Daddy B. Nice’s Corner 2021 – news and opinion on Southern Soul RnB music and artists
November 11, 2021
Daddy B. Nice’s NEWS & NOTES:
In the latest of many recent career milestones, Jeter Jones comes to Jackson, Mississippi’s largest venue, the Mississippi Coliseum, to ring in the New Year as a major headliner along with T.K. Soul, Calvin Richardson and L.J. Echols. And what looks like the concert of the year (2022, that is) takes place a few days later, January 7th, when four out of Daddy B. Nice’s top five artists of the Top 100 Countdown: The New Generation—Big Pokey Bear, Sir Charles Jones, Tucka and Nellie “Tiger” Travis, in addition to fan favorite Calvin Richardson—gather at Raising Cane’s in Baton Rouge for the Southern Soul New Year’s Extravaganza. (See Concert Calendar.) Radio-personalities-husband/wife duo Mr & Mrs R (Rickenbacker), who specialize in classic r&b hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, have signed a syndication deal that has been picked up by Randy Soul Radio and Awesome Al Radio in Montgomery Alabama. They air on Fridays on Randy Soul Radio from 4pm-7pm and Saturdays on Awesome Al from 7pm-10pm (CST).
Due to Covid-19, Detroit’s renowned Fox Theatre on Woodward Avenue—southern soul’s northernmost venue—has repeatedly cancelled its tour dates for stars Bobby Rush, Lenny Williams, Theodis Ealey, Pokey Bear, Calvin Richardson and Melvia “Chick” Rodgers. (March 14, 2020, July 25, 2020, October 16, 2020 and March 21, 2021.) Now the make-up show has once again been announced: Friday, March 18, 2022. All tickets for the previous dates will be honored. Keep your fingers crossed but don’t hold your breath.
Remember when “nose wide open” (inflamed, so to speak, with attraction to someone) became a thing in southern soul music? It wasn’t that long ago, just last year, with both Benito and Lady Q on Beat Flippa’s“Nose Wide Open” and Magic One on his “Nose Wide Open”. I just stumbled upon an earlier reference from a decade-old Karen Wolfe song, “You Ain’t No Player,” whose lyrics go like this:
She’ll stroke your ego
And say you’re good in bed
She’s got your nose open so wide
You could park a couple of
Eighteen-wheelers inside
Did you know?…Sir Jonothan Burton’s new single “Tennesse Whiskey” is a cover of an iconic country music hit (would you believe 500 million views?), Chris Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey, which in turn is a remake of Etta James’s “I’d Rather Go Blind”.
If you’re into christmas music southern soul style, be listening to R-R-R-Rogene Bailey’s Blues Time In The City in December. Wilbe Videolab Series presents “Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday” “Live” November 22nd at 7 pm with William Bell & The Total Package Band.In the works…a new album from Nelson Curry. Kudos to Mr. Lyve for releasing the dirtiest song (“Turn That Dick Loose”) I’ve heard since Champagne’s risque “Mouth On You” in 2019. The day southern soul muzzles its salacious fringe is the day it’s doomed to die. Young Roi Chip Anthony, who made his first appearances in the zydeco belt of Louisiana, has a new southern soul album out, the “Leo King”. Dee Dee Simon’s third annual “Queens” project, “Winter Is Coming,” is about to hit the shelves. The roster of participating divas includes Sojo The Ladies Champ, Sassy D, Jesi Terrell, Jinda Harris, Donna Renae and Carletta Bush.
Blast from the past department: Can you imagine seeing Mel Waiters, Ronnie Lovejoy, Lee “Shot” Williams, Lynn White and O.B. Buchana in concert? That was the line-up for the 1st Annual Bassfield (Mississippi) Blues Festival in 1999. 2:30 pm, June 25th. Gates opened at 12 and tents and coolers were welcome. Jackson’s WMPR DJ Ragmanwas the MC. And get a load of the ticket outlets. (There were a lot of record stores in those days!) J.J.’s Record Mart in Hattiesburg, Club Unknown in Bassfield, J&S Records in Collins, Sam’s Record Mart in Waynesboro, Soul Sound Records in Laurel and BeeBop Records in Jackson.
—Daddy B. Nice
November 1, 2021
NOVEMBER TOP TEN “SPILLOVER”: Top 40 Southern Soul Singles
An expanded list of the songs vying for “Top Ten Singles” in November 2021
1. “Grown Man Shhhh”—Bigg Robb
2. “You Didn’t Want What You Had”—Gerod Rayborn
3. “Bone Of My Bone”—James Bryant
4. “Keep Moving On”—Dexter Allen
5. “Somebody’s Been Talking Too Much”—Gerod Rayborn
6. “I’m Not Going Nowhere”—M.P. Soul
7. “Crazy Fool”—Big Yayo
8. “Freight Train”—B. Dupree
9. “Take You Home”—The Night Affair Band
10. “Pacifier”—Sweet P
11. “I’m Looking For A Woman”—Willie Clayton feat. Tucka
12. “You Ain’t Ready For Love”—SonofSoul feat. Urban Mystic
13. “Come On”—Christopher La’Mont feat. Coupe DeVille
14. “Parlay”—Dee Dee Simon
15. “Put That Thang On You”—Big Pokey Bear
16. “Big Boy Drawls”—Stevie J. Blues
17. “Hittin’ It”—Eric Hunter feat. Volton Wright
18. “Toot It Up”—Bigg Robb
19. “Hurt Me So Bad”—Stephanie Pickett
20. “Dance With Me”—The Night Affair Band
21. “I Work Hard For What I Got”—Gerod Rayborn
22. “He Can’t Do It”—Bigg Robb
23. “Make It Right”—Christopher La’Mont
24. “Sue’s Daughter”—Gerod Rayborn
25. “At A Party”—Solomon Thompson feat. Toia Jones
26. “Ride This Saddle”—Christie & The Superior Band feat. Curly Taylor
27. “I Know You Miss Me”—Angel Faye Russell
28. “Pleasure”—Mr. Frayser
29. “Bridge Over Flooding Water”—Captain Jack Watson
30. “Get It Right”—Mr. Amazing
31. “Put A Claim On That Thang”—Jesse James
32. “Still My #1”—Banky Live
33. “Bang Bang Bang”—Bigg Robb
34. “Can’t Teach An Old Dog”—Angel Faye Russell
35. “Can I Ride”—Nadia Thee PrimaDonna
36. “Just We”—Larry D (Dodson) feat. Jessica Ray
38. “Hands Up High”—Freaky B
39. “Tonight Is The Night”—Norma Sole
40. “On Top Of The World”—World Famous Brown feat. Sir Jonathan Burton