Soulful Rhythm & Blues

10 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Rhythm & Blues, URBAN/R&B: Soul



Details:
Born in Tampa Florida, a piano player appropriately nicknamed Fathead Davis began his musical journey. At the age of two, his grandfather, singer Wes Davis Sr. bought him his first organ. By the age of three, Fathead was playing music at the local Pentecostal church and would be the youth's choir pianist soon after. Music wasn't just something he had to himself. It was a family affair. "From as far back as I can remember, I was around music. Every single one of my mama's brothers and sisters either sang or played an instrument. That was just mamas' side of the family. Daddy's family had it all too. Music wasn't just something we did ... it's a part of who we are." Fathead continued to build on his musical foundation at church and school. " At church you would go to sing for the Lord... Ain't no holding back there! It's all emotion, all spirit... thanking God for getting you through another week with no money." He laughs.




Although cash was scarce coming up,Fathead's parents made two big sacrifices that would shape his musical career forever: Piano lessons and Private schooling. "Looking back, I don't know how they did it. I mean we were going to private schools, which ain't cheap, and had a couple nights when the only food we had came from some of the teachers at the school... I don't know too many parents today that roll like that, do you?" He asked. Ironically, it is private schooling that he credits for his current musical success. "I got the best of both worlds. On Sunday's at church you learn the melodies, a few chords, and let the spirit take over. The holy ghost moved those fingers and lips. Then during the week, I attended chapel in the Lutheran school every Wednesday. That music has nothing to do with improvisation... everything is calculated and disciplined. I think people today hear it in my music... great passion with control. I owe both childhood environments for that.




Then there were the piano lessons. Fathead studied under the late classical pianist Ruthy Watts. It was here that Fathead claims that music got really serious. "Man. I actually hated piano lessons. Ms. Ruthy was all serious. If you came to her house and didn't know your lesson, you were going to have big problems. She'd tell you about yourself, and then pull out her yard stick for your butt just to make sure you heard her." He laughs. Although Fathead tired of the yard stick by age twelve and quit piano lessons, today he doesn't regret one single moment with Ms. Ruthy. " I love that woman . . . and you know what, If I ever get where I plan on going, I'm going to open up the Ruth Watts School of Music. At my music school you'd either learn how to play by ear or read music, but you ain't coming in there without knowing your lesson. Consistency is what kids need today."




For Fathead, it was all about playing music for the church, the school, and Ms. Watts until he reached high school. Secular music wasn't commonplace in the Davis home but high school changed that for Fathead. " When I got to high school, I would go over to my buddy Mark's house and we would listen to records of cats like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, New Addition, Jodeci, Babyface . . . I could go on forever. I went from playing music about lifting up the name of Jesus, to hearing folks singing about lifting up women's skirts. At 13, that was right up my alley. That's when I starting writing my own material. I used to love writing ballads, and truthfully it was a natural progression for me. I knew the ballads about Gods love but at that age I wanted to express my feelings about the ladies." During high school Fathead performed with a local teen R&B group called 4 Real. This group played every talent show available, winning most, but was disbanded when the boys left for college.




After leaving college to play keyboard with a local reggae band, Fathead retreated from performing from 1997 to 2002 to focus on his family and really develop his own sound. " From the age of 2 until the age of 22 I had spent much of my music journey playing so many genres; Rock R&B, Gospel, Pop, Reggae . . . you name it, I tried it all but I never felt completely comfortable with any of the genres by themselves. I wanted to take elements of each and develop a sound that would allow me to be me. Furthermore, I wanted to start singing and developing my vocal style. This in itself would take years of work. I wasn't even sure of the style my voice would eventually develop into."




After a five-year public layoff, Fathead left for North Carolina to co-write an album for Gospel singer Javonna Stephens. It was in Carolina that Fathead was introduced to record producers Jamain Stephens and Ricardo Hicks. Although Fathead was there as a writer and producer, this experience is what Fathead credits for validating his ability as an artist. " I had spent the last five years writing all this material but I still wasn't comfortable with my creations. Rick and Jamain would listen to the material and tell me to be comfortable doing my thing . . . The phrase they would use would be "Do You." It was then I realized it was time to take these fingers and this voice and do what the good Lord blessed me with the ability to do."




Since then there has been no looking back for Fathead Davis. In May of 2003, Fathead and his family relocated to Ohio, and Fathead immediately went to work. In June of 2003 Fathead released an album of piano solos entitled "Beside Still Waters" inspired by one of his favorite artist, the great George Winston. It was also during this time that Fathead hooked up with guitar player Rob Painter. In early 2004 the pair went into the studio with session players Chuck Vogel(drums) and Paul Jansen(bass) to record his debut vocal album entitled "Broke . . . Black . . . Blue." Upon completion of this album, Fathead was introduced to Ashley Martin(drummer). The first time Fathead had a jam session with band members' Painter and Martin, he knew this was the sound he'd been searching for. " The mojo we had together blew me away, The positive energy and raw sound coming from us, man, I knew we were meant to groove together for a long, long time".That day gave birth to Fathead Davis & The Goodfellas.





Rhythm, Blues, Soul, Jazz . . . It doesn't matter. When you hear Fathead Davis & The Goodfellas, you'll laugh like never before. You'll be reminded of the good old days when a man really loved a woman. You'll tap you feet and snap your fingers. You'll dance really close. One thing for sure, you'll be convinced that this preacher's grandson really knows how to testify!