MAY 28,2006: WALTER WAITERS MISSISSIPPI DEBUT Hello Blues And Southern Soul fans.This Memorial Day Weekend will be well remembered by me.After the destruction of Hurricaine Katrina, life on the Gulf Coast is slowly but surely picking up the pieces.I watched on television just like the millions of others around the world as Hurricane Katrina ripped apart the gulf coast.I will never ever know how painful it was for the people in this area to experience such a catastrophe but I can only imagine the worst.My friend Herman Wilson has a Blue's Club in Gulfport,Mississippi that was spared by Hurricane Katrina.Other than the POWER OF PRAYER AND THE FAITH & TRUST IN THE GOOD LORD,there is no better therapy for healing than the sweet sounds of the blues and southern soul music.Herman has dubbed his club "THE TURNING POINT LOUNGE" and our beloved Tyrone Davis has got to be looking down on Gulfport with a smile on his face.This club has played host to the likes of T.K. Soul,Jeff Floyd,Big Cynthia and Reggie P just to name a few. Last night I attended my first but it certainly won't be my last show at "THE TURNING POINT LOUNGE".My lil brother,Walter Waiters was making his Mississippi debut.I put emphasis on Mississippi because this is my home state and we love and treasure our blues and southern soul heritage.I'll never say that we are the best fans of this genre of music but I do know we aren't the worse.I was joined on this night by a couple of my DOWN-HOME-BLUES-GROUP(DHBG) members Hazel(Music Lady) and her dear sweet sister Bell Ann.The two of them drove from Tallahasse,Florida to attend Walter's debut in the Magnolia state.I arrived at "The Turning Point Lounge" and locals were starting to show up.I was met at the door by my man Herman who immediately began to make me feel right at home.He was still preparing for tonight's show so I told him to handle his business because his club was like Club Ebony back in Indianola so I knew I would be alright.The sounds of Marvin Sease,Theodis Ealey,Billy "Soul"Bonds and many other artists were echoing from th DJ booth and this had the locals in attendance geared up for Walter's performance.I use to sterotype against people who lived on the gulf coast.I live in the Mississippi Delta and we are country folks but after seeing the crowd juking before the show these are some C-O-U-N-T-R-Y folks too.Walter's cousin Mel was right when he said the smaller the club the bigger the party.With the fish frying and the gin kicking in good people let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride. Before Walter came on I had to look around the room to capture the moment.I know this boy is bad and I told Herman and many of the people in attendance that he was going to do the damn thing tonight but the look on some of their faces was we shall see.He hit the stage and myself along with Hazel and Bell Ann down front led a thunderous ovation.We got the crowd pumped for one hell of a show.He opened up his performance with "Don't Scratch My Back" and the crowd was into the show early.It had been a few months since the last time I seen Walter perform and I simply forgot how good his live vocals are.His laid back delivery and soulful voice got the people of Gulfport on their feet and dancing.It was about five females on the floor juking and no guys hit the floor.I took it upon myself to get the fellows up and dancing so I hit the floor and stepped right in the middle of these women and ya'll they began to scratch my back.I began calling for the guys to hit the floor and just like that,Walter Waiters had won the hearts of the people of Gulfport.His rendition of Rufus Thomas "Walking The Dog" got a roaring ovation from the now packed "Turning Point Lounge".I've described Walter's music as the blues smoothed out on the southern soul tip and his next two songs personified that."Creepin" and "Careful Woman" got me up off my feet again to join a now crowded dance floor.He began belting out Ray Charles "The Night Time,Is The Right Time" and I was trying to convince one of the ladies in attendance to join him on this selection.She almost bit but I guess the thought of fame was too much for her.I love the way Walter makes the crowd a part of his show.When it came time for Margie Hendricks part the entire crowd helped him on the delivery and this was great for all in attendance.He kept the southern soul sound going with a rendition of Otis Redding's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" and by now it was sing along with Walter Waiters and the packed house was feeling this TEXAS BLUESMAN.He performed a couple of songs,"Just Me" and "Twerk It" from his new cd and the people of Gulfport gave them a stamp of approval. He switched gears for his next few selections.Walter is a Bluesman first and he always has acknowledge this fact.I watched Theodis Ealey perform a couple of months ago and I was impressed by his ability to be soulful but maintain his true music identity which is the blues.Walter is cut from the same cloth.He kicked off his blues set with our beloved Little Milton's "The Blues Is Alright" and the good people in Gulfport agreed.He took me home with some deep down home tradional blues.He played several hand-clapping and foot-stomping blues songs.His masterful skills on "LUCY"(his keyboard)were taken to a different level.In the middle of one of his selections my lil brother began to get a little explicit.Every show that I attend now the male artist display tounges that would put an anaconda to shame and lil Walter was no different.I guess its a good thing because all the females came front and center with cameras in hand and began snapping,even Bell Ann joined in on the photo shoot.Marvin Sease,whats really going on?Not to be ignored was the sounds coming from this keyboard.The sounds of B.B. King,Buddy Guy and the late great Albert King filled the room.I guess the best part of the show ocurred while Walter was performing Z.Z. Hill's "Somebody Else Is Stepping In".I forgot to get her name but their was an 82 year old lady in attendance and she was helped to the dance floor.The entire club zoomed in on her and bless her little heart she began to cut a rug and the place erupted.She was joined by her son who also had been a mainstay on the dance floor once the guys began getting their groove on.Walter closed his performance with a tribute to his mentor and friend,the late Buddy Ace."It Don't Hurt No More" is one of my personal favorites and Walter closed the show with a bang.Everbody was on their feet and clapping in approval as Walter strolled from center stage and entered the crowd.The good people in Gulfport embraced this TEXAS BLUESMAN with an extended ovation.They loved Walter so much that it was announced that he would do another show the next night.The place again erupted in approval.I was so moved by the overflow of love being displayed for Walter who came to the Gulf Coast region and helped the good people in this area for one night forget all about the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.I've heard what goes on in the club,should stay in the club.I have to disagree this time around.Walter's performance tonight should be told and I just had to tell it.I heard about an all-star lineup going on in Huntsville,Alabama and I know the fans there had a great time but I bet if you ask anyone who was at "The Turning Point Lounge",they wouldn't trade Walter's performance on this night for anything in the world and unlike Huntsville, Gulfport has Walter for one more night.I made a comittment to my friend and I'm glad that I joined the people in Gulfport on this night. After the show,Herman was the DJ for the after party and his sounds kept everyone partying.We took a few photos and talked with a lot of the people in attendance.I told the people that Big K9 would be barking in Gulfport again.Hazel and Bell Ann it was good to party with you all again.Herman thanks for the invitation and with you running the "Turning Point Lounge" the good people in Gulfport will always have a place to escape.Walter,thank you for allowing me to be an integral part of your show.People in attendance thought that I was your hype man(lol!). Good people I had a great time in Gulfport and like always I just wanted to share it with you,the true fans of this BLUES AND SOUTHERN SOUL THANG.TAKE CARE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. Big K9
WELCOME 2 DA DAWG POUND! DA HOME OF BIG K9
Site powered by Weebly. Managed by Sibername