Eric Benét Jordan (born October 15, 1966 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American R&B and gospel singer. His mother's maiden name is his middle, in a scenario similar to Beyoncé. Benét's father loved classical music and inspired an interest in music in his son. By his teens, Eric had formed a vocal group with his sister and cousin called "Benét." The group released a self-titled album in 1992 that sold 70,000 copies. Also in 1992, Benét's girlfriend, Tami Stauff, gave birth to a daughter they named India. The couple's happiness was short-lived when 25-year old Tami was killed in a car accident on April 24, 1993. In 1994, Benét signed with Warner Bros.