MAY 12,2008:
"TOO SWEET'S PRE-MOTHERS DAY BLUES FEST"
Hello BLUES and SOUTHERN SOUL fans,my 2008 BLUES AND SOUTHERN SOUL RIDE continues in one of my favorite places.Vicksburg,Mississippi holds a lot of historic treasures but it is slowly becoming a hotbed for the blues and southern soul industry,thanks to my man Too Sweet and his entire production staff.I've made several trips to the city on the River(Mississippi River) to get my blues on and each time the shows get bigger and better."TOO SWEET'S PRE-MOTHERS DAY BLUES FEST" was the theme and the Vicksburg Auditorium was the host for this blues and southern soul gathering.
The lineup for this awesome show was special guest Ricky White, Ms. Jody,Nellie "Tiger" Travis,J. Blackfoot and Sir Charles. The atmosphere was a very festive one.The sounds of Betty Padgett,Denise Lasalle,T.K. Soul,Jeff Floyd,Mel Waiters and other southern soul recording artists were being played by the local dj and this had everyone up and dancing and ready to get their blues on.The smell of bar-b-que and fried fish filled the air courtesy of local vendor LD and his catering staff,the smell of this southern cusine got the best of me and I had to get me a fish plate.While I was sampling my fish I saw several familar faces in the house,their was my man Willard Frederick(the hardest working merchandise man at any show),Sweet Mama and Yakan(Sir Charles VIP all-stars),LeVonne Sampson,Mz. Tink and Roni(Clarksdale Diva).Also in the house was "THE GENTLE GIANT OF SOUTHERN SOUL",O.B. Buchana who by the way finished the rest of my fish plate.It was a byob affair so me and O.B. began to let it do what it do.So with a full house on hand,good food and plenty of cold bud light and me and "The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" chilling in Da Dawg Pound good people allow me to take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The first performer of the night wasn't part of the original lineup but Too Sweet being the kind-hearted person that he is allowed special guest Ricky White to perform a couple of tracks from his new an upcoming cd.I've had the opportunity to see Ricky perform a couple of times and I was glad to have the opportunity to see him perform again.He opened his performance with "So Good To Me" which is an ode to the late Tyrone Davis.His next song was "I'll Still Love You" and this cut is going to get much airplay on southern soul radio stations.He paid a special tribute to all the moms who were attendance as he passed out long stemmed red roses to several lovely women who came down front to receive them(nice gesture).He was only suppose to perform two tracks but the fans wanted to see more of him so he closed his performance with "Ride My Pony" which several of the women down front look like they were ready to do.Fans please look for his new cd in the upcoming weeks.After his performance he joined me and O.B. in Da Dawg Pound.
The next performer was Ecko recording artist,Ms. Jody.She opened her performance with Peggy Scott Adams "I'm Getting What I Want" and this was well received by the crowd.Her next song was a rendition of Shirley Brown's"Too Much Candy" and I was impressed with her vocals on this cut.Can't no one sing a Shirley Brown song like Shirley Brown but anytime fans can hear one of her songs you know that there will be some love shown.She kept her Shirley Brown theme going with her next selection "I've Got To Sleep With One Eye Open".Her next song was from her debut cd, "Sugar Daddy" and and she begin to get a lil bit more comfortable with her performance as she ad-lib with some of the fellas in the crowd."You Dog Is About To Kill My Cat" had the crowd singing and laughing.She closed her performance with "Big Daddy Don't You Come" and she was joined on stage by a male fan in attendance and she sat him in a chair and asked him could he handle a real woman?She sat down on this poor guy and begin to work it grown folk style and the poor guy never had a chance.She received a nice ovation after her performance.For all the latest MS. Jody news please visit www.eckorecords.com
The next performer on the night was my sexy homegirl(we're from the same hometown),Nellie "Tiger" Travis.I saw her perform for the very first time earlier this year and I was just thrilled to have the opportunity to see her perform again so soon.Vicksburg must be familar with her because she received a huge ovation as she walked out on stage.With a sexy and glittery outfit that rivaled that of our beloved Jackie Neal she captured the heart of all the fellas who were in attendance.I just love the divas of this genre of music.She opened her performance with her smash hit "You Gone Make Me Cheat" and she got everyone up on their feet.The ladies down front were singing and dancing like it was a female revolution going on in Vicksburg.Damn she had the crowd amped on this song.Her next song was "Baby Mama Drama" and again the ladies were harmonizing perfectly with this sexy southern soul diva.She continued her female independency with "Super Woman" and she was able to showcase her terrific vocals.This song was truly a moving testimony for all the women in attendance as they raised their hands in unity as she proclaimed the she was only human.She gave the crowd a brief acapella version of her new smash hit "I'm Gonna Slap Your Weave Out" and the crowd loved it. She closed her performance with her smash club hit "If I Back It Up" and immediately the Vicksburg auditorium turned into a dance party as Nellie and all the women in attendance began to shake their tail-feathers(lets just say that there was a whole lot of booty shaking going on).Nellie Travis has arrived fans,she is a phenomenal southern soul diva.She blends the sounds of Tina Turner,Gladys Knight,Mavis Staples and Patti Labelle all rolled up in one.Her show is a must see.For more information on Nellie"Tiger"Travis including bio,photos,upcoming shows and cd release dates please visit her website at www.nellietravis.com.
The next performer of the night was The Legendary J.Blackfoot.He was well received as he walked out on stage accompanied by The Queen,Ann Hines.He opened his performance with "Just Got Paid" and this uptempo tune had everyone up and dancing.He slowed the tempo down with one of my personal favorites "After The Tone" and it sounded oh so sweet.His live version of this song in my opinion is better than the cd version.He was joined on his next song by his backup singer as they gave an energetic version of "Same Old Woman".The place erupted on his next song when Sir Charles walked out on stage to join him on their smash hit "I'm Just A Fool Part 2".Their chemistry together was dynamic,they had the women screaming as they performed this jam.To see the two of them together on stage will be a memory that I will always cherish.His next song was another duet but this time he was joined by Ann Hines,as they performed their classic duet "Two Different People".I saw them perform this song earlier in the year for the very first time and just like before I loved every minute of this one.It was like watching the legendary Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell perform as they laughed,shrugged,tucked and tease doing the entire song.His next song was "Your Man Is Home Tonight" and he was joined on stage by "The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" O.B. Buchana and just like Sir Charles before him the place erupted when O.B. hit the stage and he wouldn't disappoint as the two of them brought the house down.Damn I love this southern soul s**t.His next song was the one that established him as a solo artist following years as the lead singer of The Soul Children,"Taxi" received an enormous ovation as J.Blackfoot continued to do his thing.He closed his performance with a tribute to Tyrone Davis as he did a superb rendition of "Turn Back The Hands Of Time" and once again the crowd went wild.The living legend continues to give the fans their money worth and then some.I didn't think he could get any better but with each performance he gets better all the time.DAMN GOOD SHOW!
The last performer of the night was "THE KING OF SOUTHERN SOUL",Sir Charles Jones.It was late(about 1:30 am)and the Vicksburg Auditorium was still packed.Its simply amazing to me that no one had left the show,thats big time ya'll.He received a thunderous ovation as he hit the stage.He opened up his performance with "Friday" and the ladies begin to make some serious noise as they packed the stage area.He peformed a medley of three of his classic hits "Natural Woman","Just Like Fire" and "Better Or Worse" and he had the women screaming.The highlight of his performance was when he asked O.B. Buchana to come join him on his next song,"Slow Roll It".The two them belted out their own rendition of this southern soul classic but they were just getting started as they begin to do a synchronized dance routine which consisted of several hip thrusting, bone it like you own it,I'll lick it before I stick it, and I'll stand up in it all night long(grown folks stuff ya'll) and they blew the roof off the auditorium.I think it was great that Sir Charles allowed "The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" to be a part of his performance even though he wasn't on tonight's show.The fans were very appreciative.He closed his performance with "Is There Anybody Lonely" and suddenly the house became a dance floor for everyone.His soulful voice sounded so good as he closed his performance.My man Omar Cunningham has the best live vocals,my friend T.K. Soul is the best showman but when it comes to charisma there is none better than Sir Charles.He is a terrific singer and dancer with a strong stage presence.His cds have been far and few the last couple of years but his popularity,especially with the ladies still remains among the best in the industry.I was glad to have the opportunity to see him perform again.I've heard talk about him not conversing with the fans or media anymore and I won't to put that to rest.After the show he greeted fans,took photos and signed autographs,I was able to talk to him as we took several photos together.We agreed to stay in touch so now I'll be able to update you fans regularly about news from "The King Of Southern Soul".AWESOME PERFORMANCE!
In closing I want to thank Too Sweet Productions for allowing me to cover this show.You and your entire staff should be commended for putting together such an awesome show for the fans of this genre of music.Fans please continue to support Too Sweet and other promoters who work so hard to provide us an opportunity to see and hear some of today's biggest blues and southern soul artists.I want to thank Ricky White,Ms. Jody,Nellie "Tiger" Travis,J.Blackfoot and Sir Charles for taking the time to converse with me at this show.I know your time is limited but I am very appreciative.I want to give a shout out to Willard Frederick,Sweet Mama,Yankan,Mz. Tink and Roni(Clarksdale diva).I would like to give a special shout out to "The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul",O.B. I had a blast kicking it with you at this show.You are always welcome to join me in Da Dawg Pound.I had a great time at this show and I just wanted to share it with the greatest fans in the world.Take care and MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.I'll see you down by the stage.
BIG K9
"TOO SWEET'S PRE-MOTHERS DAY BLUES FEST"
Hello BLUES and SOUTHERN SOUL fans,my 2008 BLUES AND SOUTHERN SOUL RIDE continues in one of my favorite places.Vicksburg,Mississippi holds a lot of historic treasures but it is slowly becoming a hotbed for the blues and southern soul industry,thanks to my man Too Sweet and his entire production staff.I've made several trips to the city on the River(Mississippi River) to get my blues on and each time the shows get bigger and better."TOO SWEET'S PRE-MOTHERS DAY BLUES FEST" was the theme and the Vicksburg Auditorium was the host for this blues and southern soul gathering.
The lineup for this awesome show was special guest Ricky White, Ms. Jody,Nellie "Tiger" Travis,J. Blackfoot and Sir Charles. The atmosphere was a very festive one.The sounds of Betty Padgett,Denise Lasalle,T.K. Soul,Jeff Floyd,Mel Waiters and other southern soul recording artists were being played by the local dj and this had everyone up and dancing and ready to get their blues on.The smell of bar-b-que and fried fish filled the air courtesy of local vendor LD and his catering staff,the smell of this southern cusine got the best of me and I had to get me a fish plate.While I was sampling my fish I saw several familar faces in the house,their was my man Willard Frederick(the hardest working merchandise man at any show),Sweet Mama and Yakan(Sir Charles VIP all-stars),LeVonne Sampson,Mz. Tink and Roni(Clarksdale Diva).Also in the house was "THE GENTLE GIANT OF SOUTHERN SOUL",O.B. Buchana who by the way finished the rest of my fish plate.It was a byob affair so me and O.B. began to let it do what it do.So with a full house on hand,good food and plenty of cold bud light and me and "The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" chilling in Da Dawg Pound good people allow me to take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The first performer of the night wasn't part of the original lineup but Too Sweet being the kind-hearted person that he is allowed special guest Ricky White to perform a couple of tracks from his new an upcoming cd.I've had the opportunity to see Ricky perform a couple of times and I was glad to have the opportunity to see him perform again.He opened his performance with "So Good To Me" which is an ode to the late Tyrone Davis.His next song was "I'll Still Love You" and this cut is going to get much airplay on southern soul radio stations.He paid a special tribute to all the moms who were attendance as he passed out long stemmed red roses to several lovely women who came down front to receive them(nice gesture).He was only suppose to perform two tracks but the fans wanted to see more of him so he closed his performance with "Ride My Pony" which several of the women down front look like they were ready to do.Fans please look for his new cd in the upcoming weeks.After his performance he joined me and O.B. in Da Dawg Pound.
The next performer was Ecko recording artist,Ms. Jody.She opened her performance with Peggy Scott Adams "I'm Getting What I Want" and this was well received by the crowd.Her next song was a rendition of Shirley Brown's"Too Much Candy" and I was impressed with her vocals on this cut.Can't no one sing a Shirley Brown song like Shirley Brown but anytime fans can hear one of her songs you know that there will be some love shown.She kept her Shirley Brown theme going with her next selection "I've Got To Sleep With One Eye Open".Her next song was from her debut cd, "Sugar Daddy" and and she begin to get a lil bit more comfortable with her performance as she ad-lib with some of the fellas in the crowd."You Dog Is About To Kill My Cat" had the crowd singing and laughing.She closed her performance with "Big Daddy Don't You Come" and she was joined on stage by a male fan in attendance and she sat him in a chair and asked him could he handle a real woman?She sat down on this poor guy and begin to work it grown folk style and the poor guy never had a chance.She received a nice ovation after her performance.For all the latest MS. Jody news please visit www.eckorecords.com
The next performer on the night was my sexy homegirl(we're from the same hometown),Nellie "Tiger" Travis.I saw her perform for the very first time earlier this year and I was just thrilled to have the opportunity to see her perform again so soon.Vicksburg must be familar with her because she received a huge ovation as she walked out on stage.With a sexy and glittery outfit that rivaled that of our beloved Jackie Neal she captured the heart of all the fellas who were in attendance.I just love the divas of this genre of music.She opened her performance with her smash hit "You Gone Make Me Cheat" and she got everyone up on their feet.The ladies down front were singing and dancing like it was a female revolution going on in Vicksburg.Damn she had the crowd amped on this song.Her next song was "Baby Mama Drama" and again the ladies were harmonizing perfectly with this sexy southern soul diva.She continued her female independency with "Super Woman" and she was able to showcase her terrific vocals.This song was truly a moving testimony for all the women in attendance as they raised their hands in unity as she proclaimed the she was only human.She gave the crowd a brief acapella version of her new smash hit "I'm Gonna Slap Your Weave Out" and the crowd loved it. She closed her performance with her smash club hit "If I Back It Up" and immediately the Vicksburg auditorium turned into a dance party as Nellie and all the women in attendance began to shake their tail-feathers(lets just say that there was a whole lot of booty shaking going on).Nellie Travis has arrived fans,she is a phenomenal southern soul diva.She blends the sounds of Tina Turner,Gladys Knight,Mavis Staples and Patti Labelle all rolled up in one.Her show is a must see.For more information on Nellie"Tiger"Travis including bio,photos,upcoming shows and cd release dates please visit her website at www.nellietravis.com.
The next performer of the night was The Legendary J.Blackfoot.He was well received as he walked out on stage accompanied by The Queen,Ann Hines.He opened his performance with "Just Got Paid" and this uptempo tune had everyone up and dancing.He slowed the tempo down with one of my personal favorites "After The Tone" and it sounded oh so sweet.His live version of this song in my opinion is better than the cd version.He was joined on his next song by his backup singer as they gave an energetic version of "Same Old Woman".The place erupted on his next song when Sir Charles walked out on stage to join him on their smash hit "I'm Just A Fool Part 2".Their chemistry together was dynamic,they had the women screaming as they performed this jam.To see the two of them together on stage will be a memory that I will always cherish.His next song was another duet but this time he was joined by Ann Hines,as they performed their classic duet "Two Different People".I saw them perform this song earlier in the year for the very first time and just like before I loved every minute of this one.It was like watching the legendary Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell perform as they laughed,shrugged,tucked and tease doing the entire song.His next song was "Your Man Is Home Tonight" and he was joined on stage by "The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" O.B. Buchana and just like Sir Charles before him the place erupted when O.B. hit the stage and he wouldn't disappoint as the two of them brought the house down.Damn I love this southern soul s**t.His next song was the one that established him as a solo artist following years as the lead singer of The Soul Children,"Taxi" received an enormous ovation as J.Blackfoot continued to do his thing.He closed his performance with a tribute to Tyrone Davis as he did a superb rendition of "Turn Back The Hands Of Time" and once again the crowd went wild.The living legend continues to give the fans their money worth and then some.I didn't think he could get any better but with each performance he gets better all the time.DAMN GOOD SHOW!
The last performer of the night was "THE KING OF SOUTHERN SOUL",Sir Charles Jones.It was late(about 1:30 am)and the Vicksburg Auditorium was still packed.Its simply amazing to me that no one had left the show,thats big time ya'll.He received a thunderous ovation as he hit the stage.He opened up his performance with "Friday" and the ladies begin to make some serious noise as they packed the stage area.He peformed a medley of three of his classic hits "Natural Woman","Just Like Fire" and "Better Or Worse" and he had the women screaming.The highlight of his performance was when he asked O.B. Buchana to come join him on his next song,"Slow Roll It".The two them belted out their own rendition of this southern soul classic but they were just getting started as they begin to do a synchronized dance routine which consisted of several hip thrusting, bone it like you own it,I'll lick it before I stick it, and I'll stand up in it all night long(grown folks stuff ya'll) and they blew the roof off the auditorium.I think it was great that Sir Charles allowed "The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" to be a part of his performance even though he wasn't on tonight's show.The fans were very appreciative.He closed his performance with "Is There Anybody Lonely" and suddenly the house became a dance floor for everyone.His soulful voice sounded so good as he closed his performance.My man Omar Cunningham has the best live vocals,my friend T.K. Soul is the best showman but when it comes to charisma there is none better than Sir Charles.He is a terrific singer and dancer with a strong stage presence.His cds have been far and few the last couple of years but his popularity,especially with the ladies still remains among the best in the industry.I was glad to have the opportunity to see him perform again.I've heard talk about him not conversing with the fans or media anymore and I won't to put that to rest.After the show he greeted fans,took photos and signed autographs,I was able to talk to him as we took several photos together.We agreed to stay in touch so now I'll be able to update you fans regularly about news from "The King Of Southern Soul".AWESOME PERFORMANCE!
In closing I want to thank Too Sweet Productions for allowing me to cover this show.You and your entire staff should be commended for putting together such an awesome show for the fans of this genre of music.Fans please continue to support Too Sweet and other promoters who work so hard to provide us an opportunity to see and hear some of today's biggest blues and southern soul artists.I want to thank Ricky White,Ms. Jody,Nellie "Tiger" Travis,J.Blackfoot and Sir Charles for taking the time to converse with me at this show.I know your time is limited but I am very appreciative.I want to give a shout out to Willard Frederick,Sweet Mama,Yankan,Mz. Tink and Roni(Clarksdale diva).I would like to give a special shout out to "The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul",O.B. I had a blast kicking it with you at this show.You are always welcome to join me in Da Dawg Pound.I had a great time at this show and I just wanted to share it with the greatest fans in the world.Take care and MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.I'll see you down by the stage.
BIG K9