The Supremes receive Randolph well. In April 1967, Gordy then contacted Cindy Birdsong, a member of Patti LaBelle & the Blue Belles who superficially resembled Ballard, with plans to bring her in as Ballard's replacement. He made his plans clear to Ballard and her group mates at a mid-April meeting, and Birdsong was brought in to begin rehearsals. Gordy did not fire Ballard outright at that time, asking Ballard instead to quit on her own. Birdsong first appeared with the Supremes in Ballard's place at a benefit concert at the Hollywood Bowl on April 29, 1967. Following the performance, Gordy quickly learned
Keith Birdsong worked as a journalist before becoming a professional illustrator. His chosen medium is acrylic paint and colored pencil. He has done illustration work for "Star Wars", books of the cyberpunk role-playing game "Shadowrun", and children's books such as "The Halloween Hex: Hi-Tech Howard". In addition to book covers, Birdsong's work has appeared in films, on collectors' plates for the Hamilton Collection and the Bradford Exchange, and on U.S. postage stamps, including an issuance honoring American Indian dance and six "Celebrate The Century" stamps that commemorated the 1960s. Birdsong has a daughter named Candice. Keith Birdsong Keith Birdsong (born in Muskogee,