Daddy B. Nice's

Mailbag

July 18, 2026:

A Question about West Coast Southern Soul


Daddy B. Nice,

I hope you’re doing well. First, thank you for everything you’ve done to preserve, promote, and champion Southern Soul. Your passion for the music and your honest opinions have earned the respect of artists and fans throughout the genre.

We recently launched our four-week advertising campaign on your website, and we’re honored to support someone who has contributed so much to Southern Soul. I wanted to ask you something that’s been on my mind.

On April 27, 2026, Tamron entered the Urban Influencer chart at #29. As of July 13, she had climbed to #5, spending four consecutive weeks in the Top 10, while also receiving recognition from Radio Airplay Experts. We’re humbled and grateful for every step of that journey.

Our vision at Soultown Icon Records has always been bigger than one song. We believe Southern Soul belongs to everyone who loves and respects it. Our goal is to help build a bridge between the South and the West Coast, where generations of Southern families carried their music, culture, and traditions during the Great Migration and faithfully passed that heritage on. That brings me to my question.

After all the years you’ve spent listening to, supporting, and writing about Southern Soul, what do you believe West Coast Southern Soul needs to do to truly earn the respect of longtime Southern Soul fans while honoring the genre’s Southern roots?

I’d genuinely value your perspective. Your experience and insight mean a great deal because you’ve helped shape conversations about this music for so many years.

Thank you again for everything you continue to do for Southern Soul. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success.

Much respect,
Troy Mason Sr
Founder & Producer
Soultown Icon Records

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Hi Troy,

I’m going to put off some things I should be doing to answer your letter because I’d like to post both the letter (with the requisite deletions on your part for privacy, according to your wishes) and my response in Daddy B. Nice’s Mailbag, if you’re willing. I think it would be of great interest and a help to many others in your situation.

First, to answer your basic question: What do you believe West Coast Southern Soul needs to do to truly earn the respect of longtime Southern Soul fans while honoring the genre’s Southern roots?

This part is simple. Just produce good southern soul music. It doesn’t matter where you’re from. The legendary Peggy Scott-Adams recorded her classic hits in Van Nuys a quarter century ago and Lina Loi, whose ad preceded yours just this month, is also based in LA. (And might be a good singer for you to connect with.)

People create southern soul in California, in Ohio, in Chicago, in St. Louis, in Kansas, Michigan and Maryland, not just in the Deep South. My good friend Dylann DeAnna (Blues Critic) produced music for his record label CDS in southern California. There’s just one thing. It has to be good, really good. Southern soul is a highly competitive market. And if you’re not steeped in the culture of the black South, it’s often difficult to do. But the bottom line (and I can’t stress this enough) is that good southern soul music will rise to the top, no matter where it’s conceived and produced. So take a deep breath and let that sink in.

Now for the other side of the coin. I did visit your website and what it told me was that you have one artist (your “flagship artist”), Tamron, and she has one single out, “These Eyes On You,” which has amassed 148 views in three months on YouTube. You’re just starting out. If you were playing Monopoly, you’d just be on Atlantic Avenue.

The YouTube response is a paltry amount and under ordinary circumstances should be a sign and a wake-up call to you that it might be a good idea to go back to the drawing board and work up some more product. However, in the meantime the tune has charted on The Urban Influencer and has been rising like a bullet, raising your expectations despite the poor response of YouTube fans who scroll endlessly for the next big thing. Who to believe?

I think this Urban Influencer (which began appearing a year or so ago and purports to cover all “urban” genres) charting is both a good thing and a bad thing for you. On the one hand, it’s good because it’s given you and Tamron hope and excitement and a push to capitalize upon what seems to be some initial success. But I think it’s a bad thing if it delays you getting back in the studio and creating more music, better music (or at least that’s the hope, right?). The fact that Radio Airplay has seconded the praise is without much weight because it’s always appeared to me to be a professional partner with Urban Influencer. And my final thought is if you pin your hopes and expectations on this charting to the detriment of your work ethic and realistic judgments about your work, you may be setting yourself up for failure. As someone with a proven “ear” for southern soul, and who really takes a lot of time playing, re-playing, and still re-playing music before putting it into my charts, I’d rate “These Eyes On You” as neither as good as Urban Influencer says it is nor as bad as YouTube says it is.

Hope this helps!

Troy Mason Sr replies:

Hi Daddy B. Nice,

First, thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and detailed response. I truly appreciate it. I know your time is valuable, so the fact that you visited our website, listened to the music, and shared your honest perspective means more to me than you know. One statement you made really stayed with me: “Good Southern Soul music will rise to the top, no matter where it’s conceived and produced.” I read that several times because that’s exactly what we’re striving for. Our mission has never been to compete with the South, but to honor the roots and traditions of Southern Soul while bringing an authentic West Coast contribution to the genre.

I also appreciate your honesty about where we are. You’re right-—we’re still at the beginning of this journey, and we have a lot to prove. Your comments don’t discourage me; they motivate me to work even harder. If I may, I’d like to offer one small clarification that may not have been obvious from our website. Tamron does have additional music in her catalog. “These Eyes On You,” is simply the first release we’ve promoted through the Southern Soul community and the first time we’ve worked with platforms like Urban Influencer and SouthernSoulRnB.com. For us, this isn’t the beginning of her career-—it marks the beginning of our focused Southern Soul campaign. The chart success has encouraged us, but it certainly hasn’t made us comfortable. If anything, it’s challenged us to work even harder. Our goal isn’t to chase one chart position or celebrate one song. Our goal is to build a respected catalog of Southern Soul music that earns its place over time.

I would be honored for you to share my letter and your response in your Mailbag. If our conversation encourages other independent artists to stay focused on making great music, remaining patient, and continuing to grow, then I believe that’s a positive outcome for everyone. Thank you again for your honesty, your encouragement, and for everything you’ve done over the years to support and preserve Southern Soul music. I look forward to the day when I can send you another release that reflects the lessons you’ve shared and shows our growth as a label. I hope that, one release at a time, we’ll earn the respect of you and the Southern Soul audience you know so well.

With much respect,
Troy Mason Sr.
Founder & Producer Soultown Icon Records

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daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com


SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

July 10, 2026:

Thank You Letter


Knowledge / Learning


Mr.Nice:

I’ve learned more about soul blues from your columns than anywhere else. You have answers to questions I’ve wondered about for years. Your superb writing skills reveal how astute and sensitive you are to the changing dynamics and trends of all this wonderful music. Keep up the good work!

Best,
Kevin Nutt
djcasequarter
Host of Sinner’s Crossroads on WFMU

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Awwwww...Kevin. You make me feel like a big old dawg on his back getting his belly rubbed. Thank you!

Oh, one thing that made me cringe. Don't call it "soul blues"! It's southern soul, my brother, southern soul all the way.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide
daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com



July 3, 2026:

LOOKING FOR A SONG LETTER


RE: Tye prince ft Sir Charles Jones song called Water


Hi mate
I'm just wondering if you have the Single track Called Water from Tye prince ( Chocolit tye ) ft Sir Charles Jones available for me to purchase or any download site or streaming site I can purchase please

I'm from Australia and just cannot find it anywhere and no one can help me , that's why I'm emailing you can you please help
David

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Hi David from Australia,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. By the way, I just saw a nail-biting, mountain-climbing thriller set in Australia called "Apex" starring Charlize Theron. I didn't even know Australia had mountains, although if "Mad Max: Fury Road" (also starring Charlize) was filmed in Australia I should have.

Tye aka Chocalit Tye Prince of Southern Soul...That's a tough one. His career decision-making is a mess (in my opinion). "Water," the song you're seeking, charted in August of '22, where I criticized it for copying The Staple Singers' "Let's Do It Again". Still, that was an extremely complimentary and high chart position. Nonetheless, Tye subsequently removed the YouTube video which I linked to in the commentary. Nor has he posted the tune on Apple or any other retail outlet I know of.

As a last resort you can listen to it on DJ VJ Bubba Yae’s Sunday Matinee @ The Grown Folks Spot 6/19/22. That's the best I can do.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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June 11, 2026: Pictured: King Willonius

A-I And Southern Soul


Daddy B. Nice:

I've pretty much made peace with synthesized tracks in studio production as an art form that can create innovative new sounds and textures, when they're done right. But, as Latimore once told me, technology can be a good servant, but a terrible master -- "Too many people think they can go in the studio, ‘Oh, I can do this, I got Pro Tools. Oh yeah! Pro Tools!’ These guys go in there, and it sounds like they did it in their kitchen or something. I [use] the new technology, but we're all musicians; we don't try to just turn the machine on and let it play a drum track, and this or that. We play it with that; we play our stuff. In other words we let [technology] do the heavy lifting. It's our servant."

I think, actually, the truly creative use of the technology right now is happening in hip-hop and contemporary R&B. That being said, though, my heart is still with organic instruments, and I greatly admire artists (like alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin) who deliver spoken-word, rapped verses over "live" instrumental backing. At their best, they're truly innovative -- basically harking all the way back to the tradition of using the human voice as a rhythm instrument, as well as a means of storytelling (James Brown might be the most well known example, but of course it goes all the way back to Africanist tradition). I still think that humanness makes a difference. A drum is a heartbeat, not a metronome, and a lot is lost when we no longer have that. Too many southern soul releases sound almost the same, as if one backing track were programmed and then used and reused over and over again (which, in fact, might well be the case in some instances).

AI, though, is a new thing entirely. Even at their most vapid and anonymous, programmed tracks are still programmed by a human being, even if they often don't sound like it. As a teacher, as well as a music lover, my deepest and most insomnia-inducing concern about AI isn't "just" the issue of how to catch students taking the easy way out on essay assignments, or being savvy enough to tell whether a piece of music came from a human being or a bot, or whether that "long-lost film clip of Elvis or Jackie Wilson is actually an AI fake -- it has to do with whether actual human-to-human communication (or maybe even human expression itself) will continue to be seen as having intrinsic value, and what our role as music writers, critics, educators, etc. can be to try to ensure that it does.

In a remarkable piece for the New York Times Magazine last week, theater/film critic Taffy Brodesser-Akner described her disconcerting experience "interviewing" the A.I.-generated "actress" called Tilly Norwood. What haunted her most about the episode, Brodesser-Akner wrote, was not the question of whether a virtual figure like "Tilly' might soon develop the ability to act as convincingly as a human — it was what will happen when/if that ceases to even matter, when we've reached "a moment when we’ve all given up, when it doesn’t much matter who or what is playing the character that may or may not have been written by A.I., but what do I care? I’m on my phone anyway. Is she good? It’s the wrong question. She will be. We know what it will mean to the industry. What will it mean to us?"

She continued: "When people see something that touches them, they want to understand where it came from. They want to know who exactly it was that recognized their human wounds, who recognized them and made them feel less alone. That is what great art inspires in people. That is why I wrote all these profiles [of actors], and why people even read them. To understand the person who made the art, which is just as essential as the art itself."

In a way, "Tilly" is already late to the party. It is definitely possible with AI to generate a piece of music with no human participation whatsoever — regardless of genre, style, or instrumentation -- that's so indistinguishable from the real thing that even an experienced producer, studio engineer, or musician, let alone an everyday listener, can hardly tell the difference. So the juggernaut is already on the loose.

My reaction to AI "music" isn't all that different from Ms. Brodesser-Akner's reaction to "Tilly" or my own reaction to AI-generated student essays, actual published articles, books, etc. When I write something, I'm giving "a piece of my heart" (as the old song says) to a reader somewhere, and, by implication, to the world. That's what we do when we communicate, whether through spoken words, in gestures (e.g., ASL), in writing, or in music or some other form of art. We're sharing our heart — and then, when we read or hear something written, played, or performed by someone else, we're enriched by knowing that they're sharing their heart with us.

If we get to the point where we no longer care about this — what's left?

In other words, we're not just defending the "Humanities" here. We're staking a claim to defend what it means to be human.

DGW

Daddy B. Nice notes:

David Whiteis is the co-author of the award-winning Always the Queen: The Denise LaSalle Story (Music in American Life).

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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June 1, 2026:

Thumbs Up Daddy B Nice! I Couldn't Agree More



Re: #8 Top 10 Singles Commentary Mike Clark's "Used Car".

Amid all the success....

".....a curious backlash has occurred amongst the old-schoolers.... they say southern soul has lost the blues....how can they say that with a straight face?....southern soul hasn't changed that much...They've just stopped listening."

I couldn't agree more.

Name Withheld

Daddy B. Nice notes:

Read Daddy B. Nice's commentary on June Top 10 Single Mike Clark's "Used Car".

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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May 22, 2026:

Looking For A Song Letter


Daddybnice,

Can you help me out? AI ain't helpin! I'm pretty sure the singer I'm looking for is 'southern woman' but theres more southern womans, more than I count. My b'ful other believes its Cadillac Man, but I think it goes back aways, It goes --I met em tall and short, I met em light and dark. What you say?---thanks bruh!

DJJamus

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Your instincts may be right. Is there a chance it might be Pookie Lane? That's way back in the MySpace days (before Facebook). Here's a YouTube link and here's an Apple (I-Tunes in its day) link.

DJJamus replies:

Thank you sir That's the one!!

Daddy B. Nice laughs/responds:

He's actually in the "L"-page of my Comprehensive Index. I even started an artist guide on him but never got around to doing a caricature or writing about him.

DJJamus replies:

Your the best!

Listen to Pookie Lane singing "Southern Woman" on YouTube.

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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April 29, 2026:

RE: 5-Star West Love Album Review


Daddy B Nice

I have been really enjoying "Reach, The Voice After The Storm" album by West Love. That opening track is just so powerful, it's like get all the way down under this incredible weight, God, and lift it for me please. It's good, and your write up was soulful and had so much appreciation for the artist.

Alecia

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Thank you, Alecia!

Read Daddy B. Nice's 5-star review of West Love's new Reach, The Voice After The Storm album.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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April 17, 2026: Pictured: Quinn Golden

Shout Out to You for Having a Wonderful Website


Greetings! I hope all is well.

I just had to stop and send a shout out to you. I just discovered your website today, and it's exactly what I was browsing online for.

My husband and me are two retired old schoolers (63 and 68) and only caught on to the Southern Soul genre about two years ago. I actually use to work in the music industry. I used to manage the day to day advertising for Soul Train back in the 90's. That's another life. Anyway, we travel a lot and I was online looking for Southern Soul concerts that we could take in before or after an upcoming cruise, and stumbled onto your site. I'm already working out travel arrangements to at least three of the shows right now lol.

Again, I just want to give you a shout out on your great site and say thank you!

Peggy

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Thank you so much Peggy! That means so much to me. And don't forget those small venues. Up, close and personal! Happy trails to you and your husband!

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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April 9, 2026:

Deep Digging Inquiry: Napoleon Demps - Two Sides of the Same Coin?



Hi Daddy B. Nice, long time no see!

It's Hosokawa, your big fan from Japan.

I’m writing to you because my "digging instinct" just wouldn’t let this go.
(First of all, thank you so much for featuring my previous email and for your reply! It meant the world to me to know you actually read it.)
I need to confirm something about Napoleon Demps.

Is the artist featured in your guide here:
Napoleon Demps Artist Guide.

...the exact same person as the one currently hitting #1 on this chart?
The Urban Influencer

If they are indeed the same person, I’d love to hear your current thoughts!

Considering your famous "This isn't Southern Soul" take on his earlier work, how do you feel about his "evolution" (or should we say "Southern transformation") and his current massive success in the scene?

If I’ve got the wrong guy and it's just a coincidence, feel free to ignore this and laugh! haha.
Keep up the great work. Can't wait for your next update!

Best regards,
Hosokawa


Daddy B. Nice replies:

First, Hosokawa, let me just say that no trait is more admirable to a writer/editor like your Daddy B. Nice than true curiosity. In other words, I welcome your questions as long as they're backed by an obvious intent to figure something out. And that seems to be the case.

Second, you need to know that in quoting the chart you have, you've accessed a somewhat secondary source. Any publicity for southern soul is good for the genre, and I myself peruse the chart from time to time when it pops up in my email, but I wouldn't be frank if I didn't tell you I also get annoyed enough to block it for months at a time. Certainly, being #1 on that chart does not equate to "current massive success".

So I'll just put it this way. The Napoleon Demps tune "Drankin'" appeared two months back-to-back in Daddy B. Nice's Top 40 Singles last year (when it was first published) as follows:

TOP 40 SOUTHERN SOUL SINGLES: SEPTEMBER 25



21. "Drankin'"---Napoleon Demps
22. "Kountry Fresh"---Ciddy Boi P feat. Tex Freedom
23. "Keep It Poppin'"---J.J. Caillier
24. "Make It Roll"---Tucka
25. "Juke Joint Lover (Remix)"---Joe Nice feat. Nelson Curry & Doug E. Fresh
26. "Come Over"---Marcellus The Singer
27. "Got Off Early"---L.J. Echols
28. "Take Me To A Party"---Breeze MrDo2Much
29. "Cutta Rug"---King Malachi
30. "Big Leg Woman"---Soul Payn feat. Paroose

....And it moved up (almost making the Top 10 Singles) in...

TOP 40 SOUTHERN SOUL SINGLES: OCTOBER



11. "Believe 'Em"---King George feat. Frank Johnson
12. "Gas Station Love"---E.J. Jones
13. "Real Man"---MissVocals
14. "Good Time"---West Love
15. "Drankin'"---Napoleon Demps
16. "I'm Him"---Keith Luv feat. Mr. Burden
17. "Keep It Poppin'"---J.J. Caillier
18. "Come Over"---Marcellus The Singer
19. "Never Been"---Carlin Taylor feat. Jeter Jones
20. "Igloo On My Heart"---K. Morris

...So as you can see I really did like Napoleon Demps' single when it came out, which preceded the charting you cite by half a year.

Third, and finally...

However, your letter brought to my attention an artist guide that I had completely forgotten about. There are hundreds of such artist guides on this site, unknown and unused by all but the most engaged and involved of fans. Due to very little southern soul activity on their part or death, even more languish in obscurity. That's the case with Napoleon Demps. But when I went to your link to his page, I blushed when I saw the one-star ranking some eight years ago front and center. I would never intentionally do that any more. I simply don't review music that is that bad. And I felt bad that I had made Demps feel bad, and allowed it to be online for so long! So I am changing that.

"Drankin'" is a fine southern soul effort, and as I said above it almost made The Top 10, which meant I would've graced it with some positive commentary. Demps finally gets it. That's how I would answer your question.

Buy Napoleon Demps' "Drankin'" at Apple.

One last thing. When I got to Demps' Apple page I saw that he used my artwork (Daddy B. Nice caricature) on the cover of "The Remedy," a single from 2023. He didn't ask my permission to do that. Gee. Just when I was getting all warm and fuzzy, he's got me riled up again!

Here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to leave the artist guide the way it was for a while. Otherwise, how else will the readers know what I'm talking about when I say I feel bad about being so mean? (And becoming so mellow over the years. Hah!) Then, in a month or so, I'll put this letter---including my good words on "Drankin'"---front and center at the top of his page.

Don't let me forget, Hosokawa!

Read Daddy B. Nice's Artist Guide to Napoleon Demps.

Hosokawa replies:

Hi Daddy B,

Thank you so much for the reply! Your passionate comments really made my day.

To be honest, it’s quite difficult to find a trustworthy chart here in Japan—except for yours, of course! I always rely on your insights as my "Southern Soul compass."
I have nothing but respect for your take on Napoleon Demps. I also truly understand how challenging it must be to manage such a vast and influential website. But watch out—there are "strange explorers" like me out here who keep digging deep! lol
Regarding the cover art, I did notice the caricature. That’s actually what led to my question about whether it was the same person. I hadn't realized it was "unofficial," but it all makes sense now.
It would be great if this could be a bridge for you and Demps to connect more!
If you ever run into him, please tell him: "A crazy fan in Japan noticed you!" lol
Best regards,
Hosokawa

Daddy B. Nice replies:

There are no trustworthy charts for southern soul music, even in America. There aren’t enough sales---nor consistent radio time. That’s also the situation for most other genres today. The best way to gauge “success” is the number of streams (YouTube, mostly---success is measured in the millions) and the amount of touring venues (see Concert Calendar). Last year’s exception was “Boots On The Ground” by 803Fresh, which hit #1 on Billboard.

As for “passionate comments,” I began my reply in a dispassionate state. Don’t know what happened. I’m thinking about getting a medical procedure---a filter---to regulate that.

As for connecting with Napoleon Demps, don’t worry. He’ll be aware. He's probably floored by all the unexpected publicity. I assume you saw his letter of a few years ago (very well thought out, by the way) in the “Tidbits” section of his Artist Guide.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide
daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com




April 3, 2026.

Looking For A Song Letter

Hi Daddy,

I'm looking for a song. The line that stood out was "I'm the queen/The blues is my claim to fame."

Alec

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Oh that's an easy one. That's the late Denise LaSalle singing her 2015 hit single "I'm Still The Queen".


SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide


March 26, 2026: Pictured: R. Kelly

RE: Daddy B. Mean! An Idiot's Guide To AI-Infected Southern Soul

Click here to read the original article on Daddy B. Nice's Corner.

Daddy B Nice,

Your commentary on AI-infected Soul is timely and on the mark. Just when it seems Southern Soul is on the cusp of another level of respectability and popularity we have to deal with these charlatans potentially stealing spots and slots from those who actually create the music and may have been waiting for a break. But how do you deal with AI when it keeps getting better?

Look, people. Creating AI (artificial intelligence) southern soul is a problem. It can easily become a way for a white man (I’m white so I can say this) to steal black music! A white computer nerd can sit down and create a seemingly hot black southern soul artist (their visuals are always of AI black singers) despite not having a lick of singing talent! Then start a you tube channel, steal an email list to blast out their Frankenstein-esque abomination and boom! They have created an AI artist getting airplay and charting.

I'm glad you, the Southern Soul guide, is fully aware and on top of this pernicious practice.

Blues Critic

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Really appreciate it. Especially coming from you. Can I publish this one?

Blues Critic replies:

I'd be honored.

Read Daddy B. Nice's "Daddy B. Mean! An Idiot's Guide to AI-Infected Southern Soul" on Daddy B. Nice's Corner.

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

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March 23, 2026:

Two "SHORTS" Regarding M. Cally's "Saddle Up" Top 10 Commentary



RE: M. Cally Top 10 Single "Saddle Up"

Hey my brother! Keep the good stuff coming. I think the artist you mentioned who had a house fire a few years back was Lomax, not M. Cally.

Name withheld

Daddy B. Nice replies:

And I think you're right, ----. Thanks, my dear!

Topic page?


RE: M. Cally's "Saddle Up" Critique

Daddy B --

This is the second time lately I've heard about "Topic". What exactly is a "Topic" page?

"Curlin'" Clyde

Daddy B. Nice replies:

A "topic" page is a YouTube feature in which recording artists can set up their wares, so to speak, for the audience. Most post their albums or singles in a horizontal row utilizing the artwork from when they were published. It's a great tool for fans to immediately access the work of an artist they're interested in. All you have to do is type in the name of the artist with the word "topic" after it.

"Curlin'" Clyde replies:

Oh wow! Who knew? Thanks!

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

March 12, 2026: Pictured: Myia B

A Big Thank You from a Fan in Japan!



Dear Daddy B. Nice,

I’m writing to you from Japan to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible work on the Southern Soul RnB website.

In Japan, information about Southern Soul and the Chittlin' Circuit is very limited.
Your reviews and charts are my most trusted compass for discovering the latest and greatest in the scene.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Neo-soul (artists like Musiq Soulchild), but I’ve also always had a deep love for the raw, muddy sounds of the South—even rocking Master P back in high school!

Seeing how the scene has evolved in 2026—with artists like Myia B, Marcellus The Singer, and Mike Clark Jr. "shedding their skin"—has been fascinating, and I couldn't have kept up with these shifts without your deep insights.

Thank you for your dedication and for keeping the spirit of Southern Soul alive for fans all over the world.

Best regards,

[Hosokawa]

Daddy B. Nice replies:

What a lift on a Thursday morning! And a day before a Friday the 13th at that! (Yeah, I'm a little superstitious.) Thank you very much, Hosokawa. I finally retired from my day job last year and I've had a lot more time to write content, but the financial headwinds of sustaining such a big, sprawling website are ferocious. Your words of "gratitude" (and those of others) make it all worthwhile!

**************

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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide


under construction.....




SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide
daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com




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SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide
daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com


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Concert Calendar
6 pm, Friday, July 17, 2026. Carroll Stadium, 1001 West New York Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. Ibe Presents Summer Celebration Festival. King George, Kem, Midnight Star, October London and more. Tickets.




8 pm, Saturday, July 18, 2026. The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 East Atwater, Detroit, Michigan. Southern Soul on The River. King George, Boosie BadAzz, West Love, Pastor Derek "The Change Man" Smith. Tickets.




7 pm, Saturday, July 18, 2026. Isle Casino Hotel Lula, 777 Isle of Capri Parkway, Lula, Mississippi (Memphis). Tucka & Friends: One Night Only Tour. Tucka, Marcellus The Singer, Cecily Wilborn. Tickets.




3 pm, Saturday, July 18, 2026. Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, Ohio. Toledo Urban Musicfest. E.J. Jones, Zapp, Midnight Star, Eric Benet, Keke Wyatt. Tickets.




12 Noon, Saturday, July 18, 2026. Masterson Station Park, 3501 Leestown Road, Lexington, Kentucky. Soul Blues Festival. Bobby Rush, Tee Dee Young, Jeter Jones, Memphis Jackson, Lokey Country, C-Wright and more. Doors open 11 am. Tickets.




1 pm, Saturday, July 18, 2026. 40 Vo-Tech Road, Carson, Mississippi. Roughstock 2nd Annual Blues Show & Trail Ride. Willie Clayton, Jake Carter, Lamar Brace and more. Gates open 9 (RV's) to 10 (Cars) am. Tickets.




4 pm, Saturday, July 18, 2026. Remington Park, One Remington Place, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Love Hangover Experience. Pokey Bear, Calvin Richardson, Dru Hill, Kelly Price, 702 and more. Rain or Shine. 817 797-6360. Tickets.




3 pm, Saturday, July 18, 2026. 3037 County Road 57, Verbena, Alabama. 6th Annual Backwood Blues Festival. Magic One, Avail Hollywood, Vick Allen, S.O.S. Band, Toia Jones and more. Gates open 11 am. 334-315-9385. Local ticket outlets.




8 pm, Saturday, July 18, 2026. Club 2 Shades, 130 Howard Avenue, Houma, Louisiana (New Orleans). All White Party. J. Red The Nephew, Solomon Thompson. Doors open 7 pm. No advance tickets.




Sunday, July 19, 2026. Renaissance Room, Johnny T's Bistro & Blues, 538 North Farish St., Jackson, Mississippi. Big Yayo, Shunte' Nicole & The 3 Live Crew. Doors open 6 pm. 601-954-1323.





5 pm, Sunday, July 19, 2026. Sambuca 360 Live, 7200 Bishop Road, Suite 270, Plano, Texas (Dallas). DJ Hustle Celebrity Birthday Bash. Sir Charles Jones, M. Cally, Urban Mystic, Lamar Brace and more. Host: Chocolit Tye. 501-837-2292. Tickets.




8:30 pm, Saturday, July 24, 2026. Paradise Entertainment Center, 645 East Georgia Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. I Love My Blues: A White Affair. Gerod Rayborn, Big John Cummings, Booker Brown, Dolla Bill Dodson, Captain Jack Watson and more. Doors open 7 pm. 570-905-6599. 901-314-4665.




7 pm, Friday, July 24, 2026. Paycor Stadium, One Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati Music Festival. 803Fresh, Charlie Wilson, Nelly, Tyrese, Ledisi. Doors open 6 pm. Tickets.




7:30 pm, Saturday, July 25, 2026. Club Ebony, 404 Hanna Avenue, Indianola, Mississippi (Jackson). O. Emmons Birthday Bash. Breeze MrDo2Much, Narvel Echols, Chris Ivy, Bre Wooten, Lady Redtop and more. Host: Cy Hughes. Doors open 6 pm. Info: 662-398-2535. Tickets.




8 pm, Saturday, July 25, 2026. Ameristar Casino Hotel, 4116 Washington St., Vicksburg, Mississippi. L.J. Echols. Doors open 7 pm. All seats General Admission. Tickets.




7 pm, Saturday, July 25, 2026. Country Club Hills Amphitheater, 4116 West 183rd Street, Country Club Hills, Illinois (Chicago). King George, Calvin Richardson. Gates open 5:30 pm. Rain or shine. Tickets.




6 pm, Sunday, July 26, 2026. Presidente Ballroom, 1503 Spur 529, Rosenburg, Texas. Tucka James Birthday Summer Jam. Tucka, Big Pokey Bear, T.K. Soul, J. Paul Jr., 69 Boys. Tickets.




8:30 pm, Sunday, July 26, 2026. Blues 24/7, 22121 US Hwy #11, Eutaw, Alabama (Tuscaloosa). Soul And Blues Explosion. Tre' Williams. Doors open 6 pm. Local ticket outlets. Venue: 205-246-6237.




6 pm, Monday, July 27, 2026. Jackson Convention Center Ballroom, 105 East Pascagoula St., Jackson, Mississippi. 52nd Annual Jackson Music Awards: Final Night of Jackson Music Awards Weekend (July 24–27, 2026.) O.B. Buchana, Magic One, Breeze MrDo2Much, Audi Yo, Big Bo, Kevin “Khule” Harris, Portia P, Tina P. Information: Website. Tickets.





Friday, July 31, 2026. Icon Lounge, 104 East Cedar, El Dorado, Arkansas. Grown Folks Nite Out. Jeter Jones, D. Riggs. Doors open 9 pm. Local ticket outlets. Info: 870-866-7441. Venue: 870-626-1412.



9 pm, Saturday, August 1, 2026. Nacogdoches Bar & Grill 3400 South St. Nacogdoches, Texas. Donnie Ray, Kue, Lady Coco and more. Doors open 8 pm. Venue: 936-205-5715. Local ticket outlets.




Saturday, August 1, 2026 (Re-scheduled from Memorial Day). Palmore Park, 3701 Fosters Ferry Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. T-town Blues-N-Groove Festival 2026. FPJ, J-Wonn, Derek "The Change Man" Smith, Breeze MrDo2Much, Mr. Smoke, Summer Wolfe, Willie Clayton, Young Guy and more. Tickets.



6 pm, Saturday, August 1, 2026. Private waterfront location, Diberville, Mississippi. 90's Vibe Party. Stacii Adams & Made In Stone Live Band. Tickets.




Saturday, August 1, 2026. Club Shuggs, 10680 Hwy. #49, Greensburg, Louisiana (Baton Rouge). David Brinston. 601-526-8256.




Saturday, August 1, 2026. The Farm, Minden Cultural Crossroads, 419 East Union St., Minden, Louisiana. 2nd Annual Summer Soul Fest: Leo's Bash. L.J. Echols, P2K DaDiddy, Grandbandz, Ghetto Cowboy, Benito, Janell, Mr. Nelson, Tee Rainer, Kiko Pryor, Lady Q and many more. BYOB. Local ticket outlets. Info: 318-368-5462.




8:30 pm, Saturday, August 1, 2026. 2026 Dalton Street, Jackson, Mississippi. Da Dition After Fest Party. Sorrento Ussery, Robert "The Duke" Tillman, Queen B, Doctor Dee and more. Doors open 6 pm. Admission at the gate.




Saturday, August 1, 2026. 1672 Highway #492, Walnut Grove, Mississippi (Jackson). Go Big Ride Trailride. Terry Wright, Vick Allen, Tre' Williams, Big Yayo and more. Gates open 12 Noon. Trail Ride 4 pm. Show 6 pm. 601-573-7941.




6 pm, Friday, August 7, 2026. Ground Zero Blues Club, 814 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi. 4th Of July Weekend Blues & Southern Soul Concert. T.K. Soul (with all-female band "Floss", Jones. Doors open 6 pm. 601-526-8256. Tickets.




3 pm, Saturday, August 8, 2026. Waterfront Park, 129 River Road, Louisville, Kentucky. Sky Soul Festival 2026. Tonio Armani, Fantasia, Busta Rhymes, Johnny Gill, Bobby Brown and more. Tickets.




Saturday, August 8, 2026. Helen's Celebration Hall, 759 Highway 51 North, Pickens, Mississippi (Jackson). Southern Soul Summer Vibe Show & Party. David Brinston, Janelle, Tina P. 601-407-7555.




8 pm, Saturday, August 8, 2026. Attala County Coliseum, 550 MS-12, Kosciusko, Mississippi (Jackson). 1st Annual Southern Soul Battle of the Bands. Breeze MrDo2Much, L.J. Echols, Big Mel, Squirt Kelly, O. Emmons. Host: Dr. Dee. Doors open 7 pm. 662-289-5374. Tickets.




8 pm, Saturday, August 8, 2026. Vicksburg Auditorium, 901 Monroe Street, Vicksburg, Mississippi. Live Blues Show. O.B. Buchana, Fat Daddy, Mr. Lyve and more. Doors open 6:30 pm. BYOB. 817-724-4041. Tickets.




5 pm, Saturday, August 8, 2026. Blue Emerald Park, 2038 County Road #93, Kellyton, Alabama. The Blues & Grooves Festival. The Jay Morris Group, DJ Trucker. Tickets.




Saturday, August 8, 2026. Joe Abrams Place, 12206 County Road #53, Thomaston, Alabama (Selma). 1st Annual Southern Soul Summer Jam. P2K DaDiddy and many more. Info: 318-208-2400.




2 pm, Saturday, August 8, 2026. Lower Richland High School, 2615 Lower Richland Boulevard, Hopkins, South Carolina. King George Back to School Giveaway Concert. King George, CharMeka Joquelle, West Love, E.J. Jones, Lebrado, The Mickens, DeVito and many more. Tickets.




7 pm, Saturday, August 15, 2026. Washington County Convention Center, 1040 Raceway Road, Greenville, Mississippi. Delta Soule Picnic Extravaganza. Marcellus The Singer, E.J. Jones, Stefunie, Coldrank. Doors open 6 pm. 601-208-6343. Local ticket outlets.




4 pm, Monday, August 15, 2026. Buena Vista Community Center, 1940 S. Outer Drive, Saginaw, Michigan. Southern Soul Fun In The Sun Lawn Chair Festival. T.K Soul, Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Tonio Armani, Miss Lady Blues. 989-397-4773 for tickets.




Saturday, August 15, 2026. Clayton Farms, 8 Anna Poole Road, Sparta, Georgia (between Atlanta and Augusta). Down in the Country Field Party. West Love, Boosie, DJ Trucker. Gates open 9 am. 850-509-9036. Tickets.




6 pm, Saturday, August 22, 2026. Wilma Rudolph Event Center, 8 Champions Way, Clarksville, Tennessee. Southern Soul Lovers Tour. Tonio Armani, Sir Charles Jones, Young Guy, Anthony Q, Marcellus The Singer. Tickets.




3 pm, Saturday, August 22, 2026. Mr. B's Park, 7243 Gatewood Road, Woodford, Virginia. 20th Annual Southern Soul Celebration. Big G, T.J. Hooker Taylor, Hardway Connection and more. 804-389-3558. Gates open 12 Noon.




Saturday, August 22, 2026. Cathead Distillery, 422 South Farish St., Jackson, Mississippi. Thee Country Boy Experience XXVI. Arthur Young, Young Guy, Tay Cheesy and more. Venue: 601-667-3038.




2 pm, Saturday, August 22, 2026. The Vineyard, 4715 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tennessee. Dolla Bill Dodson’s Denim & White Birthday Bash Day Party. Dolla Bill Dodson, Sunshine, Zach McGhee and more. Doors open 1 pm. BYOB. Info: 901-440-3772.




2 pm, Saturday, August 29, 2026. MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, 9221 S.E. Event Center Place, Fort St. Lucie, Florida (Fort Pierce). Summer R&B Festival. Tonio Armani, Queen Sade, D/Funk Band, N2Nation, Rugar Blakk. Rain or Shine. Info: 772-224-6272. Tickets.




6:30 pm, Saturday, August 29 & 30, 2026. Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Atlantic Avenue & 2nd Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Funk Fest Beach Party 2026. 803Fresh, Midnight Star, Cameo, Big Daddy Kane, Trouble Funk, D-Train. Tickets.




7 pm, Friday, September 4, 2026. Ground Zero Blues Club, 814 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi. First Friday Concerts. Omar Cunningham & Band. Doors open 6 pm. 601-526-8256. Tickets.




7:30 pm, Friday, September 4, 2026. Ladd-Peebles Stadium, 1621 Virginia Street, Mobile, Alabama. Port City Classic Tailgate Concert. Big Pokey Bear, Cupid, Nathaniel Kimble, Fat Daddy, 69 Boyz, Urban Mystic, David J. and more. Gates open 6 pm. Tickets.




Saturday, September 5, 2026. Turner Park, Emerson Turner Drive, Marion, Alabama. Southern Soul Blues Fest. Arthur Young, Uncle Daddy (ERealist), Squirt Kelly and more. Tickets.




7 pm, Saturday, September 5, 2026. Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Boulevard, Longview, Texas (Shreveport LA). Tucka & Friends One Night Only Tour. Tucka, Sir Charles Jones, L.J. Echols. Tickets.




7 pm, Saturday, September 5, 2026. VyStar Amphitheater At The Bridge, 4650 N. Henry Blvd., Stockbridge, G3orgia (Atlanta). King George and Southern Soul All-Stars. King George, T.K. Soul, Tonio Armani, Marcellus The Singer, E.J. Jones, Fat Daddy, CharMeka Joquelle, Big Bo, DJ Trucker and more. Rain or shine. All White. Tickets.




Sunday, September 6, 2026. Carnes Park, 6301 US Highway #80, Whitehall, Alabama. Mothers' Day Remixed. West Love, Karen Wolfe, Cecily Wilborn, Angel Faye Russell, Kami Cole, Mz Brown Sugar, Toy Toy, Lynn Tate, Lil' Kim Stewart and more. DBN notes: This is a make-up concert for a Mother's Day event rescheduled due to bad weather. Doors open 1 pm. Tickets: Call 334-235-1057.




2 pm, Sunday, September 6, 2026. Benton County Fairgrounds, 1500 S. Oak St., Building #20, Kennewick, Washington (Portland). Boots & Rockin': Music & Food Throwdown 2026. 803Fresh, Colt Ford, Uncle Kracker and many more. Tickets.




3 pm, Sunday, September 6, 2026. 3648 Faulkner Road, Memphis, Tennessee. Labor Day Blues & Southern Soul. O.B. Buchana, Bird Williams, Jaye Hammer, Sheba Potts-Wright, Johnny Kroon. Host: Queen Ann Hines. Gates open 12 Noon. 901-215-5540. 901-282-9023.




7 pm, Saturday, September 12, 2026. Good Deeds Community Center, 15101 Madison St., Gulfport, Mississippi. 35th Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues and Heritage Festival. Breeze MrDo2Much, Ra'Shad The Blues Kid, Isaac Lindsey, T. Bryant, Ida Lee, Jammie Evans and more. Doors open 5 pm. BYOB. 228-475-0846. Tickets.




7 pm, Saturday, September 12, 2026. Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Tucka & Friends One Night Only Tour. Tucka, Sir Charles Jones. Tickets.




7 pm, Saturday, September 12, 2026. The Orleans Showroom, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, 4500 West Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas Southern Soul & Blues. T.K. Soul, Fat Daddy, Lacee, Jake Carter. Host: Dee Dee Simon. 702-365-7111. Tickets.




3 pm, Saturday, September 19, 2026. Turley Rodeo Arena, 6898 N. Victor Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Southern Soul Blues Festival. Breeze MrDo2Much, R.T. "The Mule Man" Taylor, Big Unk, Tia Marie, Cuzn' Jed and many more. 918-565-5295. Tickets.




8 pm, Friday, September 25, 2026. Club Element 120, 3709 Gregory St., Wichita Falls, Texas. All White Affair: 2nd Annual Labor Day Fest. M. Cally. 865-224-2140.




8 pm, Friday, September 25, 2026. Pine Bluff Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Drive, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Friday Night in the Delta. Sir Charles Jones, Mike Clark Jr., Badd Newz, Big $ett & more. Doors open 7 pm. Tickets.




4:30 pm, Saturday, September 26, 2026. National Peanut Festival Association, 5622 U.S. 231, Dothan, Alabama. Wiregrass Heritage Festival. West Love, Tonio Armani, Marcellus The Singer, Young Guy, Cupid, Mr. Campbell, Anthony Q, Breeze MrDo2Much, DJ Trucker and more. Gates open 3 pm. Rain or Shine. Tickets.




Saturday, September 26, 2026. Fiesta Center, 1902 East 4th Street, Lubbock, Texas. Tucka & Friends One Night Only Tour. Tucka, Sir Charles Jones, Pokey Bear, Cecily Wilborn, J-Wonn. Tickets.






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E-mail concert listings and corrections to:

daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com



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©2005-2026 SouthernSoulRnB.com

All material--written or visual--on this website is copyrighted and the exclusive property of SouthernSoulRnB.com, LLC. Any use or reproduction of the material outside the website is strictly forbidden, unless expressly authorized by SouthernSoulRnB.com. (Material up to 300 words may be quoted without permission if "Daddy B. Nice's Southern Soul RnB.com" is listed as the source and a link to http://www.southernsoulrnb.com/ is provided.)