Daddy B. Nice's SouthernSoulRnB.com - Guide to Today's Top Chitlin' Circuit Rhythm and Blues Artists


 

Daddy B. Nice's Corner

RE: Krishunda Echols


Daddy B

I’m just checking to see if u all have any of my sister Krishunda Echols music? The reason I’m asking because I didn’t see a drawing of her face...

L.J.

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Hey LJ! Good to hear from you. It’s funny you should write this at the very time I finally did do a new artist guide and page for Krishunda.

Her new artist guide is here:

Krishunda Echols Artist Guide

Also, you can find lots of references (with links) to her (and even more for yourself) in the Comprehensive Index under “Echols”.

Daddy B. Nice's Comprehensive Index

TAKE CARE!!

L.J. Echols replies:

Lol...It’s all good my brother I just want to thank u soooooooooooooo much for the love and support...Daddy B have trully been a blessing to the Southern Soul music...

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

RE: Karen Wolfe

Hi Daddy B.

Is Karen Wolfe still around? The latest I find of her is your review of the No Regrets CD from 2015. No single out since then?

All best,
Tommy

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Hi Tommy,

Karen Wolfe got married this last year. She’s still with Anna Coday’s label. She had a couple of singles late last year, charting here this year. You can link to those two chart postings through her Feb’ 18 entries on this page of the Comprehensive Index.

Karen Wolfe/Comp Index

Most interesting, she’ll be appearing at Sam’s Town Casino in Las Vegas this fall (November 2nd), following the appearance just last week at Sam’s Town Casino by Bigg Robb, Ms. Jody and other southern soul stars. This is not your ordinary chitlin’ circuit venue, and it's a great sign southern soul is growing in national visibility.

However, I just hope Karen doesn’t change her performing name (to her married name). Something I heard lately touched on that possibility. That would be a mistake.

Daddy B. Nice

See Daddy B. Nice's Artist Guide to Karen Wolfe.

Link to Karen Wolfe's many appearances on the website via Daddy B. Nice's Comprehensive Index.

Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "That Chick Ain't Me" on YouTube.

Listen to Karen Wolfe singing "You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man" on YouTube.

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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

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daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

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RE: Put Me On Your Mailing List...Eastside Kings Festival

Thanks Daddy B.

What brought me to your web sight was Crystal Thomas, I have been working with her on the blues for the last couple of years. We are about to release a compilation cd here in the USA with her and a couple of cds and a 45 on in Japan.

I do a blues festival every second weekend in September and I own a blues label "Dialtone Records" and run a foundation for African American roots music here in Austin. Attached are a couple of posters from previous years.

What attracted me to your sight is I don't know a lot of the guys you work with, but my gig is Blues. I do work with guys like Ernie Johnson, Bobby Patterson and Greg Smith, you might know them. This is the sort of stuff I am looking for.

I will keep looking at your web sight and be looking for the next artist I can help.

All the best Daddy B. and thanks for emailing me back.

Eddie

Eastside Kings Foundation

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Crystal Thomas was my BEST FEMALE VOCALIST OF 2017. See

Daddy B. Nice's Corner: Best of 2017.

And Ernie Johnson is one of my favorite artists. We connected once, but I seldom hear anything about his activities.

Ernie Johnson Artist Guide

Gregg A. Smith is also on my Top 100. Tell him to put "Stacked In The Back" on YouTube.

Send me any concert dates on these artists and I'll post them.

Good luck in what you do.

Thanks!

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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"Put Me On Your Mailing List" Letters

Pictured: Floyd Taylor

Daddy B Nice,

I want to be on your mailing list so I can keep up with your news.

Eddie

Eastside Kings Festival

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Daddy B. Nice,

Great Site and thanks for keeping that old Southern Blues and R&B music alive.

I didn't see anywhere to sign up to your email listing. But if you can add me and let me know about new music coming out I would appreciate it. Ill definitely be checking your site from time to time for updates.

Take care,

Craig

Daddy B. Nice replies:

I know I'm a little weird. Don't do social media. Don't send out mailing lists. I just try to do one thing really well: publish my website and constantly update it. Thanks for your support, and....Just come to my site!

Daddy B. Nice

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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

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daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

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Ms. Jody Myrtle Beach Concert Cancelled

Daddy B. Nice:

Much to my dismay, Ms. Jody on Monday September 17th has been cancelled due to the hurricane coming. Just wanted to give you a update since your wonderful site is followed by so many. Thank you again for all you do!

Cody

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

RE: Napoleon Review Reply

Good Morning:

I was reading your excellent blog this morning and I wanted to bring up something that was mentioned by the singer, Napoleon, regarding his review.

I am the person who sent you the email regarding Nellie "Tiger" Travis on "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon". He had the "Do Not Play" skit in which he made fun out of "Slap Yo' Weave Off". He then had her on a later date to sing a verse of that song.

You mentioned about the "yes men" sidekicks. The musicians (sidekicks) are none other than The Roots who Napoleon states he was sending you a video of. They are the house band on "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" and do a great job on the show.

I will admit to being a fan of Jimmy Fallon from back in "SNL" days and he is very funny. I just wished that he would have Nelly "Tiger" Travis back on to sing a full version of one of her songs. I would vote for "Mr. Sexy Man" myself.

I hope you have a great day!

Christina

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Thanks for the great letter, Christina, and the new information.

(DBN notes: Scroll down this column to read the "Napoleon Review Reply" and the "Nellie Tiger Travis on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" letter.)

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Thank You Notes:

King Fred

Dear, Daddy B Nice

thank you for critiquing my album thoroughly through, it's an honor and a real pleasure, n like u once said about Stan Butler how he drops a song every month, I'm taking on that challenge to keep this good music out here

King Fred

See Daddy B. Nice's Artist Guide to King Fred, including the review of King Fred's Soul 2 Soul album.

See King Fred's latest single, "Drinking," #6 on Daddy B. Nice's Top Ten Singles, August 2018.

See King Fred performing "Drinking" at the 20/20 Club in Pensacola, Florida.

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Sweet Nay

Good morning!!

I just wanted to simply THANK YOU for listening to my music and sharing your thoughts with your audience. I absolutely LOVE what I do and really appreciate when someone takes the time to listen, share or support?? Have a SUPER SUNDAY!

SWEET NAY

See Sweet Nay's first charting single, "Do You (If I Ain't The One)," #6 on Daddy B. Nice's Top Ten Singles, July 2018.

Listen to Sweet Nay singing "Do You" on YouTube

Sweet Nay's contribution is also cited in Daddy B. Nice's critique of the #4-ranked Jeter Jones single, "I Ain't Gone Cheat No More," Daddy B. Nice's Top Ten Singles, August 2018.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Where To Buy Sir Charles Video?

Dear Daddy B Nice:

Where can I purchase a Sir Charles Jones "Country Boy Video"?

Thank you.

Ann

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Hi, Ann. I guess I really don't know much about videos. I wasn't aware they were sold. Of course, you can watch the "Country Boy" video for free on YouTube any time you want. If a video was for sale, the information would be posted in the "Show More" section of the YouTube page, wouldn't it?

Daddy B. Nice

Watch Sir Charles Jones singing "Country Boy" on YouTube.

See Sir Charles Jones two #1 Singles of the Summer of 2018--"100 Years" (August) and "Squeeze Me" (May)--on Daddy B. Nice's Corner.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Thank You Letter

Hey Daddy B. Nice,

Thanks for printing those expanded song lists on the Corner page. Very helpful.

Ben

Daddy B. Nice replies:

You're welcome!

See Daddy B. Nice's Corner.

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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

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daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

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Looking For A Song Letters...

daddy b nice,

driving thru LA east of shreveport late last night heard a new or at least new to me version of zz hills "cheating in the next room" very good! real talky! it was a male and none of the usual suspects, tyrone davis etc. do you know who this is? maybe bishop bullwinkle? cant find anywhere!

curtis

Pictured: Z.Z. Hill

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Well, just a wild guess. Was it Poonanny?

Listen to Poonanny singing "Cheating In The Next Room" on YouTube.

Curtis replies:

yes! thats it! is he still recording? can I buy it?

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Sadly, Poonanny died in 2014, but you can still buy Poonanny's "Cheating In The Next Room" and the Poonanny albums. Poonanny was Bishop Bullwinkle before there was a Bishop Bullwinkle.

Curtis replies:

okay thanks daddy! your the best!

See Daddy B. Nice's Artist Guide to Poonanny.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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Looking For A Song Letters...

Daddy be Nice----

I am looking for a song that was a remake of Judi Blue Eyes "Sam". A female artist, a faithful cover. Maybe even a little better. Please help me find this! I want to buy it.

-----Genevieve

Daddy B. Nice replies:

You're probably thinking of a cover of "Sam" made by an artist named Angel Sent. It was sometimes labeled "Sugar Daddy," the album where it appeared. The title track ("Sugar Daddy") also had the same "Sam" instrumental track, adding to the confusion.

Listen to Angel Sent singing "Sam" on YouTube.

Buy Angel Sent's "Sam" at CD Baby.

Genevieve replies:

That's it!! Thank you so much!!

See Angel Sent in Daddy B. Nice's Comprehensive Index.

Hard To Find Songs


Hi

I would like to know who sang the remake of Carl Sims m&m man daddy its a cat in the window

Then who sing the female version of sure it wasn't me

Marc

Daddy B. Nice replies:

That's some obscure stuff, Marc. I'll put it on the "Mailbag" page and see if any readers can help.

Listen to Carl Sims singing "M&M Man" on YouTube.

Listen to Ronnie Lovejoy singing "Sho' Wasn't Me" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Solomon Thompson Responds To Daddy B. Nice's New CD Review.

Daddy B. Nice,

I want to start by thanking you for your review and rating of my work. Overall, I am very pleased with the review. However, I want to clarify one point.

In the article, there is a statement that reads as though I do not write my own music. I want to go on record that I write my own work. I am a singer, songwriter, and entertainer. I write Southern Soul, R&B, Pop, and Hip-Hop, to name a few. When it comes to music, there are many great singers and songwriters in this profession. I wanted to do something different to make people take notice of my sound, hence the party songs my audience have come to know and love.

Thanks again for the review.

Solomon Thompson - Singer/ Songwriter
"The Party Starter"
Golden Choice Records

Read Daddy B. Nice's review of Solomon Thompson's new GOOD DAMN MUSIC album.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

RE: Napoleon Review Reply

See Daddy B. Nice's CD Review of Napoleon Demps' "Southern Soul Vol. 2, Southern Soul With A Twist".

First of all Daddy B Nice let me thank you over the years for your support and helping to expose my music to a broader platform but I must respectfully disagree with you review of my latest project. Now I do understand that it doesnt sound like the typical Southern Soul of days past which I am a fan of and a student of yes I grew up in the North but my parents are from the south. So i grew up to the sounds of o.v. wright mckinley mitchell little milton artie blues boy white tyrone davis and marvin sease to name a few and I know the root of Southern Soul and even though some of my earlier music is hard to find it represents thay song. Cuts like Let me get it for the last time body talk and Who you been lovin. However like many things I have evolved as an artist and I felt the need to in my opinion combine soulful singing with several elements hip hop ,Gospel, Zydeco, and even Country!!! My music is currently sold out on several media outlets and it was distributed by Sony with a noted musician who has produced and written for several major acts in the music industry. Now I have no gripes with you having an opinion. I dont even have gripes with you saying this isnt Southern Soul as you know it but the last time i checked artistry isn't about playing it safe its about reaching and expanding sir i shouldnt sound the same today as i did in 2004 when I started. So ask this question as an artist am i allowed to have a different expression of what southern soul is to me. I grew up in Michigan so i have a different spin on things So i have to represent my way. I love Southern Soul music always will it dominates my playlist and i know its roots and i wont forget but Napoleon has to be Napoleon Sir not a replica of what is the norm in Southern Soul. Look at The differences in classic soul music Stax and Motown were both labled Soul just distinct differences in presentation but i know stax artists traveled north and Motown artists traveled South and people got into them the point is it was all Soul without definitions just variations. Well in closing Daddy b nice I sent you an email with a hip hop video by the legendary group the roots. Its called what they do if you can try to listen to the theme of it. It's what i go through as an artist I cant do what they do I must do what I do!!! Have a blessed day and continued success on your column sir.

Napoleon

Listen to The Roots singing "What They Do" on YouTube.

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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RE: CORRECTION: “Bedroom Rodeo”

On Daddy B. Nice’s Corner, in the Top 10 “Breaking” Southern Soul Singles (May 2018), Daddy B. Nice had written regarding Sir Charles Jones "Call On Me":

The parallels with last year's "Bedroom Rodeo" (see Daddy B. Nice's Best Collaboration of 2017), sung by the trio of Big Yayo, Gentry-Jones & Omar Cunningham, are fascinating. First, Cunningham's on both. Second, Big Yayo's track is more innovative, with richer harmonies, while Sir Charles' "Call On Me" is straight-ahead singing, with each singer taking a verse--no frills…

Correction:

daddy b nice,

just for the record we, Tony Gentry and Nil Jones(Gentry-Jones) did the production for the song "Bedroom Rodeo".

thanks,

Nil Jones
(Gentry-Jones)

Daddy B. Nice notes:

Glad to get this correction. In spite of once meeting him (either Tony Gentry or Nil Jones), I confess I thought he was one person with a hyphenated name. Here’s the original, praise-filled write-up:

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles Preview For. . .

-------SEPTEMBER 2017-------

1. "Bedroom Rodeo Remix"------Big Yayo featuring Gentry-Jones & Omar Cunningham

"This can't be. It's too weird," I thought the first time I heard this song. That, my friends, is the mark of originality, and as the droopy bass line and limp-tempo-ed intro of Yayo's lead vocal slips into an amazing double-track and, a few bars on, picks up the harmonies of Gentry-Jones and Omar Cunningham, "Bedroom Rodeo" morphs into the kind of originality that transcends the genre and becomes pure pop, making you shiver like when you heard Brian Wilson's falsetto onThe Beach Boys' "Don't Worry, Baby."

Listen to Big Yayo, Gentry Jones & Omar Cunningham singing "Bedroom Rodeo" on YouTube.

Nil Jones replies:

No problem, and thanks for the support!!!
(BTW, it was me who you met with Mr. Sam back when we first did "Roll It Roll It"....

Nil Jones

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

MORE RE: Jimmy Fallon Trashes Billy "Soul" Bonds and Nellie "Tiger" Travis on The Tonight Show

A reader responds:

Yes, he did bring Nellie on to sing one (!) verse of "Slap Yo' Weave Off," but that was only after he had earlier targeted the song for ridicule during one of his snarky “Do Not Play This Record” routines. It was only after she picked up the gauntlet and summoned her online admirers to hit him up with demands for an appearance that he (or his producers) decided to book her.

David Whiteis

Another reader responds:

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

I know appearing on The Tonight Show was a big deal to Nellie “Tiger” Travis”. Except Jimmy Fallon needs to be called out for ridiculing the song and her live performance. While she was singing, the camera would go back to him dancing around making fun of the song. Nellie is a real artist, who is not deserving of this “Gong Show” style of treatment. Plus, she was only given only one minute of airtime. These clowns could have at least let her do the entire song.

Latimore was another artist they have also picked on in the past. Maybe the Tonight Show should poke fun at some of the awful songs in the Top 40 first, before putting down real artists like Nellie Tiger Travis, Billy Soul Bonds and Latimore. All of whom have been paying their dues for many years. This type of treatment from what is considered a respectable late night program is reprehensible. It only echo the unacceptable behavior of being mean and ridiculing others.

Regards,

Allen Larman

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RE: Jimmy Fallon Trashes Billy "Soul" Bonds on The Tonight Show

Daddy B Nice,

I don't know if you have seen this video on YouTube but I wanted to bring your attention to it.

Jimmy Fallon has a regular segment on "The Tonight Show" called "Do Not Play" in which he plays songs that are way out there in left field (totally awful songs) as part of the comedy bit.

There is a clip on YouTube from the "Do Not Play' from April 30th, 2018 in which he features several songs which I agree are just plain bad. The first song he plays, though, is "Here, Kitty Kitty" by Billy "Soul" Bonds. I can't believe that he would have lumped that song with the other songs he played. I have heard "Kitty Kitty' many times before and I think to put that song on the "Do Not Play' segment was just plain wrong.

I have posted a reply to that video with a shout out to Mr. Bonds.

If you want to see the video, this is the link:

Listen to Jimmy Fallon discussing "Scat Cat Here Kitty Kitty" on The Tonight Show.

Or, you can just search for
Do Not Play: "Here Kitty, Kitty!", "Wawa Hoagies" on You Tube. Yep, one of the other songs featured is a song about going to WaWa (gas station) to get a hoagie.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Christina

Daddy B. Nice replies:

No, Christina, I had not seen or heard about this, and I thank you for calling it to my attention. Is this the same Jimmy Fallon who just last year, or the year before, excited southern soul fans when he featured Nellie "Tiger" Travis singing "Slap Yo Weave Off"? The clip on "Scat Cat Here Kitty Kitty" is truly embarrassing. Not to Billy "Soul" Bonds. To Fallon and his two black "yes-men" sidekicks. Why, you can see Fallon stirring to the beat and the tune with subtle, white-man-style head-weaving even as he snickers at the lyrics!

I hope that no one in the South takes this clueless national sarcasm as "gospel," because southern soul music--and Billy "Soul" Bonds "Scat Cat Kitty Kitty" in particular--inhabits a sphere of musical artistry and lyrical delicacy way beyond the comprehension of these snide, back-biting, pretentious and arrogant know-nothings. And I'll tell you something else from a long life lived. Impeccable, revolutionary records like Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill" and The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" faced scathing criticism in their day from smart asses like Fallon and his show-writers. And one of the first TV talk-show hosts, Steve Allen, thought it was funny to embarrass Elvis Presley by making him sing "Hound Dog" onstage with a live dog--truly the fifties' equivalent of Jimmy Fallon undermining "Scat Cat". That puts Billy in superb company.

This travesty reminded me of another incident from the southern soul past. When The Love Doctor put out his amazing breakthrough hit, "Slow Roll It," a reworking of The Staples Singers "Do It Again" written and co-sung by an unknown Charles Jones, All Music Guide trashed it and The Love Doctor in words that couldn't have been more hurtful.

Typically, even The Doctor Of Love was misunderstood by the mainstream. Here's an excerpt from All Music Guide's contemptuous 2001 review:

"There's bad bad, and then there's just sad bad, and Doctor of Love unfortunately falls into the latter category. . . Nearly every single thing about this album borders on laughable, from the cliche-ridden grooves and outdated production style to the sound itself."

(See Daddy B. Nice's Original Artist Guide to The Love Doctor.)

The reviewer/biographer couldn't have been more mistaken, missing the whole point of the Love Doctor's sound--its immediacy--which wafted through the chitlin' circuit like a fresh breeze. I notice that review has been taken down in favor of a much less hostile, if meager, biography, which only goes to show that, given time, even "the haters" can come around.

--Daddy B. Nice

P.S. I did not see your comment in the "comments" list, but I saw at least two other notices defending "Scat Cat Here Kitty Kitty". I think southern soul fans should inundate the page with pro-Billy Bonds feedback.

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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RE: El Willie's "I Just Dodged A Bullet" & Daddy B. Nice's News & Notes April 16, 2018

I Got It Late, But I Think I Got It ..

Mr. B,

I Got It Late But, I Think I Got It .. I also read your article about people wanting you to change your front page format, and I just laughed at your response .. because it reminded me of the exact same thing i told you when you said my style was too laid back, and in my stubbornness I refuse to change ,,but I told you the same thing for the same reason that you,, Stubbly Refuse to change.. that was hilarious to me ...i guess we have more in common that you thought. you figga dill me ? LMAO !!!!!!!!!!! Sometime you just have to hold on and stay true to yourself and that way people can really know who you are and than eventually they may just come around and be able to appreciate just what you bring to the table.....your flavor ,, your style ,, and most of all,, your differences,..because we are all different, and at the same time we are all one of the same.and remember , Variety,, is the spice of life... Peace

El' Willie

Listen to El' Willie singing "I Just Dodged A Bullet" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Another Ill-Advised Publicist's Letter:

RE: SOUTHERN SOUL PRODUCER AND SONGWRITER HIGHWAY HEAVY

I hope this correspondence finds you doing well! I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as well as my clients. I have periodically looked at the list of southern soul "BEST" per your site and wanted to share some of my clients work with you. I am a sports and entertainment publicist representing Louisiana native Highway Heavy and his record label Pinky Ring Music. Heavy is the producer and songwriter behind some of the hottest southern soul songs out however most don't know him or his work. That's why I stepped in to assist him in building his brand. He wrote and produced "My Side Piece" performed by Pokey Bear,..."Three" performed by Coldrank, "Don't Blame It On Jody" and "Pregnant Again" performed by Adrian Bagher, "Bring It On Home" performed by Tyree Neal, "Take Care of You" performed by Adrian Bagher and Coldrank, "Ghetto Man" performed by Tyree Neal and Adrian Bagher and so much more. Looking for "out-of-left field" check out his work with Johnny James! I invite you to visit the links provided below and enjoy the iconic sound of Highway Heavy and Pinky Ring Music.

Listen to Highway Heavy Pinky Ring Music on YouTube.

Listen to Tyree Neal and Adrian Bagher singing "Ghetto Man" on YouTube.

Listen to Cold Drank and Adrian Bagher singing "I'll Take Care Of You" on YouTube.

Listen to Johnny James singing "Sweet JJ" on YouTube.

You find more information about Highway Heavy and Pinky Ring Music on Instagram @highwayheavy and @pinkyringmusic.

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about this unsung legend in the southern soul music sector. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance!

Best regards,

LaToya M. Williams, M.Ed & M.P.A.
Celebrity Lifestyle Manager * Public Relations & Branding Consultant * Writer & Editor
"The DIFFERENCE In Your Brand"

Daddy B. Nice replies:

If you really knew how to do your job as a publicist, Latoya, you’d know that your Daddy B. Nice broke Highway Heavy to the southern soul audience way back in 2015, and has constantly given him “props”. So you’re “introducing” me to him? You’re telling me he wrote Pokey’s “Sidepiece”? I’ve been reporting that for years. Heavy’s one of the few people I’ve talked to on the phone. Southern soul insiders will tell you that happens about as often as a total eclipse--I haven’t even talked to Beat Flippa. But that shows you just how curious I was about the guy. Charles (Heavy's name is Charles Lewis) told me all about “pinky ring” music a couple of years ago. It means the kind of music that brings in the money to buy those “pinky rings”.

You say you’ve gone to my “Best” pages? If you were doing your “effing” job, you’d be watching the Top Ten Singles every month, and every time I featured Johnny James or Adrian Bagher or Tyree Neal or Cold Drank on a Heavy track, you’d be sending that commentary out over the southern soul media, doing your client some good, NOT sending out a stupid form letter that condescends to the very person you’re trying to influence.

Oh, shoot! This happens all the time. I recently got a letter (which I didn’t reply to) from Krishunda Echols “introducing” herself to me even though I'd been writing about her for five years, even though she palmed my hand as I was late-arriving past the stage apron where she was performing in Kosciusko one night, and even though I'd talked with her brother L.J. earlier that day, and even though I introduced her to southern soul fans back in 2013, and even though I was the one who pushed “Mad Dog 20-20” from the very beginning, and even though I have compared her to Jackie Neal, and have written her up on numerous occasions-—one a southern soul concert in Jackson with, among others, Peggy Scott-Adams, in which I spoke of Krishunda in words that made her, not Peggy, the royalty of the venue. And yet, in Krishunda's letter she cluelessly "introduced me" to--you guessed it--“Mad Dog 20-20”.

I’m publishing your letter, Latoya-—something I seldom do for publicists-—not because I want to scold but because I do want to support and further Highway Heavy's career. Your letter will appear in Daddy B. Nice’s Mailbag, another page on the site you should become familiar with, giving Heavy even more publicity. Producers like Heavy, who are willing to push the envelope, are so hard to find. He has a nose for a good hook, and he knows what to do with it. And who else among all these timid and aging southern soul stars and producers is going to record a song like “Sweet Dick Johnny”?

Oh, well, I'm through "venting". Everyone’s in his or her own little world. Only my little world is southern soul, and you’d better know what you’re talking about if you want to “introduce” me to an artist. Am I angry? Yes, I do get annoyed with inefficiency. You’ve got to take it to the next level as a publicist. Go to “Heavy” (not to mention Adrian Bagher, Cold Drank, Johnny James, etc.) in Daddy B. Nice's Comprehensive Index. Start researching the complimentary features and citations and blurbs I’ve published on Heavy over the last three years. Get them out there on social media, which I don't do, and really help your client. And do your penance. I’m out of here.

Daddy B. Nice

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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Quick Hits...3 Letters

Magazine?

Daddy B Nice

Where can I can a magazine with all these great artist in!!!! IF THAT SUCH A THING EXIST

Trace

Pictured: Lynn White

Daddy B. Nice replies:

As a lifelong writer/journalist/editor and reader who loves the tactile pleasure of paper, I can tell you what you probably already know. Print magazines and newspapers are dying from a horrific, plague-like illness called the Web. Daddy B. Nice's Southern Soul IS your magazine for southern soul.

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Thank you

Daddy B. Nice

I Thank you for being a blessing to my life and all the work you do for Southern Soul music. If you need my help please contact me at 386----------. Please post my show in your concert calendar

Maurice

Pictured: The Love Doctor (who's on the bill)

Daddy B. Nice notes:

The flyer is for a July 7, 2018 show at the Breakroom Sports Bar in Natchez, Mississipi featuring The Love Doctor, Ricky White and more.

See Daddy B. Nice's Concert Calendar

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Stations/Downloads

Hello DaddyBNice

Pictured: Karen Wolfe

I've been going to this site for awhile and love it. I normally get the artist and song and see if it is listed in emusic so I can by it. A lot of the times it is not listed and then I have to go elsewhere. I was wondering if you have a place where people can go to and find these Southern Soul artist and download there album/song possibly at a discount like emusic?

Also, I am here in Little Rock, Arkansas and was wondering if you knew of a radio station that I could get to so I can possibly hear some Southern Soul. I was raised in Calif. and go there often, my brother states that a lot of my music they don't even hear till I come there because, most of my music be from Southern Soul.

Thank You,
Don

Pictured: Adrena

Daddy B. Nice replies:

On the first question--where to buy southern soul music at competitive prices--you can always try Daddy B. Nice's Bargain-Priced CD Store, where I try to find the best values for southern soul CD's and mp3's. And don't forget the many "links" within the song commentaries and CD reviews and artist guides.

On the second question--where to tune into southern soul radio from Little Rock, Arkansas--I can't say I'm an expert. In general, try to listen in the night-time hours or weekends to stations in Memphis, Shreveport, Texarkana, and El Dorado (the closest southern soul hubs around Little Rock). If you can pull in stations all the way from Mississippi or Louisiana, you're doing even better.

Don't forget the Internet and online stations like WMPR in Jackson, Mississippi. (See Daddy B. Nice's Links.) And also, all the great southern soul mix-tapes being put together by online deejays and posted on YouTube, many quite up-to-the-minute in terms of new releases--in other words, fulfilling the function of traditional radio stations and without the commercials.

Daddy B. Nice

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Looking For A Song Letter

Daddy--

My wife and I want to know a song we heard years ago. We don't know the title or artist. "I ask her if there's any food / she said not for you / and….My lover… "She treats me like a stranger". Can't find anything online. Can you help?

Ray

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Oh, that's a great song, if you're talking about "My Lover (She Treats Me Like A Stranger)" by John Haley, aka Nine-Pound John Haley. Check out a poor copy of the song on YouTube.

Listen to John Haley singing "My Lover, She Treats Me Like A Stranger".

Ray replies:

That's it! That is it! Do you know where I could score an mp3?

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Sorry, no. The song came out on Knock On Wood Records, a small Jackson, Mississippi label. You can find more on John Haley in the Comprehensive Index, where there are mostly links to a better-known song of his (and cover of Joe Tex and James Payne) called "I Wanna Bump." If you're really intent on tracking down the single, you might try inquiring at WMPR's office in south Jackson.

Ray replies:

All right. Thanks!

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Thank You Letter

Dear Daddy B. Nice,

I have been coming to your site for many years, and I want to thank you for all the work you do for southern black artists. Your honest and exacting reviews “raise all boats,” to use an expression you recently used for Pokey. What I wanted to say in particular is I used to enter on your home page with the description of southern soul music, then I went through a period going to my favorite artist (David Brinston) page for a few years, and then the Corner pages But now I go to the Concert Calendar. It’s got to be the single most valuable page of information in the genre, a true picture of what’s going on and so much appreciated! May the Lord give you the energy and good health to keep it going!

Black Lilly

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Thanks so much for the letter. I do want to point out that there is one feature in the Home Page that DOES change, and your letter made me fear a lot of other readers bypass it. That’s the 5 Featured Artists in the right-hand column, which changes monthly. It highlights the artist pages I’ve updated each month for various reasons—new artist profiles, chart-movement, new album releases, important new CD’s reviewed, obituaries , appreciations, and so on. Check out the story your letter prompted on Daddy B. Nice’s Corner: News & Notes, "Internal Affairs," 4-16-18.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

RE: Buying Bishop Bullwinkle CD?

Daddy B Nice

Where can I purchase Bishop Bullwinkle cd or any of the southern soul artist cd?

Thanks
Nina

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Despite his fame, Bishop Bullwinkle hasn't recorded a CD. Fans have been limited to YouTube postings. Recently, however, the Bishop has put "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" and a couple of other tunes on Spotify. You can also stream or buy mp3's of "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" on Amazon Prime and Google Play.

As for southern soul artist CD's in general, go to individual artist guides via Daddy B. Nice's Index To Artists or go directly to Daddy B. Nice's Lowest-Priced Southern Soul CD's.

See Daddy B. Nice's Artist Guide to Bishop Bullwinkle.

P.S. David Whiteis has reminded me that Bishop Bullwinkle has sold a "home"-recorded CD at his concert appearances. That may still be a viable option. DBN.

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Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 Souther Soul Singles

daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com
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Wednesday, November 21, 2018. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, 201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery, Alabama. Bigg Robb, Steve Perry, Tucka, Nellie "Tiger" Travis. 334-481-5100.

Thursday, November 22, 2018. Elk's Lodge, 907 Rosa Parks Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama. Avail Hollywood. 334-389-5565.

Thursday, November 22, 2018. Club Legends, 4050 Newport Road, Pickens, Mississippi. Big Yayo.

Thursday, November 22, 2018. KC Mingles, 8625 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Missouri. Thanksgiving Breakfast Dance. Wendell B, Skeet Rogers. 816-444-0888.

Thursday, November 22, 2018. Elks Lodge on D.I.P., 2671 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama. Thanksgiving Blues Show. Bigg Robb, Solomon Thompson. Doors open 8 pm. Video shoot for S.T.'s "Wanna Party". MC: DJ Trucker. 210-518-4142.

7 pm, Friday, November 23, 2018. National Guard Armory, 110 Franklin Blvd., Greensboro, Alabama. Big Yayo.

Friday, November 23, 2018. Elk's Lodge, 862 Burdeshaw St., Dothan, Alabama. Avail Hollywood. Doors open 9 pm. 334-400-5769.

Friday, November 23, 2018. Crudup Ward, 630 Longview St., Forest, Mississippi. Omar Cunningham.

Friday, November 23, 2018 Buddy Guy's Legends, 700 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Bobby Rush. 312-427-1190.

Friday, November 23, 2018. Hobos Bar & Grill, 2701 West Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana. Lenny Williams. 260j-209-2179.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 23, 24 & 25, 2018. Yoshi's Jazz Club, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, California. The Spinners. 510-238-9200.

Saturday, November 24, 2018. Brown Auditorium, Nash Community College, 522 N. Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Willie Clayton & Friends: Annual Thanksgiving Southern Soul Concert. Willie Clayton, Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Bigg Robb, Black Diamond, Lebrado. Doors open 7 pm. 800-419-1170.

8 pm, Saturday, November 24, 2018. Paradise Entertainment Center, 645 East Georgia Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. Thanksgiving Soul Festival. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Sweet Angel, Lakeside.

Saturday, November 24, 2018. Jazzy Bones Bar, 621 E. Barbour St., Eufaula, Alabama. Big Yayo. 334-695-4375.

8:30 pm, Saturday, November 24, 2018. Miller County High School Gymnasium, 96 Perry St., Collquitt, Georgia. J-Wonn, G'Que Mickens. Doors open 7 pm.

10 pm, Saturday, November 24, 2018. Dayton Sports Bar, 27 Town Center, 401 West Clayton St., Dayton, Texas. Thanksgiving Scorpio Bash. Chris Ardoin. 832-556-9721.

5 pm, Sunday, November 25, 2018. Mz. Wanda's, 6798 Hwy 90E (Fruge St.), Lake Charles, Louisiana. KZWA Zydeco & Southern Soul Sunday. Roi Chip Anthony, Lil' Nate & The Zydeco Big Timers and more. 337-491-0966.

Sunday, November 25, 2018. Bethesda Jazz & Blues Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Maryland. Bobby Rush. 240-330-4500.

Monday, November 26, 2018. The Woodlands Tavern, 1200 West 3rd Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Bobby Rush. 614-299-4987.

10:30 pm, Thursday, November 29, 2018. Kingston Mines, 2548 N. Halsted St., Chicago, Illinois. Nellie "Tiger" Travis. 773-477-4647.

Friday, November 30, 2018. Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 East Fourteen Mile Road, Warren, Michigan. Millie Jackson, The Emotions, The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston. 586-268-3200.

8 pm, Friday, November 30, 2018. VooDoo Lounge, Harrah's Casino, One Riverboat Drive, North Kansas City, Missouri. Big Pokey Bear, Cold Drank, T.J. Hooker Taylor. Doors open 7 pm. 816-316-3291.

9 pm, Friday, November 30, 2018. The Showroom, 14502 Plank Road, Baker, Louisiana. Tucka, Mr. Amazing Prince of Blues, Sweet Southern Heat. Doors open 7:30 pm. 504-906-4603.

Saturday, December 1, 2018. Florence Lauderdale Coliseum, 702 Veterans Drive, Florence, Alabama. All Black Concert. Big Pokey Bear, Till 1, Cold Drank, J-Wonn, Adrian Bagher.

Saturday, December 1, 2018. City Event Center, Homer, Louisiana. T.K. Soul.

Sunday, December 2, 2018. Convention Hall, Alexandria, 915 3rd St., Alexandria, Louisiana. T.K. Soul. 318-441-6234.

9 pm, Friday, December 7, 2018. Club LA, US-51, Hammond, Louisiana. Ms. Portia, Mr. Amazing Prince of Blues, Aaron Cook, Nadia Green. Host: DJ Shakeback. Doors open 7 pm. 985-415-5607, 985-969-2078.

8 pm, Friday, December 7, 2018. Trotter Center, 402 2nd Avenue North, Columbus, Mississippi. Fat Daddy, Tucka, Big Yayo, Lacee. Doors open 6 pm. BYOB. 662-705-0708.

Friday, December 7, 2018. North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, South Carolina. Calvin Richardson, Kem.

Saturday, December 8, 2018. The Grounds, 1035 North Cody Road, Mobile, Alabama. Tucka, David J, Ronnie Bell and more. 251-281-8202.

7 pm, Saturday, December 8, 2018. Clarksdale Civic Auditorium, 506 East 2nd St., Clarksdale, Mississippi. Steve Perry, Tyree Neal, Ra'Shad The Blues Kid, Lee Royale. 662-627-8431.

Saturday, December 8, 2018. New Club Paradise, 645 East Georgia Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. 30th Annual Holiday Blues. Jaye Hammer, T.K. Soul, O.B. Buchana, Ms. Jody, Karen Wolfe and more. 901-947-7144.

Saturday, December 8, 2018. Envy Club, 200 Oakwood Ave. NE, Huntsville, Alabama. Willie Clayton. 256-801-9015.

Sunday, December 9, 2018. St. John's United Methodist Church, 1207 Peabody Ave., Memphis, Tennessee. Bobby Rush. 901-726-4104.

8 pm, Thursday, December 13, 2018. St. James Live, 3220 Butner Road, Suite 240, Atlanta, Georgia. Nelson Curry, Terry Wright. Doors open 7 pm. 404-579-9520.

Saturday, December 15, 2018. Destiny Center, 1622 Staffordshire Road, Stafford, Texas. T.K. Soul. 832-539-1917.

8 pm, Saturday, December 15, 2018. Gold Strike Casino, 1010 Casino Center, Tunica, Mississippi (Memphis). The Commodores.

Friday, December 21, 2018. Dayton Sports Bar, 27 Town Center, 401 West Clayton St., Dayton, Texas. Chris Ardoin. 832-629-6684.

Saturday, December 22, 2018. Godmother's Saloon, 302 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, California. Brenton Wood.

9 pm, Saturday, December 22, 2018. American Legion Post 248, 5070 FM 1398, Hooks, Texas. All White Christmas With The Boss. Wendell B., J. Cenae. 903-547-7248.

Saturday, December 22, 2018. D & L Lounge, 140 Tintop Lane, Canton, Mississippi (Jackson). Bobby Rush.

Saturday, December 22, 2018. Ivy Palace I, 6696 Antoine Drive, Houston, Texas. Ms. T's 4th Annual Christmas Gala. Tribute to Buddy Ace. BYOB. 713-894-7244.

10:30 pm, Thursday, December 27, 2018. Kingston Mines, 2548 N. Halsted St., Chicago, Illinois. Nellie "Tiger" Travis. 773-477-4647.

7 pm, Friday, December 28, 2018. Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama. New Year's Celebration. Bigg Robb, Big Pokey Bear, Betty Wright, Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Ms. Portia, Big "Ro" Williams, Calvin Richardson, Mose Stovall. 205-254-2820.

9 pm, Saturday, December 29, 2018. American Legion 583, 280 Martin Luther King Drive, Eatonton, Georgia. Nelson Curry, Stan Butler, Stacii Adams, G. Rockafella, West Love. Doors open 8 pm. 706-485-6776.

Saturday, December 29, 2018. Cerritos Center, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, California. Smokey Robinson.

7 pm, Saturday, December 29, 2018. Mississippi Coliseum, 1207 Mississippi St., Jackson, Mississippi. Soulabration. Vick Allen, J-Wonn, Calvin Richardson, T.K. Soul, Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Sir Charles Jones. 678-322-8098.

Saturday, December 29, 2018. W.L. Jack Howard Theatre, 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expy., Monroe, Louisiana. Betty Wright.

Sunday, December 30, 2018. Herrera's Event Center, 7815 John Ralston Road, Houston, Texas. New Year Classic. Chris Ardoin, Keith Frank. BYOB. 832-217-6935.

8 pm, Saturday, January 6, 2019. Good Deeds Community Center, 15101 Madison St., Gulfport, Mississippi. Mardi Gras Ball. Solomon Thompson. BYOB. 228-865-4204.

Friday, January 11, 2019. Riverdome at Horseshoe Casino & Hotel, 711 Horseshoe Blvd., Bossier City, Louisiana. Gladys Knight. 800-895-0711.

Friday, January 11, 2019. Beau Rivage Theatre, 875 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, Mississippi. Smokey Robinson. Buy tickets.

Saturday, January 12 & Sunday, January 13, 2019. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle, Washington. Bobby Rush. 206-838-4333.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019. Cascade Theater, 1731 Market St., Redding, California. Bobby Rush.

Thursday, January 17, 2019. Harris Center, 10 College Pkwy., Folsom, California. Bobby Rush. 916-608-6888.

Friday, January 18, 2019. Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley, California. Bobby Rush. 510-644-2020.

10 pm, Friday, January 25, 2018. K.C. Hall, 6320 Madden Lane, Houston, Texas. Keith Frank. Doors open 8 pm. BYOB. 832-724-5055.

Saturday, January 26, 2019. Arena Theatre, 7326 Southwest Fwy., Houston, Texas. Shirley Brown, Sir Charles Jones, The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston. 713-772-5900.

Saturday, February 9, 2019. Selland Arena, Fresno Convention Center, 700 M St., Fresno, California. Dorothy Moore, Atlantic Starr, Eddie Holman and more. 559-445-8100.

Friday, February 15, 2019. SAP Center at San Jose, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, California. Dorothy Moore, The Delfonics, Heatwave, Barbara Lynn and more.



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E-mail concert listings and corrections to:

daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com

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ATTENTION: DADDY B. NICE'S CONCERT CALENDAR IS THE MOST PIRATED PAGE IN THE SOUTHERN SOUL MEDIA. THIS FEATURE REQUIRES PAINSTAKING WORK AND RESEARCH AND HOURS OF TIME TO COMPILE. DO NOT COPY THIS CONCERT CALENDAR WITHOUT READING THE FOLLOWING:

©2005-2017 SouthernSoulRnB.com
All material--written or visual--on this website is copyrighted and the exclusive property of SouthernSoulRnB.com, LLC. Any use or reproduction of the material outside the website is strictly forbidden, unless expressly authorized by SouthernSoulRnB.com.

--Daddy B. Nice

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Overflow From Daddy B. Nice's BEST OF 2015 page...

2015: THE YEAR IN SOUTHERN SOUL

January began without holiday hangover, as up-and-coming producer Big Yayo debuted as a performer with a piece of "southern soul electronica" called "Cowgirl" featuring his protege, "I Got This Record's" J'Wonn, the ultimate balladeer, singing an uptempo chorus on his first-ever club jam.

February ushered in a Valentine's Day weekend to be remembered with southern soul concerts across a broad spectrum of the South, from Hooks, Texas (Avail Hollywood) to Memphis (Bertha Payne) to south Atlanta (Lomax) to Greenville, Ms. (J'Wonn) to Canton, Ms. (L.J. Echols, Terry Wright, J-Wonn, Krishunda Echols, Bigg Robb, Napoleon) to Vicksburg (Shirley Brown, Carl Sims, Jaye Hammer, Wilson Meadows, Pat Brown, Adrena) to Corpus Christi (Mel Waiters) to Decatur, Ga. and Talladega, Alabama (T.J. Hooker Taylor) to Tuscaloosa (Tre' Williams, Jeff Floyd) to Panama City, Florida (Ms. Jody) to Germantown, Tenn. (Mavis Staples) to Montgomery (Bigg Robb, O.B. Buchana, Tucka, Lebrado, Lomax, Toia Jones) to Farmerville, La. (Avail Hollywood) to Mobile (L.J. Echols, Andre' Lee, James Payne, Geno Wesley) to Dallas and the annual Blues Is Alright Tour (T.K. Soul, Theodis Ealey, Mel Waiters, Clarence Carter, Latimore, Millie Jackson) to Shiner, Texas (Rue Davis) to Texarkana (Omar Cunningham, Wendell B) to Indianola, Ms., B.B. King's hometown (Chris Ivy, Lil' Jimmie) to Baytown, Texas (Kenne' Wayne, AP Heavy But Sweet) to East Tyler, Texas (R. Kelly, Avail Hollywood) and back to Memphis (Jarekus Singleton), setting the bar for a record-breaking year in Southern Soul clubs.

Mindful of the concert bonanza, Daddy B. Nice urged fans in March to get out of the airport hubs (Memphis, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans) and "walk on the wild side," visiting the "holes-in-the-walls" in the verdant countryside where the true contemporary blues reigns supreme. In Jackson, premier nineties' vocalist Robert "The Duke" Tillman (Ace, Ichiban) re-emerged, as did storied DJ Outlaw at WMPR, while young Jackson guitar-blues stars Jarekus Singleton, Grady Champion and Mr. Sipp parlayed their mass audience-friendly blues far beyond the Delta.

April saw the breakthrough collection THE LOUISIANA BLUES BROTHERS, explode in the southern soul demographic via its suddenly iconic single,
"My Sidepiece," featuring the powerful-piped, Reggie P.-like vocalist Pokey (or Big Pokey Bear), whose electric stage show featured the singer thrusting and gyrating with a passion not seen since Bobby Rush's twerking dancers.

The song's message that it was okay to have a "woman on the side" because it's in the "genes" alternately fascinated and disgusted listeners, and not always along gender lines, and the "sidepiece" theme became a motif in countless new southern soul songs. Meanwhile, Pokey et. al.'s new album, BEAT FLIPPA I GOT THE BLUES VOL. 1., released in February, shot up the charts, bringing a rock-and-roll-like energy, immediacy and accessibility to the southern soul scene that thrust its brilliant producer (Beat Flippa) and roster of talented artists (Pokey, Tyree Neal, Adrian Bagher, Vince Hutchinson, Mz. Pat, Veronica Ra'elle, Rosalyn Candy, etc.) into a level of popularity even southern soul's veteran artists had to envy.

Also in April, the great sixties' artist Percy Sledge, who recorded one of the most powerful southern soul songs of the last fifty years, "When A Man Loves A Woman," passed away with scant fanfare.

May was the worst month, the cruelest month...

....Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekends witnessed another slew of record-breaking fan-friendly southern soul concerts, but the nation and entire world mourned the passing of B.B. King, whose ties to Indianola and Jackson, Mississippi were real and renewed each summer, when B.B. always returned for the Medgar Evers Homecoming Celebration and played for his original chitlin' circuit fans in the Delta.

But for contemporary southern soul fans it was the passing of song-master Mel Waiters that really hurt. Unknown outside of blues circles (unlike the world-famous B.B. King), Waiters was an irreplaceable part of the southern soul pantheon of recording artists, having largely kicked off the contemporary scene with his "Hole In The Wall," fashioned in the late nineties in the tradition of Mel's inspirations, Z.Z. Hill and Buddy Ace. For many fans, Waiters was the number-one performer in the South, and Mel never shied away from the kudos. YouTube videos document his exciting "contests" with Sir Charles Jones, which did so much to enliven the concert scene.

June marked the appearance of a rapping preacher named Bishop Bullwinkle, whose "Hell Naw To The Naw Naw" continued a trend of unknown artists (like J'Wonn, Tucka, Pokey) eclipsing southern soul's veteran artists in notoriety-slash-popularity in one fell swoop (be it a single or album). Whereas J'Wonn had stunned the southern soul community a couple of years earlier with his straight-forward youth and sensitivity, the nearly seventy-something Bishop Bullwinkle simultaneously astonished and dumbfounded fans with his fearless, back-woods vision of the world compressed into a six-minute, no-holds-barred sermon castigating hypocrisy in the church and gangsterism in the hood.

While J'Wonn had seemingly thrust the entire world off his back with the momentous words, "I Got This Record," the grizzled Bullwinkle did the same with his proclamation, "My name is Bishop Bullwinkle / From the church of nothing but the truth..."

....In less than a month his YouTube video (there was no published record) had a million views--unheard-of for a southern soul song--and by the end of the year it was approaching ten million. Clearly, Bullwinkle's "Hell To The Naw Naw" had cut through layers of padding and pretension to strike a deeply-felt, common nerve with fans.

In August Tucka and T.K. Soul sold out the 3,000-seat Houston Arena Theatre, notching a new high in audience numbers for a pair of southern soul acts.

Jackson's own James "Hot Dog" Lewis, keyboardist, performer and producer, passed away in October.

Late summer sizzled with gigs--July 4th, Labor Day--the fans' thirst for the music couldn't be slaked--culminating in the biggest concert-venue weekend ever Thanksgiving.

From Thibodeaux, Louisiana (Cupid, Lebrado, Pokey) to Montgomery, Alabama (T.K. Soul) to Canton-Jackson, Ms. (J'Wonn, Big Yayo) to Opelika, Alabama (T.K. Soul) to Hattiesburg, Ms. (J'Wonn, Big Yayo) to Tchula, Ms. (Tre' Williams) to Grenada, Ms. (J'Wonn) to DC area Pomonkey, Md. (Jeff Floyd, J. Red, Hardway Connection) to Birmingham, Alabama (Calvin Richardson, Nellie "Tiger" Travis) and back to Hattiesburg (T.K. Soul) and way out to San Diego (Cupid) and back to Vicksburg (Bishop Bullwinkle, Terry Wright, Bigg Robb, Lacee, Stevie J) to New Orleans (T.K. Soul) to El Dorado, Arkansas (T.K. Soul, Ghetto Cowboy, Summer Wolfe) to Charlotte, North Carolina (Lenny Williams, Ann Nesby) and Wilson, North Carolina (Jeff Floyd, Wilson Meadows, Hardway Connection) down to Tampa, Florida (Clarence Carter, Bishop Bullwinkle, Betty Wright, Shirley Murdoch) and Sebring, Florida (Bobby Rush, Theodis Ealey) and way up to Gary, Indiana (Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Willie Clayton, Latimore, Otis Clay) and back to the Delta in Tchula, Mississippi (Big Yayo, J'Wonn) and Pickens, Ms. (The Love Doctor, Terry Wright, Sorrento Ussery, Pat Brown, Nathaniel Kimble, Doctor Dee, Lady Di) to Meridian, Ms. (Big Robb, Vick Allen, Lacee, JR Blu) and thence back north to St. Louis (Bobby Rush, David Dee) and Chicago (Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Willie Clayton, Otis Clay, Latimore) and back home to Jackson (Andre' Lee, T-Baby) and the re-opened Evers Blues Lounge on Pecan Park Circle next to WMPR (Roy C., LGB, Doctor Dee, Dennis Fountain).... From all of these venues, enthusiastic fans supplemented their turkey with southern soul music.

2016 marked Southern Soul's most serious forays into the mainstream yet, and Bishop Bullwinkle was southern soul's "Donald Trump," refreshingly candid, wildly off-the-wall. At year's end, Bigg Robb took down Bullwinkle's video for copyright infringement. Turns out the Bishop had used the instrumental track from Robb's "Looking For A Country Girl" for the backing track to "Naw Naw," but Bishop Bullwinkle was uncontrite, telling Daddy B. Nice in a profanity-laced interview that he "dared" Robb to take him to court. As one industry insider noted, it didn't matter that the song hadn't been published (as a record); its online streaming revenues alone amounted to the same thing. And so it went in the raucous, wild-west-like cradle of the musical universe--the Deep South--where the music is as primeval and super-sized as the SEC. (And still unknown nationally...Go figure!) And as Jaye Hammer (one of 2015's finest vocalists) says in his juking new ode to the Delta, "I Ain't Leaving Mississippi." ....

"You know, someone came up to me the other day and said, 'Hammer! They told me you had moved to Chicago."

I said, "What? Man! People are always spreading rumors. But let me say this. I ain't leaving Mississippi. Mississippi is my home. If you think I'm gonna leave Mississippi, you might as well leave me alone."

--Daddy B. Nice

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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From Daddy B. Nice's BEST OF 2014 page...

2014: THE YEAR IN SOUTHERN SOUL

The year did not begin auspiciously. Floyd Taylor, son of the late great Johnnie Taylor and a contemporary southern soul headliner in his own right, passed away on February 21st, causing his stepbrother TJ to remark, "He died pretty much the way my dad died: a heart attack (at too young an age)." A masterful and discerning vocal interpreter, Taylor's career was notable for spanning southern soul's two generations of songwriters, from the best of Charles Richard Cason and Lawrence Harper (of his father's generation) to Simeo Overall of the new.

A few days later Eddie Holloway, a lesser-known but seminal figure renowned for contemporary southern soul classics like "I Had A Good Time," "Poor Boy" and "My Mind's Too Strong," passed away in obscurity, without fanfare.

A young recording artist (Jeter Jones) trying to break into the southern soul market released an album whose instrumental tracks Daddy B. Nice--in a CD review--recognized as identical to certain Bobby Jones and Chuck Roberson songs of the recent past, setting off a firestorm of litigation between Desert Sounds CEO Charles Peterson and his former producer, Eric "Smidi" Smith.

Daddy B. Nice himself underwent a lung cancer scare and finally had surgery in May, returning successfully after two bouts in the hospital to discover that "Funky" Larry Jones, owner of the Soul & Blues Report, a monthly compendium and summary of southern soul deejay playlists and a vital niche in the southern soul internet community, had died. Other websites (Boogie, Blues Critic) made attempts to provide the same function, but at year's end the loss was still felt and seemed irrevocable.

That, along with the June death of Don Davis (the producing genius behind Johnnie Taylor) and the early-September passing of Joe Poonanny, the Weird Al Yankovich of the chitlin' circuit and the last of a dying breed of blues parodists, was the bad news.

The good news was that, stimulated by an invitation to Kim Cole's Celebrity Birthday Bash in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in July, your Daddy B. Nice rebounded to attend (and chronicle) three multi-act southern soul concerts in thirty hours, including getting out on the dance floor.

There was cause. Southern Soul stars were appearing everywhere across the Deep South, from Texas to the Carolinas. A month later, Southern Soul Labor Day concerts and associated sales would surpass a million, and the concerts continued to proliferate, populating weekends throughout the calendar that would have been few and far between ten years ago.

But what really uncorked the euphoria in 2014 was the return to recording of southern soul's younger-generation leading lights, Sir Charles Jones and T.K. Soul. After long absences (especially in Sir Charles' case), both performers produced sets of significant material with fresh yet authentic sounds, in T.K.'s case stripped-down, acoustic-dominated arrangements.

The two CD's, combined with the much-anticipated debut by J'Wonn (I GOT THIS RECORD) and the latest drop from O.B. Buchana, made it a banner year for male vocalists.

Women, not so much. For the second year in a row Denise LaSalle and Shirley Brown were sorely missed. Both appeared only rarely, and neither released new product. Ms. Jody and Nellie "Tiger" Travis were relatively quiet after big years in 2013. Sweet Angel reposed and, as expected, Peggy Scott-Adams (whose early partner, JoJo Benson, died just before Christmas) failed to follow up on her 2012 return to southern soul. Candi Staton and Uvee Hayes returned with new CD's, however.

Some of the major male stars--known for productivity--were also MIA in 2014. Mel Waiters, Theodis Ealey, Latimore and Bobby Rush produced little new studio work, and in pursuit of an elusive Grammy that even the late Johnnie Taylor and Tyrone Davis never won, Willie Clayton's new album disconcerted some longtime fans with its slide into atmospheric, Isley-style soul.

Young Grady Champion was the year's sensation (following fellow Jacksonian J'Wonn in 2013). Champion drew a cover story in "Living Blues" magazine after signing with Malaco Records for his new album BOOTLEG WHISKEY. Rare for a Delta artist, Champion drew national interest and crossover appeal.

Waiting in the wings, and getting no respect, was Chicago phenomenon Theo Huff, whose "It's A Good Thing I Met You" drew high praise (#5 for the year) from Daddy B. Nice for its approximation of--you guessed it--vintage Willie Clayton.

Lil' Jimmie's dance jam "She Was Twerkin'" was the underground sensation of the year, the subject of constant fan queries on where to buy--the answer was always, "Nowhere." Which reminded your Daddy B. Nice of an old Lil' Jimmie song called "I'm Not Going Nowhere," a song so full of double-negatives you're not sure what he means.

A young artist named Wood redid Nellie "Tiger" Travis's "Mr. Sexy Man" with a lounge-band sound ("Foxy Lady"), drawing copyright ire.

Tyree Neal, Pokey and Adrian Bagher formed a group called The Louisiana Blues Brothers.

Memphis-based Anita Love (Humphrey), former back-up singer for Sweet Angel, had an out-of-left-field smash with "Keep Knockin'", while Memphis-based songwriter John Cummings continued his transformation into a first-rate recording artist.

Vick Allen was in a stage play in Jackson, Mississippi, while singles ("Crazy Over You," "True To Me") continued to spit out of his going-on-three-year-old SOUL MUSIC album like candy from a child's Christmas wind-up toy.

Steve Perry of "Booty Roll" fame thought better of his name change to Prince Mekl and became good old Steve Perry again.

WAGR in Lexington, Mississippi and its colorful deejay, Big Money, became the exciting new southern soul station to stream on the Internet.

And last but not least, storied DJ Ragman returned in December to WMPR in Jackson, Mississippi--also on the Web--doling out southern soul music in the afternoons with his trademark, champagne-fizz optimism.

By the end of the year, life in Southern Soul was good.

--Daddy B. Nice

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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