. Naming their musical project in honor of the Pullman Porters and using music as a platform is a great way to accomplish this goal. This is Todd and Troy’s personal dedication to their beloved home city and what makes it unique.