SAD NEWS: R.I.P. DJ MISS RUSTY J

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

Just to let you know...Miss Rusty J died today in Connecticut Hospice.

She was the only radio DJ to play this style of music (Southern Soul) in the Northeast. I had the privilege of working with her for several years at WNHU.

Mark Maturo

Daddy B. Nice notes:

WNHU broadcasts from West Haven, Connecticut, and is owned and operated by the University of New Haven.

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RE: OMITTING MAURICE WYNN

Dear Daddy B Nice,

You surely omitted a great southern soul artist when you did not list Mr. Maurice Wynn, out of North Carolina. Please post his concert dates, for I want to see his show many many more times. He is a must see.

I'm new here and I really love your site.

Much thanks,

DJ from Raleigh, NC

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Thanks, DJ, I'm glad you found me.

I'm not sure what you mean by "omitting" Maurice Wynn. I presume you're aware he's the subject of a Daddy B. Nice Artist Guide--Maurice Wynn--and his "What She Don't Know (Won't Hurt Her)" the number 54-ranked song on the Top 100 Southern Soul Song chart.

But your letter reminded me that I had been contacted by his people awhile back regarding an upcoming album (see the artist guide), which never came out, I guess. It's been two years since.

In doing a little research I did find a new Maurice Wynn website, and that's where I discovered Wynn is playing--quote--"every Thursday night at Gwendolyn's night club in Raleigh NC."
Understand, DJ, that in order to put the dates in the Concert Calendar (which I think is your real question) I'd still have to get some advance notice that the dates were really going to be played.

That would have to come from some source, Maurice or his people, a news media outlet, or--if you had all the facts: date, time, venue, address, city/state--even yourself, should you decide to take on that function.

(Other fans have.)

Sometimes I'll put an artist's "regular" function in a small section underneath the regular Calendar. (I did this with Nellie Travis and a couple of other acts last year.)

I believe more artists should take advantage of publicizing their local gigs and I'm more than willing to do it.

Hope this helps clarify things,

Daddy B. Nice

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Feedback, comments, information or questions for Daddy B. Nice?

Write to daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com.

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THANK YOU LETTER:

RE: LAMORRIS WILLIAMS

Hello Daddy B Nice,

I wanted to start by saying, thanks for all that you do! I have been reviewing your site since we mailed you the CD and it's been an honor to read such great reviews. Please let us know if you need anything. Also, if you get any requests for performers, please don't forget about us.

Take care,

Dexter Williams, manager
LaMorris Williams

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Dexter,

It seems like only yesterday (although it's been--what?--going on two years ago) that I first heard DJ Handyman play "Impala" (Daddy B. Nice's #2-ranked Southern Soul Single of 2009) and immediately knew it was a hit and called him up and said, "Who is it?" I think it was just a demo at the time.

May I post your letter in my "Mailbag"?

Daddy

Dexter Williams replies:

Thanks for the reply. Yes, you may post my letter. You may also leave my number contact info. Also, would you please post the heading "Lamorris Williams" so that everyone knows who we are.

Again, thanks for everything you do and take care!

Dexter

Daddy B. Nice notes:

For more information, readers may contact:

Dexter Williams, manager
770-820-2653

Or go to the. . .
LaMorris Williams website

DBN PS to LaMorris:

Get that CD on CD Baby, at the very least. You can't rely only on your website for marketing.

And DBN notes to readers:

If readers detect a little more hype in this exchange than usually allowed in the "Mailbag," it's because this is an artist who genuinely deserves all the promotion he can get.

A reader replies:

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

You don't have to explain to your faithful followers about a "little more hype" for Lamorris Williams or any other artist. Your contribution to the artists and fans of this genre of music is second to none and I'm so glad that the artists, promoters, record executives and fans are recognizing your labor of love.

Continue to be a positive face and voice for this blues and southern soul music. It's people like yourself and Jerry "Boogie" Mason who inspired me to start my blues and southern soul fan website. You are loved and appreciated by many, my friend.

Big K9

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RE: LYNN WHITE (FEATURED ARTIST FOR JUNE 2010)

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

I and my friends, and I am sure countless others, are searching the web and every publication to find Lynn White. Where did she go?

Some people have said that she died.

We love her music, the lady is truly an A#1 blues singer. Her clear vocalization is so rare. We would love to find more of her music.

THANK YOU!!!

Amanda

Daddy B. Nice replies:

No, I have not heard that Lynn White died. That would still be big news in Southern Soul circles.

The reason you don't hear much about Lynn White is because the prime of her recording career was in the nineties, when there was little to nothing in the media about Lynn and her contemporaries.

Her recording hiatus has coincided with the explosion of interest in Southern Soul due to sites like this one and the proliferation of the Internet.

Artists like Lynn, Sunny Ridell, Robert "The Duke" Tillman and even the great Peggy Scott-Adams remain obscure because they are no longer recording (or are recording very little) in this new, media-intense era.

Daddy B. Nice

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RE: WHAT "SHOULD" BE PLAYED ON SOUTHERN SOUL RADIO?

Daddy B. Nice:

Wow -- complicated topic!

To a certain extent, I agree with Daddy B. and others with a more "purist" attitude about the music. On the other hand, I think we all agree that none of us likes the way Southern Soul (as well as blues and a lot of other good music) gets "ghetto"-ized or marginalized away from what's considered "mainstream" popular music.

I think that we could argue that Southern Soul will never really have its rightful place in the music world until it has its place in the rotation on "mainstream" radio, right there alongside the latest neosoul, hip-hop, and contemporary R&B hits.

If we see it in that light, maybe it's a good thing if R. Kelly's latest gets played on a "Southern Soul" station between the most recent sides by T.K. Soul and the Love Doctor. If some of R. Kelly's fans happen to hear him there, and if they stay around for the other stuff, maybe their ears will get a bit bigger in the process!

Here in Chicago, one of our leading blues divas is a woman named Sharon Lewis. She's on kind of a one-woman campaign to widen the perspective of "purists" who think that "authentic" blues has to sound a certain way, be played on certain instruments, etc. Her motto is: "It's all blues, if it comes from the heart."

Maybe we could adapt that idea to the words "soul music," as well?

Jazzmanchgo

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RE: PLEASE SEND BLUES CD'S TO THE TROOPS IN IRAQ

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

My name is SFC Desi Cleveland, I am a US Army Soldier currently deployed to Iraq. I am writing to see if you would be so kind to donate some of your Blues CDs to the Soldiers who are currently deployed here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We attempted to create a Blues Festival for Black History Month but we were unsuccessful due to limited resources. The health, welfare, and morale of Soldiers are very important. Please assist me in trying to keep these Soldiers happy during ours stay here.

Respectfully,
Desi

SFC Desi Cleveland
HHT, 3rd BDE 3ID
FOB Kalsu, Iraq
APO, AE 09312

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Dear Desi,

I'll see what I can find and try to send you a package. My daughter served two tours in Iraq as a transport helicopter pilot. My wife and I used to send "care" packages full of goodies all the time she was deployed. So I know firsthand how much it means to the troops to get boxes from home.

She never asked me for music, however. I brought her up on a steady diet of R&B but she defected to "alternative."

I'll also print your full address on the website so my readers--many of whom have far more CD's at their disposal than I do--can send you and your friends music.

Take care of yourself and get home in one piece.

Your Daddy B. Nice

Daddy B. Nice notes to readers: Please send CD's to:

SFC Desi Cleveland
HHT, 3rd BDE 3ID
FOB Kalsu, Iraq
APO, AE 09312

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A Reader Responds:

Good morning daddy

This is Herman Wilson from Gulfport read a letter on your site this morning army troops needing blues and southern soul cd's . please post my address for them I will gladly send southern soul music to them any artist wanting to donate cd's please have them call me at 228-547-1151 I will be glad to send them at my own expense.

I am retire navy chief know what it like to be on deployment and not have the music you want to hear .

please let them post my e-mail address

jacwilson42@gmail.com.

Daddy I think this is something I a can handle for you with a assistance just getting the word out I think southern soul artist will response.

Thanks
Herman

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SFC Desi Cleveland Responds:

Daddy,

Thanks a million, I'm trying to do everything possible keep my soldiers alive, in good spirit, and bring them home safely. This my fourth tour but stress is greater on younger soldiers than me. So I salute you and thank you for your support.

(And in response to your question of whether I take mp3's). . . Sir, we will take anything that we can get. I thank you so much.

CLEVELAND DESI [cdesi1@hotmail.com]

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RE: LGB and Much Thanks.....

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

I just had to send you this note after hearing about your communication (SCROLL DOWN THIS COLUMN) with my friend Linda Barnwell, aka LGB, and her making the "Daddy B. Nice's Corner - Top 10 Southern Soul Singles for May. You see, I am one of LGB's biggest fans...AND I am the "individual" who sent her an email after listening to several cuts on her recently released CD...and all I could say was "My, my, my!" I wanted to say "Thank you" to you for recognizing my friend and her unique talent. She is so deserving of the honor. And just as all of this was sinking in....BAM!...I see that she is on the same ticket with Chaka Khan, Jodi Watley, Joe and Tony, Tone, Toni at the Jacksonville Jazz Fest in Jacksonville, Florida. So you know what I have to say again...My, my, my! Thank you again...and God bless you!

Jackie

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MAIL "GRAB BAG" (MISC. UNANSWERED LETTERS)

Daddy B. Nice notes:

The letters you see in Daddy B. Nice's Mailbag are the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The majority of the letters are of the 'behind-the-scenes" type. Many other good letters fall by the wayside because I can't readily answer them, and once put on hold, they're soon overlooked in the onrush of incoming mail.

What one of the letter writers below blithely refers to as my "staff" actually consists of me, myself and I. I treat "me" like a dog, I work "I" to death, and I won't give "myself" a vacation. Still, the staff can't keep up.

Below is a grab-bag of unanswered letters from the last two or three months. Most of the writers seek answers or contacts, and readers are welcome to respond.

E-mail: daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

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Hi Daddy,

Did Charles Wilson attend St. Raphael Catholic School in Chicago in the 60s?

Jenise

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Hi,

I was looking for the track list to the LP The best thing that ever happened to me when I found your superb site. Do you have the track listing for this LP?

I have another ZZ Hill LP on United Artists that is just called ZZ that doesn't appear on any discography I've found so I think they may be one and the same.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
George

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i'm looking for the love doctor that made slow rolling,,

what is the name of the real love doctor. i want to contact him about doing some shows.

pls reply to ken

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Dear Daddy,

I would love Roy-C to perform at one of my festival. If you can help me reach any of the performing artists that i have seen here on your company website i would luv to be able to discuss business of doing a show.

Hooper

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I am seeking the name of an artist and title of a song. Some of the lyric mention riding a horse and the hook or chorus is gitty up gitty up. Can you help me with this?

Mitchell

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soultripusa 2011

Hi,
I came across your site while searching for Jeff Floyd. I'm not sure if you can help, but I am promoting an event in Orlando next year and looking to invite Southern Soul acts that may appeal to a British crowd of around 300.

Is this something you would be interested in connecting with?

Kind regards,
Kevin

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Hi,

I wrote you back in November about a song I thought was by Katie Webster, "Red Negligee" but I finally heard it again and caught the artist and the right title this time. It's "Neked J Blues" by Karen Carroll. It is awesome. Except I notice that the iTunes version of it, that I immediately bought as soon as I knew what to get, didn't have the rocking last six minutes of blues that finishes the whole thing. I don't know what they could have been thinking in leaving it out.

Anyway if you haven't heard it, you might like to sometime. So I thought I should just pass on the information. Get the full 13-15 minute version if you can.

Best

Kia

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Reggie P/Sir Charles P's & Q's
Been tryna get track 4 almost a month haven't been able to get it. Can you direct me to where i can get it or to someone that has it. Or or if you can send it to this email. I have tried itunes and emusic..... Saw your page during a search...

DJDaBomb

Daddy B. Nice notes: This was one of many requests on how to find and buy this song.

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HI Daddybnice,

I.m a new club promoter and club owner interested in promoting artist in my area. Currently i have not been able to hook up with an agent and would be linterested in promoting new artist in the SOUTHWEST GEORGIA area. If you can assist in any manner I will appreciate,

Thank you,
Greg

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DADDY B NICE

HOW CAN I GET AN MP3 OF YOUR TOP 100 SOUTHERN SOUL SONGS?

THOMAS

( Daddy B. Nice notes: Painstakingly. One song at a time, on often obscure CD's. Good luck. Scroll down to read another reader's adventure trying to collect them all: RE: DADDY B. NICE'S TOP 100 SOUTHERN SOUL SONGS) near the very bottom of this page.

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Feedback, comments, information or questions for Daddy B. Nice?

Write to

daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

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RE: NELLIE "TIGER" TRAVIS AT THE CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL


Daddy B. Nice,

I won't be able to make it to Chicago to see T.K. Soul at the Chicago Blues Fest, but I did want to write and tell you that my girlfriend and I were both really impressed with yesterday's Blues Fest performance of Nellie "Tiger" Travis. We stayed in spite of rain throughout the hour that she sang with her solid backing band that includes members from Japan and Argentina.

Of course I wanted to hear "If I Back It Up", and she didn't disappoint me, singing it about mid-way through the show. Another notable song in her set list was "I'm A Woman".

She closed with a 10-15 minute tribute to Koko Taylor, doing a few of Koko's songs as well as a song written in tribute to her, "Queen of the Blues". I heard someone behind me remark how much she sounded like Koko when she was singing "Wang Dang Doodle", and I was thinking the same thing.

She's quite a singer, whether she's singing Southern soul or more traditional blues.

Gary

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Greetings from LGB and Much Thanks.....

Hi Daddy B. Nice:

First, I must say, "Thank You So Very Much." Secondly, "my, my, my," I just want you to know that I was blown away when I visited "Southern Soul RnB.Com" website and saw that I, LGB, had made "Daddy B. Nice's Corner-Top 10 Southern Soul Singles."

I am borrowing the "my, my, my" phrase from an individual's email that I received a few days ago. Of course, the "my, my, my" phrase was described as... and I quote from the email, "that is what we say, old school, when the right words just don't come."

It is such an extreme honor to have such an individual as yourself, take time out of your busy schedule to listen to my CD, and rank LGB in the midst of "May 2010's Top Ten Singles." Please know that I send my humble appreciation to you and your staff....and once again, thank you so very much.

Sincerely,

"LGB"

Daddy B. Nice notes: #5-ranked song--
("Reality Slowly Walks Us Down")

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Dear LGB,

Sorry for the delay, and thanks for the kind, overly-flattering words.

Am I correct in assuming you may be Tricia Barnwell's mother?

(Daddy B. Nice notes: Tricia Barnwell put out the black country music album, "Country All Over Me," in 2008 and placed a #4-ranked song ("Sweet Home Alabama" with Roy C.) on Daddy B. Nice's Top Ten "Breaking" Southern Soul Singles in March of that year.)

Oh, and can I post your letter in my Mailbag? Or do you consider it too personal? Don't be afraid to say no.

Thanks again, and best wishes,

Daddy B. Nice

LGB replies:

Hi Daddy B. Nice: No apologies is necessary. I thank you so very much for acknowledging my email with a reply...that is just..."Awesome."

Yes, you are correct, I am Tricia Barnwell's mother and yes, you can post my letter in your Mailbag.

Once again, thank you for all that you do.

Respectfully,

LGB

Bargain-Priced Reality Slowly Walks Us Down CD, MP3's

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Feedback, comments, information or questions for Daddy B. Nice?

Write to daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com



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RE: "NO MORE DADDY B. MEAN"

Mr. D,

I read your latest--No More Daddy B. Mean: (Confessions Of A CD Critic). I always told you and thanked you for your views, good or bad. but I always said as long as it was your honest opinion. and I still say that you are one of my favorite persons in this business. and what you did by checking yourself on this article. displays what i always thought was your true character . and i was glad for you because now others can also see the true character of who I consider a stand up person.

Keep up the good work and I'll always be in your corner rooting for you like you have rooted for so many of us who people knew nothing about thank you from myself and for those who haven't thanked you. It took a lot to check yourself like that publicly like that. but i didn't expect less from a person with your character.

Respectfully yours,

El' Willie

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RE: THE SITE I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR / WHAT'S DOING IN TEXAS?

Daddy B,

Man you done gone and done it. This is it! The site I have been looking for. I live in San Antonio and we don't get this kind of flavor here. The venue here is shallow and it has no feeling like the Blues and Soul Music you reference on this site.

There are so many new artists that I have never heard of. It all started with me googling Rue Davis and there you were. Thanks for the info it is much needed. By the way, do you know of any concerts in the area this summer? Like in Dallas, Austin, or Houston. Let me know. Thanks again and keep it up!

Mickey

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Dear Mickey,

Your sentiments describe exactly the way I felt when I discovered Southern Soul music. It seems like only yesterday. How do we get the word out to so many people who don't know what they're missing?

Regarding live concerts in Texas (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio), the situation is getting better every year. Mel Waiters, the current king, hails from the Lone Star State. Veteran Carl Marshall calls Houston home. The Dallas area is also home to new artists such as L. J. Echols and Chandra Calloway. Larry Shannon Hargrove from your capital city made some waves with his album last year. See Daddy B. Nice's CD Reviews page. Lee Roy is another talented new artist from Texas.

As for concerts, you're in luck. This very weekend (May 23rd) Larry Shannon Hargrove joins veteran Chick Willis and others at a KNON benefit at R. L. Griffin's Blues Palace in Dallas. (See Concert Calendar in right column of this page.)

If you can make it, look up benefit organizer Gregg A. Smith and ask him to perform "Stacked In The Back," one of Southern Soul's genuine classics.

Best wishes,
Daddy B. Nice

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RE: LOOKING FOR HARDWAY CONNECTION'S MUSIC LETTERS

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

I'm trying to find a song I heard a few years back titled or at least in the song 'Your thang is too short.'

Any help would be appreciated.

Tony

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Dear Tony,

Sorry for the delay, but I get so many requests about this song that it's like "groundhog day" every time someone asks again.

The song you're looking for is either, "Morning Train/Peeping Through The Window" or "One In The Morning" by Hardway Connection.

Go to the Hardway Connection Artist Guide, where you can both read about and buy Hardway Connection's music, or go straight to Daddy B. Nice's CD Store.

Daddy B. Nice

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Daddy B Nice

Where can I purchase hardway connection cds?

Annette

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Annette,

Go to the Hardway Connection Artist Guide or go straight to Daddy B. Nice's CD Store.

Daddy B. Nice

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Daddy B,

Hell-o, this is DJ bobby smoothe on the coast, I had at one time two of hardway connection cd's and now I'm trying to replace them

It is the one that say hot ticket is there anyway I can purchase the mp3 instead of waiting on the mailman for about three or four days to get

Hit me back and let me know

DJ bobby smoothe thank you

Daddy B. Nice replies:

DJ Bobby Smoothe,

Daddy B. Nice's CD Store has two vendors for the HOT TICKET album, Barnes & Noble and CD Universe. CD Universe is the supplier that currently offers MP3's. However, they're out of stock. Barnes & Noble still has the album available, but it does not offer MP3's. If CD Universe is out of stock, Barnes & Noble probably soon will be, so you may want to get the album at Barnes & Noble while you still can.

You might try I-Tunes or some of the other MP3 sites, but I'm unable to offer I-Tune's MP3's on my site. I have a 10,000-plus MP3 library accumulated on Music Match (an older music player). I-Tunes requires replacing that music player (too much work!) with I-Tunes, or I would gladly set up I-Tunes also.

Daddy B. Nice

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Feedback, comments, information or questions for Daddy B. Nice?

Write to:

daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

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RE: LEGENDARY LOUISIANA BLUES CLUB HANEY'S BIG HOUSE

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

I am searching for a photograph of Haney's Big House in Ferriday, Louisiana (part of chitlin' circuit and to be honored with blues trail marker in May)....can you help or provide me with some sources....

Thank you very much.

J.A.K., Ph.D.

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Dear J.A.,

As you probably know, Ferriday, Louisiana will be honored with a 'Mississippi to Louisiana' trail marker, an extension of the Mississippi Blues Trail commemorating the chitlin' circuit "holes in the wall" of a half-century ago, on May 22nd at Ferriday's Delta Music Museum.

This dedication memorializes the historical importance of the legendary Haney's Big House in Ferriday, where musicians such as B. B. King, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis played and absorbed the blues.

Regarding your search for a photograph of the original club, I'd advise you to attend the celebration in Ferriday and look up festival co-organizer Tommy Polk. The festival will undoubtedly be your best and perhaps final chance to find a coveted picture, or at least a copy of one.

And I can't resist adding something I wish I'd included in a recent letter to a Canadian blues-lover who also revels in the fifties-to-early-sixties music of the Delta.

Give an ear to the excellent new Southern Soul and blues of today's young musicians from your area, Louisiana-born stars such as T. K. Soul, Kenne' Wayne and Lil' Fallay.

Hope this helps,

Best wishes,
Daddy B. Nice

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Feedback, comments, information or questions for Daddy B. Nice?

Write to:

daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

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RE: TYRONE DAVIS CATALOG

Hello Daddy B. Nice,

I am doing a little research on one of my favorite artists, Tyrone Davis, and i had a few questions reguarding the information i got off your web site.

1.you listed " our shining hour" (1983) as a full album? I am unable to find any information about that record, or song, and would love to know more about that? is it a full album or a song and where can i get it?

2. you also listed" I can't go all the way" as a full album as well? I'm thinking that maybe somehow you made a mistake on that one, because i have found many simular titles but none of that name?

And lastly 1990 by future records " man" i was wondering if that was a album as well because i can't find that one eighter.

Please respond to me, I am really working hard on this little hobby of mine and i hope to someday have all his music, i have to find the few things that my collection is missing,Thank you very much for your time.

Amanda

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Dear Amanda,

1. One Shinning Hour (Polygram, 1983) was a collaboration between Tyrone Davis and big band/jazz star Count Basie. It remains out of print, as are all three of the albums you mention.

2. I Can't Go All The Way (Columbia, 1978) includes the R&B charting (#65) "Can't Help But Say." The out-of-print album also contains disco track "Get On Up," the title tune "I Can't Go All The Way," "All I Ever Need," "It's You, It's You," "I'm Still In Love With You" and "Do You Feel It."

3. Man (Future), released in October of 1998, is also out-of-print. It's one of a handful of albums Davis recorded in the late eighties at Future Records (Sexy Thing, Man Of Stone, Flashin' Back, Come On Over). A compilation set of Davis's best Future recordings was issued on Ichiban/Ryko in 1992.

I hope this helps.

Best,

Daddy B. Nice

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Feedback, comments, information or questions for Daddy B. Nice?

Write to daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com.
. . . Or send by post to:
Daddy B. Nice
SouthernSoulRnB.com
P.O. Box 19574
Boulder, Colorado
80308

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