MAY 30,2008:
"RICO OWENS MEMORIAL DAY BLUES FEST "
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.This is the Big Dawg bringing you my most recent concert review.This is only my second one for 2009 but on this Memorial Day weekend this was one that I will surely always remember. My man Rico Owens presented his annual Memorial Day Blues Fest.For the second straight year the attendance for this show wasn't a large turnout but you know with this genre of music the smaller the crowd the bigger the party and for all of us in attendace we had one wang dang doodle of a time.
The V in Greenville,Mississippi played host to this southern soul party.I was joined in "Da Dawg Pound" by fellow members G-Money,Rico Owens and Octavious Pates a.k.a. O-Dawg and the newest young southern soul band in the industry "DA GRAN BOIZ".The lineup for this show was Terry Wright(Anytime Man),Booker Brown,Sweet Angel,Ricky White and Jeff Floyd.So with my gin and juice on hand chased with some ice cold Bud Light,sit back good people and let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The first performer was Terry Wright and this was my first time actually seeing him perform live.I met him back in 2008 at Sir Charles cd release party and the "King Of Southern Soul" allowed him to come on stage and do a medley of a few of his songs.I was really glad to see him added to this show.He didn't have his band with him so he had to perform tracks.I wish he could have had his band with him because you can really see an artist shine better when they have their live band playing at shows.He came on stage and got a nice reception from the small crowd in attendance.He opened his show with "Party" and thats exactly what got kicked off at this show.A few of the sexy women down stage jumped to their feet and they helped to get this party started for real.His next song was "One Way In,One Way out" and this also got a very good response from the crowd.His next selection really caught my attention.His southern soul hit "Two Women" is da bomb for real.I hadn't heard it in awhile but he really had the crowd going on this jam.This ballad is definetly a freeway to a listners heart.His smooth and immaculate voice made me ask one of the women down stage to dance?The way we slow danced on this song could easily rivaled that of President Obama and his wife Michelle being serenaded by Beyonce at the president's inauguration gala.This song has already been added to my current playlist.He closed his performance with his latest single "On The Back Roads" and this song has garnered major airplay throughout the southern region of the United States.Not new to the Southern Soul Scene, and a force to be recognized,Terry Wright is definetly one of the new voices of Southern Soul. Bringing a smooth style to the table and a voice that makes the women scream his name. Terry has worked with some of the best known acts in the business and now he's spreading his wings to bring you a sound like none other. Former music director for the Great Marvin Sease, Terry Wright has a vocal style that is ready for the airwaves, CD's and live performances.I hope the promoters will begin to add this talented brother to their shows.He has a new cd titled "How Sweet Is Your Candy" on Mac Wright records and I've already listen to it and fans this is a must buy.This was an awesome performance.Terry Wright,welcome to the club man!For more information on Terry Wright please contact him personally at terry966@aol.com
The next performer was Booker Brown and this is no disrespect to him but it was just awfully hard to follow Terry Wright and I wasn't very familar with his music.He was just put in a bad situation for this show.It would have been hard for anyone to follow Terry Wright on this night.His songs "Love Is Blind" and "Stir It Up" did catch my ear.
Up next was my girl,Ecko recording artist,Sweet Angel.I've known her for awhile now but this was actually the first time that I've had the opportunity to see her perform and anytime there is a diva on a male dominated show I always look forward to watching them perform.She must be a popular diva in this area because the small crowd on hand gave a big ovation for her as she hit the stage to "I'm Every Woman".With this genre of music I can honestly say that the women all stick together because the women down stage were feeling her as she did this intro.Her first song was "Oops' and she had the women testifying when her verse said,"You thought the grass was greener on the other side and now your ass is in for a bumpy ride",even me and O-Dawg gave a big bark on that one."Guilty As Charged" was her next song and this mid-tempo head bobber got the dance party started.In a day and time when women are always blaming the men about something,her next song "I'm Sharing Your Man" went over very well with the women.She is telling another woman that she can't give up her man and the women in attendance was up and singing along with approval,I got a big chuckle because I thought this was the damnest thing I've ever seen.Now I know why I don't watch LIFETIME CHANNEL!Her next song was my personal favorite "I Must Be Crazy",whew I just love this song.I made my way to the stage area to get up close and personal and then I closed my eyes and just imagined that she was singing this song especially for me.Her raspy sultry voice on this jam truly sounded angelic to me.I love this song for real.She continued her lifetime theme with a song called "I'd Rather Have A Cheatin Man".Now this woman gave a sassy performance on this song and the women all agreed in unity that they would rather have a cheating man than no man at all.Only at a grown folks party can this type of song get an AMEN from a group of women.Personally I think they all need to stop watching the Lifetime channel so damn much.Most divas performing now sound more like soul &b artist than a blues artist but on her next song "Another Man's Meat On My Plate" she had a true,deep,down-home blues vibe going.This southern soul party turned straight into a juke joint on this cut.She closed her performance with "Sweet Angel Blow That Thang".Before your minds get into the gutter she displayed her versatility as she broke out her saxaphone and blew the roof off the building.If she weren't a singer first she could easily be a part of any big time jazz band.She was that damn good!I've followed the career of this talented diva since her debut album "Handle Your Business" her managerhusband the legendary Mike Dobbins is to be commended on the developement and the maturation of this beautiful and talented diva.She is among the most sought after divas on the southern soul circuit.I'm glad to see her reaping all the much deserved recognition that she is obtaining.Her career will only grow bigger and brighter with Mike Dobbins in her corner.She has a new cd titled,"Bold Bitch".Is that grown enough for you?For all the latest news from Sweet Angel please visit her website at www.sweetangel.org and at www.eckorecords.com
The next performer was Ricky White and my honorary Dawg Pound members "Da Gran Boiz" were backing him tonight.Ricky White is a native son of Greenville and I know he was happy to be performing in front of the hometown folks.He opened his performance with "Fire" and thats exactly what he begin to do to the stage and the crowd was doing on the dance floor.Now Greenville is the hometown of Tyrone Davis and his next song,"So Good To You" is an ode to the late great Tyrone Davis.Anytime the hometown folks can groove with Tyrone you know its on and popping as the young folks like to say.He went back to his debut cd with his next selection,"Candy Man" as he let the women know,"in the world of love they call him the king and he can make them moan and scream because he is the Candy Man".It was his band,the "Gran Boiz" time to shine on his next song "Weekend".I watched these young cats grow as a band when they were backing for local artist Jessie Clay and Missippippi Slim since that time they've gone on to back Betty Padgett and now they were on stage with Ricky White and cutting up on the weekend.He closed his performance with my personal favorite,"I Still Love You".Me and O-Dawg were down by the stage with our hands in the air swaying left to right like a scene from the movie Purple Rain(May have been the gin kicking in).The women were also loving this one too.This ballad has dominated the southern soul airways and I know two people who have personally used it as a wedding song.I can honestly say that this song will become his signature song.This was a great performance and it was even more special for me because "Da Gran Boiz" really shined on this performance.Ricky White has a new cd out on Brimestone records titled "Fully Loaded" including the smash single "I Still Love You". Please go out and buy this cd to help support this hardworking artist.
The last performer on the night was jamming Jeff Floyd.O-Dawg had never seen him perform before so he was down stage for this one.He opened up his performance with "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" and for anyone who has seen Jeff Floyd perform already know that he has the most P-O-W-E-R-F-U-L live vocals in the industry,hands down.Whew!His voice echoed through the building like rolling thunder.All the fans in attendance were on their feet by now.I stood in awe as Jeff begin singing "I Got My Woman Upset".He next performed songs from his new cd including "Hand On It","Planning My Weekend" and "Shake Something Lose".It was now 2:00 am but Jeff still had everyone's full attention.The next song was "Lets Get It On" and I tell you people,the more Jeff sang the more powerful his voice sounded to me.His next song was a rendition of Solo's "Heaven" and if you remember this song you know you got to have some strong pipes to pull this one off and my man didn't disappoint at all.His next song was "Somebody's Gonna Lose A Good Woman Tonight" I wish William Bell could have been here live to perform this duet but Jeff did a hell of a job in his absence.The highlight of his performance was when he performed "King Size Bed".I've seen a lot of props being used in shows but Jeff has topped them all with a replica king size bed brought out on stage.Jeff was able to simulate to the women in Greenville how he could handle his business in bed.Grown folks stuff for real.He gave a Teddy Pendergrass like performance on his new single "Lock My Door" just as Teddy screamed "turn'em off" in his song "Turn Off The Lights",Jeff equaled that moment when he screamed "lock it up" toward the end of this song.He closed his performance with my personal favorite "I've Found Love On A Lonely Highway" and once again he displayed his POWERFUL vocals.Jeff Floyd has a strong stage presence that puts him in the same class with T.K. Soul,O.B. Buchana,Omar Cunningham and Sir Charles.If you are a big Jeff Floyd fan he has a new cd titled "Keeping It Real" on Wilbe records.For all the latest Jeff Floyd news please visit his website at www.jazzijefffloyd.com
I would like to thank my man Rico Owens and his entire staff for making it possible for me to cover this show.I hate it wasn't a bigger crowd to help support him for bringing such a spectacular show to Greenville.I believe its too many activities such as reunions,graduations and folks just going out of town on Memorial Day weekend that is the real cause for small turnouts at some these shows.Rico keep ya head bro! In closing I would like to thank Terry Wright,Sweet Angel,Ricky White and Jeff Floyd for taking the time to meet,greet,converse and pose for tons of photos at this show.Your time is truly appreciated.I would like to give special shout outs to Sweet Angel's personal assitants,Linzy Dorsey and Tamika Ivy,the legendary Mike Dobbins,my sweet friend Peaches(who by the way arrived toward the end of the show),my honorary Dawg Pound members Da Gran Boiz.To my fellow Dawg Pound members G-Money,Rico and O-Dawg it was a blast for real and I can't wait to do it again.KSOUL I know you were suppose to be on this show and I hate I didn't get the opportunity to see you do your thang but bro its coming just hang in there.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
"RICO OWENS MEMORIAL DAY BLUES FEST "
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.This is the Big Dawg bringing you my most recent concert review.This is only my second one for 2009 but on this Memorial Day weekend this was one that I will surely always remember. My man Rico Owens presented his annual Memorial Day Blues Fest.For the second straight year the attendance for this show wasn't a large turnout but you know with this genre of music the smaller the crowd the bigger the party and for all of us in attendace we had one wang dang doodle of a time.
The V in Greenville,Mississippi played host to this southern soul party.I was joined in "Da Dawg Pound" by fellow members G-Money,Rico Owens and Octavious Pates a.k.a. O-Dawg and the newest young southern soul band in the industry "DA GRAN BOIZ".The lineup for this show was Terry Wright(Anytime Man),Booker Brown,Sweet Angel,Ricky White and Jeff Floyd.So with my gin and juice on hand chased with some ice cold Bud Light,sit back good people and let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The first performer was Terry Wright and this was my first time actually seeing him perform live.I met him back in 2008 at Sir Charles cd release party and the "King Of Southern Soul" allowed him to come on stage and do a medley of a few of his songs.I was really glad to see him added to this show.He didn't have his band with him so he had to perform tracks.I wish he could have had his band with him because you can really see an artist shine better when they have their live band playing at shows.He came on stage and got a nice reception from the small crowd in attendance.He opened his show with "Party" and thats exactly what got kicked off at this show.A few of the sexy women down stage jumped to their feet and they helped to get this party started for real.His next song was "One Way In,One Way out" and this also got a very good response from the crowd.His next selection really caught my attention.His southern soul hit "Two Women" is da bomb for real.I hadn't heard it in awhile but he really had the crowd going on this jam.This ballad is definetly a freeway to a listners heart.His smooth and immaculate voice made me ask one of the women down stage to dance?The way we slow danced on this song could easily rivaled that of President Obama and his wife Michelle being serenaded by Beyonce at the president's inauguration gala.This song has already been added to my current playlist.He closed his performance with his latest single "On The Back Roads" and this song has garnered major airplay throughout the southern region of the United States.Not new to the Southern Soul Scene, and a force to be recognized,Terry Wright is definetly one of the new voices of Southern Soul. Bringing a smooth style to the table and a voice that makes the women scream his name. Terry has worked with some of the best known acts in the business and now he's spreading his wings to bring you a sound like none other. Former music director for the Great Marvin Sease, Terry Wright has a vocal style that is ready for the airwaves, CD's and live performances.I hope the promoters will begin to add this talented brother to their shows.He has a new cd titled "How Sweet Is Your Candy" on Mac Wright records and I've already listen to it and fans this is a must buy.This was an awesome performance.Terry Wright,welcome to the club man!For more information on Terry Wright please contact him personally at terry966@aol.com
The next performer was Booker Brown and this is no disrespect to him but it was just awfully hard to follow Terry Wright and I wasn't very familar with his music.He was just put in a bad situation for this show.It would have been hard for anyone to follow Terry Wright on this night.His songs "Love Is Blind" and "Stir It Up" did catch my ear.
Up next was my girl,Ecko recording artist,Sweet Angel.I've known her for awhile now but this was actually the first time that I've had the opportunity to see her perform and anytime there is a diva on a male dominated show I always look forward to watching them perform.She must be a popular diva in this area because the small crowd on hand gave a big ovation for her as she hit the stage to "I'm Every Woman".With this genre of music I can honestly say that the women all stick together because the women down stage were feeling her as she did this intro.Her first song was "Oops' and she had the women testifying when her verse said,"You thought the grass was greener on the other side and now your ass is in for a bumpy ride",even me and O-Dawg gave a big bark on that one."Guilty As Charged" was her next song and this mid-tempo head bobber got the dance party started.In a day and time when women are always blaming the men about something,her next song "I'm Sharing Your Man" went over very well with the women.She is telling another woman that she can't give up her man and the women in attendance was up and singing along with approval,I got a big chuckle because I thought this was the damnest thing I've ever seen.Now I know why I don't watch LIFETIME CHANNEL!Her next song was my personal favorite "I Must Be Crazy",whew I just love this song.I made my way to the stage area to get up close and personal and then I closed my eyes and just imagined that she was singing this song especially for me.Her raspy sultry voice on this jam truly sounded angelic to me.I love this song for real.She continued her lifetime theme with a song called "I'd Rather Have A Cheatin Man".Now this woman gave a sassy performance on this song and the women all agreed in unity that they would rather have a cheating man than no man at all.Only at a grown folks party can this type of song get an AMEN from a group of women.Personally I think they all need to stop watching the Lifetime channel so damn much.Most divas performing now sound more like soul &b artist than a blues artist but on her next song "Another Man's Meat On My Plate" she had a true,deep,down-home blues vibe going.This southern soul party turned straight into a juke joint on this cut.She closed her performance with "Sweet Angel Blow That Thang".Before your minds get into the gutter she displayed her versatility as she broke out her saxaphone and blew the roof off the building.If she weren't a singer first she could easily be a part of any big time jazz band.She was that damn good!I've followed the career of this talented diva since her debut album "Handle Your Business" her managerhusband the legendary Mike Dobbins is to be commended on the developement and the maturation of this beautiful and talented diva.She is among the most sought after divas on the southern soul circuit.I'm glad to see her reaping all the much deserved recognition that she is obtaining.Her career will only grow bigger and brighter with Mike Dobbins in her corner.She has a new cd titled,"Bold Bitch".Is that grown enough for you?For all the latest news from Sweet Angel please visit her website at www.sweetangel.org and at www.eckorecords.com
The next performer was Ricky White and my honorary Dawg Pound members "Da Gran Boiz" were backing him tonight.Ricky White is a native son of Greenville and I know he was happy to be performing in front of the hometown folks.He opened his performance with "Fire" and thats exactly what he begin to do to the stage and the crowd was doing on the dance floor.Now Greenville is the hometown of Tyrone Davis and his next song,"So Good To You" is an ode to the late great Tyrone Davis.Anytime the hometown folks can groove with Tyrone you know its on and popping as the young folks like to say.He went back to his debut cd with his next selection,"Candy Man" as he let the women know,"in the world of love they call him the king and he can make them moan and scream because he is the Candy Man".It was his band,the "Gran Boiz" time to shine on his next song "Weekend".I watched these young cats grow as a band when they were backing for local artist Jessie Clay and Missippippi Slim since that time they've gone on to back Betty Padgett and now they were on stage with Ricky White and cutting up on the weekend.He closed his performance with my personal favorite,"I Still Love You".Me and O-Dawg were down by the stage with our hands in the air swaying left to right like a scene from the movie Purple Rain(May have been the gin kicking in).The women were also loving this one too.This ballad has dominated the southern soul airways and I know two people who have personally used it as a wedding song.I can honestly say that this song will become his signature song.This was a great performance and it was even more special for me because "Da Gran Boiz" really shined on this performance.Ricky White has a new cd out on Brimestone records titled "Fully Loaded" including the smash single "I Still Love You". Please go out and buy this cd to help support this hardworking artist.
The last performer on the night was jamming Jeff Floyd.O-Dawg had never seen him perform before so he was down stage for this one.He opened up his performance with "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" and for anyone who has seen Jeff Floyd perform already know that he has the most P-O-W-E-R-F-U-L live vocals in the industry,hands down.Whew!His voice echoed through the building like rolling thunder.All the fans in attendance were on their feet by now.I stood in awe as Jeff begin singing "I Got My Woman Upset".He next performed songs from his new cd including "Hand On It","Planning My Weekend" and "Shake Something Lose".It was now 2:00 am but Jeff still had everyone's full attention.The next song was "Lets Get It On" and I tell you people,the more Jeff sang the more powerful his voice sounded to me.His next song was a rendition of Solo's "Heaven" and if you remember this song you know you got to have some strong pipes to pull this one off and my man didn't disappoint at all.His next song was "Somebody's Gonna Lose A Good Woman Tonight" I wish William Bell could have been here live to perform this duet but Jeff did a hell of a job in his absence.The highlight of his performance was when he performed "King Size Bed".I've seen a lot of props being used in shows but Jeff has topped them all with a replica king size bed brought out on stage.Jeff was able to simulate to the women in Greenville how he could handle his business in bed.Grown folks stuff for real.He gave a Teddy Pendergrass like performance on his new single "Lock My Door" just as Teddy screamed "turn'em off" in his song "Turn Off The Lights",Jeff equaled that moment when he screamed "lock it up" toward the end of this song.He closed his performance with my personal favorite "I've Found Love On A Lonely Highway" and once again he displayed his POWERFUL vocals.Jeff Floyd has a strong stage presence that puts him in the same class with T.K. Soul,O.B. Buchana,Omar Cunningham and Sir Charles.If you are a big Jeff Floyd fan he has a new cd titled "Keeping It Real" on Wilbe records.For all the latest Jeff Floyd news please visit his website at www.jazzijefffloyd.com
I would like to thank my man Rico Owens and his entire staff for making it possible for me to cover this show.I hate it wasn't a bigger crowd to help support him for bringing such a spectacular show to Greenville.I believe its too many activities such as reunions,graduations and folks just going out of town on Memorial Day weekend that is the real cause for small turnouts at some these shows.Rico keep ya head bro! In closing I would like to thank Terry Wright,Sweet Angel,Ricky White and Jeff Floyd for taking the time to meet,greet,converse and pose for tons of photos at this show.Your time is truly appreciated.I would like to give special shout outs to Sweet Angel's personal assitants,Linzy Dorsey and Tamika Ivy,the legendary Mike Dobbins,my sweet friend Peaches(who by the way arrived toward the end of the show),my honorary Dawg Pound members Da Gran Boiz.To my fellow Dawg Pound members G-Money,Rico and O-Dawg it was a blast for real and I can't wait to do it again.KSOUL I know you were suppose to be on this show and I hate I didn't get the opportunity to see you do your thang but bro its coming just hang in there.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