Soul Music: June is Black Music Month!

Soul Music is the life blood of Black Music Month! This symphony of artists and musicians were change agents that created the American discourse we refer to the music of the streets!!!. Remember block parties?

What a divinely inspired mixture of gospel, blues and some African influences along with that down home blues at its core. Which is what made this modern day opera so cool? So how did we get here musically speaking?

According to Matthew A. Killmeier on encyclopedia.com says, "Revenue stream"! Follow the money! Thus the Race records!!!

The term "race records" first appeared in the Chicago Defender in 1922 .The African-American newspaper, posted a advertisement for OKeh Records.?

In 1920 Mamie Smith, a female African American singer. Not really known outside of vaudeville, recorded the song "Crazy Blues" for the small OKeh record label. The record sold over 100,000 copies! It turned the nascent recording industry's attention to African-American artists and audiences. Again "Follow the money"!!!

No surprise, African-American artists were paid less than their white counterparts and were often exploited. Artists' ignorance of copyright law, and the lack of an independent accounting body to track sales, allowed industry personnel to grossly underpay or even waive royalty monies.

Yet because of the sacrifice of artists like Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) just to name a very few. The rhythm and blues tidal wave that was off and running.

According to the Carnegie Hall.org website, next to come was the birth of Rhythm and Blues. It's a form of Black dance music that has its origins in the post-World War II era (1939–1945)?

The term R&B is attributed to Jerry Wexler, then a writer for Billboard magazine, who coined it in 1949. It would replace the magazine’s term “Race Music” (a term in use since 1920). Rhythm and blues performers encompass hybrid jazz/blues combos, trios, and vocal harmony groups to blues shouters and gospel-inflected solo singer

Remember it would be "Wexler" who was the driving force behind "the Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin's career on Atlantic records. Aretha would become the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of Fame. Along with topping Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Best Singles of All time List. Remember Soul Music was born in the USA!?

Then there's Ray Charles who was regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history. Brother Ray could perform R&B, country, blues even classical music. He and Sam Cooke "The King of Soul" were industry giants who faced great criticism for their mixture of Gospel and Rhythm and blues compositions.??

Actually most successful soul music artists began their performing careers in the church. So the Soul music title is quite apropos in this instance isn't it???

The milieu of this regional music culture reigned. Motown was arguably the most influential. However Memphis Stax, Chess records in the Windy City and the Philly International sound were all great R&B hotbeds for popular music. Still today for our modern day listening enjoyment.

This attempt to chronicle Soul Music merely scratches the surface of this mammoth undertaking. Yet the journey of a thousand miles does begin with one step.?

In closing, Motown President Barry Gordy once said Whenever I came up against presidents of other companies, I was always smarter, because I was from the streets. That's the heart of Soul Music isn't it? Donut forget it!