OCTOBER 15,2006: "10TH ANNUAL COTTON CAPITAL BLUES FESTIVAL" Hello blues and southern soul fans.My 2006 ride continued in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.I enjoy shows in any state and just about any venue but there is no better place for me to really enjoy my blues and southern soul than in the Mississippi Delta.Greenwood,Mississippi hosted its "10th ANNUAL COTTON CAPITAL BLUES FESTIVAL".The lineup for this spectacular event included Lebrado,Sheba Potts-Wright,Omar Cunningham,T.K. Soul,Latimore,Marvin Sease and Clarence Carter.It was a very large crowd on hand and it was a BYOB setting.I was joined on this night by fellow Dawg Pound member T-Bone and honorary Dawg Pound member,the CEO of Hustle Entertainment,Rico Owens.I guess the biggest suprise for me was when I spotted my mentor and Godfather,Jerry"Boogie"Mason from The Boogie Report posted and ready for work.WGNL radio personality,Cyreio Hughes was the mc for tonights show and my man granted me a backstage pass to cover this awesome event.There were vendors on hand that had the air filled with the smell of good barbque.So with the baby-back ribs tasting finger licking good and the gin and juice chased with cold bud light kicking in sit back good people and allow me to take you on this blues and southern soul ride. The first performer of the night was IFGAM(Theodis Ealey label) recording artist,Lebrado.He is new on the southern soul/blues scene but certainly not new to the music scene.He is the younger brother of the R&B duo sensations,K-Ci and JoJo(Jodeci).The good people in Greenwood gave him a huge ovation as he was introduced,especially the ladies who all flocked down by the stage.He began his performance like a seasoned veteran,he quickly began to ad-lib with the young ladies in attendance and they loved every minute of it.His first song was "Coffee" and this one was definetly for the ladies.He makes no secrets about the kind of woman he likes,hot,black and strong.He continued his love affair with the women in attendance with his next song "First Lady".On his next song I was blown away by his vocal range.Greenwood is Ronnie Lovejoy and Tyrone Davis territory and "Sure Wasn't Me" had everybody standing on their feet.He delivered one of the best renditions of this song that I had ever heard.He got everyone up and steppin with "Dancin" which is a nice dance(steppin) groove.I'm suprised that I haven't heard this one in one of the local juke joints.He showcased his silky ,soulful voice on the ballad "Try Me".I expect this to be a favorite for all the quiet storm lovers.He closed his performance with his biggest hit to date and my personal favorite,"I'm Missin' You Babe".It was not a person in attendance sitting down on this cut.He had the place up and jumping which was the perfect start for this show.Lebrado is one of the top newcomers on the southern soul/blues scene.He is a terrific singer and with a good stage presence.He is continuing to expand the music legacy started by his brothers.With a little more polish this star is going to shine very brightly.Good performance. The next performer on the night was Greenwood native,Sheba Potts Wright.She is the daughter of Ecko recording artist,Dr. Feel Good Potts.After the ladies made some noise for Lebrado it was time for all the fellas to make some noise in Greenwood and boy did WE ever.Sheba along with her "Slow Roll It Dancers" came on stage and LAWD HAVE MERCY!Can I say it one more time?LAWD HAVE MERCY!Only one word is needed for this young artist and her dancers,S-E-X-Y!I missed an earlier performance by her but I did have the opportunity to meet her but this was technically my first opportunity to see her perform.Just like her mentor and friend,Denise Lasalle this young lady was very raw with her grown folks language.Only at a blues and southern soul show does explicit lyrics get a huge ovation from the crowd.She opened her performance with Betty Wright's "Clean Up Woman" and she received a big ovation.Her next couple of songs she along with her dancers were able to provide the crowd with some nice eye candy dance moves."I Can Bagg It Up" and "I Need A Cowboy To Ride My Pony" went over well with the fellas.She slowed it down with a rendition of the Soul Children's "I'll Be The Other Woman".This was my favorite part of her performance.There was a young lady in the crowd crying and Sheba saw her and asked security to bring her up on stage.When the fan arrived on stage it was a very heart warming moment,the two of them embraced and for a moment I think Sheba even became teary eyed.She continued with several of her other big hits including "Lipstick On His Pants","Don't Get Yours Before I Get Mine","Big Hand Man",Private Fishing Hole" and the crowd pleasing "I Can Hear Your Macaroni".She closed her performance with more fan participation.On "Slow Roll It" she was joined by several female fans on stage.The fans along with Sheba and her dancers began to shake it and drop it like it was hot,it was definetly a whole lot of shaking going on.Sexy,sultry and soulful best describes this talented recording artist.With a nice voice but even better dance moves this Diva continues to turn heads on the southern soul scene.I know the rest of the fellas in attendance along with the ladies have to agree that this was a nice performance. The next performer was my good friend,Omar Cunningham.I always look forward to his performances.Once again the ladies all race to the stage to get a closer look at Omar.He received a huge ovation from the crowd.He opened his performance with "Before I Let You Go" and the women down front were all feeling this one."Baby Don't Leave Me" continued to make the women melt.He got the people dancing with "Hell At The House"."What Makes A Man" was very popular with the women and it also showcased his new background singers.His next song was my personal favorite,"Sweet,Sweet" sounded just like its namesake.I've always boasted that in my opinion Omar has THE BEST LIVE VOCALS in the industry and it continues to remain true.This song should be played on all the mainstream radio stations and his face should be seen on BET,MTV and VH1."Married Woman,Married Man" got the people back up and dancing.His soulful voice filled the air with his rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come".He closed his performance with the song that put him on the map."Check To Check" had everyone on their feet and dancing once again.Omar Cunningham's body of work speaks for itself.He is one of the top performers in the industry and did I mention that he has THE BEST LIVE VOCALS IN THE INDUSTRY.Damn good show. The next performer was my man T.K. Soul and he received the loudest ovation of the night.It was a large number of females around the stage area now.He opened his performance with "My Kind Of Girl" and the women down front were pleading that they were the right kind for him.He performed his newest single "Party Like Back In The Day" and fans let me tell you now he has another big hit on his hands.He kept the crowd at his command with "Ring My Bell","If You Don't Want Me","Where Jody Stay" and "Meet Me At The Spot" which always get a big applause when he and the baddest band in the land(Soul 4 Real)go into their dance routine.He performed another one of his new singles called "It Ain't Cheating Til You Get Caught".He closed his performance with "Cheatin And Lying" and my personal favorite "My Life".I've seen his shows many times and they continue to be very entertaining.T.K. SOUL in my opinion is THE TOP SHOWMAN IN THE INDUSTRY.Helluva show. It was now time for the old school to perform.It was getting late and it appears that the promoters were starting to speed things up.Latimore came on next and Greenwood gave him a thunderous ovation.To see Latimore walk out on stage is a stimulating experience.He opened his performance with "Take Me To The Mountaintop" and Greenwood,Mississippi was now a blues paradise.Both young and old were all on their feet and enjoying The Living Legend.It was good to see that so many fans still enjoy the sounds of Latimore."Sunshine Lady" had all the women by the stage screaming.He got the crowd involved when he performed "I'm An Old Dog".He closed his performance with "Bad Risk" and my personal favorite "Lets Straighten It Out".It was good to see him perform again and I hope and pray that I will have many more opportunities to see him. The candy licker,Marvin Sease was up next and it was really getting late.People were starting to leave but it was still plenty of blues and southern soul lovers left to get their bluzing on.There was still a large fan base down by the stage and Marvin Sease gave them a good show.He opened his performance with "Clean Up,What I Messed Up".His next song,"Mrs. Right" was a crowd pleaser especially from the women.He had the remaining faithful up and juking with "Sit Down On It".He performed several of his other classic hits including "Mr.Jody","Please Take Me", and "Do It Tonight".He closed his performance with his signature song and my man T-Bone's personal favorite"Candy Licker".Although his show was abbreviated it was still a good performance. It was very late and by now the place was all but empty but there were still a handful of loyal fans who stayed until the end.I went down to the stage and got a good close view of the last performer of the night.Clarence Carter came on stage and the remaining fans all made some noise for this blues and southern soul icon.He poured a lot of energy into all of his songs.He performed all his classic hits including "Too Weak To Fight","Take It All Off","It's A Man Out There" and "Love Me With A Feeling".He performed my father's personal favorite"Patches" and its now one of my personal favorites.He closed his performance with "Slip Away" and his signature song "Strokin".Its ashame that so many people left and didn't get to see this icon perform.With so many of our beloved artists going home I make sure that I get a chance to see a performance whenever I get the opportunity.It was great to see Clarence Carter perform again. While I was backstage I met Malaco recording artist Larome Powers whose songs include"Shake & Shimmy,"Get Down On It" and "I Feel Like Cheating".We chatted briefly and he wanted to let fans know that he will be out and performing real soon.I want to give a shout out to WGNL radio personality,Cyerio Hughes and my Godfather Jerry"Boogie"Mason.Rico and T-Bone I had a blast and I can't wait to go bluzing with you all again.I had a great time last night and like always I just wanted to share it with you the greatest fans in the world.Take care and MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. Big K9
WELCOME 2 DA DAWG POUND! DA HOME OF BIG K9
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