About the man, the Legend…

HOW DID A SLICK BACK, LIGHT-SKINNED DUDE GET TO BE SO FUNKY?

I owe it all to growing up in one of the most explosive dance floor periods of recorded music history; Loving the art of dance with its’ intense soulful expressions of life. The life expression of dance is deep within all of us and will not be held back, even in the worst of times. I also listened to the art form of soulful funk with the understanding that the beauty of music comes from within. It is a self-expression of the joy of life.

To be straight – in 1975, when I was about 16, something happened. What was that? Ready or not, the Mother Ship landed, and we’ve never been the same since. Shot by the Bop Gun, it was time for me and many others to turn out the funk like never before. With a mixture of soul and jazz rhythms accompanied with a heavy foot petal, the dance floor opened up for dynamic movement. Providers of this movement came from artists like: Dyke and the Blazers, The Meters, James Brown, The Moments, The Isley Brothers, EWF, The Gap band, MJ, D Train, C+C Music Factory, Mary J. Blige, Anthony Hamilton and many others.

A well-known music producer once said, ‘If you allow yourself to, you can feel or hear the soul and funk in every genre of music.’ That’s the way my approach has always been and will always and forever be. I guess this approach is to stay open and keep on climbing and to reach the peak musically speaking.

The torch of true funk is still burning strong and has no let-up in sight. Passing through the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s, JB, George, Bootsy, Sly, Maurice, Rick, Cameo, Mint Condition and many others would all be proud of this.

Learn about me

HOW DID YOU COME TO HAVE SUCH A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR MUSIC?

My parents, aunts, and uncles hipped me to learn the Doo-wop of the 50’s and early 60’s from where funk of the 70’s originated. Having four-part harmony around whenever the family got together in the backyard, in one of the houses, or just whenever the spirit hit, mom and her three golden-voiced sisters laid it out for all to hear. Also, in high school I took classes in music theory and appreciation – with a jazz choir to boot. It seems that I found myself surrounded with the music of the day and yesterday. This allowed me to find my niche. During the weekends at ‘smokin’ house parties, block parties, clubs and more, one could catch this DJ being nurtured behind the mic, and on the wheels of steel; creating the atmosphere that makes everybody want to move.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MUSIC OF TODAY?

My perception and understanding of the 12-year cycle of R&B music is a joy and honor to have. Everyone knows; what ‘goes around, comes around.’ And it seems that Old School masters will never die out. This is because you hear them produced again and again with a new flair and kick. Neo Soul has its’ own spirit of true funk, and in many cases, we are all better off because of it.

WHAT MUSICAL GIANTS INFLUENCED YOUR 40 PLUS YEARS OF SPINNING OUR SOULFUL HERITAGE?

To be straight – in 1975, when I was about 16, something happened. What was that? Ready or not, the Mother Ship landed, and we’ve never been the same since. Shot by the Bop Gun, it was time for me and many others to turn out the funk like never before. With a mixture of soul and jazz rhythms accompanied with a heavy foot petal, the dance floor opened up for dynamic movement. Providers of this movement came from artists like: Dyke and the Blazers, The Meters, James Brown, The Moments, The Isley Brothers, EWF, The Gap band, MJ, D Train, C+C Music Factory, Mary J. Blige, Anthony Hamilton and many others.A well-known music producer once said, ‘If you allow yourself to, you can feel or hear the soul and funk in every genre of music.’ That’s the way my approach has always been and will always and forever be. I guess this approach is to stay open and keep on climbing and to reach the peak musically speaking.

The torch of true funk is still burning strong and has no let-up in sight. Passing through the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s, JB, George, Bootsy, Sly, Maurice, Rick, Cameo, Mint Condition and many others would all be proud of this.