President/Booking Agent’s Bio

Sir Charles Jones

Southern Soul

“The Love of music is the most important reason for being a performer,” states the talented Sir Charles Jones. Born in Akron Ohio, yet raised in Birmingham, Alabama where is actual singing career begun. 
This self taught writer, arranger, producer and engineer has embraced a genuine passion for music, ranging from jazz to fusion; Gospel to blues. Sir Charles Jones is the epitome of a recording artist / performer; but is this music really known as “Blues?”
Now releasing his Fourth album entitled “Never Miss A Good Thang” on the independent label Jumpin Records (Atlanta based) Charles admits to having more fun making this latest CD than others; “I’ve become more versatile in my style of writing and it makes me proud to know that my music appeals to all types of audiences young and old, when you attend one of my performances you might see a 19 year old sitting next to an 80 year old… People of all ages love Sir Charles Jones.”
 With his versatile style and wide range of vocal ability; with just a touch of smooth rhythm melodic melodies, and the cry of love, pain, happiness, fun-times, and the sincerity of commitment; Sir Charles Jones proves why he is crowned “The King of Southern Soul.”
Winning countless awards; American Blues Network: International Entertainer of the year for 4 straight years in a row 2001-2004; 2-time recipient for Album of the year (2002-2003); and 2-time recipient for the B.B King Achievement Award Recipient (2003-2004).  
Through various musical genres, male vocalists have empowered us with countless songs of Love, Romance, Commitment and betrayal from self proclaimed experiences or just mere understanding of life’s well learned lessons. Sir Charles Jones is well familiar with many trials and victories that life has to offer.  From the mere fatal accident that brought national attention, and many false releases of his own material bootlegged, to understanding the man whom really is behind his music. He then decided to make changes not only in his life but most important his career, prior to his accident he met the well known Business Manager Icon Mr. Joe Douglas, asking him to take charge of his career, to take him to the next level!  Sir Charles states…“I was so honored when he jumped at the opportunity and provided me with the confidence and commitment it took for me to drive harder and to fulfill my loyal fans with the best Sir Charles Jones has to offer which is my music… 
Sir Charles continues… Joe Douglas provides intense energy managing Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, so why should I expect anything less, and he’s done just that for me; so I know for a fact that I’m headed in the right direction…  
If Sir Charles Jones could write a story towards hardships and/or providing directions on making a successful career, it would be the smash duet with singer/crooner Glenn Jones entitled “Call On Me” or how about building a fulfilled relationship “Thank you for holding on” is the ideal cry for Men who appreciates a woman’s sincerity featuring sultry vocalist LaTocha Scott (from X-Scape); or for all those who know the truth of love and its meaning “What A Good Feeling”  is a story all of us can experience. 
Sir Charles Jones is the ideal candidate for men that understands the real meaning of love, commitment, and relationship. This album reflects growth, loyalty and sincerity for everyone to enjoy

TK Soul

Southern Soul

Contemporary soul singer T.K. Soul has built a loyal grassroots following for his music that mixes R&B traditions with modern-day attitude and hip-hop accents. T.K. Soul was born Terence Kimble in Winnfield, Louisiana on August 26, 1964. From a young age, Kimble had a keen ear for music, and soaked up the influences of soul, funk, and R&B artists ranging from Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, and Al Green to Maze, Rick James, and Prince. When he was ten years old, Kimble picked up a guitar, and discovered he could easily play it by ear. Before long, Kimble was also playing keyboards, drums, and bass, and by the time he was in junior high, he had already been recruited to play in the local high school's band. Music became the dominant force in Kimble's life, as he juggled gigs with school bands, church choir, and local R&B acts. After a painful breakup with his girlfriend, Kimble began writing songs, and while DJ'ing at clubs and parties, he began singing his own songs during breaks. Kimble began looking for a record contract, but his inexperience in the music business kept him on the sidelines for close to a decade. Kimble began touring with R&B and funk acts as a sideman, and while performing with the band Under 21 (who would later record for Motown under the name Profyle), he was scouted by the manager of the successful Houston-based vocal group H-Town. Kimble signed on to play keyboards with H-Town, while writing songs in his spare time.

After his run with H-Town ended, Kimble went back to the church for a few years, serving as a musical director at a house of worship. Kimble returned to the road when he was hired to play keyboards for soul-blues singer Willie Clayton, and soon Clayton was recording some of Kimble's material, including "Wiggle in the Middle" and "Party Like We Used To." After five years with Clayton, Kimble decided it was time to strike out on his own. Adopting the stage name T.K. Soul, he cut his solo debut, 2002's One Woman Man, and released it through his own label, Soulful Records. One Woman Man and Soul's 2003 follow-up, The Bad Boy of Southern Soul, helped generate a buzz about T.K. on the soul-blues circuit, and 2004's Love Games was a breakthrough that generated several regional hits for him, including "Cheating and Lying" and "You Ring My Bell." His next album, Undisputed, rose to number 85 on the R&B and hip-hop album chart, and peaked at number nine on the blues album chart. The Evolution of Soul followed in 2009, as Soulcontinued to fill nightclubs and play festivals and theme cruises as a powerful live act. Soul also expanded his Soulful Records label, signing other artists such as Magic One, Nikita, and Rhomey. Despite his busy schedule, T.K. remained prolific in the 2010s, releasing Ghetto Superstar in 2013, Life After Love in 2014, and The Legacy in 2016.

Zapp 

R&B Funk Band

Zapp unleashes funky, high-energy music with a contagious groove built for dancing, loving and good times. Made up of masterful musicians who have been getting down together since the late 1970s, the group’s sizzling chemistry can be attributed to the fact that it has always been a joyful family affair. The band started with Lil Roger and Lil Lester in 1962, which became Lil Roger and His Fabulous Vel’s, grew into Roger and the Human Body from 1974-1978, then became a full-fledged movement as Zapp. Now bandleader Lester Troutman, Sr. (drums), Terry “Zapp” Troutman (talkbox/keyboards/bass), Bart Thomas (talkbox/vocals/keyboards/bass), Dale DeGroat (musical direction/keyboards/ vocals), Thomas Troutman (keyboards/vocals), Riccardo Bray (guitar) and Anthony Arrington (sax) join to carry on the legacy of a tight-knit group of expert players and funk, soul and party band pioneers. Vibrating with moog bass, electrifying guitar riffs and fresh, clever lyrics, the tight-knit group’s songs demonstrate a wicked sense of humor and an unmatched ability to tell colorful stories and write solid, memorable hooks. Zapp members’ layered recordings and boisterous, Las Vegas-style live shows have always established them as trailblazers in both songwriting and showmanship. In the tradition of stylish masters such as James Brown, George Clinton, Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone, Zapp continues to both inspire and draw inspiration from hot acts like Daft Punk, The Black Eyed Peas and Justin Timberlake.

Since Zapp’s beginnings, its heartbeat has always been the vibrant imagination of the three Troutman Brothers – older brother Larry and two younger brothers Roger and Lester – who jammed together before becoming a quartet called Roger and the Human Body. This early quartet included the duo of Roger and Lester, Ralph Shepard and Chris Croom, whose premiere recording experience was with Capitol Records in 1975- 1976, when they worked on Sun’s debut album as well as the debut of Roger and the Human Body. Hired as studio musicians, Roger and Lester were fundamental to both projects and had already been experimenting with the talkbox just as it was first gaining fame thanks to mega stars like Stevie Wonder, Peter Frampton and Earth, Wind & Fire.

In 1978, Roger, Larry, Lester and Terry went into the studio with renowned bassist, singer and songwriter Bootsy Collins to record an album and were discovered by P- Funk’s legendary leader George Clinton, who encouraged them to name themselves “Zapp” in honor of Terry’s snappy nickname. In 1980, the four original Zapp members released their self-titled debut, co-produced by Collins, on Warner Bros Records. Released that summer, Zapp became a platinum success, peaking at the Top 20 of the Billboard Top 200 thanks to the hip-shaking hit single, “More Bounce to the Ounce,” written by Roger. This triumph led to a major tour with the Commodores.

Zapp’s dazzling rise persisted, piloted by Roger, who was the band’s producer, chief writer, arranger and composer and invented brand-new ways to use the talkbox that distinguished recordings. Within five years, the band scored a number of top-ten R&B hits: “Doo Wa Ditty,” I Can Make You Dance,” Heartbreaker,” ballads “Computer Love” and a cover of The Miracles’ “Ooo Baby Baby.” 1982’s “Dance Floor, Part 1” hit #1 on the R&B chart, with Roger’s solo numbers, “I Want to Be Your Man” and a cover of “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” also scoring big. By 1985, the group had amassed more than four gold records and was drawing huge audiences worldwide.

In 1983, Zapp’s star was still bright, and Roger was introduced to the R&B legend Shirley Murdock, who auditioned for him and was instantly welcomed into the group in 1984. She toured with the band throughout 1985, the same year, Roger Lester and the rest of their production crew commandeered Shirley’s debut album, which made her an instant platinum sensation.

Over the course of the past 30 years, Zapp’s and Roger’s music has been sampled hundreds of times by artists around the globe, which has kept the band’s buzz going strong. Zapp’s music has had a profound effect on west coast hip-hop, featured in songs by Jay Z, Lil’ Kim, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Ice Cube and many others. In 1995, Roger collaborated with 2Pac and Dr. Dre on the smash hit “California Love.” It became 2Pac’s best-known song and his most successful, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and nominated for a posthumous Grammy Award as Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (with Roger and Dr. Dre) in 1997.

For over 30 years, Zapp has played in small clubs, venues and huge stadiums alongside massive legends such as Rick James, Cameo, The Time, Prince and mentor George Clinton. Though Roger sadly passed away in 1999, the thrilling Zapp legacy lives on, fueled by his original creative spirit, with the hard-working, fearless current lineup still cooking up crafty new material and playing to throngs of jumping fans.

Coldrank

Southern Soul Artist

Baton Rouge Louisiana native Coldrank, captured our attention when he introduced us to the sweet shop, on the song Chocolate Drop.  The album could not have come at a better time, as a new generation of Blues and Southern Soul Artist takes the reins of the Blues genre.
Derek Marshall was born and raised in Baton Rouge Louisiana, where he currently resides.  This multi-versed has musical influences that range from Michael Jackson to Tupac Shakur. 
You can currently find Coldrank touring, writing, and recording his sophomore album.  He is really focused on pushing his new recording label, Go Legal Entertainment, to greatness.
Coldrank’s creative approach to his craft makes him a poet in his own right.  His rich, fluid and powerful voice proves that he will continue to make music that will push boundaries, and capture the mind and soul of his audience for a long time to come.

LJ Echols 

Southern Soul Artist 

LJ Echols grew up in a small town in Mississippi called Bassfield right outside of Hattiesburg. 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 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 state, 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 Bland, Marvin Sease, Sir Charles Jones, Denise LaSalle, Mel Waiters, Lenny Williams, Shirley Brown, Jeff Floyd, 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 “I’m Gone Party”. LJ Echols has become 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.

Cool Ricky

Southern Soul Artist 

Cool Ricky Blues, formerly known as Ric-E-Bluez, is an independent blues artist doing blues his way. Not only has Ricky been performing the blues since 1998 with his self-entitled CD Ric-E-Bluez but he also writes and arranges his own music. Ricky’s mission is to bring young people to the blues scene by singing the blues with a twist.

His blues style has a contemporary feel infused with humor, soul, and an uplifting message. His first CD Ric-E-Bluez (1998) has soul stirring songs like Bad Feelin and I Shoulda Known and he added a little humor with Lemon Drop. His second CD Sexy Soul (2006) has an uplifting message with a song called That’s Why I Still Love You and a song that makes you want to dance called Shake. Ricky’s love for singing the blues has allowed him to perform for many. He has graced the stage in: Davenport, Iowa; Ardmore, Oklahoma; Hope, Arkansas; Mobile, Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama; Houston, Dallas, and Port Lavaca, Texas; McComb, Jackson and Tunica, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee just to name a few. More confident than ever, Cool Ricky Blues released his third CD entitled My Blues, My Soul (2012) , with the hit single Roll It.  Ricky has soared to new heights with a fresh sound of southern soul music and has a new cd entitled A Fresh Bowl of Soul (2016) with the hit single Turkey Leg.  

Cool Ricky Blues is a devoted husband and father of three. He grew up in Summit, Mississippi where he discovered his love of the blues and music that spoke to the soul. He loved listening to Muddy Waters, Albert King, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Reed, Otis Redding, B.B. King and Johnnie Taylor. Growing up Ricky was quiet, easy going and very creative. In high school, he was known for playing football and his fashion edge. Not only did he love music but he also loved designing and making clothes. Even to this day, if he can’t figure out what to wear, he might just make something. Ricky is on a mission to keep southern soul blues alive and putting his personal touch on it.

Accomplishments are as followed:

2013

Nominated for song of the year by Jus' Blues Award in Memphis, TN

2014

Featured in Japan's Blues & Soul Magazine

2016

Featured in AAA Texas Journey Magazine 

January/February Issue

2016

Nominated for artist on the rise by ZBT Awards in Houston, TX

Uncle Wayne

Southern Soul Artist 

Born DeWayne Morris, Uncle Wayne blazed up a trail of smoke before deciding to embark upon the journey of musical excellence we call "Hithm and Bluez". Uncle Wayne is a country boy from Saline, LA. This is where he was groomed by his grandpa and grandma, John and Carrie Bell Williams, while also being cared for by his mother, Carrie Morris. His mother always played a significant role in his life, even though his grandparents were the ones who provided most of his needs--mainly a place to live. Uncle Wayne has sung in the church since he was four years old but never knew he had a talent for it until he was eleven years old when he was molded by Ail and Steve Harris in the community choir (The Voices of Trinity). His next vocal training would come under the leadership of Dr. Fred Pinckney in ''The Strong Tower Gospel Chorale" at Grambling State University. It was not until he became reacquainted with his childhood associate, Christopher  Foster (Christopher La’Mont) that he was able to put the words of his life to music. Christopher  La’Mont had the fly tracks and Uncle Wayne had the art of expression through the gift of lyrics and a distinctive, soulful voice to carry the melody. Hence, we are now blessed with “The Birth of Hithm and Bluez". Uncle Wayne has performed in front of many audiences across the U.S. and opened for many established performers, such as, Willie Clayton, T.K. Soul, Jeff Floyd, and J. Blackfoot, just to name a few. Out of all the performances he has done, he is most proud of the one he did in Ruston, LA in 2005 with Willie Clayton because it was the first Black concert at this establishment. This act really signifies what Uncle Wayne is about--using his voice to make a positive change. Uncle Wayne is a talented Blues,Soul, Hip-hop, and R&B singer who idolizes music icons like Johnny Taylor, Al Green, Bobby Rush, etc. Uncle Wayne also has the lyrical skills and melody patterns to get his point across through almost any genre of music he chooses. When asked how he incorporates all of these styles of music into one he simply replied, "I'm just a young man with an old soul.".

This amazing style of Hithm & Bluez is displayed best in his new eclectic album, “The Birth of Hithm & Bluez , Vol. 1” which was just recently released at the end of 2016. This album can be found on most any of your favorite digital retail outlets or just go the website, www.unclewayne.net.

Darren Cameron

Amazing Photographer

Darren Cameron is from Tyler, Texas and has been in the photography industry for 8 years.  His experience and professionalism will make your photos session or event memorable with his amazing photography talent.  He is known to have a fun, creative, and engaging style.  Book him today.

Raisin’ Smoke BBQ

Kilgore, TX

East TX please contact us to book Raisin’ Smoke BBQ to cater your next event!

Summer Wolfe

Amazing Talent

Summer Wolfe takes particular pride in her ability to perform both lively and heartwarming tunes to accompany any special event. With extensive experience playing for audiences both big and small, she has the unique ability of making every event setting an intimate one.

Want to find out more about the musicians I work with? Contact me today.