Southern soul is a type of soul music that we can thank the South for originating. Believe it or not, the strong gospel influences of Southern black churches, along with country, and early rock and roll, gets all the credit of how that sound was crafted and created. The “feel” of the groove, not the lyrics, has always been the bases of the sound . You want to know where funk music came from, get to know Southern Soul.
Ray Charles, James Brown, Little Willie John, Bobby “Blue”Bland, Otis Redding, who was influenced by fellow Georgian Little Richard and the sounds of Mississippi’s, “A Change Is Gonna Come” creator, Sam Cooke, are all Southern Soul Pioneers. When I tell you the south has always had it going on, you best to listen! What about this, you remember the sounds of Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Johnnie Taylor, The Staple Singers, and Isaac Hayes? How about Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge, Joe Tex, Wilson Pickett, and the Queen of Soul herself, the legendary Ms. Aretha Franklin! “Don’t trouble the waters, Why don you why don you let it be… Um hum hum. Still waters run deep, yes they do”…oh, oh, yes! And let’s not forget the man who told the world, “Let’s Stay Together”, Al Green. Still talking Southern Soul yall. “I know you’re not gonna sing that song”, was the line that made, “Tonight is the Night”, every woman’s national anthem in 1975, hell and even now. She also brought us, “The Clean Up Woman”, all Southern Soul Pioneers. Some people don’t even know that R&B stands for Rhythm and Blues, and you are still talking Southern Soul. So you see, Southern Soul isn’t a new swing thing, it’s an old rocking thing that just simply has never gotten its just due.
Today Southern soul music is still bringing people to their feet in massive crowds with the likes of artists such as Mel Waiters, Willie Clayton, Carl Marshall, T.K. Soul, Sir Charles Jones, Omar Cunningham, Vick Allen, O.B. Buchana, Jeff Floyd, Wilson Meadows, Bigg Robb, Charles Wilson, Denise LaSalle, Shirley Brown, Ms. Monique, Sheba Potts, Falisa Janaye, Karen Wolfe, Syleena Johnson, Adrena, Lynn White, and without a doubt, “The Hit Maker” himself, Mr. Kenne’ Wayne, a true Southern Soul Pioneer. Now, whatever you do, don’t stop with this A list to familiarize yourself with Southern Soul. There’s a great number of artist recording these legendary sounds all over the world. We just don’t get to hear about them.
The Heat Magazine knows, that when your soul gets in a state of depression like this country’s recession, Southern soul’s “The Hit Maker”, Kennè Wayne, is just what the doctor ordered. Doesn’t mater if he’s singing, “Running Around”, “A&B Conversation”, “Party Ain’t Over”, “Room 244”, “If the Shoe was on the Other Foot”, “Gonna Miss Me”, or even his latest Southern Soul Zydeco mix, “Ride It Like A Cowboy”, or my favorite from his new CD, “I Left My Woman”, which goes a little like this, “I left my woman for Sue…and Sue left me for another fool”! Go’head Kennè Wayne! Sang that S*&@!
Today, we want to introduce you to a man that has been rocking the Southern soul charts for over 15 years! If you’re from the south, you are definitely no stranger to “The Hit Maker”, Mr. Kenne’ Wayne. With 8CDs under his belt and too many hits to count, it’s no wonder his new CD is entitled, “Kenne’ Wayne The M.V.P.” with the single , “Ride It Like A Cowboy”. This CD has long been anticipated by his fans since his last CD release in 2008, “You’re The Best”. To date the track is receiving much recognition from DJs, promoters, and his fans.
The Heat: Let’s go ahead and recap the beginning where Kennè Wayne roots began.
Wayne: Both sides of my family, mother side and father side. There was a lot of musicians in my family. Like most people, I started in the church when I was a kid. 1995 I decided to do something different and record a CD. Right out of Crowley, LA. Crowley is west of Baton Rouge, LA. About 75 miles
The Heat:What’s going on with Kenne Wayne and his music today?
Wayne: Well, I have a new CD out, “M.V.P”, and right now it’s doing very well.
The Heat: We seem to really be feeling your hit single, “Ride It Like A Cowboy”. Especially the Zydeco remix.
Wayne: Yes we did that song in three different versions, Soul, Zydeco, and Rap feat. Charli’ & Young Breeze.
The Heat: And there’s a Zydeco slide version as well isn’t it?
Wayne: Yes, and there’s the Zydeco slide. I tried something new with this new Album. I wanted to mix things up a little bit.
The Heat: It’s a shame but right now it’s like we have to reinvent Southern Soul. Would you say that to be true?
Wayne: Yes, mam we definitely have to reinvent Southern soul. It’s strange that you say that, I think some people don’t want to reinvent Southern soul. It’s almost like being a politician. It’s good for some people and bad for some people . And the people that it’s good for they try to keep everybody else down.
Wayne: Probably, Love on Me, with “A&B Conversation”. I released that CD in 1997.
The Heat: Today, what would you say has been your best selling single or album or CD? The one that’s still played today and people love to hear?
Wayne: I would say, “Party Ain’t Over” on the Licka Sticka CD.
The Heat: Why do you think Southern Soul & Blues artist doesn’t get the recognition they should get in the music industry?
Wayne: . When I started in 1995 I was the youngest guy back with Tyrone Davis, Johnny Taylor, Little Milton, all those guys were calling it Blues. The first person I heard call it “Southern Soul” was a white guy out of Shreveport, LA at Jewel Paula Records by the name of Lenny Lewis. Later in 2000’s I heard a man name Senator John out of Jackson, Ms area started using it with Lenny Williams and the groups coming up then. I think it has something to do with the title, Southern Soul, that ‘s only 10% of the problem. The other 90% is that we don’t have the education here or the people that’s willing to invest in the music. A lot of the record companies, when they were there, thought that Southern Soul & Blues was a bunch of old timers. Now, we have a lot of young people doing Southern Soul. And still have the same problem, people don’t want to invest in the music. I don’t know if we can ever fix it because it’s been a lot of corruption out here. It may be too far gone to fix. The fans are there but we don’t get enough air time on the radios. And to be successful you need playing time on the radio for people to get to hear and love your music. A lot of people that are claiming to be front runners out here for Southern Soul are like pimps. Stealing from the folks selling them dreams that they know are impossible. They do that 24-7.
The Heat: What has been your best performance you can remember?
Wayne: Whewwww, (he laughs out loud hard)…That’s a hard one…(still laughing). I try on every show to go out and give 150%. I know that some shows are better than others, but you got me on that one. It’s hard to say on that one. They’ve all been my best performances…(he laughs aloud again)
The Heat: Ok, I can accept that, now let’s try this one. If you could change one thing in your past that today you wish you would have done differently as a Southern Soul artist, what would it be?
Wayne: I probably wouldn’t have signed with the first record company I signed with. Sometimes I say I shouldn’t have done it and sometimes I say if I wouldn’t have, then it’s possible that I wouldn’t be where I am today.
The Heat: Well, it’s two sides to every coin, (he laughs again with that deep heckle) What does Kenne Wayne have in store for his fans to be on the watch for?
Wayne: I’m working on a complete Zydeco CD. Another type of music that originated down here in the south. That CD should be ready to be released sometime early Spring.
The Heat: When you’re not in the studio or on stage, what do you enjoy doing to relax your mind and body?
Wayne: I like to eat and I can cook. I’m not the best, but I can do my thang! My favorite, I like to Bar-B-Que, and cook rice dressing and potato salad. I’m a shrimp lover as well. I really love Shrimp Etouffee, I can eat that 24-7.
The Heat: Any last minute thoughts you would like to share with your fans about Kenne’ Wayne?
Wayne: Always keep your ear to the wall listening for the New Kenne’ Wayne and keep me in your prayers.
The Heat: Any special people you would like to just say thank you to that you wish you would have said this to before now?
Wayne: I have to thank all the bands that’s been with Kenne’ Wayne along the way. All the record companies that have stood by me and with me. I have to thank the fans, because without the fans there’s no Kenne’ Wayne. Through all the years there’s been ups and downs of Kenne’ Wayne, my fans have stayed the same. They’ve always managed to keep me level headed. I love my fans. They always show up , so I have to always show out! I definitely have to give my thanks to you Nik and The Heat Magazine for what you guys are doing to help bring an awareness of Southern Soul back to the forefront. It’s always Hot at The Heat Magazine.
The Heat: We at the Heat enjoy your music. We really appreciate you coming and having this chit chat with us. We will do all we can to help you get the word out about M.V.P., by “The Hit Maker” Mr. Kenne’ Wayne.
To see more of Kenne’ Wayne visit him on facebook: Kenne’ Wayne and of course you can see him doing his thang on YouTube.
It’s understandable why this legend is called “The Hit Maker”…he makes HITS! You Bad Kenne’ Wayne…You Bad!
Much Love! One Love!
Feel “The Heat”
http://youtu.be/zlO2uQEpIVE
http://youtu.be/usYMjg5R79w
http://youtu.be/Ev3luZS-ujU
FANTASTIC!! SOOO VERY INTERESTING AND VERY ENLIGHTENING!!