Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.The last three(3) years has been a wonderful blues and southern soul ride for this old country boy from a small town in Mississippi.I'm proud to be a native of MOUND BAYOU,MISSISSIPPI, the oldest all black town in America.A lot of you folks probably have never heard of my hometown but I know many of you have.Mound Bayou has been dubbed "THE JEWEL OF THE DELTA".Former slaves founded Mound Bayou, and the town remained an all-black community until seven or eight years ago. "We run everything," and "We take care of ourselves" would be spoken loud and proud from the young,old,male and females. No one has been able to come in and take it over.The community's self-sufficient history stands a mark of pride for the town residents.I remember in the early 1980's,I guess I was about eleven(11) or twelve(12) years old,Mound Bayou was hit with a lawsuit(I won't go into details but a white woman sued the community for a seven figure amount).The legal system ruled in her favor and this proud community was left devestated.The impact of that ruling left the town pretty much in limbo,everywhere I would go,to a neighbor's house,school and even church everyone was wondering how the town could overcome this financial burden.At the end of every bad storm there is a break in the clouds and you can see a bright and sunny sky.For the citizens of Mound Bayou,WDIA 1070 AM(MEMPHIS,TN) was our sunshine.Americas first black radio station reached out and saved an entire community.WDIA held several fund raising events including an all star soul blues concert that featured such artists as Tyrone Davis,The Legendary Bar-Kays,Rufus Thomas and The Reddings(Otis Redding children) just to name a few.I remember that day just like it was yesterday.It was so much love and everyone was having such a good time that no one even cared about the lawsuit at least not on that day.I've always held a special place in my heart for WDIA,hell I even use to call myself "Bobby O'Jay" because he was truly the coolest cat on the airwaves.

I recently attended the first stop of the 2007 WDIA JUKE JOINT TOUR.The Gay Hawk Restaurant & Club was the venue for this blues and southern soul party.When I arrived there were cars parked for blocks and blocks,I had no idea that so many people would be in attendance.I had to park my truck and walk about a 1/4 mile just to reach The Gay Hawk Restaurant.Several hundred people were posted outside with lawn chairs,bar-b-q grills,tables and tents so I assumed that the show was an outside event.You could hear the music playing and the mc's talking but I didn't see a stage so I asked a fan in attendance,"Where the stage was?".He looked at me as though I fell off the turnip truck,he said the show was inside and they had already let in full capacity and that everyone else was on the outside getting their blues on.I couldn't believe what I was witnessing,hundreds of people who couldn't get on the inside for the show but were all posted on the outside and having more fun than the folks inside.Usually people would be mad and raising all kind of trouble but I guess these fans knew what to expect on this juke joint tour.Arrive early you might get in but if you don't the party still goes on.Amazing!

I made my way to the front entrance and I didn't know if I would be able to get in.WDIA is truly a first class organization because Jackie Ward,The Promotions Director for Clear Channel Radio Memphis
WDIA-AM * WHAL-FM had left word for me to enter once I arrived.I felt like a VIP for this event.As I entered the building it was packed wall to wall,I mean standing room only.I made my way to the stage area where I saw some familar faces,my good friends Steve Ladd(WDIA DJ),Jeff Lee(WDIA DJ),"The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" O.B. Buchana,The Legendary Mike Dobbins,recording artist Sweet Angel and Bill and Anna Coday.I was greeted by Jackie Ward and my man Bobby O'Jay.I went to the bar and grabbed about five bud lights because I wasn't about to try and work my way through this crowded place again.So with The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul and my WDIA posse on hand and a few cold bud lights to get me in a juke joint mood good people let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.

All the artist were doing tracks and with the place being so packed I wasn't able to position myself like I normally do."The Duchess' was the first entertainer to hit the stage when I arrived.She has toured as a background singer for J.Blackfoot,Archie Love and Lacee but she has now begin her career as a solo artist.She got the crowd rocking with a remake of Marvin Sease's "Mr. Jody" which is entitled "Doin My Job".She must be popular on the Memphis scene because they showed her a lot of love.She closed her performance with "It's My Time Now" and this diva really did her thing.Her show was brief(this would be for all the artist on the night)but it was a terrific performance.She has an impressive and stimulating voice that any Southern Soul fan can warm up to.The next performer was Dr. Feelgood Potts(Sheba Potts-Wright father)and he got the juke joint rocking with "Home-Town Boogie" which is a good old foot stomping and hand clapping cut.He closed his performance with the very popular "Make It Talk" which in my opinion should be ranked right up there with Marvin Sease's "Candylicker" and Theodis Ealey's "Stand Up In It".Miz B was the next performer and she is another hometown favorite that received a lot of love from the fans.She had the small stage area packed and dancing as she performed "Back It Up".She closed her performance with "My Name Is $$$$",she made it clear to the fellas on this cut that to get with her you got to be willing to pay the rent,the car note and put some bling bling around her neck.The ladies all loved this jam.The next performer was "The Lil Giant Of Soul",Willie Clayton and he received a thunderous ovation led by my girl Jackie Ward who now positioned herself front and center along with every other woman in the house.He sampled his hit "I Love Me Some You" and "Beautiful".He had fun with a young lady from the crowd on "Wiggle".He closed his performance with his smash hit "Boom,Boom,Boom" and the fans blew the roof off the place.It was still standing room only as the DJ had the crowd doing the Cupid Shuffle.I couldn't move an inch by now.My good friend Betty Padgett was on next she rocked the house with her sultry voice.She gave a soul stirring rendition of "Shine On Me" which really had the house up and jookin.She closed her performance with her big hit "Never Coming Home".She allowed a lady from the audience to share the mic with her and she sounded so good harmonizing with Betty Padgett.The last performer on the night was Ricky White.I saw him perform at a show last year and I was very impressed with his vocals and I was glad to have the opportunity to see him perform again.He opened his performance with "Making Love Like Back In The Day" and the ladies were all feeling him on this song.He closed his performance with "Ride My Pony" and was joined on stage by a young lady from the audience and they got a big ovation as this southern soul cowgirl strapped on and begin to ride his pony grown folk style(just use your imagination on that one).

I heard about WDIA's Juke Joint Tour last year and all the festivities that surrounded it.I was determine to join them on this years tour.I think its wonderful that this radio station provide the fans of this genre of music with these exciting shows at various venues in Memphis and its all for free.I want to give a shout out to Bill and Anna Coday,Miz B,Lee Parker,Betty Padgett,Ricky White,Willie Clayton,O.B. Buchana,Mike Dobbins and Sweet Angel.I enjoyed hanging out with all of you.I would like to give special thanks to Jackie Ward,Jeff Lee,Steve Ladd,Bobby O'Jay and the rest of the WDIA staff in attendance who showed me so much love at this southern soul party.I plan to ride out the entire tour with you all.To all the fans in the Memphis area I hope you all can come out and be a part of this blues and southern soul party.For more information on the remainder of "The WDIA 2007 Juke Joint Tour" please go to www.am1070wdia.com

The smaller the club the bigger the party and I had a blast at this juke joint and like always I wanted to share it with you,the greatest fans in the world.Take care and MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.I'll be seeing you down by the stage.

Big K9

Desiree and LaLa were working point for Baby Boy and had secured us a choice table right down front.
Special guests at our table included recording artist

HELL YEAH

 was The response from the  near capacity crowd .Then as the speakers belted out a familiar party anthem" I Got My Money  I Got My Whiskey".

 Young Joe Tex took Mel Waiters song and made it his very own,

He gave us and outstanding performance which included cuts from his new Cd titled Joe Tex II .

 

 

 

 also chillin in the VIP Lounge was Tee recording artist Dee Dee Starz who was having a very good time.
Soon it was  show time first up was  Mobile's on Ray Charles  a very talented performer who had
did a number of Ray Charles tunes with perfection the resemblance is remarkable! Bama recording artist Rufus G" the man with the Barry White pipes" was next was next  Rufus had the ladies swooning with his deep baritone melodic presentation.Up next was Shonn Marshall who rocked the house with his latest release Mr. Wrong.Andre Lee was up next
who performed a set of his old and some of his new product Andre did an unreleased cut called Ive Been Hurt which I predict is gonna be his biggest hit to date This jam is BAADDDDD!!!!!!
and Andre delivered it with Soul and Conviction everybody agreed This ones gonna be Da Bomb
Remember "Boogie Told Cha".Next up was the Singing comedian POONANNY who cracked the crowd up with his stand up act from his soon to be released comedy CD. The Lady of the Night took the stage next and rocked the crowd with  an" All The Way Live" performance. thanks CoCo for including my favorite My Man My Boo in your set. We saw Omar Cunningham two years ago in Greenwood at Mr. Ruben Hughes show that was an outstanding performance But Omar has been working on his stage presence and it showed. Omar Worked the entire room and kept the party jamminOmar has definitely taken his show to the next level. Last but not least was Jeff Floyd who rocked the house as only he can do. It was a tremendous evening Thanks to Big Joe, Carien, Cheryl, Sara and the staff of the Delta Blues house for your hospitality Thanks to Sylvester Parsons, CoCo and the Bama Records family for an outstanding evening we look forward to the next one.

 

 

Well, Its Mardi Gras so I jumped at the opportunity to go to New Orleans to cover Lenny Williams at the Treasure Chest Casino for The Boogie Report.

The Traffic during Mardi Gras is unreal it seamed like everyone in the entire state was on the road going to the parades. Joe Pete "our driver" took every short cut he knew and we finally arrived at the Treasure Chest which is located in Kenner at the end of Williams Street on the lake.

. When we arrived "a little late" we noticed the show had already begun. Lionel Robinson was on stage with his rendition of the old school sounds. We first met Lionel when he was the concert master for The Love Doctor. Lionel held the jammed pack room spellbound with a montage of Classic Soul Hits from Percy Sledge's "When a man loves a woman, to" TheTemptations "My Girl" and the O'Jays "Family Reunion." Lionel's performance filled the room with nonstop ovations. On to the introduction of the band members on Bass the multitalented (cancer) Kenny Jones...from Washington State and on the Keyboard the amazing style of (Virgo) Matt Vinson it's no surprise why from1993-1997 they were the band behind Lenny Williams, Dennis Edward's, Jones Girls and Millie Jackson just to name a few...on Guitar Roy "Dollar Bill" Joseph, the newest member to the Lionel Robinson band for 5 months with incredible beats was Mike Travis (Aries) as though the music didn't capture the audiences attention enough Southern University graduate Tyrone Norwood's (Leo) magical fingers was the second half of the keyboard section, this was real treat watching the two synchronize their talents, and last but surely not least a man who is no stranger to the world of music Mr. Lionel Robinson (Leo) lead vocals, Robinson's, melodic sounds made you feel every note bring back memories that you'd want to hold on to, the audience was receptive to his dazzling showmanship and outstanding performance.

Lenny Williams, opens the show with "This Time It's Real" into "Midnight Girl" from the start Lenny reels the audience in with classic hits, which included the old Hall & Oates anthem "Sarah Smile" this one brought the crowd to their feet. When Lenny tapped into 1973 back in the Tower of Power days with a tune written by he and Johnny "Guitar" Watson "So Very Hard To Go" the excitement filled the room, this hit had everybody singing and dancing, the hits kept coming with (William DeVaughn) "Just Be Thankful" where even there was audience participation on the hook ladies versus the men YOU KNOW THE LADIES TOOK THE FLOOR:) up next was an amazing blues medley with "Rock Me All Night Long" (BB King), "Night Time Is The Right Time" and "Stoop Down Baby" Lenny touched on one of my favorite songs, which sold 16 million copies in 1986 a duet with Kenny G featuring the sultry vocal sounds of Lenny Williams "Don't Make Me Wait For Love" into "Ooh Baby Baby" (Smokey Robinson) "Ain't too Proud To Beg" (temptations), "I'll Be Around" and "Let's Do The Twist" (chubby checker) were among the final medley before the last song of the evening, the song that everyone was waiting the Lenny Williams Anthem "Cause I Love You" brought lovers together as he crooned this hit that will always be a favorite to all, The audience was so charged Lenny had to make two curtain calls he left the crowd satisfied but still wanting more. Make sure to check out Lenny Williams new CD on Thump Records MY WAY, and be sure to check out Lenny when he comes to a venue near you .You will be glad you did.Thank you Boogie I look forward to my next assignment

TO EXPRESS HOW IMPORTANT THE FAMILY ATMOPHERE IS TO THE SUCCESS OF HIS GROUP. AT THIS POINT HE INTRODUCES BJ MILLER.

 

http://theodisealey.com/

 

 

 

A completely sold out crowd squeezed into the Calvin Theater

Sunday night for a glimpse of royalty - blues royalty.

 

Indeed, B.B. King, the 78-year-old reigning king of the electric

blues received a royal welcome from some 1,300 adoring fans.

But the legend quickly proved song after song that he was no

high and mighty aristocrat, but a musical man of the people

during his excellent 1-hour and 50-minute set.

 

After The B.B. King Blues Band warmed the crowd up with a

couple of jazzy instrumentals, the icon took a seat on his throne -

center stage, front.

 

The diabetic septuagenarian made no apologies for having to sit

for his entire 13-song performance saying, "I'm not 19 anymore.

I'm old enough that I can sit down if I want to." He then joked, "I've

got bad knees, a bad back and even a bad head - I can't

remember anything!"

 

He couldn't have been more wrong. He hadn't forgotten his

irresistible charm, jovial swagger, nuanced singing or bent

guitar playing as he opened his old-fashioned blues set with a

rowdy performance of "I'll Survive" quickly followed with "Bad

Case of Love."

 

Next, he tore into the ballad "I Need You," a fine aching ballad off

of his 2003 release "Reflections." Though unable to get up and

dance, King shook his thing in his seat, spreading joy and

humor to the entire audience. Perhaps looking forward to his

brief break in touring before crossing the globe for a string of

sets in Russia, King was in fine form, cracking jokes and

grinning ear to ear all evening.

 

To the audience's delight, King was sure to touch on most of his

classics including a fiercely entertaining rendition of his concert

staple "Caldonia," and perfect performance of the traditional

blues classic "I've Got Mind to Give Up Living."

 

Later, King teased the crowd with a bit of "Nobody Loves Me But

My Mother (And Even She Might Be Jivin')" a track he wrote for his

excellent 1970 release "Indianola Mississippi Seeds" before

leading into a delightful take of his trademark "How Blue Can

You Get?"

 

King continued to thrill the crowd with a wonderful performance

of "Key to the Highway," Big Bill Broonzy's classic song of

personal liberation, and then enjoyed a fun call and response

exchanged with the audience on his own classic "Rock Me

Baby."

 

But of course, no King concert would be complete without a

performance of "The Thrill is Gone," the one song (if you had to

pick just one) most often associated with the king of the blues.

"I'm gonna do this 'til I die, folks," assured King.

 

Listening to his terrific set closing performance of, "I Know You

Don't Love Me Anymore" from his 2000 Release "Makin' Love Is

Good for You," one can only hope that he'll be around for a long,

long time.

I was blown away by the Tyrone Davis and the Platinum Band at the first All Star Memorial Day festival in Columbus, Ga. I waited half the night for the star to hit the stage but when he hit he hit it hard  Tyrone was dressed in all white looking good and he started with can I tip toe in the bedroom and sung one I of my all time favorite Baby can I change my mind. And when he opened the mike on Kiss you were  I  miss you the crowd went wild  I can truely say that was one of the best performance I have seen Tyrone do in a long time it was great. It was truly worth the wait.