Gina Brown Unplugged!

(Fairhope, AL.) No "auto tunes" here!  My best friend Gina Brown just recently confirmed something I've always known, "the girl can sang!" Gina surprised me when she ended up in an impromptu concert with singer/songwriter Mike Eagan.

Eagan was performing a few cover songs at Aurora's in Downtown Fairhope. He was gracious enough to welcome the New Orleans native to the stage Labor Day weekend. What struck me immediately when we walked into the dimly light room was small spotlight that lit Mike's hair and the boxed fan that blew his long "blond" locks in the wind for affect. Check out the video and you'll see what I mean.

                        

                          Gina Brown Performing at Aurora's-Downtown Fairhope

       
There they were, Mike, his single stool, his guitar, mechanical fan and Gina.  Though the room, the stage area just off the banister where Mike stood was completely dark, it shed a light on something I wasn't prepared for. Sometimes you have to "take advantage of unexpected opportunities." But even with that, you better know your craft and always, always be prepared.

   
This impromptu concert was not only an opportunity for Gina Brown to show her growth and maturity as an artist, it solidified something I've always known..."if you can sing, you can sing anytime, anywhere and in any genre." Gina Brown who has performed with an eight piece band and even an orchestra standing there in the dark--on the side of a single instrument flexing her vocals in a way they had never been used before.  She was singing one pop tune after another and "nailing it!"

     
Gina's history for the most part consists of jazz, blues and the occasional cover tune, but this particular night she just nailed anything she sung and completely unrehearsed! She really grabbed me when she performed one of my favorites--Etta Jame's "At Last!"  I've heard Gina sing "At Last" a dozen times before, but not like this. There was something about that single guitar, no drums, no base line that gave me a chance to finally hear the raw, "unplugged" version of this dynamic singer's talent.    

I'll be the first to admit I'm biased because I know how hard Gina has worked to get to where she is in her career.  Gina Brown has played everything from nightclubs to Jazz Fest in New Orleans. She has played everything from the "chitterlings circuit," to Las Vegas. I personally know about her dedication to her craft and her season after 20 years she is finally reaping a harvest. Gina Antoinette Brown is finally getting her due. She has a repertoire of songs, thanks in part to her producer and husband Rick Jones that are her own. "Can't Stop Thinking of You," "The G-Slide", "I'm a Lady" and many more soon to be released on her new CD.        

I couldn’t' be more proud of my friend because she's earned everything that's coming her way. That night with Mike Eagan only reminded me of what it means to be a "professional singer." In an age "auto tunes" Gina Brown isn't some "souped up" performer, she's the real thing.  Put her in any setting and  with any musician--she knows what she knows.  She truly lives up to her tag line, "music isn't what I do, it's who I am!    

Gina Brown’s popular line dance "The G-Slide" is a single on her new CD -"The G Spot" set to be released September 30th. Check out her website www.ginabrownonline.com for more information.

TOP OF THE CLASS- SOULSVILLE CHARTER SCHOOL "COLLEGE BOUND!"

                                 Tim Sampson, Soulsville Foundation

(Memphis, TN.)--It's a school with soul and it's at the "top of the class!" The first ever graduating class of The Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, Tennessee is gaining a lot of national attention this week.  All 51 graduating seniors,  (that's right 100 percent) are college bound!  Graduation Thursday night included a lot of "pomp and circumstance" along with more than 3.6 million dollars in scholarship money.

Varion Walton discovers a huge part of the success was using music as a hook!  The students never had to look any further than their front door for a connection to Memphis' rich musical heritage because Stax Museum is located next door!      



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.soulsvillecharterschool.org/

Singing Legend Etta James Dead at 73

Etta James

(Riverside, California)--Her music timeless, her voice original! Today the world mourns the lost of one of the most iconic singers of our time. Blues singer Etta James died today in Riverside, California surrounded by her family.

She died from complications from leukemia. "She died with her husband, Artis Mills and he sons by her side," Lupe De Leon, her longtime friend and manager tells the Associated Press today in a press release.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside just shy of her birthday.  She would have turned 74 Wednesday.

"This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world", De Leon said.  "She was a true original who could sing it all- her music defied category."   I worked with Etta for over 30 years.  She was my friend and I will miss her always," Leon said.

Like so many, I was sad, but not surprised by her passing.  I'd been following her progress in the hospital for weeks and felt she cheated death when she was recovered and made it home.

During those weeks in the hospital I stopped and reflected on "my connection" to Etta James.  My best friend and singer Gina Brown on occasion served as her opening act. Gina's first concert with this blues legend was in San Francisco in 2006.  Gina shared with me stories of this "feisty" older woman who rolled around the concert hall in her motorized scooter never bothering to say "please or thank you." Perhaps after more than 40 years in the industry she felt she earned the right.

Though the latter years of her life were shrouded in controversy with President Barak Obama, singer Beyonce', her classic hit "At Last" and the 2009 Inaugural Ball, I found it ironic as the light of Etta James started to "dim", Gina Brown's star in the blues industry really started to shine. Just this year alone Gina Brown has been nominated as "best new artist" in several blues categories for her two singles, "We're Having A Party" and "The G-Slide".

Over the years Etta James became outspoken and defied "any category" when it came to her music, (she moved with the greatest of ease from R & B to Blues) I'm sure Gina Brown joins me in "thanking her" for opening the door for her, Beyonce' and countless others!

Thank you Etta for your "classic music".  I'd hoped you cheated after being administered final rites weeks ago, however today with your passing I'm reminded, "sometimes God gets us stronger for the journey!"  Rest in Peace!