Mose Stovall - Recording Artist
Mose Stovall
Birmingham, AL…Soul1st Records, LLC based in Birmingham, AL has signed local R&B singer, Mose Stovall, who recently won the Birmingham Area Music Award (BAMA) as Best R&B Artist to a record deal. The record company is set to release Mose Stovall’s first album this fall. Soul1st executive, Reg McDaniel, said that his company wanted to sign a local artist with the best potential to sell records worldwide. “In order to establish Soul1st Records as a true player in the music industry, we had to find someone with the voice and talent that is appealing to soul music lovers everywhere and Mose has the talent and voice.”
Mose Stovall, a native of Birmingham began his singing career in church at the age of 12. He has sung for the Birmingham Civic Opera, Birmingham All City Choir, and The State of Alabama Choral Ensemble. He has performed with soul acts such as Willie Clayton and Omar Cunningham. In 2005, Mose formed his current back-up band called “Pharcyde” and they quickly gained a solid reputation playing clubs in Birmingham and around the Southeast.
Mose said he first heard of Soul1st Records in 2005 when he heard their group, DayBreakk! on local radio stations. “I loved the “On & On” record by DayBreakk! and the direction and style of Southern Soul and R&B music the label was producing. I had my manager approach them about a deal and they liked my voice and we’ve been working since the first of this year on my upcoming album,” Stovall said.
Soul1st writer and producer, Winkie Hall, said the album will contain 11 tracks targeted at the Southern Soul/R&B market. The first single is “Groove U Baby”, a sure fire up-tempo track that is radio friendly to both Southern Soul and mainstream R&B stations, Hall said. The track “Blue” has the potential to go mainstream with the right promotion and exposure. Hall said the duo with R&B star, Omar Cunningham called “Party” will be a big hit. “It has all the right ingredients that will make fans dance and bop their heads for sure.” Hall said Cunningham provides background vocals on several tracks and is also featured on the tracks; “Been There Done That”, and “Don’t Stop the Music”.
Mose said this is an opportunity he has waited on a long time. “I’ve been close to deals and had broken promises in the past, but I feel like this is my year, with winning the BAMA and now with my first full-length record coming out. The fans, especially the ladies will love what they hear and I can’t wait to get out on the road to promote the album.”
The new record by Mose Stovall is entitled, “Groove U” after the first single. The record will be available for sale at local music stores, on line at cdbaby.com and Soul1st.com. For more information contact Soul1st Records at 205.222.8656 or on line at Soul1st.com.
Omar Cunningham - Recording Artist
Omar Cunningham Biography
Omar Cunningham has a style that is uniquely his own. His lyrics are coated with his smooth voice and his stage presence is mesmerizing. Having up close and personal contact with his fans is all a part of Omar Cunningham’s style. He likes to shake his fans hands and get close while performing so they know they are truly appreciated. To see Omar Cunningham perform is a pure delight and one you won’t forget any time soon.
Omar’s new CD “Time Served “produced by Soul1st Records is flavored with song such as “My Life” which tells of how he made it through hard times growing up in Gadsden, Alabama to become the artist and man he is today with strong maternal family support. “Just the Right Woman”, which is one of Omar’s favorites, tells of a man finally finding that right lady. “Same Soap” is definitely a song men and women will relate to if they have experienced creeping on their lover and having to go home after such encounters. Omar does an update of his 2003 monster hit “Check to Check” with “Check to Check 2008”which adds a new funkier soul track produced by R&B veteran producer Robert Harris that will have the clubs jumping. “This Old Music” is a fun party track reminiscing about the good old days of soul m music and a sure hit to come. On the personal side, Omar belts out the soulful ballads “Ain’t Nothing Changed” and “Beauty Shop”, both chronicling the ups and downs of relationships from inside and outside of the relationship.” If You Want Me” will take fans back to the days of Marvin Gaye as Omar croons for his woman to tell him what she wants. Omar brings it home with the inspirational “Without You” in which he gives praise to the man above for bringing him through the trials and tribulations in life. Each track on this CD is a standout on its own merit, including the danceable “That My Jam” heart-tugging ballad, “So Confused”. Omar teams mostly with Robert Harris to produce most of the tracks, but really made this album one with his personal touch of songs that will keep his legion of Southern Soul fans happy and open the door to R&B fans across the board. “Time Served” is well served for the fans.
There is a little something for everyone included in this CD. While it is hard to pick just one song to call your favorite, Omar has his, which are “That’s My Jam” and “Just the Right Woman”. I don’t know how he made a choice, as they are all hot! Don’t just take my word for it, to experience his talent just listen to his current CD “Time Served” released January29, 2008 on the Soul1st Records Label, you definitely won’t be disappointed.
GETTING STARTED
Born in Gadsden, Alabama Omar Cunningham developed a love for music early in his childhood as he spent much of his time surrounded by music and great musicians. His grandmother ran a boarding house that played host to the likes of Fats Domino in his touring days. Others such as blues great Jerry “Boogie” McCain, would even record in the basement of the boarding house. While it is clear Omar Cunningham was exposed to world of music, his first opportunity to sing came in 1978 at the age of 9 in church, a performance he still cherish to this day.
As a young kid, Omar spent much of his youth surrounded by music. His mother dated a bass player for a band in Tuskegee, Alabama, a band that went on to become The Commodores. Omar’s desires to take his talents to the world started taking shape shortly after, he lived across the street from a club that featured many local bands. Although he was too young to get in the club, he would sit outside and listen to each night’s performance. One night he approached a popular local band named Daybreak after a show and showed them a small sample of his vocal abilities. The band was impressed but already had a singer; still, they kept him in mind. Not long after, the band lost its singer and it was Omar’s time to take the microphone. While touring with the band every weekend, he quickly honed his entertainer skills.
Following his years of performing with the band, Omar moved on to the recording studio. There, he collaborated with former band mates on projects such as the triple-platinum song “Dazzey Duks” by Duice in 1992 and Cameo’s 1994 album, “In The Face of Funk”. It was while working the latter project that he joined the singing group Small Town Boys opening up for several Cameo shows and later played trumpet in Cameo’s horn section. After this gig ended, he continued solo and opened for such national acts as B. Angie B. and Silk in the late 90’s.
After a brief hiatus, Omar has focused on his roots and the blues legends that influenced him. Returning to the studio, he has worked to bring a fresh sound to the blues world, a sound that blends soul and gospel with honest situations and playful lyrics. Omar stated in an interview with JSU: “Everybody has, at one point in time, had the blues, so if you make if through the blues you’ve got to be thankful to God that He brought you from one point to another. So, I sing blues but I’ve got to say that my first love is gospel music and everything that I’m able to do comes from God. In my songs, I’m just telling some of the hardships that I’ve been through and some hardships that my friends have been through, and I’m thankful to God that I made it.”
Now a member of the Soul1st Music Entertainment family Omar has blended these two sounds and worlds beautifully. When asked about how he feels joining the “Soul1st Music family he has this to say: “I feel like I’m free to be the artist I am and grow because I am home with Soul1st. These guys are some of the people who helped give me my start in this business and now I can help them with a new label that I can help grow into a major force in the music industry. I strongly believe we will grow into one of the most respected labels anywhere.”
ACCOMPLISHMENT
Omar Cunningham is definitely a gifted brother. Not only is he one of the hottest soul blues singers of his time; he is also a talented songwriter. He wrote or co-wrote every song on his CD and he is also a former member of Jacksonville State University’s Gospel Choir as well as an accomplished author of You Be The Judge (Trafford, 2002), which are about his experiences as a police officer.
Omar has enjoyed the success of three albums, “Hell At The House” which was released on the On Top imprint in 2003 and featured artistic input from Sir Charles Jones amongst others, and his self-entitled CD Omar Cunningham and Worth The Wait released on the EndZone Entertainment record label in 2004 and 2005, respectfully. All CDs, Hell At The House, Omar Cunningham, and Worth The Wait have yielded number 1 and number 2 singles, on the soul and blues chart, and Omar Cunningham has been nominated for several Jackson Music Awards in his short but exciting career.
Billboard Magazine also listed Omar Cunningham’s first album released on the On Top imprint in 2003 titled Hell At The House, at about number 80. Billboard also stated that Omar Cunningham is the first black artist whose first blues CD has made its national chart. They also listed his CD in its Top 20 Blues category.
LATEST NEWS
As he embarks on the new year with his new release for 2008, Omar is looking to expand his touring to more parts of the United States and abroad while continuing to write for other artists. One of Omar Cunningham’s biggest moments in his career to date was being able to perform on the finale night of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival with Alicia Keys in Montego Bay. Other performers were: India Arie, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Rogers, Michael McDonald, Bobby Womack, and Cassandra Wilson. While Omar was the only one in the show who hasn’t received a Grammy, he was honored to be able to share the stage with these phenomenonal entertainers. Omar has also had the pleasure of performing with Bobby Bland, his mentor Willie Clayton, The Manhattans, Shirley Brown, Mel Waiters, Theodis Ealey, Calvin Richardson, Wilson Meadows, Jackie Neal, and a host of others. He has even has a chance to welcome a new up and coming star Yela Wolf from the Missy Elliott reality show Road To Stardom.
Keep an eye out for Mr. Omar Cunningham as wonderful things are happening for him and he is surely one of the most promising stars on the rise to greatness. Visit www.soul1st.com.
Vick Allen - Recording Artist
Vick Allen
The release of Truth Be Told… marks the beginning of a new direction for Gospel, Soul, and Blues artist, Vick Allen whose previous hits include: When You Pack Your Bags, Baby Come Back, and Clean House, just to mention a few, all on the former Malaco imprint Waldoxy. Vick has now done as Omar Cunningham did last year with joining Soul 1st Records. Omar is still riding high with his Soul1st album entitled “Time Served” and Vick Allen plans to do the same in 2009 with Truth Be Told… Vick Allen a prolific writer who has penned tunes for Willie Clayton, Omar Cunningham, Mel Waiters, Denise LaSalle and is one of the most established artists in the genre of Soul Blues/Southern Soul music.
The new album includes 11 new tracks, including the Sam Cooke classic, “That’s Heaven To Me.” The other 10 songs are for the grown and sexy crowd for sure. The first track and soon to be Southern Soul classic, I’m Hooked in upbeat in the traditional Vick Allen R&B mode and sure to get the chitlin circuit clubs bumping and thumping. If They Can Beat Me Rocking is track two and is a very melodic fast groove with a poignant message for sure in irresistible hook. I’m Thankful (For My Woman on the Side) is destined to be a controversial ballad as Vick proclaims all the things his woman on the side does that this woman at home won’t. I Need Some Attention is perhaps the most t mainstream track and sure to gain Vick more R&B fans and perhaps many more overseas in Europe. This track is a very emotional cry and outstanding R&B track. The first single Forbidden Love Affair (The Preacher Song) is a musical story that will stand the test of time. Forbidden is very melodic and hooky with great vocals and music. The subject matter is one familiar with church goers but has never been put to music quite like Allen as done. Look for this one to stay on the charts for a long time.
All in all Truth Be Told….does just that. Its stories of life in love affairs from all angles have been masterfully crafted by one of the best young writers in music. Fortunately for music fans he kept his best work to date for himself, “Truth Be Told… “
The new record by Vick Allen is entitled, “Truth Be Told… for a reason. That reason is Truth Be Told, very few artists out there can touch Vick Allen vocally or talent-wise. This new release will take him to his rightful place on top of the music world.. For more information contact Soul1st Records at 205.222.8656 or on line at Soul1st.com.