APRIL 6,2007:
"FIRST ANNUAL OLD SCHOOL PLAYERS BALL"
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans,Spring time is here and this is probably my favorite time of the year.The weather is starting to warm up(I hate cold weather) and the Blues and Southern Soul shows are plentiful this time of the year.I receive a lot of emails from fans of this genre of music and many of them want to know when and where can they find a good show to attend?People who read my concert reviews say they are able to see themselves at these shows through my words.I received an email a couple of months ago from a southern soul fan who stated she had never attended a show before but after reading some of my concert reviews,she said,she can't wait for the opportunity to attend her first blues and southern soul show.This is why I truly enjoy bringing you the fans these reviews,so let me say thank you to all the fans of this genre of music who really appreciate the fruits of my labor.
Recently I attended "The First Annual Old School Players Ball" held at The Whitehaven Celebration Complex in Memphis,Tennessee.The lineup for this show was Larome Powers,Roni and Mr. Scat Cat himself,Billy "Soul" Bonds.I heard about this show only a few days prior to the show and I wasn't quite sure if I was even going to make it.I was anticipating a large crowd for this event but to my suprise it wasn't hardly anyone in attendance.I made my way to the bar and then I saw Roni's manger Steve Ganaway,we chatted briefly and were soon joined by the CEO of B&J Records,Anna Coday(wife of recording artist Bill Coday).
Also in attendace were recording artist Pat Brown,"Kitty Kitty Club" members Bluz Queen,ACT-N-BAD-4-U, and Miss Two Weeks Notice.I've always said that you don't need a big crowd to enjoy a show so with only a handful of people in attendance and my cold Bud Light on hand sit back good people and allow me to take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The first artist to come to the stage was Waldoxy recording artist,Larome Powers.I met him at The Cotton Capital Festival in Greenwood,Mississippi a few months ago.I was familar with his music so I was looking forward to seeing him perform.He opened his performance with his smash hit,"Shake & Shimmey" which is very popular on the southern soul charts.Usually an artist will save their biggest hit to close a performance but Larome wanted to make a big impression for the small crowd on hand and like so many of his peers it worked to perfection.He left the stage and stood in the midst of The Kitty Kitty Club and begin to get his shake and shimmey on.Act-N-Bad-4-U was dancing like her namesake and the rest of us in attendace enjoyed every minute of it.His next song was "Get Down On It" and he refused to go back on stage as he made his way to another table of females and he really begin to get down on it.One young lady wasn't ready for this grown folk style of dancing as she buried her face with shame as Larome continued to hump,bump and grind all over her(poor baby).I believed he only planned to do a couple of songs but his love affair with the ladies in attendance had him performing some of his other songs including "I Feel Like Cheating","Nothin But A Party","Lets Make Love Tonight(I really liked that one)","Are You Lonely(another nice cut)" and "Won't You Forgive Me".He didn't have a live band but I was still impressed with his vocals.He has the sound of a seasoned southern soul artist and I believe with the backing of a live band his baritone voice will win over a crowd and this will help to establish him into a fine performer.To hear the sounds of Larome Powers please purchase his latest cd titled "What's Life Without Love".I believe the people in attendace really enjoyed his performance and I know for sure that The Kitty Kitty Club are now fans of Larome Powers.
The next performer of the night was "The Sexy Lady Of Southern Soul",Roni and I was so glad to have the opportunity to see her perform again.The crowd led by myself and the Kitty Kitty Club gave her a nice ovation as she came to the stage.She received her biggest ovation from the fellas who were really captivated by this Sexy diva.This was my second time seeing her perform and just like the first time,to see her walk out on stage is truly breath-taking. She thanked the people in attendace for coming out to support her which I thought was a really nice and professional gesture especially with such a small crowd on hand.She opened up her performance with a rendition of Betty Wright's "Cleanup Woman" and man did she begin to belt out this tune.
The crowd was very appreciative as they gave her another nice applause.The Kitty Kitty Club once again were making the most noise down front and you would think that it was a full house with all the love they were showing this southern soul diva.The first time I saw her peform she didn't have a live band but now she did and oh what a difference a live band can do for a performance.Her soulful voice filled the air and she had everyone feeling this cut.Her next song was "A Woman Needs Love" and she left the stage area and begin to distibute her cds to the people in attendance.How cool is that?Not only do you get to see her perform live you also receive a free cd.Now you know the audience were loving her now."Do You Want What I Want " was her next selection and me personally,I won't answer that question but I can only imagine how the fellas felt.
Betty Wright must have had a big influence on her as she performed a terrific version of "Tonight Is The Night".I was blown away by the depth of her vocals as she had the small crowd all on their feet.She kept the old school theme going with a remarkable rendition of the 70's r&b trio Honey Cone's "Want Ads" and she asked if there were any single men in the house?I couldn't tell it was a small crowd on hand,like a cohesive unit a reply of yes was belted out from some of the fellas in attendance.She had the crowd involved in her show and this was making this a magnificent performance.
She begin performing some of her songs from her latest cd,"Call Me" allowed her to slow this southern soul party down.This is a nice slow jam that allowed a few of the couples in attendance to get their slow dance on.Once again she was able to showcase her amazing voice.With the backing of her band this song came across very well.Her next song,"Freaky" got the crowd back their feet as she let everyone in attendance know that there is no shame in her game."Not Gonna Beg" is a nice song that had a lil Mary J Blige vibe to it.I guess the highlight of her performance came when she performed "Let's Shake It",a female fan joined her on stage and she begin to drop it like it was hot and then it was Roni's turn and LAWD HAVE MERCY!The way she shook her money maker you would think that she was back in her days with Nathaniel Kimble as she sho nuff bagged it up.
She closed her performance with her biggest hit to date,"A Fool On My Hands" received the biggest ovation of the night.She ad-lib with the crowd with some explicit lyrics and you know this sits well with a southern soul crowd.She paid a tribute to her friend,our beloved Jackie Neal and people who know me well can only imagine how sentimental I felt doing this tribute.Everyone in attendance applauded as she paid tribute to our fallen angel.Roni has truly grown as an artist and performer since the last time I saw her perform.The presence of a live band really showcased her vocals on this night and with her ability to ad-lib with the crowd,those eye popping,sexy dance moves makes her show a must see.Its truly sad that more people weren't on hand to see this young lady perform but Roni my friend I commend you for giving those in attendance one hell of a show.
Unfortunately it was late and I had to leave following Roni's performance but Bluz Queen told me that Billy Soul Bonds kept the party going with "For Your Precious Love" "Baby I've Been Missing You" and "Scat Cat,Here Kitty Kitty". I would like to take this time to say to all the promoters out there.You have some loyal blues and southern soul fans out here and I think its time to start putting some more upcoming artists and females on these shows that the fans come out to support.I can't tell anyone how to handle their business but with all the emails and just talking to some of the fans they want to see the likes of Walter Waiters,Steve Perry,Lil Fallay,Lil Phil,Sergio Davis,Roni,Ms. Monique,Sheba Potts-Wright,Karen Wolfe,Monique Ford,Dionne,Joy and too many other artists like the above mention perform.I think its enough room to share this blues and southern soul thang.I want to help keep this genre of music alive and I especially want to help make it grow.I want to give a shout out to Larome Powers,Billy Soul Bonds,Pat Brown,Anna Coday,Steve Ganaway,Roni and the members of The Kitty Kitty Club.I really enjoyed this show and I just wanted to share it with you all,the greatest fans in the world.Take care and MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
Big K9
"FIRST ANNUAL OLD SCHOOL PLAYERS BALL"
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans,Spring time is here and this is probably my favorite time of the year.The weather is starting to warm up(I hate cold weather) and the Blues and Southern Soul shows are plentiful this time of the year.I receive a lot of emails from fans of this genre of music and many of them want to know when and where can they find a good show to attend?People who read my concert reviews say they are able to see themselves at these shows through my words.I received an email a couple of months ago from a southern soul fan who stated she had never attended a show before but after reading some of my concert reviews,she said,she can't wait for the opportunity to attend her first blues and southern soul show.This is why I truly enjoy bringing you the fans these reviews,so let me say thank you to all the fans of this genre of music who really appreciate the fruits of my labor.
Recently I attended "The First Annual Old School Players Ball" held at The Whitehaven Celebration Complex in Memphis,Tennessee.The lineup for this show was Larome Powers,Roni and Mr. Scat Cat himself,Billy "Soul" Bonds.I heard about this show only a few days prior to the show and I wasn't quite sure if I was even going to make it.I was anticipating a large crowd for this event but to my suprise it wasn't hardly anyone in attendance.I made my way to the bar and then I saw Roni's manger Steve Ganaway,we chatted briefly and were soon joined by the CEO of B&J Records,Anna Coday(wife of recording artist Bill Coday).
Also in attendace were recording artist Pat Brown,"Kitty Kitty Club" members Bluz Queen,ACT-N-BAD-4-U, and Miss Two Weeks Notice.I've always said that you don't need a big crowd to enjoy a show so with only a handful of people in attendance and my cold Bud Light on hand sit back good people and allow me to take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The first artist to come to the stage was Waldoxy recording artist,Larome Powers.I met him at The Cotton Capital Festival in Greenwood,Mississippi a few months ago.I was familar with his music so I was looking forward to seeing him perform.He opened his performance with his smash hit,"Shake & Shimmey" which is very popular on the southern soul charts.Usually an artist will save their biggest hit to close a performance but Larome wanted to make a big impression for the small crowd on hand and like so many of his peers it worked to perfection.He left the stage and stood in the midst of The Kitty Kitty Club and begin to get his shake and shimmey on.Act-N-Bad-4-U was dancing like her namesake and the rest of us in attendace enjoyed every minute of it.His next song was "Get Down On It" and he refused to go back on stage as he made his way to another table of females and he really begin to get down on it.One young lady wasn't ready for this grown folk style of dancing as she buried her face with shame as Larome continued to hump,bump and grind all over her(poor baby).I believed he only planned to do a couple of songs but his love affair with the ladies in attendance had him performing some of his other songs including "I Feel Like Cheating","Nothin But A Party","Lets Make Love Tonight(I really liked that one)","Are You Lonely(another nice cut)" and "Won't You Forgive Me".He didn't have a live band but I was still impressed with his vocals.He has the sound of a seasoned southern soul artist and I believe with the backing of a live band his baritone voice will win over a crowd and this will help to establish him into a fine performer.To hear the sounds of Larome Powers please purchase his latest cd titled "What's Life Without Love".I believe the people in attendace really enjoyed his performance and I know for sure that The Kitty Kitty Club are now fans of Larome Powers.
The next performer of the night was "The Sexy Lady Of Southern Soul",Roni and I was so glad to have the opportunity to see her perform again.The crowd led by myself and the Kitty Kitty Club gave her a nice ovation as she came to the stage.She received her biggest ovation from the fellas who were really captivated by this Sexy diva.This was my second time seeing her perform and just like the first time,to see her walk out on stage is truly breath-taking. She thanked the people in attendace for coming out to support her which I thought was a really nice and professional gesture especially with such a small crowd on hand.She opened up her performance with a rendition of Betty Wright's "Cleanup Woman" and man did she begin to belt out this tune.
The crowd was very appreciative as they gave her another nice applause.The Kitty Kitty Club once again were making the most noise down front and you would think that it was a full house with all the love they were showing this southern soul diva.The first time I saw her peform she didn't have a live band but now she did and oh what a difference a live band can do for a performance.Her soulful voice filled the air and she had everyone feeling this cut.Her next song was "A Woman Needs Love" and she left the stage area and begin to distibute her cds to the people in attendance.How cool is that?Not only do you get to see her perform live you also receive a free cd.Now you know the audience were loving her now."Do You Want What I Want " was her next selection and me personally,I won't answer that question but I can only imagine how the fellas felt.
Betty Wright must have had a big influence on her as she performed a terrific version of "Tonight Is The Night".I was blown away by the depth of her vocals as she had the small crowd all on their feet.She kept the old school theme going with a remarkable rendition of the 70's r&b trio Honey Cone's "Want Ads" and she asked if there were any single men in the house?I couldn't tell it was a small crowd on hand,like a cohesive unit a reply of yes was belted out from some of the fellas in attendance.She had the crowd involved in her show and this was making this a magnificent performance.
She begin performing some of her songs from her latest cd,"Call Me" allowed her to slow this southern soul party down.This is a nice slow jam that allowed a few of the couples in attendance to get their slow dance on.Once again she was able to showcase her amazing voice.With the backing of her band this song came across very well.Her next song,"Freaky" got the crowd back their feet as she let everyone in attendance know that there is no shame in her game."Not Gonna Beg" is a nice song that had a lil Mary J Blige vibe to it.I guess the highlight of her performance came when she performed "Let's Shake It",a female fan joined her on stage and she begin to drop it like it was hot and then it was Roni's turn and LAWD HAVE MERCY!The way she shook her money maker you would think that she was back in her days with Nathaniel Kimble as she sho nuff bagged it up.
She closed her performance with her biggest hit to date,"A Fool On My Hands" received the biggest ovation of the night.She ad-lib with the crowd with some explicit lyrics and you know this sits well with a southern soul crowd.She paid a tribute to her friend,our beloved Jackie Neal and people who know me well can only imagine how sentimental I felt doing this tribute.Everyone in attendance applauded as she paid tribute to our fallen angel.Roni has truly grown as an artist and performer since the last time I saw her perform.The presence of a live band really showcased her vocals on this night and with her ability to ad-lib with the crowd,those eye popping,sexy dance moves makes her show a must see.Its truly sad that more people weren't on hand to see this young lady perform but Roni my friend I commend you for giving those in attendance one hell of a show.
Unfortunately it was late and I had to leave following Roni's performance but Bluz Queen told me that Billy Soul Bonds kept the party going with "For Your Precious Love" "Baby I've Been Missing You" and "Scat Cat,Here Kitty Kitty". I would like to take this time to say to all the promoters out there.You have some loyal blues and southern soul fans out here and I think its time to start putting some more upcoming artists and females on these shows that the fans come out to support.I can't tell anyone how to handle their business but with all the emails and just talking to some of the fans they want to see the likes of Walter Waiters,Steve Perry,Lil Fallay,Lil Phil,Sergio Davis,Roni,Ms. Monique,Sheba Potts-Wright,Karen Wolfe,Monique Ford,Dionne,Joy and too many other artists like the above mention perform.I think its enough room to share this blues and southern soul thang.I want to help keep this genre of music alive and I especially want to help make it grow.I want to give a shout out to Larome Powers,Billy Soul Bonds,Pat Brown,Anna Coday,Steve Ganaway,Roni and the members of The Kitty Kitty Club.I really enjoyed this show and I just wanted to share it with you all,the greatest fans in the world.Take care and MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
Big K9