Hall of Fame — American Van Lines

John Secada

After watching a sensational performance by Jon Secada, you may regard him as simply a great singer, but there is so much more to this Cuban-American song bird than the eye can see. Secada delved into his love of music full force, earning a BA in music and a Master’s degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from the University of Miami. Secada went on to sing with and write for some of the greatest names in music today such as Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Rickey Martin and many others.

In 1991 he debuted his first solo album self-titled Jon Secada. The album went triple platinum in the United States and went on to sell over six million copies worldwide. He is also a two-time Grammy Award winner.

Although his music meant the world to him, the world meant more. Secada is an avid contributor to charities that support children, education, and AIDS. He’s actively involved in an array of community service programs that help underprivileged people around the world. Possibly one of his highest honors granted by former President George W. Bush is serving on the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

Secada continues his activism and enjoys his accomplishments with his wife Maritere Vilar and their two children Mikaela and Jon Henri.

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Dwayne Wade

Dwayne Wade has played for the Miami Heat since 2003 and currently averages 26 points per game. He brought Miami to the NBA Championship in 2006 and was also named MVP that year. In 2010 he was named NBA’s All-Star Game MVP.

With a number of honors and accolades under his belt, it’s impossible to distinguish the most impressive, but it may very well be his work off the court that puts Wade in a league of his own. Recognized for his generosity and philanthropic endeavors, Wade has gone above the call of duty spearheading and actively participating in a number of charities and initiatives since the start of his career.

This stellar athlete is a vital member of the Miami Heat and an asset to the lives of thousands of people he impacts regularly. Dwayne Wade has proven to be an individual whose potential knows no bounds.

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Aaron Carter

You may remember Aaron Carter as the child star that stepped onto the music scene as a preteen. Younger brother to Nick Carter, member of the boy band, Backstreet Boys, Aaron got his shot at stratum opening up for the band in Berlin. After a stellar performance of Crush on You”, Carter was offered a recording contract later on that same year. This marked the start to a string of successful international and U.S. shows and four studio albums, two of which has gone platinum.

The talented artist enjoyed a flourishing music career for most of his teenage years and decided to added actor to his repertoire, where he also found much acclaim. Guest appearances on hit shows like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Lizzie McGuire and 7th Heaven gave Carter the notoriety he needed to land himself his own show. In 2006, House of Carters aired on E! The reality show highlighted the life and daily events of him and his siblings.

Now 23, Carter continues to pursue his music and performing around the country. His next album is set to release in 2011.

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Chayanne

It’s hard to speak of Latin pop music, without mentioning Chayanne. Going exactly where his passion led him, Chayanne knew he wanted to be singer at a very young age. Barely a teenager, he auditioned for the group Menudo, but was turned down for being too young. Luckily, he was just right for Los Chicos, a group he went on to make several hits with including “Ave Maria” and “Puerto Rico Los Chico”.

When the team spilt up in the mid 1980s Chayane did not lose momentum. Instead he pushed forward with even more resolve to earn a recording contract with RCA Ariola, with whom he released his first solo album, Chayanne es mi Nombre. Also noted on the small and
big screens, the pop singer lays claim to a number of soap opera roles and sitcom appearances.

After nearly three decades in the music industry, Chayanne has gone on to release a remarkable 21 albums with astonishing sales of over 20 million copies total.

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Maurice Gibb

The Bee Gees rose to fame in the late 70s and remained in the top spot in popular music for the next forty years. The band consisted of three members who were all brothers: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. The Bee Gees are irrefutably one of the most successful bands of all times. They stamped the disco era with a signature sound that included number one hits like “How Deep Is Your Love”. Their ability to consistently reinvent themselves and provide at least one number one single from the 60s all the way to the new millennium is truly impressive.

Mainly a background vocalist and songwriter for the band, Maurice Gibb had much to do with the sound and the emotion behind their music. In large part Maurice laid the foundation for that feel-good sound that is exclusive to the trio. He was primarily a bass player, but a versatile musician that also played the guitar, piano, organ, drum and the Mellotron.

Maurice was known for his comedic personality, keeping his brothers on their toes with practical jokes from childhood throughout their adult lives. After his twin brother Robin split from the group in 1969, Maurice went on to make music with older brother Barry. The brothers eventually settled their differences and reunited to sell an estimated $220 million in record sales over the span of their career.

Maurice died in 2003 from Volvulus, complications that cause the twisting of internal intestines. Maurice is survived by wife Yvonne and two children Adam and Samantha.

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Qadry “The Missile” Ismail

“The Missile”, as Qadry is best known had a long standing football career with many highlights and accomplishments to speak of. The most notable is his championship win over the New York Giants when he played as a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. Earning All-American in 1991 and the All-Big East First Team wide receiver title in college set the stage for “The Missile” to launch a successful career with the Minnesota Vikings after graduating from Syracuse University in 1992. Ismail went on to play for the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts over the span of his ten year career. Ismail comes from a family of professional athletes. His older brother Raghib “The Rocket” and younger sibling, Sulaiman “The Bomb” were also
professional NFL players. Today, Qadry Ismail is a proud husband and father of three. He continues his work in the sports field as an NFL
analyst on ESPEN News and as a track and field coach at Paterson Hill high school in Bel-Air, Maryland.

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Morris Day

Morris Day may be best known as the lead singer in The Time, an R&B band that emerged in the mid 1980s. Thirty years after solidifying his place in R&B history, Day has not bothered to slow down at all. His most recent appearances include a 2008 Grammy performance with former band mates and pop music sensation, Rihanna. He’s made a number of film and television appearances since his heyday, which included a role in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, TV shows like Moesha, Eve, and New Attitude.

Day began his musical career in a high school band playing along side soon-to-be music and entertainment icon, Prince. He went on to have a great working relationship with Prince that would open many doors of opportunity for him. Day played the role of Prince’s rival in the classic Purple Rain. This is where Morris gained his lady–lover persona.

Morris Day continues to pursue his passion for music as the band leader on television talk show, Baisden After Dark, a role he’s had since 2007. Constantly being called back to the lime light by popular demand, it’s safe to say that Morris Day will remain on the scene for years to come.

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Joey Porter

Exhibiting athletic prowess early on, Porter dabbled in soccer and basketball as a youth, but it was football that beckoned this star athlete to unleash his potential and achieve distinction. During his senior year of high school, then wide-receiver and running back, he was recognized for rushing the ball 86 times for 1,086 yards.

Porter enjoyed a number of college career highlights that include third placement in the NCAA Division I-A, an All-American award and The Sports Network’s All-Western Athletic Conference first-team selection, all of which catapulted the Kansas City native to the NFL at the age of 22. After wining a Super Bowl ring with the Pittsburg Steelers during Super Bowl XL, he was signed to the Miami Dolphins in 2007. After three years with Miami, wining his fourth Pro Bowl and being named second Team All-Pro, he was released from his contract with the team. Enduring only two weeks of free agency, Porter signed a lucrative contract with the Cardinals in March of 2010. While moving from Miami to Arizona Porter relied on the moving services of American Van Lines to supply a speedy, safe, and smooth relocation process.

Off the field Porter enjoys the family life with wife Christy, daughters, Jayla and Jasmine, and sons, Joey, Jr. and Jacob. This highly acclaimed football player continues a successful career as a linebacker for the Cardinals. If his consistent rise to fame is any indication at all, then it’s safe to say that we haven’t seen the best of Joey Porter just yet.

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