JULY 23,2007:
"WALTER WAITERS BIRTHDAY BASH"
Hello BLUES and SOUTHER SOUL fans.After weeks of speculation I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it to the Gulf Coast for my good friend Walter Waiters a.k.a. "The Next Big Thing" birthday bash being held at "THE TURNING POINT LOUNGE" in Gulfport,Mississippi.It was about a year ago that I was able to visit the Turning Point Lounge for the first time and see Walter make his Mississippi debut.I remember all the love the people in Gulfport showed Walter and I especially remember the thrill that he gave all the people whom were still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.It was one of the most memorable nights that I've had on my blues and southern soul ride and I wanted to capture that feeling one more time.
When I arrived at The Turning Point Lounge the first people to greet me was the owner and my friend Herman Wilson,DJ Philmore and my man A.J.I was joined on this night by some familar faces and friends,some whom I've met before and some whom I met for the very first time.My Down Home Blues Group(DHBG) member Hazel"Music Lady" Williams and her friend Bernice made the long trip from Tallahasse,Florida.Also in attendance were some of my fellow myspace friends,first there was Vickie from Hattiesburg,Mississippi,Denise a.k.a. Texas Mami from El Paso,Texas,local residents Joycelyn and Linda Hollinsworth a.k.a. MS. Da Da both from Gulfport,Mississippi and from the Kitty Kitty Club my girl The Bluz Queen.It wasn't a large crowd when I first arrived and I believe the stormy weather had a lot to do with that but for the ones in attendance they all were ready to party with my man Walter Waiters.It was a festive atmosphere as Herman had the ballons and other party favorites on display.A table was filled with plenty of food and drinks including two huge birthday cakes.So with the gin and juice on hand chased with some cold bud light and plenty of friends to join me,good people let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The mc for the night was the sultry and sassy radio personality(WDLT & THE AMERICAN BLUES NETWORK)the one and only Beverly McDowell.She gave Walter a wonderful introduction and as he made his way to the stage area the crowd gave him a big ovation.He opened up his performance with his classic hit "Don't Scratch My Back" and immediately the house was in party mode.A few folks in attendance hit the dance floor led by Herman and his lovely wife.I usually don't hit the dance floor but after seeing Herman cutting a rug I had to get in on the fun.His next song was a rendition of Rufus Thomas "Walking The Dog" and he left the stage area and Beverly McDowell joined him on the dance floor.Their dance routine has become very popular on the southern soul circuit and I got my first glimpse of them performing it and good people it is a show stopper for real.Every camera in the house was snapping as Walter and Beverly did the damn thang.This was truly one of the highlights of the show.
I've always enjoyed Walter's laid back soulful delivery and his new single "Crazy Sexy Smooth' showcased his terrific vocals.The crowd was able to join in on this cut and it was sing along with Walter Waiters.His next two songs got the dance floor packed."Creepin" and "Careful Woman" had all of my myspace friends(Bluz Queen,Texas Mami,Vickie and Joycelyn) on the dance floor and it just made me wonder about these cool women whom I call my friends are they "Creepin"? Or are they just some "Careful Women"? Inquiring minds want to know.His next song "Laid Back Kind Of Place" described "The Turning Point Lounge" for real as the crowd was beginning to grow.
Another highlight of the show was when Beverly McDowell and Herman paid a special birthday tribute to Walter.Like a page out of my man T.K. Soul's book Beverly placed a chair front and center and Herman played a soulful Happy Birthday as Walter sat front and center and the lovely ladies were able to go one on one with "The Next Big Thing".Like so many of his peers Walter always allow the crowd to be a part of his show and this is another reason why he is loved so dearly.I've always said that Walter is a Blues Man first and even though his latest cd takes on more of a southern soul theme he still remains true for his love of the blues as he begin to take us home with some deep foot stomping and hand clapping down home blues.His keyboard "Lucy" had some serious issues tonight as she cranked out some mean guitar licks that would make Buddy Guy,B.B. King and Albert King proud,she displayed some cool soul serenades that would make King Curtis smile and she blew some funky sounds that could make the Memphis Horns cry but Walter has learned that the women for this genre of music love to see an artist freaky side.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 to capture Walter licking Lucy up and down.
His final song was a moving tribute to one of our beloved Down Home Blues Group members Beverly Ann who passed away earlier this year.He gave a soul stirring rendition of Buddy Ace's "It Don't Hurt No More" as the Down Home Blues Group all embraced him toward the end of this song.It was a very moving moment for all in attendance.I've seen Walter's performance a few times and his maturation as an artist is incredible.His vocals and showmanship have allowed him to become a top notch entertainer.His ability to allow the crowd to be involved at his shows will continue to allow him to be a crowd favorite.
To all the promoters out there please add this gifted brother to some of your upcoming shows.I put my personal stamp of approval on this one.To get all the latest news and information on Walter Waiters please visit his website at www.walterwaiters.com and on his myspace page at www.myspace.com/walterwaiters After the show Herman hit the DJ booth and kept the party going with the sounds of T.K. Soul,Lebrado,Betty Padgett,O.B. Buchana,Nathaniel Kimble,Jeff Floyd and other big name artists.It was late but the people in Gulfport were still partying at The Turning Point Lounge.I would like to give a shout out to Hazel,Bernice,Vickie,Texas Mami,Joycelyn,linda,Bluz Queen,Herman,DJ Philmore,AJ and my lil brother Walter Waiters.Good people I had a great time 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.
Big K9
"WALTER WAITERS BIRTHDAY BASH"
Hello BLUES and SOUTHER SOUL fans.After weeks of speculation I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it to the Gulf Coast for my good friend Walter Waiters a.k.a. "The Next Big Thing" birthday bash being held at "THE TURNING POINT LOUNGE" in Gulfport,Mississippi.It was about a year ago that I was able to visit the Turning Point Lounge for the first time and see Walter make his Mississippi debut.I remember all the love the people in Gulfport showed Walter and I especially remember the thrill that he gave all the people whom were still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.It was one of the most memorable nights that I've had on my blues and southern soul ride and I wanted to capture that feeling one more time.
When I arrived at The Turning Point Lounge the first people to greet me was the owner and my friend Herman Wilson,DJ Philmore and my man A.J.I was joined on this night by some familar faces and friends,some whom I've met before and some whom I met for the very first time.My Down Home Blues Group(DHBG) member Hazel"Music Lady" Williams and her friend Bernice made the long trip from Tallahasse,Florida.Also in attendance were some of my fellow myspace friends,first there was Vickie from Hattiesburg,Mississippi,Denise a.k.a. Texas Mami from El Paso,Texas,local residents Joycelyn and Linda Hollinsworth a.k.a. MS. Da Da both from Gulfport,Mississippi and from the Kitty Kitty Club my girl The Bluz Queen.It wasn't a large crowd when I first arrived and I believe the stormy weather had a lot to do with that but for the ones in attendance they all were ready to party with my man Walter Waiters.It was a festive atmosphere as Herman had the ballons and other party favorites on display.A table was filled with plenty of food and drinks including two huge birthday cakes.So with the gin and juice on hand chased with some cold bud light and plenty of friends to join me,good people let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The mc for the night was the sultry and sassy radio personality(WDLT & THE AMERICAN BLUES NETWORK)the one and only Beverly McDowell.She gave Walter a wonderful introduction and as he made his way to the stage area the crowd gave him a big ovation.He opened up his performance with his classic hit "Don't Scratch My Back" and immediately the house was in party mode.A few folks in attendance hit the dance floor led by Herman and his lovely wife.I usually don't hit the dance floor but after seeing Herman cutting a rug I had to get in on the fun.His next song was a rendition of Rufus Thomas "Walking The Dog" and he left the stage area and Beverly McDowell joined him on the dance floor.Their dance routine has become very popular on the southern soul circuit and I got my first glimpse of them performing it and good people it is a show stopper for real.Every camera in the house was snapping as Walter and Beverly did the damn thang.This was truly one of the highlights of the show.
I've always enjoyed Walter's laid back soulful delivery and his new single "Crazy Sexy Smooth' showcased his terrific vocals.The crowd was able to join in on this cut and it was sing along with Walter Waiters.His next two songs got the dance floor packed."Creepin" and "Careful Woman" had all of my myspace friends(Bluz Queen,Texas Mami,Vickie and Joycelyn) on the dance floor and it just made me wonder about these cool women whom I call my friends are they "Creepin"? Or are they just some "Careful Women"? Inquiring minds want to know.His next song "Laid Back Kind Of Place" described "The Turning Point Lounge" for real as the crowd was beginning to grow.
Another highlight of the show was when Beverly McDowell and Herman paid a special birthday tribute to Walter.Like a page out of my man T.K. Soul's book Beverly placed a chair front and center and Herman played a soulful Happy Birthday as Walter sat front and center and the lovely ladies were able to go one on one with "The Next Big Thing".Like so many of his peers Walter always allow the crowd to be a part of his show and this is another reason why he is loved so dearly.I've always said that Walter is a Blues Man first and even though his latest cd takes on more of a southern soul theme he still remains true for his love of the blues as he begin to take us home with some deep foot stomping and hand clapping down home blues.His keyboard "Lucy" had some serious issues tonight as she cranked out some mean guitar licks that would make Buddy Guy,B.B. King and Albert King proud,she displayed some cool soul serenades that would make King Curtis smile and she blew some funky sounds that could make the Memphis Horns cry but Walter has learned that the women for this genre of music love to see an artist freaky side.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 to capture Walter licking Lucy up and down.
His final song was a moving tribute to one of our beloved Down Home Blues Group members Beverly Ann who passed away earlier this year.He gave a soul stirring rendition of Buddy Ace's "It Don't Hurt No More" as the Down Home Blues Group all embraced him toward the end of this song.It was a very moving moment for all in attendance.I've seen Walter's performance a few times and his maturation as an artist is incredible.His vocals and showmanship have allowed him to become a top notch entertainer.His ability to allow the crowd to be involved at his shows will continue to allow him to be a crowd favorite.
To all the promoters out there please add this gifted brother to some of your upcoming shows.I put my personal stamp of approval on this one.To get all the latest news and information on Walter Waiters please visit his website at www.walterwaiters.com and on his myspace page at www.myspace.com/walterwaiters After the show Herman hit the DJ booth and kept the party going with the sounds of T.K. Soul,Lebrado,Betty Padgett,O.B. Buchana,Nathaniel Kimble,Jeff Floyd and other big name artists.It was late but the people in Gulfport were still partying at The Turning Point Lounge.I would like to give a shout out to Hazel,Bernice,Vickie,Texas Mami,Joycelyn,linda,Bluz Queen,Herman,DJ Philmore,AJ and my lil brother Walter Waiters.Good people I had a great time 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.
Big K9