OCTOBER 4,2007
"WDIA 2007 JUKE JOINT TOUR FIRST STOP"
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.The last three(3) years has been a wonderful blues and southern soul ride for this old country boy from a small town in Mississippi.I'm proud to be a native of MOUND BAYOU,MISSISSIPPI, the oldest all black town in America.A lot of you folks probably have never heard of my hometown but I know many of you have.Mound Bayou has been dubbed "THE JEWEL OF THE DELTA".Former slaves founded Mound Bayou, and the town remained an all-black community until seven or eight years ago. "We run everything," and "We take care of ourselves" would be spoken loud and proud from the young,old,male and females. No one has been able to come in and take it over.The community's self-sufficient history stands a mark of pride for the town residents.
I remember in the early 1980's,I guess I was about eleven(11) or twelve(12) years old,Mound Bayou was hit with a lawsuit(I won't go into details but a white woman sued the community for a seven figure amount).The legal system ruled in her favor and this proud community was left devestated.The impact of that ruling left the town pretty much in limbo,everywhere I would go,to a neighbor's house,school and even church everyone was wondering how the town could overcome this financial burden.At the end of every bad storm there is a break in the clouds and you can see a bright and sunny sky.
For the citizens of Mound Bayou,WDIA 1070 AM(MEMPHIS,TN) was our sunshine.Americas first black radio station reached out and saved an entire community.WDIA held several fund raising events including an all star soul blues concert that featured such artists as Tyrone Davis,The Legendary Bar-Kays,Rufus Thomas and The Reddings(Otis Redding children) just to name a few.I remember that day just like it was yesterday.It was so much love and everyone was having such a good time that no one even cared about the lawsuit at least not on that day.I've always held a special place in my heart for WDIA,hell I even use to call myself "Bobby O'Jay" because he was truly the coolest cat on the airwaves.
I recently attended the first stop of the 2007 WDIA JUKE JOINT TOUR.The Gay Hawk Restaurant & Club was the venue for this blues and southern soul party.When I arrived there were cars parked for blocks and blocks,I had no idea that so many people would be in attendance.I had to park my truck and walk about a 1/4 mile just to reach The Gay Hawk Restaurant.Several hundred people were posted outside with lawn chairs,bar-b-q grills,tables and tents so I assumed that the show was an outside event.You could hear the music playing and the mc's talking but I didn't see a stage so I asked a fan in attendance,"Where the stage was?".He looked at me as though I fell off the turnip truck,he said the show was inside and they had already let in full capacity and that everyone else was on the outside getting their blues on.I couldn't believe what I was witnessing,hundreds of people who couldn't get on the inside for the show but were all posted on the outside and having more fun than the folks inside.Usually people would be mad and raising all kind of trouble but I guess these fans knew what to expect on this juke joint tour.Arrive early you might get in but if you don't the party still goes on.Amazing! I made my way to the front entrance and I didn't know if I would be able to get in.
WDIA is truly a first class organization because Jackie Ward,The Promotions Director for Clear Channel Radio Memphis WDIA-AM * WHAL-FM had left word for me to enter once I arrived.I felt like a VIP for this event.As I entered the building it was packed wall to wall,I mean standing room only.I made my way to the stage area where I saw some familar faces,my good friends Steve Ladd(WDIA DJ),Jeff Lee(WDIA DJ),"The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" O.B. Buchana,The Legendary Mike Dobbins,recording artist Sweet Angel and Bill and Anna Coday.
I was greeted by Jackie Ward and my man Bobby O'Jay.I went to the bar and grabbed about five bud lights because I wasn't about to try and work my way through this crowded place again.So with The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul and my WDIA posse on hand and a few cold bud lights to get me in a juke joint mood good people let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
All the artist were doing tracks and with the place being so packed I wasn't able to position myself like I normally do."The Duchess' was the first entertainer to hit the stage when I arrived.She has toured as a background singer for J.Blackfoot,Archie Love and Lacee but she has now begin her career as a solo artist.She got the crowd rocking with a remake of Marvin Sease's "Mr. Jody" which is entitled "Doin My Job".She must be popular on the Memphis scene because they showed her a lot of love.She closed her performance with "It's My Time Now" and this diva really did her thing.Her show was brief(this would be for all the artist on the night)but it was a terrific performance.She has an impressive and stimulating voice that any Southern Soul fan can warm up to.
The next performer was Dr. Feelgood Potts(Sheba Potts-Wright father)and he got the juke joint rocking with "Home-Town Boogie" which is a good old foot stomping and hand clapping cut.He closed his performance with the very popular "Make It Talk" which in my opinion should be ranked right up there with Marvin Sease's "Candylicker" and Theodis Ealey's "Stand Up In It".
Miz B was the next performer and she is another hometown favorite that received a lot of love from the fans.She had the small stage area packed and dancing as she performed "Back It Up".She closed her performance with "My Name Is $$$$",she made it clear to the fellas on this cut that to get with her you got to be willing to pay the rent,the car note and put some bling bling around her neck.The ladies all loved this jam.
The next performer was "The Lil Giant Of Soul",Willie Clayton and he received a thunderous ovation led by my girl Jackie Ward who now positioned herself front and center along with every other woman in the house.He sampled his hit "I Love Me Some You" and "Beautiful".He had fun with a young lady from the crowd on "Wiggle".He closed his performance with his smash hit "Boom,Boom,Boom" and the fans blew the roof off the place.It was still standing room only as the DJ had the crowd doing the Cupid Shuffle.I couldn't move an inch by now.
My good friend Betty Padgett was on next she rocked the house with her sultry voice.She gave a soul stirring rendition of "Shine On Me" which really had the house up and jookin.She closed her performance with her big hit "Never Coming Home".She allowed a lady from the audience to share the mic with her and she sounded so good harmonizing with Betty Padgett.
The last performer on the night was Ricky White.I saw him perform at a show last year and I was very impressed with his vocals and I was glad to have the opportunity to see him perform again.He opened his performance with "Making Love Like Back In The Day" and the ladies were all feeling him on this song.He closed his performance with "Ride My Pony" and was joined on stage by a young lady from the audience and they got a big ovation as this southern soul cowgirl strapped on and begin to ride his pony grown folk style(just use your imagination on that one).
I heard about WDIA's Juke Joint Tour last year and all the festivities that surrounded it.I was determine to join them on this years tour.I think its wonderful that this radio station provide the fans of this genre of music with these exciting shows at various venues in Memphis and its all for free.I want to give a shout out to Bill and Anna Coday,Miz B,Lee Parker,Betty Padgett,Ricky White,Willie Clayton,O.B. Buchana,Mike Dobbins and Sweet Angel.I enjoyed hanging out with all of you.I would like to give special thanks to Jackie Ward,Jeff Lee,Steve Ladd,Bobby O'Jay and the rest of the WDIA staff in attendance who showed me so much love at this southern soul party.I plan to ride out the entire tour with you all.
To all the fans in the Memphis area I hope you all can come out and be a part of this blues and southern soul party.For more information on the remainder of "The WDIA 2007 Juke Joint Tour" please go to www.am1070wdia.com The smaller the club the bigger the party and I had a blast at this juke joint 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.I'll be seeing you down by the stage.
Big K9
"WDIA 2007 JUKE JOINT TOUR FIRST STOP"
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.The last three(3) years has been a wonderful blues and southern soul ride for this old country boy from a small town in Mississippi.I'm proud to be a native of MOUND BAYOU,MISSISSIPPI, the oldest all black town in America.A lot of you folks probably have never heard of my hometown but I know many of you have.Mound Bayou has been dubbed "THE JEWEL OF THE DELTA".Former slaves founded Mound Bayou, and the town remained an all-black community until seven or eight years ago. "We run everything," and "We take care of ourselves" would be spoken loud and proud from the young,old,male and females. No one has been able to come in and take it over.The community's self-sufficient history stands a mark of pride for the town residents.
I remember in the early 1980's,I guess I was about eleven(11) or twelve(12) years old,Mound Bayou was hit with a lawsuit(I won't go into details but a white woman sued the community for a seven figure amount).The legal system ruled in her favor and this proud community was left devestated.The impact of that ruling left the town pretty much in limbo,everywhere I would go,to a neighbor's house,school and even church everyone was wondering how the town could overcome this financial burden.At the end of every bad storm there is a break in the clouds and you can see a bright and sunny sky.
For the citizens of Mound Bayou,WDIA 1070 AM(MEMPHIS,TN) was our sunshine.Americas first black radio station reached out and saved an entire community.WDIA held several fund raising events including an all star soul blues concert that featured such artists as Tyrone Davis,The Legendary Bar-Kays,Rufus Thomas and The Reddings(Otis Redding children) just to name a few.I remember that day just like it was yesterday.It was so much love and everyone was having such a good time that no one even cared about the lawsuit at least not on that day.I've always held a special place in my heart for WDIA,hell I even use to call myself "Bobby O'Jay" because he was truly the coolest cat on the airwaves.
I recently attended the first stop of the 2007 WDIA JUKE JOINT TOUR.The Gay Hawk Restaurant & Club was the venue for this blues and southern soul party.When I arrived there were cars parked for blocks and blocks,I had no idea that so many people would be in attendance.I had to park my truck and walk about a 1/4 mile just to reach The Gay Hawk Restaurant.Several hundred people were posted outside with lawn chairs,bar-b-q grills,tables and tents so I assumed that the show was an outside event.You could hear the music playing and the mc's talking but I didn't see a stage so I asked a fan in attendance,"Where the stage was?".He looked at me as though I fell off the turnip truck,he said the show was inside and they had already let in full capacity and that everyone else was on the outside getting their blues on.I couldn't believe what I was witnessing,hundreds of people who couldn't get on the inside for the show but were all posted on the outside and having more fun than the folks inside.Usually people would be mad and raising all kind of trouble but I guess these fans knew what to expect on this juke joint tour.Arrive early you might get in but if you don't the party still goes on.Amazing! I made my way to the front entrance and I didn't know if I would be able to get in.
WDIA is truly a first class organization because Jackie Ward,The Promotions Director for Clear Channel Radio Memphis WDIA-AM * WHAL-FM had left word for me to enter once I arrived.I felt like a VIP for this event.As I entered the building it was packed wall to wall,I mean standing room only.I made my way to the stage area where I saw some familar faces,my good friends Steve Ladd(WDIA DJ),Jeff Lee(WDIA DJ),"The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul" O.B. Buchana,The Legendary Mike Dobbins,recording artist Sweet Angel and Bill and Anna Coday.
I was greeted by Jackie Ward and my man Bobby O'Jay.I went to the bar and grabbed about five bud lights because I wasn't about to try and work my way through this crowded place again.So with The Gentle Giant Of Southern Soul and my WDIA posse on hand and a few cold bud lights to get me in a juke joint mood good people let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
All the artist were doing tracks and with the place being so packed I wasn't able to position myself like I normally do."The Duchess' was the first entertainer to hit the stage when I arrived.She has toured as a background singer for J.Blackfoot,Archie Love and Lacee but she has now begin her career as a solo artist.She got the crowd rocking with a remake of Marvin Sease's "Mr. Jody" which is entitled "Doin My Job".She must be popular on the Memphis scene because they showed her a lot of love.She closed her performance with "It's My Time Now" and this diva really did her thing.Her show was brief(this would be for all the artist on the night)but it was a terrific performance.She has an impressive and stimulating voice that any Southern Soul fan can warm up to.
The next performer was Dr. Feelgood Potts(Sheba Potts-Wright father)and he got the juke joint rocking with "Home-Town Boogie" which is a good old foot stomping and hand clapping cut.He closed his performance with the very popular "Make It Talk" which in my opinion should be ranked right up there with Marvin Sease's "Candylicker" and Theodis Ealey's "Stand Up In It".
Miz B was the next performer and she is another hometown favorite that received a lot of love from the fans.She had the small stage area packed and dancing as she performed "Back It Up".She closed her performance with "My Name Is $$$$",she made it clear to the fellas on this cut that to get with her you got to be willing to pay the rent,the car note and put some bling bling around her neck.The ladies all loved this jam.
The next performer was "The Lil Giant Of Soul",Willie Clayton and he received a thunderous ovation led by my girl Jackie Ward who now positioned herself front and center along with every other woman in the house.He sampled his hit "I Love Me Some You" and "Beautiful".He had fun with a young lady from the crowd on "Wiggle".He closed his performance with his smash hit "Boom,Boom,Boom" and the fans blew the roof off the place.It was still standing room only as the DJ had the crowd doing the Cupid Shuffle.I couldn't move an inch by now.
My good friend Betty Padgett was on next she rocked the house with her sultry voice.She gave a soul stirring rendition of "Shine On Me" which really had the house up and jookin.She closed her performance with her big hit "Never Coming Home".She allowed a lady from the audience to share the mic with her and she sounded so good harmonizing with Betty Padgett.
The last performer on the night was Ricky White.I saw him perform at a show last year and I was very impressed with his vocals and I was glad to have the opportunity to see him perform again.He opened his performance with "Making Love Like Back In The Day" and the ladies were all feeling him on this song.He closed his performance with "Ride My Pony" and was joined on stage by a young lady from the audience and they got a big ovation as this southern soul cowgirl strapped on and begin to ride his pony grown folk style(just use your imagination on that one).
I heard about WDIA's Juke Joint Tour last year and all the festivities that surrounded it.I was determine to join them on this years tour.I think its wonderful that this radio station provide the fans of this genre of music with these exciting shows at various venues in Memphis and its all for free.I want to give a shout out to Bill and Anna Coday,Miz B,Lee Parker,Betty Padgett,Ricky White,Willie Clayton,O.B. Buchana,Mike Dobbins and Sweet Angel.I enjoyed hanging out with all of you.I would like to give special thanks to Jackie Ward,Jeff Lee,Steve Ladd,Bobby O'Jay and the rest of the WDIA staff in attendance who showed me so much love at this southern soul party.I plan to ride out the entire tour with you all.
To all the fans in the Memphis area I hope you all can come out and be a part of this blues and southern soul party.For more information on the remainder of "The WDIA 2007 Juke Joint Tour" please go to www.am1070wdia.com The smaller the club the bigger the party and I had a blast at this juke joint 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.I'll be seeing you down by the stage.
Big K9