We're Making News

More Better Jazz From The Tony Thomas Trio

Despite the banner, this is a group effort, with all the players in wonderful sync in their interpretive tributes to Handy’s “St. Louis Blues”, Coltrane’s “Bass Blues”, Erroll Garner’s “Misty”, Miles’s “All Blues”, and Jobim’s “Quiet Nights.”
 

Rainy Day Reflections from Jimmy Hodo

Dobie Gray - Dead at 71

Singer, songwriter Dobie Gray died today at age seventy-one.

Dobie Gray was born Leonard Victor Ainsworth on July 26, 1940 in Simonton, Texas to a family of sharecroppers. He grew up influenced by the gospel music sung in his minister-grandfather’s church and by the country and western music that permeated the Texas countryside.

He moved to Los Angeles, hoping to find success as an actor. He started singing to make ends meet until the acting jobs came in. His first break came from meeting Sonny Bono, who helped guide him through some of the challenges of getting established in Hollywood. He changed his name to Dobie Gray and got a two-and-a-half-year long role in the hit musical ‘Hair’.

His first hit came in 1965 with the song ‘The In Crowd,’ written by his brother Gene. But it was his 1973 hit ‘Drift Away’ that defined his career. ‘Drift Away’ sold millions and was covered by Rod Stewart, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, and Ringo Starr, among others. Uncle Kracker also covered it with Dobie singing harmony in 2003. That version of the song was on the Billboard chart for 28 weeks.

Gray became the first artist to play before integrated audiences in South Africa. Becoming one of the most popular artists in South Africa, he earned eight gold singles, four platinum albums, and made nine concert tours. He also found some success as an actor, appearing in episodes of several TV series while honing his songwriting skills collaborating with Paul Williams.

Ultimately, however, he relocated to Nashville and became a country music artist with some minor success. He also began to concentrate on his songwriting career. His songs were recorded by Don Williams,  Charley Pride, George Jones, Ray Charles, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Mathis, Etta James, Conway Twitty, Brook, Benton, Three Dog Night, Nina Simone, Julio Iglesias, Paul Rogers, Razzie Bailey, B.J. Thomas, and John Denver.

He purchased Quadrafonic Studios, on 18th Avenue in Nashville, where he recorded three albums for MCA Records. Gray sang on the soundtracks of ‘Uptown Saturday Night’, ‘Casey’s Shadow’, ‘The Commitment’, and ‘Out of Sight’, as well as on a number of commercials for major products, such as Procter & Gamble, Chrysler, Ultra Slimfast, Oscar Mayer, Chevrolet, Buick, Kraft, Coca-Cola, Allstate, Budweiser, and MacDonald’s.

In 1979, LocoBop released Dobie’s album entitled ‘Soul Days’, produced by Norbert Putnam. The album features Dobie’s take on R&B classics such as “When a Man Loves a Woman”, and “People Get Ready”, as well new material he had written.

J. Blackfoot Dies in Memphis

The Memphis Commercial Appeal’s  Bob Mehr reports: Memphis soul singer J. Blackfoot, a member of Stax vocal group the Soul Children and a longtime solo artist, died today at Methodist Germantown Hospital.

Blackfoot had been diagnosed with cancer. He was 65.

“What I remember more than anything about him was his naturalness,” said Stax songwriting legend David Porter, who discovered Blackfoot more than 40 years ago. “When I first heard him, there was naturalness in his phrasing, in his charm, that was unique. He always stayed true to that.”

Though he came to prominence under the guise of J. Blackfoot, he was born John Colbert in Greenville, Mississippi. His family moved to the Bluff City when he was 2 years old and he earned his nickname sobriquet during his childhood days, when he would walk the Memphis sidewalks barefoot.

J. Blackfoot broke into the music business at age nineteen as lead singer of a new line-up of The Barkays, whose original members had died in the plane crash that also killed Otis Redding.

Isaac Hayes and David Porter (famed for their Sam & Dave productions) then recruited Blackfoot to sing lead in a new vocal group, The Soul Children (who scored 15 R&B hits between 1968 and 1978).

After the group split up, Blackfoot began his career as a solo artist, produced by Stax colleagues Homer Banks and Chuck Brooks. Success came with the R&B smash 'Taxi´ followed by 'Just One Lifetime.’

LocoBop has released four of J. Blackfoot’s solo albums: U-Turn, Taxi,  Physical Attraction, and Soles of My Shoes. A fifth album, entitled Footloose, will be released early in 2012.

Edwin Hubbard's Christmas Legacy

Accompanied by some of Memphis' finest - Tom Lonardo on drums, Errol Thomas on bass, and Marvell Thomas on keyboards – Edwin Hubbard’s legacy lives on in this album simply entitled “Christmas Songs”.

Christmas Joy from the North Polish Symphony

As you deck your halls with Christmas festoonery this year, let the North Polish Symphony provide your essential musical backdrop for holiday cheer.

Richard Orange is Supernatural

Papa Don is the Latest LocoBop "Beyond Words" Feature

The Original Dixieland Hall Jazz Band

The Sound of New Orleans Gospel

Disco! Disco! Disco!

The Bar-Kays 40-year career produced 27 albums (5 gold and 1 platinum), 37 singles (28 in the Top Ten) and membership in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. J. Blackfoot scored Soul/R&B hits before and after the disco period (solo and with the Soul Children). “U- Turn (Dance Mix)” was cut at the height of Disco’s popularity.

The Masqueraders’ “Love Anonymous”, along with “The Right Track” by Randy Brown and Eddie Floyd covering his own classic “Knock on Wood” in Trance-Disco fashion are other prime examples of Memphis soul acts who cashed in on the disco fad without harming their R&B credentials. Carson Whitsett’s “Shoot Out on Mars” is a frenetic, melodic electro disco instrumental flush with sequencers and synthesizers. Amber, two girls and a guy coupling the racial make up of Tony Orlando & Dawn with the smooth vocal harmonies of Abba, graced disco charts in Europe on the London label with “Love Attack”. “Hello Monte Carlo” is from the late Scott Mateer, a top mid- South DJ of the period.

Memphis femme fatale Fawn sings about “Night Work”, a track co-produced by Winston Stewart (The Bar- Kays). Richard Orange is another Memphis icon whose “There’ll Never Be Another Night Like This” made noise in Europe on the DJM label. Memphians Bobby Manuel & Rick Christian pair on “Lonely for Your Love”. Mississippi disco diva Ruth Wentland wraps this album with “I’ll Pay Any Price.”
 

More Gems from LocoBop's Country Vault

Hank Williams’ rueful anthem “Cold Cold Heart” is sung just the way he meant it to be by New Orleans favorite CAROL FRAN. We then get an encore from IVORY JOE delivering another classic (“Walking the Floor Over You) before Louisiana’s BOBBIE CUPIT pleads “Satisfy Me” in a wonderfully traditional style, reminiscent of late night jukebox spins at a country highway roadhouse.
 

Meet Trumpeter Brice Miller & The Mahogany Brass Band

Big Collection of 30 Hot Southern Soul Tracks

Three New Orleans stars complete the album’s cast: Veda Love resurrects the soul standard “Standing on Shaky Ground;” Charles Jacobs shows us why he’s a capacity draw night after night on Bourbon Street; Chewy Thunderfoot Black (once bandleader for ZZ Hill and Buddy Ace) displays a hard-driving soulmanship.
 

Thirty Essential Tracks for Blues Aficionados

Rufus Thomas, Tommy Tate, and Eddie Floyd made their mark as soul singers; here they reveal genuine blues credentials. Ivory Joe Hunter sold millions of records as a crossover crooner, but shows off his early blues roots. Fred Sanders’s Club Handy Band, a long-time Beale Street attraction, influenced virtually all Memphis musicians coming of age in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Award-winning bluesman Bobby Rush still plays to sell-out crowds as his career passes the half century mark. Blues Hall of Famer Percy Mayfield wrote “Hit The Road Jack” for Ray Charles.
 

Charles Jacobs proves why he’s a French Quarter draw for blues aficionados, while up river, the Memphis All Stars indisputably earn their name. And the Memphis Queen, Carla Thomas authenticates her blues credentials with “Little Red Rooster.” Beale Street headliner Papa Don McMinn shows his mastery of Delta roots. The Crescent City’s Selwyn Cooper & The Hurricane Blues Band, dare we say, blow us away with their performance. West along the Gulf Coast to Houston, harmonica maestro Tommy Dardar laments how rain doesn’t help the blues. Gulf Coast favorite Carol Fran gives the blues a barrelhouse spin, and Mississippi’s Carson Whitsett channels Ray Charles on the organ. The iconic Albert King puts his “Finger on the Trigger,” while Louisiana’s Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers offer prime swamp blues. Tara Darnell closes with an absolutely stunning version of “Ain’t No Sunshine”.
 

Discover Mississippi Doo-Wop with The Vels, The Caprees, and The Carvettes

Another group of Jackson teenagers caught Jobie Martin’s ear in 1962. The Caprees were Maurice Tony Gray, Willie “Butch” Johnson, Robert “Earl” Johnson and Charles “Chuck” Guy. Jobie linked them with Bob McRee, owner of the same studio that hosted The Vels’ session. McRee called in Tim Whitsett to provide the backing band for “If I Should Lose You” and “Where There’s a Will”. Released on McRee’s Buccaneer label, the disc had regional success. Later, the group traveled to Detroit and was signed to Golden World by producer Don Davis. Changing their name to The Holidays, their debut single (“I’ll Love You Forever”) was a hit. Coincidentally, Don later joined Stax Records in Memphis, and hired Tim Whitsett to run the music publishing division East/Memphis Music, proving that it is indeed a small world.
 

The Masqueraders Join with the Mad Lads and Ten-63 The Browns in the Harmonies of Love

The Mad Lads' doo wop harmonies were more akin to Philadelphia than their native Memphis. Featuring the high, innocent tenor of John Gary Williams, the group was still in high school when they signed to Stax in late 1964. Their three songs in this collection come from their first new album in 40 years, Love Songs for Lovers. The album turned out to be a bittersweet milestone as key member and group co-founder William Brown suffered a career-ending stroke soon after the session wrapped up at Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios in Memphis.
 

Ten-63 The Browns: William Brown had also just finished recording an album with his two younger brothers, Randy and Bertram. Though Facing The Music was to be the start of many Brown Brothers collaborations, the album was the only time the brothers recorded together as a group. Randy Brown was lead singer of The Newcomers, signed to Volt Records, before a solo career that produced several chart singles. Bertram, the youngest Brown, was also in The Newcomers, before finding chart success as lead singer with Kwick.
 

The Tony Thomas Trio -  Jazz That  Jumps Out and Grabs You

New Orleans-flavored groove of “Slide-L.”

The Dog Police Are Back!

This is the digital reissue of the eponymous, cult classic album by the Memphis-based '80s band Dog Police. The band won MTV's "Basement Tapes" competition in 1985, and their video "Dog Police" scored 400,000 hits on YouTube. The video sensation led to a sitcom television pilot called "Dog Police” starring Adam Sandler & Jeremy Piven.

Dog Police, was formed in 1985 by keyboardist Tony Thomas, bassist Sam Shoup, and drummer Tom Lonardo, who, as the Tony Thomas Trio, have been among the musical elite of Memphis since 1979.
 

Carson Whitsett is At Peace

this collection, called "At Peace", means so much to me. It sounds just like home, a time magically recaptured when I listen to this album. My son summed it up this way: We are lucky and blessed that we can have Carson here with us anytime we want, just by pushing play.

- Tim Whitsett
 

Wayne Boyd's New Orleans Jazz-Soul Sessions

Throughout, the guitarist and leader demonstrates a nimble but aggressive attack on the amplified strings of his full-bodied guitar, leading the way with full authority and making this an unusually hot and inspired example of classic soul-jazz improvisation.

High Steppers' Brash Approach to Brass Band Music

Here’s a new injection of inspiration in a tried-and-true musical tradition, holding to the past while bringing it full-bore into the present, in true New Orleans style.

"Strong Rhythms and Heart-felt Harmonies"

Listen to any cut on this superb CD, and we know you’ll get the message!

Franco's Barrel House Boogie - French Quarter Style

Throughout, Mr. Boogieman demonstrates the range of boogie woogie piano and asserts the kind of creative inspiration that makes you want to boogie all night long.

Heavenly Stars - Classic Gospel

Simplicity, harmony, sincerity, and understated grace – for The Heavenly Stars, that equals a heavenly combination.

David & Roselyn's Gumbo Ya Ya

No matter what they play, David & Roselyn mix a fun-loving, high-spirited attitude with solid folk musicianship, assuring a good time will be had by audiences everywhere.

R.I.P. “Sy” Rosenberg

Seymour S. “Sy” Rosenberg died Saturday, July 23, 2011, at his home after a long illness. He practiced law for over 50 years and his passion for music and entertaining spanned his entire lifetime. Rosenberg was a fixture on the Memphis music scene for more than 50 years - as a musician, impresario, producer, publisher, manager, and music business attorney. His clients were as diverse as the rich musical heritage of Memphis itself - from Charlie Rich to Rufus Thomas. In his later years he was an integral part of the Memphis Jazz Orchestra and released two albums on LocoBop (Sy Rosenberg Big Band Vols. I & II) conducting his own orchestra.

Loco Electric Orchestra debuts

The Loco Electric Orchestra might easily have been called the Loco Eclectic Orchestra, since its musical output flits between styles at Whitsett’s whim. While the tracks on this album unmistakably come from the same “place”, the center of gravity shifts from song to song, revealing a diversification you’d expect from someone who has worked with song catalogs ranging from Otis Redding, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Chuck Berry, and Bobby Blue Bland to Gilbert & Sullivan, David Bowie, Jethro Tull, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin.

Hare Trigger Band on their own

Songs recorded in California for this album were principally written by John Paul Daniel, whose credits include cuts by Pam Tillis, Bryan White, Clay Walker, Prairie Oyster, The Bama Band, Debra Dejean, The Breaks, 84 King Street, Jimmy Griffin, Ballie and the Boys, and a track in Robert Altman's film "Cookie's Fortune".

BatRacers like Big Cash

The tracks on Big Cash are truly tight and challenging, all of them performed with that underlying Memphis pulse. This is Memphis Music as it should be, with all its heart and fire intact.

The Afro-Brazilian Fantasy of Curtis Pierre's Casa Samba

Afro-Brazilian Fantasy is the real deal, a mesmerizing and truly inspiring mix of new and ancient rhythms rendered with both astounding clarity and a deep understanding of genuine Afro-Brazilian musical culture.

Algiers Brass Band struts its stuff

Throughout, the Algiers Brass Band gives their all to rock your socks off, which means tossing in a modern-day hit from The Meters, like “Hey Pocky Way,” or the down-and-dirty “Down Home Blues,” fits right into their agenda: to let you know the New Orleans brass-band is not only alive and well, but still kickin’!

Summer releases coming from the Big Easy in June

Three great albums from Gary Edwards's Sound of New Orleans label kick off our summer on June 14. You'll get an injection of Louisiana Swamp Blues from Selwyn Cooper and his Hurricane Blues Band. Plus, there's some southern fried gumbo funk from Veda Love's album entitled Make Me Yours Tonight. And then we remember the great Sherman Washington, who died in  March, with a superb gospel album from the Zion Harmonizers called Thank You Lord. (See below for our tribute to Sherman, which we published last month.)

R.I.P. Sherman Eddie Washington

Sherman Eddie Washington, Jr. died in New Orleans March 14, 2011 at the age of 85. The leader of the Zion Harmonizers was born December 13, 1925 in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

In 1939, Washington formed the gospel group with other young men from his neighborhood in Zion City, a small community in New Orleans. The Zion Harmonizers received numerous accolades and recognitions as they toured throughout the United States and Europe, including Italy, Belgium, Holland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Portugal. They first recorded for the Avant label in 1956 and went on to record albums for Gotham Records, Booker Records, Flying Fish Records, Pontchartrain Records, Mardi Gras Records, C & G Music, and Sound of New Orleans.

Sherman Washington, Jr. was the last original member of the Zion Harmonizers and had been singing for 71 years.

Last year, Sound of New Orleans and LocoBop released the Zion Harmonizers’ first digital album, “Never Alone.” In June of this year, a second Zion Harmonizers’ digital album, “Thank You Lord,” is slated for release.

Watch the Zion Harmonizers perform "I'll Fly Away".

R.I.P. Aaron Alexander Green

Al Green of The Green Brothers passed away March 5. Al suffered a heart attack in Florida, while on his way to his brother Bobby’s home in Detroit. They planned to work on new songs for an album to be cut May.

The Green Brothers were the last act signed to Stax Records before its demise in 1975. By the time their first single was released that April, Stax product distribution was virtually non-existent and the record quickly died. And given Stax’s financial woes, their second recording was never completed.

Disheartened, Bobby and Al decided to give up the Green Brothers. Bobby worked for Detroit’s fire department for the next twenty-seven years. Al moved to Florida.

 In January 2008, former Stax producer Bobby Manuel chanced upon an original cassette of home demos that Bobby and Al Green had recorded some thirty-three years earlier. Manuel told Green about his rediscovery of the cassette, asserting that the Green Brothers had never gotten their due. He concluded by saying, “Bobby, let’s finish this.”

Convinced that it was worth a shot, Bobby Green persuaded Al to come to Detroit where they managed to re-capture their old magic after a couple of weeks rehearsing.

Bobby Manuel assembled the finest rhythm and horn players in Memphis. The album, called “Soulsville,” was completed in a week; most of the vocals were cut “live,” the way Stax conducted sessions in the sixties. Bobby Manuel said, “It was like the Otis days.”

Al’s death unfortunately nipped the resurrection of the Green Brothers’ career in the bud. However, Bobby Green and Bobby Manuel feel Al would want them to continue what they started. Green and Manuel are considering replacements for Al. They’re determined to record that second Green Brothers album, convinced they will have Al’s blessing.

Watch the Green Brothers performing at Porretta Soul Festival in Italy, July 2010.

Mick Martin is the Revelator!

The Creole Zydeco Snap Band's Album from SONO is a Crowd Pleaser

Late New Orleans Legend Tommy Ridgley's Last Album Released

Memphis Blues Legend Fred Sanders Dies

Reported By Robert 'Nighthawk' Tooms

After a long and arduous fight against lung cancer, Fred Sanders, Jr. passed away Saturday, January 15, just days after suffering a stroke. He was 71-years-old.

Fred was a fixture on Beale Street, a blues icon who had come up through the years playing at some of the area's best known and most venerated Blues clubs. He  never mentioned his illness, acting as if everything was just fine, as he  trouped off to to play in Beale Street's famous W.C. Handy Park every day, despite the ravages of chemotherapy. This is the park where so many aspiring Blues performers got their start, including a young Riley B. King who arrived from Mississippi in the late 1940′s.

Fred Sanders was a stellar Blues guitar player, but at times during his career, his skill also augmented the likes of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra, Count Basie's Band, Buddy Rich's Orchestra, and Johnnie Taylor's band.

LocoBop has to-date released two tracks by Fred Sanders with his Club Handy Band. They are included on Blues Man's Ball Vol. I, and were recorded by producer Bobby Manuel in the 1990s. Two additional tracks from the same session will be included on Blues Man's Ball Vol. IV, which is set for release later this year.
 

Di Anne Price & Her Boyfriends at Huey's Midtown 

By Chris Herrington

A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed Greenville, Mississippi, blues piano player and singer Eden Brent —who has subsequently garnered multiple nominations for next spring's Blues Music Awards — for a Flyer feature. With no prompting, Brent gushed over the talents of Di Anne Price, a Memphis singer and musician whose own work is essentially in the same vein as Brent's, albeit far less celebrated.

"Let me tell you something, that woman is my hero," Brent said. "I adore her. A friend in Memphis gave me her CD, and then I went to see her live, and I became mad about her. In the whole world — forget about Memphis — there aren't many piano players who can outplay her."

I agree. Because Price plays so frequently but records so sparingly, she tends to be taken for granted. She might be the most soulful, most pleasurable musician in Memphis, regardless of stature or genre. You can catch Di Anne Price regularly at several local venues, including Itta Bena and Mollie Fontaine Lounge. She'll be joined by her ace backing band Sunday, December 26th, at Huey's Midtown, playing from 4 to 7 p.m.

Note: This summer, LocoBop released a 15-track collection of songs by Di Anne and her Boyfriends, entitled Barrel House Queen.

The Mad Lads, Papa Don McMinn, Les Getrex, and Swamp Rock compilation set for December 8.

Headlining LocoBop's December album releases is Love Songs for Lovers by The Mad Lads.

One of the few vocal groups on the Stax roster during the '60s, the Mad Lads' doo wop-influenced harmonies were more akin to what you might find in Philadelphia soul acts than those of their native Memphis. Featuring the high, innocent tenor of John Gary Williams, the group was still in high school when they were signed to Stax in late 1964. In the mid-'60s, they enjoyed solid R&B hits with "Don't Have to Shop Around," "I Want Someone," and "I Want a Girl," although they never would cross over to the pop audience.

Love Songs for Lovers is the Mad Lads’ first new album in almost forty years. On it, you’ll hear the Mad Lads at their vocal best. Time has enhanced their talent rather than diminished it and LocoBop is proud to be associated with the release. It is, however, a bittersweet milestone as key member and group co-founder William Brown suffered a career-ending stroke soon after the sessions wrapped up at Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios in Memphis.

Swampers we've selected for this our first volume include: Bourbon Street heavyweight Phat2sDay; harmonica virtuoso Tommy Dardar from Houston, Texas; The Pale Prince of Beale Street, otherwise known as Papa Don McMinn; Von Johin, the avatar blues star from Second Life; Memphis guitarist Terry Wall and The Wallbangers; Shreveport natives, The Anderson Brothers; the explosive Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers; the inimitably soulful Memphis All Stars; Good time Louisiana party rockers Charlie Cuccia and Bill E. Shaw; the acclaimed King of Swamp Pop, G.G. Shinn; New Orleans street singers David & Roselyn; and the man from Memphis, whose legend is itself legend, Don Nix.
 

The Mad Lads Coming in December

As first announced last year, LocoBop will be releasing an album by The Mad Lads, produced by one of the group's founding members, John Gary Williams. After some delays, we're pleased to confirm the album, entitled Love Songs for Lovers is scheduled for release in December.

The Mad Lads were one of the first successful vocal groups signed to Stax Records in the 1960s. Appearing on the Volt label, their hits included "Don't Have To Shop Around", "I Want a Girl", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Whatever Hurts You," and "I Want Someone."

Second Life's Blues Star Avatar Debuts Album: Von the Revelator

After much ado and even much more delay, the long awaited “Von the Revelator” album from Von Johin is available.  

Back in 2008, there was a great deal of fuss when Von Johin was signed as a Second Life avatar to a real-life record label ironically called Reality Entertainment. But after all the news died down, Von Johin found himself facing some real life distractions that caused a series of delays in completing the album. Once finished, however, a lot of time passed without a release date being set. Von’s increasingly busy real life and Second Life activities made him wonder if he and Reality were ever going to be able to get together to schedule the album for release. Unsure what to do, Johin asked Reality’s CEO if the company would just let him go another direction. Reality graciously agreed to let Von move on with no fuss.  

By sheer coincidence, that same weekend, Von’s real life avatar was catching up with an old friend, Tim Whitsett. Tim told Von that he’d launched a blues-centric label, called LocoBop. Von had never seen LocoBop’s site, but one look was all it took for him to realize that this is where his new album belonged.  

LocoBop is home to blues greats like Rufus Thomas, Luther Ingram, Jerry Butler, Eddie Floyd, and a host of other great blues acts. Von Johin’s album fit with LocoBop like a foot in an old brown shoe. Von was now in the company of some of his blues heroes, and having his music accepted there was very validating.  

It all happened pretty quickly this time. Von Johin joined the label, sent the masters to LocoBop, and Tim took care of the music publishing and album artwork in one fell swoop.  

In addition to joining LocoBop’s artist roster, Von Johin’s real life avatar Mike Lawson will also be a songwriter for Whitsett Brothers Music BMI, thus completing the business arrangements and leaving Von to do what he does best: sing his blues to friends around the world who tune in almost nightly to hear him live in Second Life. 

In tribute to the era of recordings when mono ruled and stereo was the new thing, both mono and stereo versions of the album are available for download. Von the Revelator will also be available soon in CD through Amazon.com. 

Von Johin extends his many thanks to Warren and Phil at Reality for first signing him and getting him to record his music to begin with, because none of this would have likely started without them asking him to do that. He never planned to come into Second Life and do anything other than maybe one show a week for fun. But, it all kind of exploded from there. With his new home at LocoBop, Von hopes to find subsequent recordings coming out quickly as he works to try to rise to the level of the people with whom he now shares a spot on the roster.

Beyond Words Series Continues with Blues and Jazz Instrumentals

Beyond Words – Volume Two – Blues Instrumentals, and  Volume Three – Jazz Instrumentals are the second and third releases in LocoBop’s series of instrumental music performed by some of the greatest musicians of their respective art forms.

Both compilations spotlight musicians from New Orleans, Mississippi, Memphis, and Nashville, including: Young blues gun Eddie Cotton - one of today's most exciting blues guitarists; Wayne Boyd, who played guitar behind the great Jimmy McGriff for 30 years, The Memphis All Stars, The Uptown Allstars, B-3 organ maestro Carson Whitsett, Group DeVille, Selwyn Cooper & the Hurricane Blues Band, Tenor Sax standout Chucky C., Steve "Mr. Boogieman" Franco,  Japanese keyboard prodigy Makota Kuriya, Papa Don McMinn (a.k.a. 'The Pale Prince of Beale' Street), the late Ivory Joe Hunter, and the Pride of Bourbon Street, trombonist Eddie Boh Paris.

September treats from Sound of New Orleans:

Tara Darnell and J.B. Davis

The first two of four September Sound of New Orleans albums were released via LocoBop today: Let It Shine by Tara Darnell and Walking to New Orleans by J.B. Davis.

Von the Revelator Coming September 28th!

Von Johin - the Avatar Blues Star from Second Life - Signs with LocoBop

Musician and vocalist Von Johin hails from Nashville, TN and grew up in the southern USA playing juke joints all across the Chitlin’ Circuit. An ardent follower of the greats from the world of blues music, Von Johin delivers his powerful shows every week all around Second Life.  

In Second Life, Von Johin is all about the roots of his musical love, American blues, rural country folk, bluegrass and more. On occasion he’ll swing into something covered by Jerry Garcia, or some groovy other psychedelic material that inspires him as he goes. Shows are not set-listed, and one song can flow into the next.

The show starts on top of the hour and the first hour usually flies by without a break in-between the songs. Lots of energy, lots of fun, that’s what you can expect at a Von Johin concert! 

Raised playing blues and bluegrass, an interesting combination if there ever was one, Von sorted out early on that the biggest difference in the two genres was the tempo and the swing. He fuses together these two major influences in his life, sometimes delivering a “blues-grass” type of thang that folks seem to like when he does it.

Von’s real life avatar has recorded and performed with members of Hot Tuna/Jefferson Airplane, Joe Louis walker, Jerry Garcia band, Fleetwood Mac, he was mentored in music by the late, great Merl Saunders. Playing with Merl found him performing with Narada Michael Walden, Rob Wassermann, Vince Welnick, Melvin Seales, Bill Kreutzmann, plus enjoying many an introduction when also opening shows by the one and only Wavy Gravy. 

With his trusty Gibson j200, Von Johin broadcasts each show live from his Blue Note Studio on the outskirts of Nashville, playing almost nightly.

Click the headline to this article to find out more about Von Johin and how he and LocoBop joined forces. 

Not a Second Life resident, but you still want to catch the show? You can listen using iTunes by telling it to open up this link  http://www.vonjohin.com:8888 on something like iTunes or Winamp, etc. You can’t click that link and listen from the web page, though.

And to see a clip from one of Von's Second Life concerts on YouTube, click here and here.

Aptly Titled "Almighty Gospel" Launches New LocoBop Series

In their typically inspired style, those ladies from New Orleans known as the Voices of Distinction ask the sobering question:”What You Gonna Do?” The always classy Bemiss Brothers reach right to the heart with a wonderful performance of “The Moment I Believed”. From former Sweet Obsession member, Keena Green - daughter of Bobby Green (the Green Brothers) – brings the congregation to their feet with “Worldly Christian”.

Rooster: New Orleans Bluesman "Born in Mississippi"

And never mind that the last three tracks are straight-out Nashville country blues, complete with pedal-steel guitar and falsetto yodeling. The Rooster method will never catch you napping -- a showman first and foremost, Rooster’s fresh take on the blues genre begins just where other blues bands leave off.

Summer Hitwave Continues with Barrel House, Swamp Pop, and New Orleans Soul:

Di Anne Price, G.G. Shinn, and Chewy Thunderfoot Black

- John Taylor – Blues On Stage

In the mood for some road-tested, get-down party music? Then check out Chewy “Thunderfoot” Black and his hard-driving vocal soulmanship.

More From Memphis:

Memphis All Stars: Riding the Blues Train

Robert Clayborne (keyboards and vocals) has backed such greats as Denise LaSalle, Tyrone Davis, Rufus Thomas, Yolanda Adams, Al Green, and others. Henry "Sly Diesel” Clayborne (bass, keyboards, and vocals) has played with Fred Sample, Little Milton, The Coasters, and The Drifters to name a few. Walter White (drums and vocals) started playing professionally at the age of 18 with Gospel greats such as the Rev. Clay Evans. Switching to R&B, he played with the Bar-Kays among others before joining the Memphis All-Stars.

Soul Legend Don Bryant Puts His Stamp on Southern Gospel

Don Bryant’s success writing hits for artists at Hi Records overshadowed his status as one of the best soul singers of the 1960s. Born into a Memphis family of 10 children in 1942, Bryant caught the attention of Willie Mitchell singing in a doo wop group. Through Mitchell, Bryant’s original song "Is There Someone Else on Your Mind" was cut by the Five Royales, and he signed to Hi Records, releasing his first single in 1964.

While his songs are still heard everywhere, Bryant has become committed to the spiritual life. In 2000, he teamed with Ann’s long time keyboardist/producer Paul Brown to cut It’s All in the Word. The album highlights Don’s anointed talent as a gospel singer/songwriter and presents 15 tracks of awesome, powerful testimony. From the passionate soul stirring melody of Rest Well, to the Mountain moving, Holy Ghost adlibs on He’s Alright, every note on this recording was seasoned with a sanctified soul-drenched spirit.

And by the way, Don is joined on this album by his wife Ann Peebles, and many old friends, like Tamiko Jones and Larry Dodson of the Bar-Kays.

More Summer Heat:

The Creole Zydeco Farmers, The Melody Clouds, and Charles Jacobs

It takes a rare gift to install yourself in the competitive environs of New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street and consistently draw capacity audiences night after night, even when other clubs are standing empty. And it’s a rarer gift even than that to have achieved this reputation with only a stripped-down quartet that plays nothing but straight electric blues. In New Orleans. On Bourbon Street. Growing up in Mississippi, Charles Jacobs absorbed all the hardcore blues influences he could lay his ears on, from Lightnin’ Hopkins and Howlin’ Wolf to B.B. King and T-Bone Walker, Ray Charles and Brook Benton to Johnny Taylor and James Brown. This album leaves no doubt that Charles Jacobs has become one of the greatest living Blues Masters.
 

LocoBop & Sound of New Orleans Artists Featured at Italian Music Festivals This Month

The Coolbone Brass Band, one of the Big Easy's more venerable brass bands, takes center stage at the 10th annual Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy this month. (the Sound of New Orleans act will have its first digital album released via LocoBop two weeks from now). The Umbria Jazz Festival, which brings many of the world's hottest jazz performers to Perugia each year, runs July 9th through July 18th.

Fours days after Umbria, The Porretta Soul Festival will feature LocoBop's dynamic Detroit duo The Green Brothers (Al & Bobby) at its 22^nd annual salute to soul music. Appearing with them will be their producer, LocoBop's Memphis A&R Chief and ex-Stax guitar maestro, Bobby Manuel. The festival kicks off July 22nd at Rufus Thomas Park in Porretta Terme (Bologna), Italy and runs through July 25th.

Hot July Forecast by Eclectic Trio of  Releases from Sound of New Orleans

Check out, for instance, two extreme examples: the gorgeous a cappella treatment of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” a pure blend of jubilee, shout, and doo-wop styles expounded within a stately, deliberate rhythm; or the high-powered, backwoods treatment of “Tied Up (in Jesus),” with hand-clapping, organ swirls, and clipped-chord rhythm-guitar driving the quartet at what seems like an impossible speed.

Three New Summer Compilations

Fans tell us it's high time for new releases from three of LocoBop's more popular compilation series. We agree, and here they are, chock full of great tracks from outstanding artists.

Soul Rangers Vol. III contains 12 tracks from icons like Jerry Butler, Eddie Floyd, Rufus & Carla Thomas, J. Blackfoot, Luther Ingram, The Masqueraders, Dobie Gray, and Tommy Tate, plus the fantastic Memphis All Stars, our hot Detroit duo The Green Brothers, as well as two favorites from New Orleans: Charles Jacobs and Chewy Thunderfoot Black.

For soul loving romantics (all of us, for sure), Soul Romantix Vol. II gets you in the mood with Ruby Wilson, Shirley Brown, Luther Ingram, The Masqueraders, "The Ice Man" Jerry Butler, Randy Brown, Tara Darnell, Les Getrex, Dobie Gray, J. Blackfoot, and R.B. Hudmon.

And then there are the divas, the Divine Soul Divas Vol. II, in fact: Carla Thomas, Shirley Brown, Keena Green, Brenda Patterson, Amber, Tara Darnell, Carol Fran, Veda Love, Ruby Wilson, and Di Anne Price! One listen to this album will convince you (if you didn't already know) that these particular divas are very divine indeed.

Mixing it up . . . Blues, Gospel, and Cajun!

Blues Man’s Ball Volume Three is the third release in LocoBop’s series showcasing southern blues at its best, and we’ve got to say this is the strongest compilation yet! Every track is a must-have for blues aficionados.

Featured artists include Albert King, Eddie Cotton, Carla Thomas (her live version of "Little Red Rooster" is a killer), Barrel House pianists/Blues singers Di Anne Price (from Memphis) and Carol Fran (New Orleans), Bourbon Street Blues guitarist Charles Jacobs, Selwyn Cooper & His Hurricane Blues Band, Houston's harmonica maestro Tommy Dardar, Beale Street Delta Boogie-Blues master Papa Don McMinn, B-3 whiz Carson Whitsett, Zydeco Hellraiser Dwayne Dopsie, and the inimitable Memphis All Stars.

From Sound of New Orleans comes The Voices of Distinction. Organized in December 2001, the group’s musical expertise speaks of many more years’ experience, due in part to Audrey Ferguson’s previous experience with one of the Crescent City’s top female gospel groups, the New Orleans Spiritualettes. But The Voices of Distinction bring a fresh sound to the gospel canon, paring away unnecessary musical elements to achieve an unusually clear sense of simplicity and spiritual directness.

Nowhere is this more true than on this recording by Beau Bassin Cajun Band. Cajun veteran accordionist and vocalist Kermit Venable leads the band through 18 stellar tracks performed by some of the area’s top Cajun musicians. The album, from Sound of New Orleans, was produced by Jonno Frishberg, a classically trained violinist who has become a died-in-the-wool devoté of authentic Cajun sounds.

We've Got Lots of Brass - and Love

We indulge ourselves this month with a celebration of New Orleans Brass Band music featuring seven of the most renown bands from the Big Easy.

The neighborhood based, small-scale brass band is a special fixture of New Orleans music, with roots that reach back to the 19th century and branches that continue to sprout new leaves well into the 21st century.

Best of the Brass Bands showcases the famed Trémé Brass Band, The Original Dixieland Hall Jazz Band, Coolbone Brass Band, Mahogany Brass Band, The Highsteppers Brass Band, The Smitty Dee/Regal Brass Band, and The Algiers Brass Band.

Also coming from the Crescent City is Bobby Love, who started out in one of New Orleans’ hottest 1970s bands: Deacon John & The Electric Soul Train, a widely recognized major influence on The Meters.

For years, Bobby further honed his skills and reputation as an L.A. session player and leader of Johnnie Taylor's band. He was lured back to New Orleans after refuge from Katrina by an offer to lead French Quarter's long-time headliner, The Market Café Jazz Band. This is a delightful 15 track set, highly representative of New Orleans's best musicians today. But there are two do-not-miss tracks, which are must-haves: A unique version of Gershwin's classic "Summertime" and a Bill Witherish original entitled "NOLA My Home".

June Kick Off:

Carson Whitsett and Papa Don McMinn - Plus Charlie Cuccia and Eddie Boh Paris from Sound of New Orleans

First out of the chute, from LocoBop, are Carson Whitsett and Papa Don McMinn.

Carson Whitsett's album, appropriately named Organic, shows off his mastery of the B-3 organ and piano in that gumbo genre of blended Jazz / Soul / R&B / Funk in the traditions of Booker T. & The M.G.s, Jimmy Smith, Ramsey Lewis, Thelonious Monk et al.

Delta Boogie Blues Man Papa Don McMinn releases his 6th album on LocoBop - The Blues Ain't a Color. This is a must have for Papa Don fans - and for all fans of powerful guitar blues, for that matter.

Eddie Boh Paris is certainly one of highest acclaimed trombonists of his generation. Eddie's Album, featuring his Funky 7 Brass Band, is chock full of New Orleans flavored jazz, R&B, blues, and brass band favorites, played by today's top-ranked New Orleans musicians.

Sound of New Orleans also brings us the one and only Charlie Cuccia. The unmistakable Louisiana bon temps party sound compels you to dance as Charlie romps through his self-titled album of Rock & Roll standards..

The Trémé Brass Band - Latest Treat from Sound of New Orleans

The Trémé Brass Band are the real life, everyday soundtrack for Trémé, one of the oldest black neighborhoods in the country and the setting for the acclaimed, eponymous HBO series starring John Goodman. Located just north of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Trémé is a real haven for brass-band music.

The band is Anchored by snare drummer BennyJones, the band’s leader, and bass drummer “Uncle”Lionel Batiste - the sharpest looking septuagenarian you’ll ever meet. Jones and Batiste were both founding members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band thirty years ago, but neither wanted to tour full-time, so they formed a stay-at-home band that has become a kind of “finishing school” for an entire generation of up and coming New Orleans brass band musicians.

And on any given night in a backstreet barroom, a Trémé Brass Band set can take you almost anywhere with classic brass-band repertoire, like “I Found a New Baby,” “Joe Avery’s Blues,” or the hilarious “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead (You Rascal, You).” With extended jams and virtuoso solos, they can swing the pants off audience favorites, like “Wonderful World” or a spirited “Darktown Strutters Ball” and “When the Saints/Mama Don’t Allow” medley.

The album, entitled 'I Got A Big Fat Woman', is classic, funky New Orleans brass-band music, recorded live in the studio, and just one listen will easily demonstrate why the National Endowment for the Arts has named the Trémé Brass Band as a national treasure and National Heritage Fellows.

LocoBop CDs Now Available from Amazon

Amazon.com is making LocoBop's entire catalogue available in CD format for those who prefer physical copies of their music. (We do get a number of enquiries for CDs.) Please note that there is a bit of lag time between the date we make digital downloads available and the date Amazon.com is able to make them available as CDs.

Free Download from The Sound of New Orleans Records

The New Orleans Saints will be making their first ever  Super Bowl appearance this year. Naturally, the "Who Dat" fans in the Crescent City are all ahoo. In celebration of this historic event, the Sound of New Orleans label is offering a free download of "I Believe: Saints Go All the Way."

To get your free MP3, click here to go to the Sound of New Orleans website, and then click the download link.

Sound of New Orleans is here!

The first two album releases from LocoBop's deal with the Sound of New Orleans label are coming in early December. First artists out of the gate are Cluster Lee and the Powerhouse Blues Band with "Sweet Home New Orleans" and Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers with "Up In Flames."

Cluster Lee is an act in the New Orleans blues tradition; Dwayne Dopsie (son of the late Rockin' Dopsie) is a blazing Zydeco accordionist. Both albums are scheduled for release December 6.

Carla Thomas and Eddie Floyd headline November releases

Southern Soul icons Carla Thomas  (the Memphis Queen) and Eddie Floyd lead LocoBop's November slate of album releases.

Carla's album was recorded live at a 2000-year-old Roman amphitheatre in Viennes, France during her 2003 European tour. Her backing band, The Memphis All Star Band, led by guitarist Bobby Manuel, features Carla's brother Marvell Thomas on organ and her sister Vanesse as one of the back-up vocals. Other musicians include Steve Potts (drums), Jimmy Kinard (bass), Jim Spake (sax), Jackie Thomas (trombone), Scott Thompson (trumpet) and Paul Taylor (piano). Opening acts (included on the album) are Memphis gospel-turned-soul dynamo Jackie Johnson and Ellis Hooks, a dynamite soul showman originally from Alabama.

The album POWER captures Eddie Floyd in peak form  vocally. With the exception of the opening track (a live version of “Raise Your Hand”), POWER was recorded in Jackson, Mississippi (1979) after the demise of Stax.

But Eddie was surrounded by Stax vets Carson Whitsett (organ and keys), Michael Toles (guitar), Ray Griffin (bass), James Robertson (drums), and the Memphis Horns (Andrew Love and Wayne Jackson). Backing vocals, besides Eddie himself, included Valerie and Cheryl from Amber and Jewel Bass. “The Beat Song” (b/w “London”) was released in Europe by Arista in 1980. All other tracks are being released here for the first time (Eddie did record an earlier version of “I’ll Always Have Faith In You” for Stax).

New York Times salutes Memphis Soul - The Bo-Keys and City Champs

Memphis soul might be the most meticulously recreated genre, at this moment, in all of pop’s history. Its vibe is so desirable and so possible.

And so some of the musicians at the Southern-soul triple-bill on Wednesday night at Southpaw, in Brooklyn, went at their task like good-time scientists. The Sweet Divines, a girl group from Brooklyn, topped the bill.

The night’s first act was the City Champs, from Memphis, an instrumental trio — guitar (Joe Restivo), keyboards (Al Gamble) and drums (George Sluppick) — playing the night’s broadest references, branching out into jazz yet keeping the heavy, nuanced funk, never too fast, as their backbone.

But the high point of the evening came from the middle act, and especially by musicians from the time and place being heavily referenced. The Bo-Keys, an eight-piece band, are Memphis’s current answer to the Bar-Kays, the Stax record label’s house band in the 1960s and ’70s. (They were in town to take part in the Ponderosa Stomp festival, at Lincoln Center through the weekend.) The band’s boss is the bassist Scott Bomar, but it boasts the trumpeter and singer Ben Cauley, an original member of the Bar-Kays and the only survivor of the plane crash that killed Otis Redding. The band’s visual and aural centerpiece, though, is the gravel-voiced guitarist Charles Skip Pitts, who played the music’s stinging, wrangling leads and chicken-scratched through a wah-wah pedal.

The band’s set was a marvel of discipline and dirt, keeping its dance grooves close to the ground, never overplaying or letting solos spiral beyond their tight spaces. In addition to Memphis soul standards like “Soul Finger” the band played “Theme From Shaft,” for which Mr. Pitts originated the guitar part. (Maybe you can hear it in your head: wicka-wicka.) If you remember that sound as something good but limited, watching him play it was something else. Carefully using harmonics, changing up the rhythm of his strumming, violently sliding his hand up the guitar neck, he created a whole percussive and melodic universe out of wicka-wicka. It was the sound of origin and ownership.

Green Brothers' Soulsville released - with liner notes by Rob Bowman

The  long-awaited debut album by The Green Brothers hits the streets May 29th. Grammy-award winning author Rob Bowman's liner notes tell the incredible story of how this album came together, a saga that began in 1974. As for the album itself, Rob says:

It is uncanny how much all involved in these sessions were able to organically encapsulate the spirit of those bygone days without sounding for a minute like they are trying to sound retro or revive anything. Until I heard the CD, I would never have believed that it was possible in 2009 to make a record like this, even in Memphis, Tennessee.

Listen to clips from the album and read Rob Bowman's compelling story of the Green Brothers.

April Updates

Jerry Butler, Dobie Gray, and Ruby Wilson

Coming in May, three albums produced by multi-Grammy award winning producer Norbert Putnam: Brand New Me by Jerry Butler; Soul Days by Dobie Gray; and A Song for You by Ruby Wilson.

Jerry Butler has recorded more than 50 albums in a career spanning four decades; his voice is one of the most instantly recognizable in all of music. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer reprises ten of his greatest hits on Brand New Me – but none of the tracks are generic “re-records” or “sound-alikes.” Indeed, they are worthy, new versions of the originals, every bit as enjoyable, and "the Ice Man" is as warmly soulful as ever.

Dobie Gray’s first Top 20 hit was the 1965 breakout recording of "The 'In' Crowd," which he followed with another Motown-style bounce hit, "See You at the Go-Go"; But Dobie is best remembered for his 1973 Top 5 hit, "Drift Away." The follow up, "Loving Arms,” solidified his career as a versatile artist at home in R&B, Pop, and Country. He has also flourished as a songwriter, penning hits for Don Williams, Charley Pride, George Jones, and John Denver, among others. The album Soul Days offers Dobie’s take on R&B classics such as “When a Man Loves a Woman”, and “People Get Ready”, as well new material written by Gray and others.

Ruby Wilson is the undisputed Queen of Beale Street, a Memphis legend whose powerful, emotional, voice has been applauded worldwide. Prior to a stroke earlier this year, she was the headliner at B.B. King's, the epicenter of nightclub entertainment in the Mid-South. Ruby recorded over 10 albums and performed with B.B. King, Ray Charles, Robert Goulet, The Four Tops, Jerry Butler, Willie Nelson, and Isaac Hayes. She was also an accomplished actress, with roles in Black Snake Moan, Cookie's Fortune, The People vs. Larry Flynt, The Chamber, The Client, and The Firm. (Watch her live performance with the Climax Jazz Band in Japan.) Producer Norbert Putnam masterfully showcases Ruby at her best on A Song For You – a collection of classic standards superbly rendered.

Eddie Floyd, Ivory Joe Hunter, Papa Don McMinn

Eddie Floyd’s Sweet Soul. contains 15 knockout performances, including soul classics like "Soul Man,” Funky Broadway" and "Sweet Soul Music," plus Eddie’s own versions of hits he wrote for others, such as "Ninety Nine and One Half" (Wilson Pickett), “634-5789” (Wilson Pickett), and "The Breakdown" (Rufus Thomas). Another treat included on this set is Eddie's solo remake of "You're So Fine," the song that launched his career in 1959 when he was a member of The Falcons. In addition, Eddie gives us updated versions of some of his own trademark hits, including “Knock On Wood”, “Never Found a Girl”, “Bring It On Home”, and “California Girl”.

Ivory Joe Hunter’s lifelong love of country music manifested itself in the late 1960s and early ‘70s as he became a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry. The album Live At The Grand Ole Opry was recorded during appearances at The Opry’s Ryman Auditorium in 1971 and 1972. This 15-track collection demonstrates Hunter’s mastery of his craft as a singer, songwriter, and musician.

Papa Don McMinn is a Memphis Music legend. He was instrumental in the rebirth of the Home of the Blues: Beale Street in Memphis Tennessee. During the mid-1980s, Papa Don’s band had the "house gig" at Rum Boogie on the corner of Beale and Highway 61. LocoBop released two Papa Don albums in April (Black Guitar Blues and Live On Beale Street) in addition to our 2008 release of Home Blues. In May, LocoBop debuts a fourth album from Papa Don. Boogie Man, was produced by Willie Pevear under the auspices of executive producers Norbert Putnam and Tom Peters.

Frederick Knight, Keisa Brown

LocoBop’s relationship with Frederick Knight goes back to 1972 when LocoBop founder and managing partner Tim Whitsett signed Frederick to Stax Records. The first fruit of that deal produced Frederick’s iconic hit “I’ve Been Lonely For So Long.” Frederick’s career as an artist, producer, songwriter, and label owner has since generated numerous notable records, particularly one of the most representative hits of the disco era, “Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward. We’ll be releasing Frederick’s album Knight Time in May.

Also coming in May, I’ll Carry You by Keisa Brown, produced by Frederick Knight. Before Keisa died of an extended illness in 2006, she was headlining concerts throughout the USA and Europe and working as a back-up singer with superstars Gladys Knight, Neil Diamond, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Boyz II Men, and Brandy.

The Green Brothers, Keena Green, and Divine Soul Divas

The Green Brothers (Al and Bobby) were the last act signed to Stax Records in 1975, which meant their only release for the label never got out of the starting gate when the company went into receivership. The two Detroit brothers nevertheless kept singing and writing, activities that ultimately led to a reunion with Stax producer and LocoBop's man in Memphis Bobby Manuel. The brothers cut a brand new album, Soulsville, with Bobby at Ardent Studios. Backing was provided by a stellar group of veteran musicians from Stax and Hi Records.

The Green Brothers added a bonus track to the album, “I Don’t Want To Be A Worldly Christian” by Bobby Green’s daughter, Keena Green. With a cross/blend of soul, gospel, blues, pop, and country, Keena’s vocal power and performance is spine tingling. Before going solo, Keena (with her two sisters) saw success as a member of Epic recording group Sweet Obsession.

Divine Soul Divas is a compilation album release that features another track by Keena Green – “Friend.” Among those joining Keena on this album are Soul Sweetheart Carla Thomas, and Shirley Brown (both of whom contribute two tracks to the compilation).

Johnny Barranco

Johnny Barranco is featured in an April release from LocoBop, Father Time by Barranco, Barrett, and Crocker. It’s Johnny Barranco’s voice you hear on ubiquitous jingles like “Be All That You Can Be” (U.S. Army) and “You Deserve A Break Today” (McDonalds). Deep Praises is a solo album from Johnny that shows off his spiritual side.

Solomon Burke, J. Blackfoot headline this year’s Porretta Soul Festival

The Porretta Soul Festival has just confirmed Solomon Burke’s appearance at this summer’s 21^st annual salute to soul music. The festival kicks off July 23 at Rufus Thomas Park in Porretta Terme (Bologna), Italy and runs through July 26.

The Porretta Soul Soul Festival, a Tribute to Otis Redding, has become the most prestigious European event entirely dedicated to rhythm & blues and soul music, and particularly to the Memphis Sound. Previous featured artists included Rufus Thomas, Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), Booker T. & The MGs, The Memphis Horns, Percy Sledge, Irma Thomas, Mavis Staples, Millie Jackson, The Bar Kays, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, Isaac Hayes, Wilson Pickett, Lavern Baker, James Carr, Eddie Hinton, Dan Penn, and Billy Preston.

Also appearing this year are two artists with LocoBop connections: J. Blackfoot and Vaneese Thomas. Former Soul Children member J. Blackfoot has two albums available from LocoBop, with two more scheduled for release this spring. Vaneese Thomas is the daughter of Stax legend Rufus Thomas and sister of soul sensation Carla Thomas, both of whom have recordings available from LocoBop.

Other artists in this year’s line-up: Percy & Spencer Wiggins, Oscar Toney Jr, Toni Green, Jesse Dee, The Diplomat of Solid Sound with the Diplomettes, Bobby Johnson, CIV Soul Band, and The Austin DeLone All Star Band with Sweet Nectar.

For more information, contact Graziano Uliani, email: porettasoul@libero.it; telephone: 39053422021. The website is http://www.porrettasoul.it/.

J. Blackfoot

The Mad Lads - plus
Barranco, Barrett, & Crocker

Just confirmed, LocoBop will be digitally releasing an album by The Mad Lads, produced by one of the group's founding members, John Gary Williams. The Mad Lads were one of the first successful vocal groups signed to Stax Records in the 1960s. Appearing on the Volt label, their hits included "Don't Have To Shop Around", "I Want a Girl", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Whatever Hurts You," and "I Want Someone."

The Mad Lads

Also just added to LocoBop's release schedule for early March: Barranco, Barrett, & Crocker, a.k.a. BBC. Between the four members of BBC (there are two Barrancos in the group), the credits and contributions to hit records and national TV jingles over the past 30 years would fill a phone book. Although the four musicians originally hail from Jackson, Mississippi, this album (Father Time) marks their first venture into the studio together. The result is a solid collection of Rock & Roll as it was always meant to be: joyous, fun, and spontaneous - yet crammed with memorable lyrics and hooks.

Sound of New Orleans

Bringing Louisiana Music To The World

Laissez le bon temps roule! What a way to start the year! Gary Edwards, founder of Sound of New Orleans Record Company, is making his label's entire catalog available digitally for the first time - and LocoBop is excited to be part of the process.

Edwards founded SONO in 1972. Since then he has carefully assembled a roster of artists representing the cream of traditional New Orleans and Louisiana genres, from Brass Bands, Zydeco, Bourbon Street Jazz and Blues, R&B, Gospel, Cajun Music, Mardi Gras Bands, and Louisiana Swamp Music.

In Coming weeks and months, we will indeed be rolling out the good times with digital versions of Gary's New Orleans catalog, plus new releases from his exemplary label. Meanwhile, read more details here, including names of artists on the Sound of New Orleans roster.

New Bar-Kays Album Coming in January

House Party by the Bar-Kays headlines LocoBop's first batch of releases slated for the New Year. Other highlighted albums coming in January include: Power by Eddie Floyd, Masqueraders In Love by The Masqueraders, Highway Cowboy by Cotton Yancey, Blue Artistry by Di Anne Price, Facing The Music by Ten-63: The Browns, Black Guitar Blues by Papa Don McMinn & Nightrain, and Soul Rangers Vol. I -- the first in our series of iconic Southern soulsters. Volume One includes tracks by Luther Ingram, Eddie Floyd, The Bar-Kays, The Masqueraders, R.B. Hudmon, Rufus Thomas, Ivory Joe Hunter, Randy Brown, J. Blackfoot, and Homer Banks.

LocoBop Artists Support for
Nicole Marquez

Jackson, MS (WLBT) - Saturday wraps up the weeklong fundraising events benefitting Jackson dancer Nicole Marquez.

Marquez fell six floors off her New York apartment building in August and survived. She is now undergoing treatment at Methodist Rehabilitation Center. A series of fundraisers have been held to help the Marquez family with medical bills.

Saturday's events kicked off at Hal and Mal's in downtown Jackson. Children performed to the educational DVD "You Gotta Move," which Marquez helped produce. A Blues and Rock show will take center stage at 8:00 p.m.

"I've been in Jackson my entire life and I've never seen a line up like tonight's," said Nicole's mother Susan Marquez. "It's an all volunteer line up, which is amazing. Bobby Rush, they just unveiled a blues maker with his name on it, he's going to be here. And Eddie Cotton! I think he's the next BB King."

The Jumpin' Chi-Chis and...
Di Anne Price

If you’ve never heard of The Jumpin’ Chi-Chis or Di Anne Price, it’s our mission to fill that void in your life. While we could litter this page with superlatives about these stellar Memphis acts, we’ll let others do it for us:

Reviews for The Jumpin’ Chi-Chis

– Philip Grady Smith

Here's a brand new slant on what Louis Prima and Sam Butera were doin' back in the day. The Chi-Chis really put the spin on pop jazz with the craziest originals - excellent performances, wonderful solos, and lots of unpredictability.

– Dr. Moon

 – Jim Poor

This is the best and most inspired original music to come out of Memphis in years. The Chi-Chi's music is spontaneous, eclectic, effortlessly performed and just down right GREAT! Every musical style is "fair game" for the Chi-Chi's. I assure you that you will hear something you'll love.

- Pete Vescovo

- Walt Woodson

The Jumpin' Chi-Chi's have a tongue-in-cheek, lounge-lizard vibe. They’re a wild and fantastic band filled with some of Memphis ' best jazz cats.

- William Haygood

If you say they don't make 'em like they used to, then you haven't heard blues pianist and singer Di Anne Price, who plays the most convincing stride piano around. She balances jazz with ragtime and blues in a way that's so old-fashioned it's refreshingly new. Close your eyes, and it’s like stumbling into a 1940s barrelhouse.

- The Commercial Appeal

Memphis pianist-vocalist Di Anne Price channels the spirit of classic blues divas Ida Cox, Alberta Hunter, Stippie Wallace, and Memphis Minnie. A profoundly soulful singer, Price’s expressive voice is etched with pain or brimming with sly humor while tickling the ivories barrel piano style on two-fisted shuffles, rolling blues, and boogie woogie workouts.

- Jazz Times

If there's a finer interpretive singer than Price anywhere else on the planet right now, please let me know.

- Chris Herrington, The Memphis Flyer

Di Anne Price doesn't sing a song so much as seize it, finding something new in a decades-old lyric and making the song wholly her own.

She has the kind of voice you turn to in the wee, small hours - dark and smoky like your favorite bar, warm and smooth as a glass of good bourbon. It's the voice of romance and desire, of loneliness and loss.

- Bill Ellis

Eddie Cotton comes to LocoBop

Live at the Alamo Theatre marks Eddie Cotton’s triumphant arrival on the blues scene. It is not everyday that blues fans can celebrate the discovery of a young player hailing from a traditional background. 

Eddie Cotton found inspiration in traditional blues masters like Little Milton, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters as well as soul singers like O.V. Wright, Little Willie John and Otis Redding. 

Hot on the heels of his 1999 Grammy Award nominated album, “Welcome to Little Milton,” producer Greg Preston was quick to realize Eddie’s tremendous potential and embraced this project with his usual professionalism and drive. The historic Alamo Theater on Farish Street in downtown Jackson, MS where so many blues luminaries have performed over the years; was the perfect venue for Eddie’s recording debut. Eddie Cotton’s impassioned, soulful vocals and fluid, biting guitar combined with his youthful enthusiasm and powerful stage presence stormed the Alamo and took no prisoners. Preston teamed up again with ace engineer Kent Bruce to superbly capture the energy and excitement of that memorable night. 

Eddie shines on creative arrangements and interpretations of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Shake For Me,” Hound Dog Taylor’s “She’s Gone” and the scorching closer, Little Milton’s “Walkin’ The Backstreets And Cryin’.” His originals include the Gospel drenched “Don’t Give Up On A Love Affair,” the mournful “You’re The Girl,” as well as the soul blues “Why Must I Cry.” 

Live at the Alamo Theater is a fitting debut to what will likely become a long and distinguished career. With his passion, exuberance and overflowing talent, Eddie Cotton promises to carry the blues tradition well into the 21st century. 

– Alain Recaborde & Jeff Wiener, Blues Access contributors.

Cotton Yancey, All The King's Men, The Green Brothers, Bill Beaty, and Michael Porter

Two albums from traveling cowboy rodeo announcer Cotton Yancey headline this month's acquisitions. "The Last of the Zane Grey Cowboys," produced by the late Carson Whitsett, features Cotton singing great songs by a who's who of Country music songwriters, backed by some of Nashville's most in-demand musicians. The second album is a compelling listen when driving those lonesome Western highways. "Cowboy Highway" is a collection of 15 stories and poems written and told in tribute to Cowboys and their sport.

Cotton has performed with Chicago, the Oakridge Boys, George Strait, Asleep At the Wheel, Lynard Skynard, and the Charlie Daniels band among others. His musical career carried over into rodeo. He's been announcing rodeo since 1988 with the J Bar J Rodeo Company and Cricket Valley. Cotton also narrates rodeo on the Outdoor Channel with Andy Stewart, and was the voice of the Annual Buckeye Stampede Pro Rodeo.

The Green Brothers were the last act signed to Stax Records in 1975, which meant their only release for the label never got out of the starting gate when the company went into receivership. The two Detroit brothers nevertheless kept singing and writing, activities that ultimately led to a reunion with Stax producer and LocoBop's man in Memphis Bobby Manuel. The brothers went into Ardent Studios in Memphis this month to cut a brand new album with Bobby for LocoBop. Backing was provided by a stellar group of veteran musicians from Stax and Hi Records, and the as-yet untitled result left all involved feeling as if the glory days of Memphis soul had returned at last.

Meanwhile, LocoBop's man in Houston, Danny Jones acquired a cooking Rock album for us: "Take This World" by four-piece rock group All The King's Men. Danny also brings us two Christian artists: Michael Porter and Bill Beaty. The latter's album is entitled "Stand Up For God;" Michael's album is called "Only a Pure Heart."

Charles Hodges, Tommy Dardar, Willie Brown, Homer Banks, and Shelbra Dean Bennett

The world is inescapably familiar with the signature sound of Al Green's many hits . Soul music aficionados will also know the names of the musicians who created that sound: Al Jackson Jr. and Howard Grimes (drums), Mabon 'Tennie' Hodges (guitar), Leroy Hodges (bass), and Charles Hodges (organ). This famed Hi Records studio band played on 26 gold and platinum albums by Green, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay and other Hi artists. And it is this same band (with the exception of Steve Potts on drums) that power Charles Hodges (now the Reverend C. E. Hodges) and his Voices of Victory on LocoBop's first gospel release, "Take It To The Altar."

Tommy Dardar comes to LocoBop from Houston, Texas where he is the undisputed  master of  the blues harmonica. His soulfully spicy blend of Texas / Louisiana Gulf Coast music conjures up New Orleans voodoo rhythms, raucous Cajun dance halls, and smoky juke joints on Saturday nights.

Other July acquisitions include tracks by Willie Brown, Shelbra Bennett, and Homer Banks. Shelbra and LocoBop  artist J. Blackfoot. comprised half of the Stax hit making quartet, The Soul Children.

One of the most beloved Memphis music figures was Homer Banks, who died in 2003. Homer was, to quote London's Guardian newspaper: "one of the unsung heroes behind Stax Records, the Memphis label responsible for much of the finest southern soul music of the 1960s and 70s. Many of the songs Banks co-wrote have become contemporary classics, none more so than If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)."  Although Homer recorded as an artist for Minit Records very early in his career, he turned his back on performing to concentrate his talents on writing songs - despite many tempting offers to become an artist again. LocoBop, therefore, is fortunate to acquire these rare tracks featuring Homer as vocalist.

Bobby Rush, Terry Wall, and "Papa" Don McMinn

The inimitable Bobby Rush has come aboard LocoBop, bringing along ten albums (that's 10 albums!) for immediate release. But that's just the start, because the "Bad, Bad" boy of blues, whose career spans fifty years, has tons of never-released tracks in his vault, all of which he and LocoBop will make available in months to come.

Two other LocoBop acquisitions this month bring with them enviable guitar, vocal, and songwriting skills that have built each of them legions of fans, starting in their Memphis area base, and spreading across the USA,  Canada, and into Europe where they frequently tour.

"Papa" Don McMinn helped in the rebirth of Beale Street, "The Home of the Blues," in Memphis Tennessee. For years he was a fixture at the world famous Rum Boogie Cafe, where his special brand of "Southern" music (a concoction of Delta Blues and Boogie Blues) was a magnet draw for locals and tourists from around the world. "Papa" Don's band, Nightrain, is anchored by his two sons, Doug on drums and Rome on bass.

Terry Wall was already a Memphis music vet when he formed his band, The Wallbangers, in 1996. He's sometimes compared to Delbert McClinton, but more often he's simply incomparable, because he's such a uniquely gifted guitarist and vocalist - not to mention the quality of his songwriting.  Terry co-produced and co-wrote many of the songs featured on Don Nix's "I Don't Want No Trouble," album, which we released earlier this year. Fittingly, Don Nix produced both of the albums Terry is releasing via LocoBop in July.

Eddie Floyd and The Browns

Another album from Eddie Floyd was added to the LocoBop catalog today, joining the four-track trance mix of "Knock On Wood" (just released) and the already scheduled album entitled "Power."

Called "Spotlight On Eddie Floyd," the latest album contains Eddie's knockout performances of soul classics "Funky Broadway" and "Sweet Soul Music," plus his own versions of hits he wrote for others, such as "Ninety Nine and One Half" (Wilson Pickett) and "The Breakdown" (Rufus Thomas). Another treat included on this set is Eddie's solo remake of "You're So Fine," the song that launched his career in 1959 when he was a member of The Falcons.

LocoBop is also privileged to add a rare recording to our catalog: The Browns (brothers William, Randy, and Bertram) recorded the appropriately named "Rare" album shortly before a stroke ended William's singing career. It was the only time the brothers recorded together as a group. William had scored hits in the '60s as a member of The Mad Lads. In the 1970s, Randy followed William to the Stax label as lead singer of The Newcomers, later going solo. Bertram, with William, has been a sought-after background singer and arranger. Individually or together, the brothers are heard singing background on albums by Jerry Butler, Al Green, Johnny Winter, and  Isaac Hayes, to name a few. William was also a first-call engineer at Stax; his fingerprints are on the Grammy- and Academy Award winning album "Shaft" by Isaac Hayes.

The Masqueraders and more Luther Ingram

LocoBop is excited to announce the acquisition of digital distribution rights to five albums by The Masqueraders. Included among the 50-plus tracks are the original hits scored by this great vocal group. Now in their fifth decade, The Masqueraders are still going strong and will soon depart for a tour of China.

We're also happy to announce the addition to our catalog of a fourth album by the incomparable Luther Ingram, entitled Pity For The Lonely.

James Carr, Ollie Nightingale

A new album by Ollie Nightingale has been picked up for release via LocoBop later this year. The album was not quite finished at the time of the singer's untimely death in 1997. Memphis producer Bobby Manuel is in the process of completing the overdubs and mixing.
Additionally, LocoBop is licensing several tracks by the late James Carr. Details soon.

Albert King, Brenda Patterson, Fern Kinney, The Club Handy Band, and more Rufus Thomas

LocoBop has just acquired digital distribution rights to tracks by Albert King, Fern Kinney, Brenda Patterson, and Fred Sanders with the legendary Club Handy Band - plus - another Rufus Thomas album - The Sun Sessions.

J. Blackfoot, Shirley Brown

While we're waiting to update this column with details of our February and March acquisitions (see below), LocoBop is mighty pleased to announce three new additions to our catalog: two albums by J. Blackfoot and one album by Shirley Brown. Details soon.

New LocoBop Acquisitions in February and March

Details on each of the following acquisitions will be added to this page during the coming weeks.

Ivory Joe Hunter, Rufus Thomas, Jimmy Griffin, Percy Mayfield, The Barkays, Rick Christian, Gary Gentry, The Sy Rosenberg Big Band, The Green Brothers, The Duck Band (formerly Rick Dees's 'Cast of Idiots'), 'Only The Strong Survive' - the audio soundtrack of D.A. Pennebaker's documentary (featuring Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Ann Peebles, and others). Check back soon for the nitty and the gritty.

Makoto Kuriya - Always Our Friend

Born in Kobe, Japan, Celebrated Jazz Pianist, Film Music Composer, Conductor, and Producer Makoto Kuriya spent most of the 1980s in the U.S., where he studied linguistics at West Virginia University, music at The University of Pittsburgh, and developed his chops as a jazz pianist and composer, touring with the likes of Grammy-winning trumpeter Chuck Mangione.

Makoto returned to Japan in 1990 and quickly established a reputation for crafting innovative music that appeals to a wide range of audiences. Drawing on an insatiable curiosity for all things musical, he often fuses  jazz, classical, electronic, MIDI, dance, Latin and other world influences with traditional Japanese instruments and music.

He has recorded a dozen albums in diverse genres, including the platinum-selling soundtrack of his score for the award-winning film 'New Genesis Evangelion.' Makoto has won acclaim  as well for other film and television scores in addition to earning worldwide accolades and awards as a concert performer, classical composer,  and director-producer. Simultaneously, he has forged a career as one of Japan's most successful Pop producers, working with chart topping acts such as Ken Hirai, and is in demand as a producer for club dance  tracks.

LocoBop is proud to release Makoto Kuriya's very first album, 'Always Your Friend,' which was recorded in The USA shortly before he returned to Japan in 1990.

Three Luther Ingram Albums Coming from LocoBop

Three albums of classic seventies soul recordings by Luther Ingram were added to the LocoBop roster today in a licensing deal with Randall Stewart of Klondike Enterprises.

While Ingram remains best remembered for the piercing 1972 ballad "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right," he was also a gifted songwriter, teaming with Mack Rice to co-write the Staple Singers' classic empowerment anthem "Respect Yourself."

Although Ingram (who died of heart failure in 2007) began recording with Ike Turner in the 1960s, and last scored a hit on the Profile label in the 1980s, his most prolific period was 1970 - 1975 for Koko Records, distributed by Stax.

The albums coming from LocoBop contain all of Ingram's Koko output. In addition to his signature tune, the LocoBop tracks include all of Luther's chart records, such as "Let's Steal Away to the Hideaway," "I'll Be Your Shelter in Time of Storm,"  "I'm Trying to Sing a Message to You," "Always," "I'll Just Call You Honey," etc.

Eddie Floyd Rings in British New Year With Sir Paul McCartney

I've said it before, and I'll say it once more: Eddie Floyd is the hardest working man in show business. On New Year's Eve, he, Sir Paul McCartney, Duffy, and Kylie Minogue  performed on BBC-2  for Jools Holland's 15th annual Hootenanny. Eddie closed the show! He rang in the New Year with "Knock on Wood."

He's in Scotland now (and later England) with Geno Washington and Pauline Black in a show called 'This Is Soul.' In June, he'll be with Poncho Sanchez in L.A. for The Playboy Jazz Festival, and this summer he will, once again, be fronting The Blues Brothers Band. They'll be overseas and in Chicago for a charity benefit held by our country's Queen Oprah.

Last year, I posted that Eddie, Steve Cropper, Booker T. Jones, and Sanchez recorded "Wood" and "Raise Your Hand," which was the title track of Sanchez's 2007 Concord Release. He has also just finished recording his own album for Concord featuring Cropper on guitar!

Posted by The Staxman -  thestaxman@yahoo.com

Here are Eddie's upcoming gigs:

January 2008
18th -- St. Davids Hall, Cardiff, Wales
19th -- The Town Hall, Cheltenham, England
22nd -- The Fairfield Hall, Croydon, England
23rd -- The Jam House, Birmingham, England
24th -- The Civic Theatre, Darlington, England
26th -- The Theatre Royal, Norwich, England
30th -- The Music Hall, Aberdeen, Scotland

February 2008
1st -- The Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, Scotland
3rd -- Butlins, Skegness, England
5th -- The Hexagon, Reading, Endland
6th -- The Orchard, Dartford, England
7th -- The Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, England
8th -- The Pavilion, Rhyl, Wales
9th -- The Central Theatre, Chatham, England
10th -- The Garrick, Litchfield, England
15th -- The Camberley Theatre, Camberley, England
16th -- The Dome, Morecambe, England
17th -- The Embassy Centre, Skegness, England
18th -- The Towngate Theatre, Basildon, England
19th -- The Royal & Derngate, Northampton, England 

February 20 (Return to US)
22nd -- Alabama Music Hall of Fame Induction in Montgomery, AL

February 25 (Return to United Kingdom)
28th -- The Millfield Theatre, Edmonton, England
29th -- The Civic Hall, Grays, England

March 2008
1st -- The Broadway, Catford, England
2nd -- The Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, England 
4th -- The Palace Theatre, Newark, England
6th -- Forum 28, Barrow-in-Furness, England
7th -- The Music Hall, Shrewsbury, England 
8th -- The Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock, England
9th -- Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-on-Sea, England

May15 to May 31 2008
Tour - 10 days in Amsterdam, Holland

June 14 to June 15 2008
Playboy Jazz Festival with Poncho Sanchez, in Los Angeles

June 28 to July 15 2008
Tour with Blues Brothers Band – Scandinavia and Italy

July 28 2008
Blues Brothers Band - Aspen, CO., Oprah Winfrey Charity

OTM Records Signs Digital Distribution Deal With LocoBop

Former Stax Records writer/producer Henderson Thigpen has chosen LocoBop to distribute and exploit product from his label, OTM Records, in digital formats.

Thigpen's first success was as co-writer of Shirley Brown's massive debut hit "Woman to Woman."

OTM Records has a roster of Memphis-area artists. First releases issued through LocoBop include tracks by two neo-soul singers, Fawn and Tracey, and three southern rap acts: Chilly Macke, Blade & Big Vino, and Devious.

Soul Joe's  "Mud Ducks" Now On LocoBop

Legendary producer/guitarist Bobby Manuel is re-issuing his cult rap favorite "Mud Ducks" by Soul Joe a.k.a Yan-C through a deal concluded today with LocoBop.

In addition to his global smash production of "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees, Manuel was a staff producer, first-call session guitarist, and  engineer for Stax Records. He was also a long-time member of The Isaac Hayes' Movement.

In the post-Stax years, Manuel has been an independent studio owner and producer (he co-produced a number of tracks with Stax founder Jim Stewart, for instance), and CEO of High Stacks Records in Memphis.

Don Nix Confirms Album Release with LocoBop

Iconic Memphis producer/artist/writer Don Nix today firmed a licensing deal for LocoBop to reissue his most recent album: I Don't Want No Trouble.

Nix was a baritone saxophonist and founding member of the Mar-Keys, along with Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn (later members of Booker T. & The MGs) and Wayne Jackson (The Memphis Horns). The band recorded "Last Night", a million-selling instrumental that launched the fledgling Stax label in 1961.

Besides recording as a solo artist for Stax, Elektra, and Leon Russell's Shelter label, Nix flourished as a writer and producer for Delaney & Bonnie, Albert King, Freddie King, J.J. Cale, Lonnie Mack, and Furry Lewis, among others, and he was a member of the legendary Alabama State Troopers.

Nix's career has included close working relationships with George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Brian May, The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Eric Clapton, and John Mayall.

Many of Don's Southern-Fried songs have become blues-rock classics - "Black Cat Moan" (John Mayall), "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" (Albert King), "Going Down" (Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Lee Hooker) and "Living on the Highway" (Freddie King).