My Musical Journey
Growing up in small town Arkansas just across the river from Memphis, TN is where I began studying classical piano at age 9 & folk guitar at age 11. My love affair with the saxophone started in Jr. High School band and continues to this day.
Midway through college I enlisted in the US Air Force and was relocated to Boston where I continued my studies part-time. Boston is a historically rich city with AMAZING cultural diversity. The musical landscape is literally arrayed with sonic elements from every corner of the globe. It was during this period that I bought my first professional-class saxophone and immersed myself in amalgamating my musical past with the huge palette of influences suddenly at my disposal.
Influences
GOSPEL
My 1st love. Before I could read music (or anything else) I was familiar with the gospel songs, hymns and anthems germane to the Black Baptist Church and COGIC. My mother has always been a devout Christian and my stepfather was the pastor of our church. So I, quite naturally became the de facto staff saxophonist from age 13 until I left for college. I also served in this capacity for various churches and choirs around Memphis after returning from the Air Force.
AM RADIO
Probably the single most important factor in my early development was playing songs from the radio. One of the first tunes I remember learning by ear was “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle.
After college and the military, I worked for 8 years as a radio DJ and talk show producer covering genres from Gospel to Reggae to Hip-Hop and Politics. The radio gig morphed into a 30+ year career as a Mobile Entertainer catering to Weddings and Special Events.
REGGAE
I was the first horn player to join the Exodus Reggae Band (Memphis) in 1986. The band is still active covering Roots Reggae, early British Reggae and recording our original music.
R&B, SOUL and BLUES
One of my earliest forays into the professional recording industry was producing songwriter demos for my Dad (Sidney W. Bailey) in my home studio. Some of his songs became hit records for Little Milton, Ann Peebles, Ry Cooder, Bobby Bland, Denise LaSalle, Johnnie Taylor and others.
Playing on Beale Street landed me a gig touring the nation with Southern Soul legend Marvin Sease (2008-2011). We played everywhere from big city auditoriums to little neighborhood cafes and juke joints.
R.I.P. to “The Candy Licker”.Thanks for the memories!I
favorite memories
● Won 1st Place in the national DJ Competition sponsored by WeDJ.com (2005)
● Voted Memphis’ Best Saxophonist by the Anointed Gospel Academy (1993)
● Performed (with Marvin Sease) at the Denver Music Fest during the 2008 DNC where Barack Obama was first nominated for president.
● Opening concerts (as a solo artist) for several concerts in Memphis featuring The Manhattans, Cedric The Entertainer, Dorothy Norwood, etc.
● Watching myself on the JumboTron while performing LIVE at halftime of a Memphis Grizzlies game.
MEET ME AT THE JUKE JOINT
Ahhhhh, the teenage memories of shooting pool, eating greasy cheeseburgers and dancing our YOU KNOW WHAT off!
Drop a Quarter in the Seeburg, pick 3 songs and Let’s GET THIS PARTY STARTED!