APRIL 1,2008:
"WALTER WAITERS MISSISSIPPI DELTA DEBUT"
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.Its not often that a good BLUES & SOUTHERN SOUL GATHERING takes place in your own backyard but recently I was very fortunate to attend one that was literally in my own backyard.Independent Blues recording artist,Walter Waiters performed lived at "THE DO DROP INN" in Shelby,Mississippi.Shelby is my birthplace and it has a deep rooted history of blues.Many recording artist have performed at different venues in Shelby including Willie Clayton,Denise Lasalle,Marvin Sease,Little Milton,Ronnie Lovejoy,Tyrone Davis and Buddy Ace to name just a few.
The Do Drop Inn is truly one of the last authentic Mississippi Delta juke joints and it has played host to some of the before mentioned blues artist.For me the Do Drop Inn brings back some good memories,I was a young teen when I first became familar with this juke joint.I use to chop cotton(yes I'm a real country boy) around the Shelby area and we got paid at the end of each day in Shelby and the Do Drop Inn was in walking distance.Me and some of my friends would stop by and get some good southern soul food and a couple of cold beers(sorry mom but I started drinking early).I remember the sounds of B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland playing loud on the juke box,the smell of fried fish and chicken wings filled the air and all the local patrons on the dance floor doing some serious grown folks dancing can you say the "BO-HAWG GRIND".You didn't need to dress up to come to this juke joint I remember tractor drivers pulling up on their tractors going straight inside this juke joint.This was a simpler and better time in my life and I truly miss the good old days.
Fast forward some twenty plus years and I have to be honest,I didn't even know the Do Drop Inn was still operative until my good friend Walter Waiters told me he was going to be performing there.One of my friends from myspace,Jacquelyn runs the Do Drop Inn and she is the one who made all this possible.I was very excited because I've long for the day to see him perform in my area.Its not often that my fiance',Sylvia Burks(MZ. K9) join me at a show but after meeting Walter she said she just had to come check him out and she was joined by her co-worker Sharon and some of Sharon family members.I was joined on this night by original Dawg Pound members Doyle Parris a.k.a Dr. Feel-Good,Carnez Parris a.k.a Sir Cap and Tavious Haywood.There were other familar faces in the house,Bluz Queen and the rest of "The Kitty Kitty Club" were posted down front and some of my friends,Crystal,Regina and her mom from myspace were also in the house.It wasn't a large crowd on hand but like Walter's cousin Mel Waiters would say the smaller the club the bigger the party.So with my gin and juice on hand chased with some cold Bud Light good people let me take you on this BLUES RIDE.
There was no mc for tonights show so Walter ask me would I bring him to the stage?How could I say no to my friend?So now add mc to Big K9's resume'(Lol!).But serious it was a honor for me to introduce him to the Mississippi Delta,our friendship has spanned about five(5) years now.I remember when he only played the midwest area(Oklahoma & Texas mostly) and now he is a nationally and internationally known recording artist playing in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.He was voted the 2006 BEST NEW MALE ARTIST by THE BLUES CRITIC BLUES AND SOUTHERN SOUL AWARDS and I dubbed him "THE NEXT BIG THING".He received a big ovation as I brought him to the stage.
He opened up his performance with a classic southern soul hit covered by Carl Sims and J. Blackfoot,"You Man Is Home Tonight" was the perfect song to kick off his show because it was mainly women in attendance and they all seem to want to take Walter home with them.I've always been impressed with his vocal range but he even suprised me with his depth on his next song,"I Wish It Would Rain" and this blues man delivered a soulful rendition that did The Temptations justice.His next song was a rendition of Rufus Thomas "Walking The Dog" and I've seen him perform this song a few times and its always a real show-stopper and it would be no different on this night as he left his keyboard,Lucy and got front and center and began to do his very popular version.
Every camera in the house was flashing as he thrilled the ladies in attendance and MZ. K9's co-worker Sharon could take it no more as she left her seat and joined him on stage and was able to go one on one with Walter as he walked the dog and the crowd loved it.He really got the party crunk as he began to perform a few of his hit singles,"Don't Scratch My Back" allowed me and Regina(myspace friend) to cut a rug together and "Crazy Smooth Sexy" allowed Walter to showcase his terrifc vocals.I've always enjoyed his laid back soulful delivery on this song."Creeping" and "Careful Woman" kept the dance party going led by my girl Regina and The Kitty Kitty Club."Laid Back Kind Of Place" was the right song to describe The Do Drop Inn as MZ. K9 and the rest of the fans in attendance were really enjoying themselves.
Another highlight of the night that I had to mention was local patron Mrs. Gladys who joined Walter on stage for a couple of songs including Ray Charles and Margie Hendricks "The Night Time" and she gave a gut wrenching version that brought everyone to their feet.She also performed "Rock Me Baby" and a hellified version of "Down Home Blues" that sounded so much like Denise Lasalle's version.Just like so many other artist I think its great that he truly allow the fans to be a part of his show.Mrs. Gladys you go girl. The real highlight of the night for me was this "BLUES MAN" singing the blues.I've gotten away from the traditonal deep down home blues but on this night Walter Waiters took me back home.
There were some older patrons on hand that was enjoying the show but as he began to perform his blues set they all made their way to the stage area to see this TEXAS BLUES MAN do the damn thing.My fellow Dawg Pound member Doyle Parris is old school and he loves Bobby Blue Bland and Walter began his blues set with a rendition of Bobby Blue Bland's "You Got To Hurt Before You Heal" and it moved me so much I went grabbed MZ. K9 out of her seat and begin to slow dance to this song.Once again his vocal depth took me by suprise.He continued his Bobby Blue Bland theme with "Members Only" and he allowed everyone in attendance to join in on this cut,it was now sing a long with Walter Waiters.
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 their candy lickers(tongue for all the slow people) and 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(Yes MZ. K9 I saw you looking).
To close his performance he paid tribute to his mentor The Silver Fox,Buddy Ace with a soulful rendition of "It Don't Hurt No More" as I took the mic and thanked everyone for coming out to support Walter the crowd wasn't having it.They wanted more and he wouldn't let them down.He closed his show with a bang as he cranked out Little Milton's "The Blues Is Alright'.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.This was the best Walter Waiters performance that I've ever seen.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
This show will always be a memorable one for me.Hours before the show Walter and I were able to spend some time together.He wanted to see some of the Mississippi Delta and I explained to him that this was a rural area and it wasn't much to see but he still wanted to get out and see how we country folks live.He said much of the people and the area was like Oklahoma but when he saw a guy driving a car and pulling a lawn mower down a main street he said he knew he was in the country as a matter of fact we were in Shelby.He also spent time in my home and got to meet my daughters who by the way enjoy Walter's music.
I want to give a shout out to Jacquelyn and the crew from the Do Drop Inn,thanks for all your hospitality.I also want to give a shout out to Crystal,Regina,Sharon(MZ. K( co-worker) and The Kitty Kitty Club.To my fellow Dawg Pound members I truly enjoyed you all again,lets continue to get our blues on.MZ. K9 I truly enjoyed you on this night.I'm glad that you were able to experience what I love to do so much. 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 MISSISSIPPI DELTA DEBUT"
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.Its not often that a good BLUES & SOUTHERN SOUL GATHERING takes place in your own backyard but recently I was very fortunate to attend one that was literally in my own backyard.Independent Blues recording artist,Walter Waiters performed lived at "THE DO DROP INN" in Shelby,Mississippi.Shelby is my birthplace and it has a deep rooted history of blues.Many recording artist have performed at different venues in Shelby including Willie Clayton,Denise Lasalle,Marvin Sease,Little Milton,Ronnie Lovejoy,Tyrone Davis and Buddy Ace to name just a few.
The Do Drop Inn is truly one of the last authentic Mississippi Delta juke joints and it has played host to some of the before mentioned blues artist.For me the Do Drop Inn brings back some good memories,I was a young teen when I first became familar with this juke joint.I use to chop cotton(yes I'm a real country boy) around the Shelby area and we got paid at the end of each day in Shelby and the Do Drop Inn was in walking distance.Me and some of my friends would stop by and get some good southern soul food and a couple of cold beers(sorry mom but I started drinking early).I remember the sounds of B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland playing loud on the juke box,the smell of fried fish and chicken wings filled the air and all the local patrons on the dance floor doing some serious grown folks dancing can you say the "BO-HAWG GRIND".You didn't need to dress up to come to this juke joint I remember tractor drivers pulling up on their tractors going straight inside this juke joint.This was a simpler and better time in my life and I truly miss the good old days.
Fast forward some twenty plus years and I have to be honest,I didn't even know the Do Drop Inn was still operative until my good friend Walter Waiters told me he was going to be performing there.One of my friends from myspace,Jacquelyn runs the Do Drop Inn and she is the one who made all this possible.I was very excited because I've long for the day to see him perform in my area.Its not often that my fiance',Sylvia Burks(MZ. K9) join me at a show but after meeting Walter she said she just had to come check him out and she was joined by her co-worker Sharon and some of Sharon family members.I was joined on this night by original Dawg Pound members Doyle Parris a.k.a Dr. Feel-Good,Carnez Parris a.k.a Sir Cap and Tavious Haywood.There were other familar faces in the house,Bluz Queen and the rest of "The Kitty Kitty Club" were posted down front and some of my friends,Crystal,Regina and her mom from myspace were also in the house.It wasn't a large crowd on hand but like Walter's cousin Mel Waiters would say the smaller the club the bigger the party.So with my gin and juice on hand chased with some cold Bud Light good people let me take you on this BLUES RIDE.
There was no mc for tonights show so Walter ask me would I bring him to the stage?How could I say no to my friend?So now add mc to Big K9's resume'(Lol!).But serious it was a honor for me to introduce him to the Mississippi Delta,our friendship has spanned about five(5) years now.I remember when he only played the midwest area(Oklahoma & Texas mostly) and now he is a nationally and internationally known recording artist playing in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.He was voted the 2006 BEST NEW MALE ARTIST by THE BLUES CRITIC BLUES AND SOUTHERN SOUL AWARDS and I dubbed him "THE NEXT BIG THING".He received a big ovation as I brought him to the stage.
He opened up his performance with a classic southern soul hit covered by Carl Sims and J. Blackfoot,"You Man Is Home Tonight" was the perfect song to kick off his show because it was mainly women in attendance and they all seem to want to take Walter home with them.I've always been impressed with his vocal range but he even suprised me with his depth on his next song,"I Wish It Would Rain" and this blues man delivered a soulful rendition that did The Temptations justice.His next song was a rendition of Rufus Thomas "Walking The Dog" and I've seen him perform this song a few times and its always a real show-stopper and it would be no different on this night as he left his keyboard,Lucy and got front and center and began to do his very popular version.
Every camera in the house was flashing as he thrilled the ladies in attendance and MZ. K9's co-worker Sharon could take it no more as she left her seat and joined him on stage and was able to go one on one with Walter as he walked the dog and the crowd loved it.He really got the party crunk as he began to perform a few of his hit singles,"Don't Scratch My Back" allowed me and Regina(myspace friend) to cut a rug together and "Crazy Smooth Sexy" allowed Walter to showcase his terrifc vocals.I've always enjoyed his laid back soulful delivery on this song."Creeping" and "Careful Woman" kept the dance party going led by my girl Regina and The Kitty Kitty Club."Laid Back Kind Of Place" was the right song to describe The Do Drop Inn as MZ. K9 and the rest of the fans in attendance were really enjoying themselves.
Another highlight of the night that I had to mention was local patron Mrs. Gladys who joined Walter on stage for a couple of songs including Ray Charles and Margie Hendricks "The Night Time" and she gave a gut wrenching version that brought everyone to their feet.She also performed "Rock Me Baby" and a hellified version of "Down Home Blues" that sounded so much like Denise Lasalle's version.Just like so many other artist I think its great that he truly allow the fans to be a part of his show.Mrs. Gladys you go girl. The real highlight of the night for me was this "BLUES MAN" singing the blues.I've gotten away from the traditonal deep down home blues but on this night Walter Waiters took me back home.
There were some older patrons on hand that was enjoying the show but as he began to perform his blues set they all made their way to the stage area to see this TEXAS BLUES MAN do the damn thing.My fellow Dawg Pound member Doyle Parris is old school and he loves Bobby Blue Bland and Walter began his blues set with a rendition of Bobby Blue Bland's "You Got To Hurt Before You Heal" and it moved me so much I went grabbed MZ. K9 out of her seat and begin to slow dance to this song.Once again his vocal depth took me by suprise.He continued his Bobby Blue Bland theme with "Members Only" and he allowed everyone in attendance to join in on this cut,it was now sing a long with Walter Waiters.
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 their candy lickers(tongue for all the slow people) and 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(Yes MZ. K9 I saw you looking).
To close his performance he paid tribute to his mentor The Silver Fox,Buddy Ace with a soulful rendition of "It Don't Hurt No More" as I took the mic and thanked everyone for coming out to support Walter the crowd wasn't having it.They wanted more and he wouldn't let them down.He closed his show with a bang as he cranked out Little Milton's "The Blues Is Alright'.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.This was the best Walter Waiters performance that I've ever seen.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
This show will always be a memorable one for me.Hours before the show Walter and I were able to spend some time together.He wanted to see some of the Mississippi Delta and I explained to him that this was a rural area and it wasn't much to see but he still wanted to get out and see how we country folks live.He said much of the people and the area was like Oklahoma but when he saw a guy driving a car and pulling a lawn mower down a main street he said he knew he was in the country as a matter of fact we were in Shelby.He also spent time in my home and got to meet my daughters who by the way enjoy Walter's music.
I want to give a shout out to Jacquelyn and the crew from the Do Drop Inn,thanks for all your hospitality.I also want to give a shout out to Crystal,Regina,Sharon(MZ. K( co-worker) and The Kitty Kitty Club.To my fellow Dawg Pound members I truly enjoyed you all again,lets continue to get our blues on.MZ. K9 I truly enjoyed you on this night.I'm glad that you were able to experience what I love to do so much. 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