Mel Waiters
__________________________________________________________________________
News!!
'SAY WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND' THE LATEST RELEASE FROM MEL WAITERS
Mel Waiters has done it again! His latest project has been hailed as a bonified smash by radio jocks everywhere. He has managed to top his last project, which was no easy task. With songs like, 'When You Get Drunk, You Say What's on Your Mind' and 'Little Girls Can't Do (What the Big Girls Do), he has been turning dance floors upside down.
THE CHRISTMAS CD IS FINALLY HERE!!
Mel Waiters is very excited to have completed his very first Christmas CD. You can find it on CD Baby and iTunes. You will definately enjoy these tunes that remind you of the sounds and smells of 'traditional' Christmas holidays. 'Christmas Party at Grandma's House', 'Christmas & New Years' & 'Hole in the Wall Christmas' are a few chiming selections that will keep your holiday party jumping. GET YOURS TODAY!!!
Mel Waiters Signs with Brittney Records and Releases His First Gospel Single
BREAKING NEWS - Mel Waiters is a 'new artist' on his own 'Brittney Records' label! He is very excited about the recents career move and is looking forward to further creating and building the labels' flourishing reputation. Look for the release of his first single that will be released on July 30, 2010. This is Mel Waiters first gospel single entitled, 'Get Some More Jesus'. His dedication to spreading the message of God's gift to us all, Jesus Christ, is evident. And, you will here more in the follow-up C D, 'This Time for Jesus'. www.cdbaby.com
The Monterey Blues Festival
Mel Waiters will be performing at the Monterey Blues Festival, in Monterey, California on June 26th. This will be his very first appearance at the legendary event and he is very excited and honored to be performing. He will be sharing the stage with 'The Mighty Ojays', Bennie Lattimore and other legendary entertainers.
The Blues Is Alright Tour 2010
Julius Lewis & Heritage Entertainment did it again! This years Blues Is Alright Tour was a success for blues lovers in the north and southwest region of the United States. Once again, fans had the long awaited opportunity to dance and see their favorite southern soul and blues artist perform. Mel Waiters was in rare form as he closed the tour out in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His fans sang every song that he performed and danced until he had left the stage. Mel added his rendition of Bobby Womack's 'That's The Way I Feel About You' to his show and the fans went wild. He is already looking forward to next year's tour.
The Legendary Blues Cruise, October 2009
Mel Waiters and staff had a blast on Roger Nabers' Legendary Blues Cruise this past October. The Veedam Cruise Line was filled with blues lovers of all kinds. Music from the Mississippi Delta was resinating all throughout the enjoyable trip. Mel Waiters provided an R&B twist to his style that made the ship rock. His show was described as a Las Vegas Blues Show. Mel and background singer Chandra Calloway were ask to host the Gospel Brunch that kicks off the entire cruise of entertainment. They shared a wonderful time of praise and worship with the fellow blues cruisers. Some commented, "I will never forget the Gospel Brunch." Mel had an awesome time at the Writers' Worshop as well. He told the story of how his classic 'Hole In the Wall' hit was created. And, cruisers were able to ask questions and get first hand artist background information.
Mel would like to thank Roger Nabers, Tracy and the Legendary Blues Cruise staff for their professionalism and great hospitatlity.
THE LEGENDS TOUR
ALW Entertainment presented this groundbreaking tour that included R&B icons Bobby Womack, The Manhattans, Clarence Carter and YES, Mel Waiters. This tour made a statement that 'Hole In The Wall' fans have already known. Mel Waiters is an R&B/Blues legend. The James L. Night Center in Miami, Florida, will never be the same. The robust echoes of these legendary stars will remain forever.
The Twelfth Annual Old School Music Festival
Mel will be co-headlining The Twelfth Annual Old School Music Festival with the legendary Barkays. Also on the bill, is R&B diva Eveyln Champaign King and blue eyed soul brother, Jon B. The master of ceremony is Keisha Cole's mother, Frankie. This great event will be held on May 23, 2009, at Sportsman Park, Huntsville/Harvest, AL
Mel's Beloved Grandmother Passes
In the early morning of January 8, 2009 Mel Waiters beloved grandmother, Mrs. Vivian Waiters passed away. Mel acknowledged her at every show for her selfless love and for makng him the man he is today. Her christianity and love was a beacon of light to all who knew her. Mrs. Waiters lived 99 years before being called on to glory. Her physical presence will be sorely missed but her memory will remain with Mel Waiters and family, forever.
"Thank you to all who contributed flowers, cards, prayers, and comforting words to me and my family at this time of bereavement. I have read every message. Your expressions are sincerely appreciated." - Mel Waiters
Blues Is Alright Tour 2009
Get ready for the 2009 Blues Is Alright Tour!!!
If you love good southern soul blues, Mel Waiters and the rest of the lineup has definately got what you need. Check the tour dates page for a show in your area.
Mel Waiters Opens for the Legendary Gladys Knight And the Manhattans
Mel and the band will be headed to Inglewood, CA and Reno, NV in the month of August to open the show for the wondrous Gladys Knight. Preceding will be the one and only Manhattans. This will be a show to be remembered for years to come.
Congratulations Heritage Entertainment!
Congratulations to Heritage Entertainment for another successful Southern Soul/Blues Tour! The thirty city tour was a total entertainment extravaganza. With blues legends like Bobby 'Blue' Bland and Clarence Carter, there was no doubt that the venues would be overflowing with party blues lovers. Special thanks to Julius and Jackie Lewis for their accomodating attitudes and professionalism.
Mel Waiters Performs on his first 'Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise
Mel was delighted to be a part of such a worthy cause. Keeping young, black students in college is the mission of Mr. & Mrs. Tom Joyner and the Tom Joyner Foundation. And, Mel was prepared to show his interest by performing like the true legend that he is.
The stage was set in the Xtapa Lounge, a cozy, but spacious room buzzing with anticipation for his arrival. As the music kicked, Ms. Dupree, of the Tom Joyner Morning Show acknowledged the dapper 'Hit It and Quit It Band'.
This was the pleasurable prelude to the entrance of 'The Man'! Dressed in lime green, he brightened every spirit in the lounge with his self-assured poise and knock-out moves. Beware the faint of heart. Mel Waiters' show was one of the great highlights of the cruise.
Mel Waiters Goes Bluesin' on the High Seas with the Roger Nabers ‘Legendary Blues Cruise’
The stage is set for Mel Waiters and the Hit It And Quit It Band to perform. The crowd is buzzing with anticipation. Out of nowhere….applause! Everyone’s eyes are brightened by gold sequins jackets gracing the bandstand. It is the band and they are ready to lay some southern soul sunshine on the blues lovers who have arrived early to get a spot to sit or dance and party.
Mel approaches the Pool Deck stage with his black suit dawned with crystal stones, gleaming in the sunlight. And, the audience whales in delight. As soon as he hits his first note, the crowd was on their feet. Mel took them for a serious journey and let everyone know that it was time to ‘rock the boat!’ He quickly turned the Pool Deck into a ‘Hole In The Wall’.
“I am from
The Roger Nabers’ Legendary Blues Cruise will never be the same.
The 'Blues is Alright Tour' Kicks off in Biloxi, Mississippi (2007)
Do not miss this show when it comes to your town!! Julius Lewis of Heritage Entertainment Group has done what no one has done since the 'old Motown review'. He has provided blues lovers with a show that has been selling out at almost every venue.
Tour photos can be found at www.chittlincircuit.com.
Living Blues Features Mel Waiters on the Cover
It's 7 p.m., the day after Thanksgiving, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Dreamland is already half full. The spacious club, whose last occupant was a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, has been rendered somewhat more intimate by the addition of several walls, though signs around the room that boast various virtues-obedience, respect, peace, goodness,charity-lend it the feel of a teen activity center.
Promotional postcards advertised tonight's show as "The Blues is Alright Tour," with tickets available at businesses including Ugly Bob's Records, Bradley's Hair Cair, and Beeper Plus. At the door, security guards usher through a metal detector attendees that paid $35.00 cover. Despite the fact that a sign outside says "no alcohol," most folks have brought in their own bottles of Remy Martin, Courvoisier, and Grey Goose, while an improvised bar sells beer, liquor by the half-pint, and set-ups.
The show kicks off around 9 p.m. with Memphis-based southern soul man Gerod Rayborn, whose large, horn-leavened band evokes Junior Walker. Up next is Billy "Soul" Bonds, whose long career n the chitlin' circuit has finally paid off this year with his hit Scat Kitty Kitty. Both artist receive polite responses from the audience of about 400, but they appear to be saving their energy for the headliners, Marvin Sease and Mel Waiters.
Waiters comes out first, clad in all white with his trademark closely cropped blonde hair and beard. He opens with Pop It Baby, which immediately resonates with the largely female audience.
"This song is for all the sexy women across the world who work hard five or six days a week," annonces Waiters. "Just because your a lady don't mean that you can't let your hair down." Waiters deliberately avoids the explicitly sexual songs that are the hallmark of Marvin Sease, a.k.a. 'the candy lickin man,' and instead sticks to his two strenghts-romantic R&B ballads that emphasize the value and pleasures of devoting attention to ladies' needs, and mid-tempo dance numbers that celebrate the nightlife of the chitlin' circuit.
After performing several lesser hits in both modes Waiters engages in a duet with backup singer Alvin Gertman that finds both men traveling through the hall and working the crowd into a frenzy. Waiters then slows things down and launches into a sermon defending secular pleasures. He announces, "I sing the blues for a living, but I still have Christ in me," and although he doesn't himself, he assures the audience that "Just because we have a drink of whiskey it doesn't mean God don't love us." "There are peoplr in night clubs with better hearts than some of those in church who bask in hatred and bitterness, " he continues, and says of hypocrites, "You can fool me, but you can't fool God. If you're gonna talk about me, tell everything about me."
Here Waiters segues into autobiographical testifying, recalling how he went to church every Sunday with his 'Big Mama' and how he paid his dues in the music business working as a DJ for many years. "God made it posible," he says of his current success, and in speaking of his blessings notes the recent deaths of Tyrone Davis and Little Milton and young artists Jackie Neal and Gerald Levert. "I bring up Jesus every night," he says. "I didn't scare nobody, did I? The mood lightened. Waiters launches into his hit Got My Whiskey. "I came out to have a good time, that's all that's on my mind/I got my money, and I got my whiskey, and tonight I'm going to get real tipsy."
It's one of the two songs the audience expects to see him perform, and he doesn't dissapoint with his concluding number, 'Hole In The Wall', his smash hit from 2000. Like 'Go My Whiskey',the song doesn't follow a typical blues structure, but it celebrates simple pleasures enjoyed by generations of audiences on the chitlin' circuit.
Three o'clock in the mornin' all the damn clubs are closed..I went to this place, y'all, and I didn't want anyone to know...I walked into the room, had my nose in the air...It's seven in the mornin' and I'm still in there...Let's go baby, to the hole in the wall...I've had my best time, y,all, yes I did, in the hole in the wall.
Born in San Antonio in 1956, Waiters has been performing actively on the chitlin'circuit since 1996, when he had his first hit, Hit It and Qut It. The song appeared on the Sirius Sounds CD 'I'm Serious', and was followed by another CD 'Suki Suki Man'. for the label (song from both are on the Suzi Q CD 'I Want the Best').
In 1997 Waiters began his successful run with Malaco's Waldoxy division with Got My Whiskey, from Woman In Need (1997). His subsequent CDs for the label - 'Material Things' (1999). 'Let Me Show You How to Love' (2001). 'A Night Out' (2003), and 'Throwback Days' (2006)-have produced multiple other radio hits in the party vein, including 'Hole In The Wall', 'Smaller The Club', and 'Half Pint' .
A keyboardist and drummer, Waiters as his inspirations singers including Johnnie Taylor, Tyrone Davis, and Bobby Womack, as well as vocal groups including the Dramatics and the Spinners. Like most performers who work primarily on the chitlin' circuit Waiters describes his music as 'southern soul', but doesn't shy from the label 'blues'. On the latest CD he demonsrates is ability to perform straight blues on 'Bump and Grind', which features guitarist Butch Bonner, but the flrxibility of the term 'blues' is more evident on the tack 'Blues Radio', a ballad in a contemporary R&B vein that waxes nostalgic about the music of Z.Z. Hill and Sam Cooke.
Waiters is outspoken about how mainstream radio ignores the chitlin circuit audience whose lives he celebrates in the songs, but at the same time he yearns to break through to a broader audience. That time may be coming. He's been pleasantly surprised with how internet radio has spread his misic to new areas and by the warmth of his reception, at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and the 2006 Pocono Blues Festival. And this January he's sure to make some more new fans when he's featured on the Legendary Blues Cruise. Look out for him in your local supermarket! - Scott Barretta
Mel Waiters Live on 'Bluesville' XM RADIO
Mel Waiters was indeed thrilled to be invited to guest d-jay on XM Radio, which broadcast worldwide. Bill Wax is host on 'Bluesville' a name created to help keep the musical of the blues lover alive. "We get about 1,000,000 listeners every time these mics are turned on", says Bill. Mel was thrilled to be visiting such an elaborate facility. There were at least 92 different stations in the XM building.
Mel began his show by naming a few of his favorite southern soul/blues artist. Bill quickly recalled them from his PC library and the show was off and running. Artist on Mel's playlist included the Legendary Johnnie Taylor, Little Milton and Tyrone Davis to kick off a smokin' line up of musical listening pleasure. Bill interjected frequent interview bytes with Mel Waiters, asking him about the inspirations that have influenced his blues career. The previously named artists were on his list of icons who helped spearhead the blues into a respected genre'. -