!doctype html> Downhome Blues Festival

Performers

TUCKA James of Loreauville, La., is the self-proclaimed "King of Swing." Starting his career singing lead with Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, he later moved into a solo career in 2008 and has since released six albums, which all follow a similar theme of romance, which is customary in many soul musicians' toolkits.

Boasting over a million listens on Spotify for his most popular track, "Work it Out," James is considered a fan favorite in the Southern Soul, Blues & R&B scene.

Visit the web site at www.tuckajames.com
Enthralling R&B vocals, feel good transitions, combined with a classic old school swag, effortless in his delivery and sincere in his approach, there is only one King George.

Visit his web site at https://803kinggeorge.com/

Sir Charles Jones was born in Akron, Ohio. When he was young, his family moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where he was raised. It was in Birmingham where his singing career started.[2] Jones taught himself how to write his own music, as well as arranging and producing it. In his early career, he worked under the guidance and tutelage of Marvin Sease.[3] His style ranges from jazz to fusion, and from gospel to blues. He also sang Just Can't Let Go which was one of his top songs in the Blues/R&B area.

His first album, Sir Charles Jones, was released in 2000. A review in Living Blues praised Jones' vocals and stated, "for a largely-programmed effort, this disk percolates with sensuality and emotional heat."[4] Jones' next album, Love Machine, spent 57 weeks on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it peaked at number 28 in June 2002.[5] Living Blues credited the ballad "Is There Anybody Lonely?" for increasing the attention on Jones by soul and blues radio. The magazine added, "his success bodes well for the future of soul/blues as a viable contemporary music."

A motorcycle accident in 2003 left Jones in a coma for several days. After a long and full recovery, he released Thank You for Holding On in 2006.[3] Two years later, he released a compilation album, My Story, and a music DVD, Sir Charles Jones: His Life & Times - Undisputed King of Southern Soul.

Bigg Robb

 Cincinnati R&B man Bigg Robb is a whirling dervish of an artist who appears to be going all the time. He is an arranger, producer, writer, rapper, singer, studio engineer and record label owner.

Beginning as a DJ at the age of 11, Robb came to the attention of funk legends Bootsy Collins and Roger Troutman. Troutman became a mentor to Bigg Robb, who, as a teen, became Roger's driver and later a full member of Troutman's popular band, Zapp.

Following Troutman's death, Bigg Robb began a solo career, and he has been extremely prolific, issuing at least one disc a year and alternating between Southern Soul and Midwest funk.

 

Lacee

Lacy Yvonne Reed (B.K.A Lacee) born July 1, is an American R&B, Soul and Blues singer and songwriter. Her first album was released in 2006 by the internationally known funk group the Bar-Kays, Archie and Lillie Love with Loveland Records. That same year she won the International Female Vocalist of the Year Award at the Jackson Music Award in Jackson, Ms. She has been nominated for several other awards such as: Best New Female Vocalist in Atlanta, Georgia at the Just Blues Awards, and Best Female Vocalist in Memphis, TN.

Lacee has performed in several musical plays in the Memphis area. She has the graced the stage with greats such as: J. Blackfoot, Bobby Womack, Glen Jones, Howard Hewitt, Tyrese, Lenny Williams, Theodis Ealey. Lebrado, Shirley Caesar, Smokie Norful and R&B Prince of Soul Calvin Richardson jut to name a few. Lacee was born in Memphis, TN. She’s the daughter of JoAnn Reed (deceased since 1988) and Reverend Joe Reed (deceased 1987) she was the only child born to the Reeds’ but has an older brother, (Dennis Belcher). She was raised as a Baptist. She finished school in Batesville, MS. Lacee cites Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Aretha Franklin as her overall biggest influences. She got her start in performing by singing in the church and with her mother.

LJ Echols grew up in a small town in Mississippi called Bassfield right outside of Hattiseburg. LJ Echols started out in a gospel group called the “The Echols Family”, which consisted of six group members: Herman Echols Sr. (father)-lead guitar player, Mary Echols (mother)-lead singer, LJ Echols-bass guitar player and background singer, Demetric Echols-singer, Sedrick Echols- drum player and background singer, and their cousin Carlson McLoud- Singer. In the interim of his new found success, they released their first album in 1995 and the second album in 1997.

After the success of the gospel album LJ decided moved to Dallas, TX in August of 1999 to endeavor into the R&B (Rhythm & Blues) style of music. This is when LJ decided to come up with a grouped called the 4- Sho Band which consisted of three brothers and a cousin. LJ Echols-bass player and background singer, Demertic Echols- Lead Singer, Sedrick Echols- drum player, Carlos McLoud- second lead singer and background singer. The 4-Sho Band all shared in a part of playing, singing, and writing their own music.

In the summer of 2004 LJ Echols started a solo singing career as a Southern Soul Blues Artist. LJ is very talented and versatile when it comes to music. LJ Echols plays, writes, produce, and sings his own music. In his new found success he released his first CD entitled, “Well Runs Dry” in the beginning of 2005 that is now playing across Mississippi, Texas, and other cities and states. When the Well Runs Dry CD dropped, LJ Echols was up for nomination for the Best New Blues Artist of the Year at the 2006 Jus Blues Music Awards that was held in Atlanta. In 2008, LJ Echols released his second album entitled, “Another Level” with his hit single “From the Back” which put LJ on the map for every down south states, the Mid-west, and up North States such as Michigan and Illinois. The song From the Back also had LJ Echols up for nomination again at the 2009 Jus Blues Music Awards that was held in Memphis, TN on August 5th for the Best Southern Soul Song of the Year. LJ Echols has so many goals and has accomplished so much in the past couple of years such as starting his own record label called NECKBONE RECORDS.

LJ Echols has opened up for different artists such as Bobby Blue Band, Marvin Sease, Sir Charles Jones, Denise LaSalle, Mel Waiters, Lenny Williams, Shirley Brown, Jeff Floyed, Cole Payne from the hit television show Martin, legendary jazz artist Roy Ayers and Les McCann, and this is just a few artist he has opened up for. With LJ Echols “Another Level” album, he had the help from Mel Waiters and Sir Charles Jones each to produce a tracked such as “Swangers Only” and “Im Gone Party”. LJ Echols has became more independent, empowered, and has many more hit songs coming to Southern Soul. In the past couple of years LJ has had band members to come and go but have been study with him for 3 years now called the Neckbone Band: Bass Guitar- Luther, Lead guitar Robert Young, Keyboard player Ray Ray, and last but not least drum player my brother Sedrick Echols better known as Spunky. LJ Echols is not only musically inclined, but is an unstoppable artist who wants to achieve more lucrative goals and success in the music industry.

The Big Yayo Experience is based in Jackson, Mississippi also known as The City with Soul. Big Yayo has become a force in the new revival of blues and soul music. Producer turned artist has countless hits attributed to his unique production style, mixing old school funk, blues ,soul and a splash of 80 babies hip-hop drum programming, the Big Yayo sound keep the dancefloors filled to capacity. With hits like Cowgirl, The Boots On Song, Bedroom Rodeo, I'm Your Man, Cake, No Getting Over Me, Get It, Rock Me Baby, Mr. Bartender and many more, Big Yayo is on a roll!

Born and raised in the small town of Goodman, Mississippi a young Christopher Mabry started honing his musical skills by taking advantage of any musical outlets available in his small community. Mentored by his high school band director Robert Johnson and encouraged by his mother led the young Big Yayo on a musical journey that has taken him all over the country performing to capacity crowds.Big Yayo has become somewhat of an ambassador for the southern soul culture.

Big Yayo is constantly touring and producing new music and exposing new artist to the southern soul sound and reintroducing more established artist to his new soul swing production style. Please contact Big Yayo at 601-624-1534, join his mailing list for tons of free stuff and follow him on his social sites and make sure you come out and see the Big Yayo Experience when he comes to your city or town!!
Nathaniel Kimble was born in Benoit, Mississippi. He began singing in church choirs as a young man and became an avid blues collector as he matured. He began writing his own R&B compositions and self-produced his debut CD, Can You Bagg It Up, in 2001.

Soul music represents true facts of life, inspiration, feelings and understanding, and Uvee Hayes’ twenty-plus years as a recording artist has left thousands of fans and listeners delighted with her interpretations of her repertoire that includes everything from Rhythm and Blues, Soul, and Torchy Love Songs to the Delta Blues. She has a reputation of being a crowd pleaser and the consummate professional.

Uvee Hayes combines her classic blues style with an urban edge, and with deep gripping and captivating lyrics. She has recorded more than nine albums, cassettes and CD’s, with some of the worlds finest musicians, including Tom Tom Washington, Otis Clay, The Emotions, Theresa Davis, Oliver Sain, Stevie Wonder, Luther Ingram, The Phoenix Horns, Keith Dodier, John May, Rich McDonough and many others.

She has appeared and performed on shows with Bobby Rush, Tyrone Davis, Ike Turner, Little Milton Campbell, Oliver Sain, Syl Johnson, Clifton Davis and countless artists and musicians around the country.

Previous CD's, "There'll Come a Time" and "Play Something Pretty" were favorites in St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City and Columbia, Missouri, throughout the South and in the United Kingdom and Far East. "True Confessions" is still a huge seller as her current CD "In the Mood.""
Uvee released a very popular CD on April 7, 2017 titled "Nobody but You". In June, 2018, Uvee Hayes released her CD "From A Woman's Point of View" and August 2018, Uvee Hayes released he current music video and her latest single "Basement Party".

Her range in the interpretation of material is remarkable, destined to reach a wide audience without compromising the stylishness and technique that she has created over the many years that he has been in the music industry.

Uvee understands that the blues have many meanings, and some blues songs often grasp the theme of love or the relationship between a man and a woman and Uvee interprets and delivers them elegantly, with a superb and delicate sense of melody, blending effortlessly and combining with her creative energy. It establishes a very sunny and warm atmosphere for the listener that is concentrated in a positive way.

Uvee Hayes shows an exceptional natural capacity of creative and original work, along with strong individuality and imagination. She is not only unique and innovative, but she excels in vocals and lyrics.

Uvee Hayes: Charming, beautiful and talented and a stellar performer.

Isaac Lindsey is a gifted singer and musician who's been performing since he was about four years old. Isaac grew up singing in church and with his high school stage band and community choir. After high school, he was awarded a choir scholarship and he sang and toured with the prestigious Tougaloo College Concert Choir.

For over thirty years he's been blessed to share the gift of music as a singer, musician,
composer, arranger, recording artist and producer with the Windy City SpiritualaireS, the Golden Bells, the True Believers, and he began his recording career with the late Walter Bruce & the Mighty Soul Travelers. The pinnacle of his music career was serving as the last Manager for the three-time Grammy Award winning - Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy.

Currently, Isaac has begun a new chapter in his musical journey by releasing a new Soul, Blues, and R& B music project entitled "The Soul Music Experience". While still serving as a Preacher; he joins the ranks of other Soul Artists like Bishop Al Green, Bishop Joe Simon, the late Rev. Johnnie Taylor, and the late Bishop Solomon Burke to have great success in the
Secular World.

This project - Isaac Lindsey - The Soul Music Experience is a tribute to his late Grandfather Fred J. Lindsey and to many of the legendary Artists who have passed on such as B. B. King,
Bobby Blue Bland, Tyrone Davis, Johnnie Taylor, Little Milton Campbell, Otis Clay, & Ronnie
Lovejoy.

Isaac has breathed new life and added a new millennial twist into many of the songs that were classic hits by some of the World's top performing Artists.

Isaac is currently touring as a Solo Artist and with his Band - The Soul Music Experience.

Narvell Echols

Narvell Echols was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, literally on the banks of the Tallahatchie River in Phillip, Mississippi. In the mid-2000s. Narvell released his first Blues/Southern Soul EP entitled "Youngest In Da Game," with songs like "Find Me A Woman," "Party" and the chitlin-circuit hit "Going Solo." He later released a few singles, including his best-known work at the time, "Mississippi Twerk."

The new album is what Narvell has deemed the New School Blues, a combination of Blues, Soul, and Southern Soul but an emphasis on keeping some Delta Blues sounds alive. The first single “Ripping & Running”, guaranteed to get the people talking.
KW Love

 
Emmons Entertainment Band

The Emmons Entertainment Band is a complete all around entertainment band. We cover all genres of music. Book the Emmons Entertainment Band for your next event.