When Charlley Ward asked me for my assistance in this endeaver, I was floored because this man has been dealing with this particular organization for at least two decades. I didn't know a lot about the history of this "society". I did learn that no all black blues band has ever won its' competition. We were up against bands that have won before and we were the only all black blues band entered, as a matter of fact, we were the only black musicians there. Don't get it twisted, I have attended jam sessions with many of the other musicians there and there have been many times when my presence (and that of my bandmates) was missed because we know how to bring it. EVEN FOR FREE!!
Anyway, when the invitation was initially externded, Charlley was looking for the right team and when when one of his choices was unavailable, he wanted to give up. I guess one of the rules is that once you've paid the entry fee, you must participate or have it go on record that you lost by default. This being the case, I was notified Saturday morning that we were going to do it anyway and that the personnel issue had been handled. WE HAD NO TIME TO PRACTICE! All of us had prior committments with our own bands.The band consisted of Charlley Ward(Ld guitar/vocal),Karim Robinson(drums),Rodney Hudson(2nd guitar) & myself on bass guitar/vocals.
So , we decided to meet Sunday at least 30 minutes before the event started and the only thing we had time to do was find out what songs Charlley wanted to do. We were in the first round so things being what they were, we knew one thing was certain;there was at least 200 yrs of experience between the four of us. So to make a long story short, we came out of round one as finalists. Yep, we used the first round as a rehearsal. The final round put us up against the stiffest competition in the area and many of the remaining contestants were either friends of the "society" or previous contestants.
Ladies and gentlemen, I say this with as much humility as my ego can muster,this was an experience that I will never forget and I know the PBPS won't either. The town is still buzzin'. We managed to demonstrste that the power of solidarity mixed with years of combined experience and knowledge of the rules equals WIN. WE MADE HISTORY! I've posted a photo journal on facebook and myspace but I will share a few of the photos with ISEECOLOR. All photos were taken with my camera (though not all by me).
I'm sure you're probably "chompin at the bit" wondering, WHAT DID YOU WIN??? Well, to tell you the truth,we didn't care becuase we are still savoring the win but, we did find out that as the winners of THE PEIDMONT BLUES PRESERVATION SOCIETY'S BLUES CHALLENGE for 2009, we get to move on to the International Blues Competition to be held in Memphis in January.There will be a benefit in our honor locally at which will help offset the cost on the trip.
Thank you for all the love and support. Mr.Charlley Ward is still on "CLOUD 9" and is in the process of getting his internet presence in place. He's started a myspace page so far and could use some friends.www.myspace.com/charlleywardband
PEACE AND PROSPERITY TO YOU ALL!!!
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Call For More Information: +44 702 401 6695.
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438 East Main Street<o:p></o:p>
Jackson, TN 38301<o:p></o:p>
(731) 265-9800<o:p></o:p>
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Jackson, TN – October 26, 2009, On Saturday, October 24, 2009, in the small Mississippi Delta town of Belzoni, Soul Blues singer-songwriter legend Denise LaSalle was crowned Queen of the Blues by the venerable Mississippi Delta Blue Society. <o:p></o:p>
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LaSalle, a Jackson, Tennessee resident, lives with her husband of 32 years, Minister James Edward “Super” Wolfe Jr.—in his own right a noted media mogul, humanitarian, radio and television personality. Since 1967, LaSalle has garnered an international reputation as a prolific singer-songwriter, producer, live performer, and recording artist. Also signed with Chess records. In 1969, her song “Get Your Lie Straight” sang by Billy Coday topped the R&B charts selling nearly one million single records. In 1971, her self-penned song “Trapped By A Thing Called Love,” produced by he legendary Willie Mitchell in 1971, sold over 1 million copies, and won her a large international following. In 1972 and 1973 her songs “Now Run An Tell That” and “A Man Size Job’ topped the R&B charts and sold hundreds of thousands of records. In 1986, LaSalle’s interpretation of the song “Don’t Mess With My Tu Tu” reached the top 10 in England. Her reputation as a songwriter has caused artists ranging from Bob Dylan, Barbara Mandrell, Z. Z. Hill to cover, sing, or request material she has produced. Presently, she records with Malaco Records of Jackson, Mississippi. <o:p></o:p>
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Mrs. Helen Sims, president of the Mississippi Delta Blues Society, told the capacity crowd of 200 gathered to witness the coronation that she was proud to be a part of making history. She was moved by the significance of the day, and she made a point to inform parents that they, their children and grand children will have nostalgic memories of pride and joy that their home town was the birthplace of the “Undisputed” Queen of the Blues. Sims also stated, “after searching high and low, we found that Ms. LaSalle is the most qualified Blues singer to follow in the footsteps of the late legendary Queen of the Blues, Ms. KoKo Taylor, who was a friend and close acquaintance of Denise.<o:p></o:p>
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Following Ms. Sims oration on the fact that LaSalle was the greatest living exemplar of the Blues in the emotional atmosphere, those gathered cheered and many who had followed LaSalle’s entire career were moved to tears and shouts of joy. LaSalle, having received her crown, took to the stage to give a royal performance to show her appreciation and that she merited the honor.<o:p></o:p>
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LaSalle, backed by her band “Blak Ice,” treated those gathered to a live concert at the famed California Club in Belzoni, Mississippi. The sold-out house’s audience was dazzled by the high-energy performance by LaSalle and “Blak Ice.” LaSalle rifted through her hits and local favorites, and the audience danced, clapped hands, and begged for more. After completing her performance, the crowd unanimously gave a rousing standing ovation. <o:p></o:p>
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Immediately following LaSalle’s performance, Wardell Walton, Belzoni’s first African-American mayor, local elected officials, and dignitaries had to appeal to the audience for calm. Mayor Walton reminded those gathered that the time had come to crown LaSalle. As the audience still spellbound by the performance gathered themselves, Ms. LaSalle was escorted down the red carpet laden with rose pedals, to the place of honor. President Sims, Mayor Walton, and members of the Belzoni City Council presented LaSalle with a citation of merit, city resolution, and one dozen long-stem roses. Then, President Helen Sims placed a jeweled tiara on LaSalle’s head proclaiming her the Queen of the Blues. <o:p></o:p>
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LaSalle, no stranger to coronations, was crowned the Queen of Southern Blues in 1984 in Greenwood, Mississippi. However, LaSalle received the recent honor with gratitude. Upon receiving her crown, she remarked, “to try and follow in the footsteps of someone as great as KoKo Taylor is truly humbling. “I am most grateful for this honor, and I will try to make my hometown proud of me always.” “ You all must admit that KoKo is a hard act to follow, but I can do it, because I take the Lord along with me and trust in him in everything I do.” She concluded her short speech expressing thanks saying, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” As she descended from the stage to the red carpet, the men and women bowed and curtsied as she passed by. Some sought autographs and asked for her to pose in photos with them. <o:p></o:p>
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After the autographs and photo session, I spoke with Ms. LaSalle about some of the challenges she would face as Queen of the Blues. She said, “You know that I’ve always, well, mostly always,” she corrected herself, had an x-rated adult oriented show. A lot of profantity! Calling men MF’s and Women B’s was my thing. Except when there were kids at my daytime shows and festivals. I would tone those shows way, way down. That’s when my fans would say, “I enjoy you better in the night clubs and auditoriums.” God has given me common sense and I know when to tone it down. I know that if I ever want to attain the success and respect that Ms KoKo Taylor had, I will have to tailor the shows to fit the audience, crowd and situation. Ms Taylor played at the White House before the President of the United States. I hope to accomplish this someday as well.<o:p></o:p>
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For interviews or booking contact Denise LaSalle Booking Associates: (731) 265-9800. Direct Contacts: Randy Short at (731) 394-7217, wrandyshort@gmail.com, or Phillip Dunlap at (901) 412-5551, pmauricee@yahoo.com. <o:p></o:p>
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<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape style="Z-INDEX: -1; POSITION: absolute; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 70.45pt; WIDTH: 222.6pt; HEIGHT: 271.55pt; MARGIN-LEFT: -27pt; LEFT: 0px; mso-wrap-edited: f" id=_x0000_s1026 o:allowoverlap="f" wrapcoords="-59 0 -59 21551 21600 21551 21600 0 -59 0" type="#_x0000_t75" mce_style="Z-INDEX: -1; POSITION: absolute; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 70.45pt; WIDTH: 222.6pt; HEIGHT: 271.55pt; MARGIN-LEFT: -27pt; LEFT: 0px; mso-wrap-edited: f"><v:imagedata o:title="Picture 002 spencer" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/Owner/LOCALS~1/Temp/msoclip1/0 1/clip_image001.jpg" mce_src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/Owner/LOCALS~1/Temp/msocli p1/01/clip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata><?xml:namespace prefix = w ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" /><w:wrap type="tight"></w:wrap></v:shape>Yes, the Legendary Soul Singer, Spencer Wiggins is back and in full effect. Spencer is the headline artist at the 22nd Annual 2009 “Porretta Soul Festival,” July 23-26. The festival will held in Porretta Terme, Italy (near Florence). Not only will he be starring at the festival in Italy, this year the entire festival will be broadcast live on the Internet, just Google Porretta Soul Festival, or logon to www.porrettasoul.it , Spencer will be headlining the Festival July 25th, & 26th. <o:p></o:p>
Spencer Wiggins is a gifted and emotionally powerful vocalist, who cut superb Southern soul singles during the mid-‘60s & 70s. Years later he is still lionized as one of the lost masters of the form by British, Japanese and European enthusiasts of deep soul, according to the All Music-Media Guide. “It’s amazing how much Spencer’s music is treasured and still appreciated”, states his Manager Rita Lawhorn. His Concert Performance will be aired all over the world, thanks to the Internet, this is truly amazing”. <o:p></o:p>
Spencer was born in Memphis, TN, in 1942; his parents had a strong interest in music. While in Memphis, Spencer was a background singer for the late Elvis Presley. “ I learned a lot from the man, he states with a smile, “showmanship, and how to shock the audience”.<o:p></o:p>
In this fertile environment, Spencer first turned professional, formed an R&B vocal group called the Four Stars that featured David Porter. Later he became a noted songwriter. Strong material was cut at the controls of some of the city’s best session players backing him up. Spencer’s is known for the hit records; “Uptight Good Woman”, “Let’s Talk It Over”, “Lonely Man”, “Can We Talk It Over”,” Water”, “Can’t Be Satisfied”, to name just a few of his great hits. He received 5 Star reviews on YouTub.com.<o:p></o:p>
In 1976, Spencer had a spiritual rebirth and turned his back on secular music in favor of gospel. After relocating to Florida, he became a deacon of the New Birth Baptist Church in Miami, and was named director of two of the church’s choral groups. In 1977, he cut a gospel album with the help of Al Green. In 1999 Spencer released a cassette-only EP, “Jump for Jesus”, A full-length gospel album, “Keys to the Kingdom”, was released in 2002 and merged Spencer’s full-bodied vocals and a spiritual message with tracks produced and arranged in contemporary R&B and hip-hop styles. <o:p></o:p>
His new CD release in 2009 is a special brand of soulful blues-gospel music entitled “I’m Going On.” One of the featured songs on the CD is the catchy “What A Friend,” which is a medley of three classic gospel songs sung to a down home gospel- blues beat, as only Spencer can deliver. The British Kent Label released a thorough compilation of Spencer’s work from Goldwax Records, entitled the “The Goldwax Years”, in 2006, 2008, and in 2009, “Spencer Wiggins Various Artist ”, by British Kent Record Label. The Vivid Record Label in Japan had distribution rights of his early music hits. “There is a true following, in Italy, Europe, Japan, and China, their appreciation for his music is astounding”, states his Manager Ms Rita Lawhorn, it’s like a new birth for his genre of music, “Deep Soul”, as they call it”. Spencer deserves a round of applause, and recognition for his contributions to music. Content provided by Phaze One Productions, Mgr. Rita Lawhorn, (305) 362-2333, Miami, Florida -All Music-Media Guide, LLC, and Billboard Magazine.com
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