Mel Waiters - Rest In Peace

I am so sorry to say that Mel Waiters, 58, passed early this morning after a short battle with cancer. He produced great, life-changing music and was an amazing performer.  I am so thankful that I was able to see him a few times in concert and even had a chance to chat with him.  His passing deeply hurts.

I found the following bio from the Soul Blues Music website (http://www.soulbluesmusic.com/melwaiters.htm):

Southern Soul star Mel Waiters was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, where in 1974 he began his performing career at local teen clubs; after a stint as a radio DJ, he was awarded a government contract to entertain at military bases across the Southwest. With the exception of sax Waiters produced, played and wrote all the material for his first CD release in 1996. The slick "Hit It & Quit It" and "Whatever It Took" gave me his first Southern hits. He followed this up with his second for the Serious Sounds with "Suki Suki Man" that got his biggest song to date with the title track. Waiters was next snatched up by Malaco Records's Waldoxy imprint in 1997 and an even bigger hit was produced by the single "Got My Whiskey" featuring a very polished dance sound he would continue with. Despite increasing popularity up to this point in 1999 he jumped to the top of the Soul/Blues heap with the smash "Hole In The Wall", one of those undeniable hits that guarantee you'll work in the Chitlin Circuit for years to come. The single, which also featured a remix by Bigg Robb, managed to hit Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart at #24 and also gave Mel his first placing on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart (#5) and the Top R & B/Hip Hop Albums chart at #83. Since that time Waiters has scored with a string of similar sounding dance songs about drinking whiskey and partying at the "In The Wall". His most recent disc, "Throwback Days," dented Billboard Top 100 R & B/Hip Hop Albums chart at #93 proving longevity for the artist. Waiters also ran his own label, Britney Records, for a time which roster included legend Latimore. 

Mel, may you rest in peace.  Thank you for the wonderful music that you gave to us.  You will be remembered and will always live in our hearts. My condolences and prayers to your family.
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Kenne' Wayne - "We Do We"

Kenne' Wayne has been around for a long time and has come up with a huge hit.  It's popular in the southern soul circuit and my sister, Val, loves this song! It has a catchy beat, infectious melody, and cool lyrics.  You do you, and I'mma do me, and when we get together, we do we do we!! Absolute genius!  What a combination of words.

This is under youtube as Ves feat  Kenne' Wayne - someone tell me, who is Ves????

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Mel Waiters

Mel Waiters was recently in the hospital and is recovering from a serious illness. According to a Malaco Facebook post on May 14, Mel was in the hospital undergoing treatment. His family has asked that we keep him in your prayers. May the Lord heal his body and give his family hope and strength throughout his recovery. Amen

We love you Mel!!
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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Simone De - "Tonight Is The Night"

Girl I prayed so long just to have you in my arms!  Now isn't that what you want to hear from your man?  He says he's going to make everything all right tonight.  This is a very pretty ballad from Simone De's CD titled "A Definitive Collection."

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Love this man!
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Lamorris Williams featuring LJ Echols - "Get Close To Me"

This is a pretty cool duet from two young artists.  Now baby back it up, baby take it slow, make your way down to the floor, now get close to me, get close to me, get close to me, baby get close to me!!

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Lomax - "Second Hand Man"

I love Lomax!  He's a relatively new artist and has produced some awesome hits.  In "Second Hand Man,"  he tells a story about a man who is dedicated and committed to his woman.  The hard thing is that he realizes that he’s a second-hand man; someone who is there when no one else is around.  It hurts but he says that’s all he is.  He tries to decide if he should stay in the relationship or should he go...wonders if it would be wrong for him to stay.  He knows that he’s not the only one that she chooses to see but he doesn’t want to let her go and is caught in a dilemma.  What would you do?

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Wendell B - "Good Man"

Ladies, this is what we want in our lives - a good man!! He says that he ain't perfect but he's damn good and works hard every day.  He's a simple man doing the best that he can; he's good to you and is keeping his faith in God.  What more can you possibly want??

There are some good men out there!
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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

B. B. King - "Never Make A Move Too Soon"

We are living in times in which we are seeing our legends leave this earth.  B. B. King, who passed yesterday at the age of 89, made a tremendous impact on our world and changed our lives.  His music - which brought joy to several generations - will live forever.

Here are a few lines from his bio which were taken from his website, http://www.bbking.com/:

For more than half a century, Riley B. King – better known as B.B. King – has defined the blues for a worldwide audience. Since he started recording in the 1940s, he has released over fifty albums, many of them classics. He was born September 16, 1925, on a plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi, near Indianola. In his youth, he played on street corners for dimes, and would sometimes play in as many as four towns a night. In 1947, he hitchhiked to Memphis, TN, to pursue his music career. Memphis was where every important musician of the South gravitated, and which supported a large musical community where every style of African American music could be found.

B.B. was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He received NARAS’ Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 1987. In 1991, B.B. King’s Blues Club opened on Beale Street in Memphis, and in 1994, a second club was launched at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles. A third club in New York City’s Times Square opened in June 2000 and most recently two clubs opened at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut in January 2002.

I am thankful that I was able to see him perform in concert.  He was a remarkable man.

He had tons of great songs and many people know "The Thrill Is Gone" but here is one of my favorites.

RIP our legend - thank you for everything!!
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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Daddy B Nice - Concert Calendar

I've written this before but it is worth repeating.  If you're looking for a southern soul concert, the best source of information is by Daddy B Nice on his Concert Calendar and Mailbag which can be found at http://www.southernsoulrnb.com/calendar_mailbag2008.cfm.  He lists shows that are going on all over the country (north, south, east, and west) and makes it easy to find one nearest you.

Here's one for the DC area:
2 pm, Saturday, May 30, 2015
Lamont's Entertainment Complex
4400 Livingston Road
Pomonkey, Maryland
Lamont's 25th Anniversary
Roy C, Hardway Connection, Jim Bennett, Lady Mary, Stone Pleasure Band.
Host: WPFW's Dr. Nick
Gates open at 12 Noon, rain or shine. 301-283-0225

Thanks Daddy B Nice for keeping us informed!!!

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Spice Internet Radio

Listening to JC play some awesome music on Spice Internet Radio (www.wsir-db.com) this Sunday night.  Sounds like a southern soul Quiet Storm....

Spice Internet Radio, playing nothing but the best in southern soul, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Donnie Ray - "A Secret Is So Hard to Keep"

This slow song by Donnie Ray has such a pretty melody. In this story, he's cheating with this girl but they have to keep their relationship a secret. Oh, the pain of infidelity!

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Ms. Jody - "Southern Soul Dip"

You know I love Ms. Jody!!  This cool dance song is a little jazzy, I like those horns!

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Dr. Nick - Westminster Church in DC

Are you in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area and looking for something to do on a Monday night?  Dr. Nick hosts Blue Monday Blues from 6 - 9pm every Monday night.  There's live music every week and it only costs $5 to get in - it's one of the best deals in the area.  Check out Dr. Nick and have a great time enjoying some of the local talent. Westminister Church is located at 400 I Street SW in Washington, D.C. See their website for more info: http://www.westminsterdc.org/blues/.

Dr. Nick is the best on-air personality and dee jay in the DC area. Listen to him from 2 - 4pm every Saturday on WPFW, 89.3 FM or online at www.wpfwfm.org/radio/ for his "Southern Soul Rumpin' Show" where he has excellent guests and plays the best of southern soul, blues, old school, and R&B. If you miss him there, you can also catch him in the evenings on Spice Internet Radio (www.wsir.db). He has an amazing knowledge of the music and he is also entertaining!! Plus, he has a cute smile!

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Linda Jones - "For Your Precious Love"

I was listening to Lewis Dee tonight and heard him play this song.  I had written a post about it a little while ago (see http://southernsoulparadise.blogspot.com/2011/05/linda-jones-hypnotized-and-for-your.html) and thought it was worth repeating. This may not necessarily be southern soul but it is definitely soul music. It is one of the most emotionally powerful songs I've ever heard.

Linda died of diabetes back in 1972 at the very young age of 27.

Awesome!
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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Vick Allen - "My Baby's Phone"

Imagine talking on the phone to your significant other and she tells you that she has to go because she is in a meeting.  But, after the call is over, she accidentally hits redial and you hear a conversation between her and your good friend?  You can tell they're in bed together and they didn't know you were still on the line and listening. Yikes!! Oh Vick, this is a sad, sad and beautiful song. The things he heard on his baby's phone - it tore him apart.

I love this song and I love Vick Allen, another talented artist!!

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I heard her say oh, oh baby it's been too long! Don't wait three days again, I don't get this at home.
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Johnnie Taylor - "And I Panicked"

Johnnie Taylor is the best.  Here is an absolutely beautiful ballad, simply beautiful. It's a story of this man's reaction when he found his woman gone. I heard this song this morning and I had to take the time and listen to it over and over till I got the words right.

Three times this morning I put my phone to my ear

I dialed your number, let it ring

But baby, no one was there

When I ran to your house

Found your room unoccupied

I checked the drawers and closets but they were empty inside

And I panicked inside

Chorus

I panicked to think part of my life had gone away

And I panicked not knowing how would I live another day

Because I love you and I need you and I want you baby

And I panicked inside

(Cause your love has gone away)

I walked home wanting, wanting to turn back the hand of time

Just one more chance, just one more chance

I’ll make you see

You shouldn’t leave me behind, that ain’t right baby

You would be convinced, my love is here to stay

And it’s not a game I’m playing

I want a house and kid someday

I would love and ?

Chorus

I didn’t want to get frantic

But I just had to panic, panic, oh and I panicked

Chorus

I just couldn’t keep my cool

Because I was losing you

I didn’t want to get frantic but I just had to panic

Oh baby, since you’ve gone away, how can I live another day

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Cause I love you, can't you see it in my eyes?
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Sheba Potts-Wright - "Stay With Your Wife"

Sheba is seeing a married man but when he becomes a little too serious and wants to leave his wife for her, she tells him no, he should stay with his wife because that's where he should be.  She tells him not to break up his home because leaving his wife for her would be a big mistake.  Well guys, what do you think?
A good song, a good lesson.

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Wendell B - "We Steppin' Out Tonight"

If you haven't heard Wendell B, you have got to listen to this.  He is great!  I'm still waiting for the r&b stations to discover him - he will definitely cross over!  I love this man's voice.

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Lil Jimmie - "She Was Twerking"

A popular song down south...

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Miss Lady Blues - "Like You Used To"

You don't hold me, you don't stroke me like you used to.  Miss Lady Blues talks about how he doesn't do all those things he used to do when he was trying to get her.  A pretty ballad.

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Enjoy!
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

J-Wonn - "I Need A Grown Woman"

What an amazing young guy who knows his music - everything he touches turns to gold.

Enjoy!
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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Theodis Ealey - "Let's Get It On" LIVE

Theodis Ealey is one of those artists who is ahead of this time.  He is mostly known for his extremely popular hit "Stand Up In It" but, in my opinion, that song really doesn't do his talent justice.  Here's a live version of his Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" - nice job Theodis!

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Enjoy!
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Ms. Jody - "Don't Be A Sore Loser"

Ms. Jody says she came out a winner from a bad relationship. She tells her ex not to be a sore loser because he's not happy like her, because things aren't the way they used to be.  That's right, Ms. Jody!

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Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com