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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jewel Brown A young nightclub performer from Houston with a booming bluesy voice, Jewel Brown faced a once-in-a-lifetime career choice in 1961: whether to join Duke Ellington’s band or Louis Armstrong’s. “I said Louis Armstrong in a flash, ” Brown recalled this week in the French Quarter hotel […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Amanda B Perry Amanda B. Perry is a Twin Cities musician who brings passion and drama to the stage through powerful vocals, and soaring piano chords. In a pop/soul/americana style, inspired by artists such as David Gray and Adele. Amanda specializes in writing love songs, and […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Laura Tate Laura Tate can’t help but sing: she has been singing in front of audiences since she was nine. Texas-born-and-bred, she grew up in Dallas as the fourth of five sisters. Her mother was a smart Southern beauty and her father was an opera singer […]
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with “The Texas Horns” The Texas Horns, widely recognized as the preeminent hard-blowing three-piece blues, soul, and roots music horn section, bring 25 years of stellar live performances, acclaimed session work, and solid album production to their every effort. Based in Texas in Austin and San Antonio, The Texas […]
Kat Riggins Progeny Gulf Coast Diminutive, powerhouse blues vocalist Kat Riggins has a trademark slogan – “Reviving the Blues One Song at a Time.” On her fourth full-length album and first for Gulf Coast Records, Progeny, brings more than just a blues revival, she brings a mix of Black music ranging form soul to funk […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with MiMo Montreal-born and New York-based music artist Mimo reps Harlem and the 514 on the daily. Trained as a musician, actor and dancer, her work revolves around the tremendous powers of the body. Juggling her love for performing arts, Mimo evolved through choir singing, violin classes, […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Vaneese Thomas Fight the Good Fight, Vaneese Thomas’ new album on Blue Heart Records, represents the culmination of an amazingly diverse career for the youngest member of Memphis’ first family of soul. Its bracing blend of Memphis-style R&B, Americana, and other roots genres sets the album well […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Michael Rubin At 15, I worked as a camp counselor. My boss, Eric Guthertz, had a harp he let me borrow. Instead of looking at it for a minute, I went to a corner and jammed for a half an hour. 6 months later I was […]
Vaneese Thomas Fight the Good Fight Blue Heart Records There was a definite magic in the air when Vaneese Thomas recorded Fight the Good Fight at the famed Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, a place once home to Hi Records and the Hi Rhythm Section. The album represents all which I love about Memphis music: the soulful melodies, the funky intoxicating rhythms, the horns, […]
Anthony Geraci Blues Called My Name Blue Heart Records The first time I ever heard Anthony Geraci was on his previous recording “Take It from Me” where he was paired playing piano with Sugar Ray Norcia who was on harmonica and vocals. At the time Geraci also fronted his own band and the previous year […]
Trudy Lynn Golden Girl This is Trudy Lynn’s eighteen recording. Lynn often writes about domineering men and prostitution. Women like the “TV Mama” “the one with the big wide screen”. This all-original new recording features Kevin Mckendree keyboards, Yates McKendree guitar, Terry Wilson bass and background vocals, Teresa James background vocals, and Brennen Temple drums. […]
The Love Light Orchestra Leave the Light on Both the older and the newer recordings are produced by Matt Ross-Spang. The first album includes John Nemeth singing as he covers Bobby “Blue” Bland on the 1961 hits “Turn On Your Love Light”, and again on the 1966 hit “Poverty”. Nemeth also covers songs from Little […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Pierre Lacocque of Mississippi Heat Led by harmonica master and songwriter Pierre Lacocque, Mississippi Heat is a world-class Chicago Blues Band. Their motto is “Traditional Blues With A Unique Sound” as they present fresh yet vintage-based musical ideas. MISSISSIPPI HEAT’s name is a reflection of Pierre’s […]
Vaneese Thomas Fight the Good Fight Blue Heart One of our best and criminally underrecognized powerhouse voices and songwriters, Vaneese Thomas, daughter of Soul Music icon Rufus Thomas, returns for her ninth album and her first for the growing Blue Heart Records, in partnership with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Wayne Warnecke’s Segue, where she recorded her […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Trudy Lynn Born Lee Audrey Nelms in Houston’s Fifth Ward, Trudy Lynn comes from strong musical stock: the late Al “TNT” Braggs, one of Houston’s most electrifying R&B vocalists and a prolific songwriter for Bobby “Blue” Bland, was her cousin. Growing up, she and her […]
Making a Scene Presents Soul Patrol with Stevie J Blues C Love I’m Gone JL Turn it Loose Chavonna adams Saint jaimz Talk about it King George Keep on rolling TK Soul Rehab Sir Charles Jones Natural woman Jackie Neal Down in Da club Donnie Ray Who’s rocking you Stevie j Blues Big Boy […]
Sugarray Rayford In Too Deep Forty Below The force of nature that is Sugarray Rayford has returned with In Too Deep. The two-time B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Grammy nominated vocalist, arguably today’s leading soul-blues artist, keeps his successful 2020 formula intact by working again with Forty Below owner Eric Corne, who assembled […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Grammy Award winning artist Judith Hill Judith Glory Hill is a Grammy Winning singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She has provided backing vocals for such artists as Michael Jackson and Josh Groban. In 2009, Hill was chosen as Jackson’s duet partner for the song “I Just […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Crystal Starr Power house singer and two time award winning Retro pop recording artist Crystal Starr is an incredible timeless singer-songwriter from La puente, California. Crystal is not just your ordinary recording artist, she is a legend in the making. Impacting over 1 million kids […]
Sugaray Rayford In Too Deep I was super thrilled to see the new Sugaray Rayford disc In Too Deep when it recently arrived. I was in total awe of his prior album, Somebody Save Me, which earned him a Grammy nomination and two Blues Music Awards. Sugaray’s brand of hot buttered soul makes me feel […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Willie Jackson Willie Jackson is a native son of Savannah, GA; the youngest of the 6 children born to the late, great Reverend Jackson and, his wife, Annie Pearl. Willie has always been a songwriter in his free time while working to support his family. […]
Willie Jackson All in the Blues Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, Willie Jackson, the son of a reverend, had worked for the railroad until an accident ended that career. It was then he decided to dedicate his time on his music and the Blues. Jackson’s brand-new album All in the Blues, follows up quite nicely to his debut 2017 EP release Willie Jackson […]
Making a Scene Presents an interview with J. Red the Nephew J.Red the Nephew, Atlanta Resident and North Carolina native, knew from a very young age that music was his true passion. Growing up listening to his radio he would often imitate the vocal stylings of his musical influences: Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, Charlie […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Robbin Kapsalis of Robbin Kapsalis and Vintage #18 The first thing you notice when Vintage#18 hits the stage, is Robbin Kapsalis’ white glass beaded fringe dress and white knee-hi boots as she sways on stage creating a hypnotic visual with the soul foundation of her […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Dionne Bennett Dionne Bennett is a British/West-Indian singer-songwriter, producer, and radio personality. She started singing and performing live at age 14 and released her first soul single by the time she was 15. She is now internationally known for her unique and diverse vocal style that covers all […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Lady A This songstress began singing at age 5. She began her performance career as a back-up singer in a Motown Revue band during the 90’s. Her love of music, gospel background, Louisiana roots, and musical family always led her back to the Blues and Gospel music, mixed […]
Lil Nas X Montero This year has brought us so much music, most notably the highly anticipated debut album by Lil Nas X. The 22-year-old Atlanta native’s album “Montero,” named after himself—Montero Lamar Hill—is full of musical self-growth from his June 2019 EP ”7.” “Montero” is a pop-rap album about the intersection of being queer and […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Miss Lady Blues Kesha Boyd who is professionally know as Miss Lady “Blues” is no stranger to the music industry. She has assisted many artists, writers, and producers with their careers. She is a songwriter and singer. She has worked with the Major Record labels to […]
Dionne Bennett Sugar Hip Ya Ya Hunnia Prepare for blast-off. This one comes as an explosive surprise. British Jamaican singer-songwriter, producer, and radio personality Dionne Bennett, who has forged most of her career in Europe, means business. We can thank Little G Weevil for bringing Bennett to our attention as the album was recorded in […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with the Legendary Tito Jackson Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson, Tito has spent his entire life enchanting music lovers with soulful harmonies interwoven with curvaceous rhythms as a member of Motown’s greatest discovery, The Jackson 5, and presently as a multi-faceted solo artist. Tito’s unyielding passion for blues, […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Gerald McClendon Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois; Gerald has loved music since the tender age of four and would sing along with the music playing on the radio. Gerald has become one of the most versatile artists who proudly gives praise to the Masters of […]
Gerald McClendon Let’s Have a Party Delta Roots Chicago soul singer Gerald McClendon, the “Soul Keeper,” makes a quick return from 2020’s Can’t Nobody Stop Me Now, a major statement, which he now quickly follows with Let’s Have a Party. McClendon first got a lift from 2019’s Delta Roots release, Battle of the Blues: Chicago vs. Oakland, […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Tia Carroll Tia has been performing steadily with her own band for decades in California, and made some successful recordings before (rock, gospel, and blues (with bands in Italy and Brazil.) But this is her first stateside studio recording of strong original blues and soul, and […]
Tia Carroll You Gotta Have It! Little Village Foundation Tia Carroll has been performing in California’s Bay Area for decades. She made her own successful albums in both Italy and Brazil, This is the album her fans have been waiting for and her first stateside studio recording. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by […]
Brigitte DeMeyer Seeker Spinach Pitts Music Seeker is the latest album from the inspiring and poetic songwriter Brigitte DeMeyer, and releases on March 26, 2021. Her melodies are a deep fusion of jazz and blues. Vocally, Brigitte has a range that effortlessly flows from soulfully sweet with just a hint of sugar to thick and […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mark LeClerc From Fuel Junkie! Since its formation in 2014, Fuel Junkie has revealed itself as one of the most promising upcoming artists on the Montréal blues scene. Passionate about the blues at a very young age, Mark LeClerc founded the group with close friends met […]
Joyann Parker Out of the Dark Hopeless Romantics Records Joyann Parker is a classically trained pianist with a degree in music from the University of Wisconsin. Before 2014 she had only sang with a wedding band. After hearing her sing Aretha Franklin’s soul classic “Chain of Fools” she was asked to join a Minneapolis based […]
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Juliet Hawkins A modern troubadour with footprints in both the soul and rock worlds, singer & songwriter Juliet Hawkins brings her message of hope and self-acceptance in her new EP Lead with Love (2020). From the start of her musical journey in Rockport, Mass., on a path that […]
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Hollis Jordan Artist “Hollis Jordan” born Jordan Hollis McGraw on March 7, 1997 in Detroit, MI. He is the 7th child of his mother a core business woman “Peggy Simmons”. He is the second cousin of female rapper “Bo$$” of Def Jam Records & 6th cousin to an […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Laura Tate Laura Tate, one of four daughters of a Southern beauty and an opera singer father, grew up in Dallas and began singing in front of audiences at the age of nine. While majoring in voice at the University of North Texas, she had the […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Devin B Thompson Soul music is a deep well, and the mercury-voiced Devin B. Thompson plumbs the form to its depths in Tales of the Soul, the Chicago-based singer-songwriter’s striking Severn Records bow, which arrives October 30, 2020. Co-produced by Thompson, Severn founder David Earl, and pianist-musical […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Porcelan Recording artist and songwriter, born and Raised in the Westwood area of South Memphis, TN. is today’s contemporary urban/R&B “It Girl”. PORCELAN couldn’t help but ultimately pursue her musical aspirations, having immediately absorbed her historic musical surroundings from a young age while growing up in […]
Devin B. Thompson Tales Of The Soul Severn Records Devin B. Thompson hails from the Chicago suburb of Joliet, Illinois. Raised in a musical family his father and sister sang in the church choir. Thompson began playing trumpet and singing backing vocals in his older brother’s band when he was still in his teens. His […]
Marcel Smith Everybody Needs Love Little Village Foundation Sacramento’s Marcel Smith began singing in church and studied the music of gospel quartets: the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Blind Boys, the Soul Stirrers, and the Dixie Hummingbirds. At the age of fifteen he was heard by gospel veteran Willie Washington who invited Smith to join […]
Johnny Rawls Where Have All The Soul Men Gone Third Street Cigar Records Johnny Rawls was born in Mississippi in 1951. The guitarist learned by backing musicians when they would tour the state. In 1975 Rawls joined O.V. Wright’s band and became his musical director until Wright’s passing in 1980. Rawls kept the band together […]
Sonny Green Found! One Soul Singer Little Village Foundation Robert “Sonny” Green was born in Monroe Louisiana in October, 1941. At the age of eighteen the vocalist was hired by saxophonist Big Jay McNeely who had a 1959 hit single “There is Something On Your Mind” sung by Little Sonny Warner. As Warner’s replacement Green […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Vanessa Collier “There’s a young lady [Vanessa Collier] came onstage with me, I forget where I was, but she’s playing an alto saxophone, and man, she was amazing.” Those are the words of Buddy Guy in a recent issue of American Blues Scene, describing an impromptu […]
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Nikki O’Neill For Nikki O’Neill, the musical highlights just kept on coming in 2019: recording at Royal Studios in Memphis; performing at AmericanaFest; getting her first interview in Guitar Player Magazine, and launching a guitar lesson channel on TrueFire.com called Nikki O’Neill’s Twang, Soul & Rock ‘n’ Roll. Her 2020 […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Bette Smith Wild rock & soul singer Bette Smith traces elements of her life-affirming new album ‘The Good, The Bad and The Bette’ to her childhood in rough Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Musically, it connects to the gospel music she heard in church and the soul music on […]
