Photo by DJ DMoney

Sending a big Congratulations to DC/Go-Go’s own Bootsy Vegas on his new position as the New Morning Show Host on 101.3 FM Jamz, Charlottesville.

Now go on show your love and support, like he has always and continues to love and support you, by visiting and Liking the station’s Facebook Fan Page at: http://facebook.com/101jamz

Photo via 101.3FM Jamz Facebook page

In this episode of Metro Magazine, entertainer Michael Muse sits with show hostess Bonnie McDaniel and discuss many things, including his career in music, his roots in music, his influences, inspirations, achievements and disappointments.

Music, who has been a staple in the Go-Go music scene for over 30 years now, is mostly known for singing with such groups as Rare Essence, Little Benny and the Masters, and Proper Utensils. His smooth crooning style of delivery when singing, proves a winning format that continues to be emulated to this day.

Currently working on his project “The Birth of Dorian”, Mike also brings musicians Jauque Johnson and George Busy, Jr. into this interview with him.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW:

Now here is guy who’s been stomping on stages so long he’s literally got Go-Go roots embedded in boots. His history goes back to practically to the beginning. He has been seen throughout the decades blowing on the stages of such bands as EU, Little Benny and The Masters, and Familiar Faces. You can see him on the “Go-Go Live at the Capital Center” video hard stepping to “Cat In The Hat” with the stage of Little Benny and The Masters. He’s in the “Shake Your Thing” video rocking with Salt N Pepa. He’s in the Spike Lee’s School Daze video “Da Butt“, groovin with EU. As well as others, such as “I Confess” and “Taste Of Your Love“. And to this day, he can still be seen actively on the stage with Let It Flow band... trombone still in his hand.

But who is this mysterious guy who’s been dancing so wickedly on stages for the past 3 decades that he’s been given the nickname of “Hard Step Mike”?

Mike Taylor. Trombone player. That’s who. Also known as one of the most humbling people to have ever graced the platforms of this Go-Go music culture. Because truth be told, if you weren’t there to witness it, and you didn’t ask him about it, you probably would never know the amount of notches that he has on his belt. When it comes to real “Gs” and true soldiers in this game, Mike is definitely a war hero… with the scars and medals to show!

What is your name?
Michael Anthony Taylor

Where are you from?
Washington,D.C.

Thanking back to early childhood, what was your first experience with music for the first time like? What song do you remember most as a child?
As far as I can remember there was music around the house. Motown galore, James Brown, just any singing group. I was always intrigued by good vocals and tight harmonies. “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson Five still rings in my head.

What made you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
I saw Earth, Wind & Fire at the Capital Center when I was a junior in high school. Maurice White made the band
disappear (of course I didn’t know anything about hydraulic stages), then moments later the horn section reappeared horns blazing… later that night I couldn’t even sleep because the performance was so great. That’s when I knew that this was my calling.

How old were you when you started getting involved in music?
13, but I didn’t really get serious until I was 16, 17 years old.

How did you become involved in the type of music you play now?
I used to practice with Michael “Funky Ned” Neal at school. We both attended H.D Woodson together. He was the first to really recognize the passion I had when I played. He told me, “You should be playing for someone.”
It was months later when Oo La Tony Brown heard me play, “Let Me Be Your Angel” by Stacey Lattisaw on my trombone and recruited me for Black Love. Whew that was a line up…Myself, Tony, Tony Sharpe, Tidy Hayes, Boula Roper, Boogie Dews, Kevin Miller, just to name a few.

How did you get the nickname “Hard-Step” Mike?
Well you know my entire career with E.U. I was known as GoGo Mike. When I was with the Masters, off the strength of the Cat in The Hat album, we were playing six nights a week. On Saturdays we played at Breezes’ Metro Club, I know you remember those days, that’s how we met. I was stretching a little before the show and Elmo was leaning over the congas and was clowning me. He said, “Mike be steppin hard than a mug!!!” Benny and Godfava heard it and started calling me Hardstep. Mark hasn’t called me Mike in about 20 years, ha ha !! I’m not sure but I think I’m one of a very few people in gogo who has two separate stage names.

Can you me a brief rundown of the experiences that you have had in the music industry (i.e., groups, bands, other other projects leading to where you are today)?
Whew, well of course my biggest success occurred with E.U.. Everybody remembers DaButt, but few remember we had three other songs that were top ten songs during that time. Shake Your Thang w/Salt & Pepa was an R & B and pop hit, Buckwild, which we did on our own was a huge hit, and then we shocked the world when we dropped a ballad, Taste Of Your Love. Playing with Benny and with Familiar Faces helped me appreciate the power of live performances. I learned something from every band I ever played with. Let It Flow is so different for me, because we are so close. Pam, our lead vocalist is actually my vocal coach, and she pushes me hard. My crowning achievement was playing with Stevie Wonder at the Kennedy Center back in 2000.

What can people expect to see at your live performance?
Energy and lots of it. Tight horn arrangements, support vocals, and good old fashion stepping !!!

What do you feel distinguishes “an artist” from just a musician?
A musician plays his parts. An artist becomes one with the song and the performance.

What project(s) are you currently working on now, and how soon can we expect a release of it?
Currently working on making our horn section a more vital part of Let It Flow. Expect a project from us in mid spring of 2015.

You have been in this go-go music industry damn near since the beginning of it. What are some of the changes that you have noticed over the years?
Two things come to mind. Free Agency and Grown & Sexy GoGo. When I speak of free agency, I’m referring to when prominent GoGo personalities sit in with other groups. I’m not judging, it’s just that we never did that back in the day. My one complaint if I can see you with someone else Wednesday or Thursday with another band, why should I come see you with yours. I’m just saying. Now, I’ll probably take some heat for this, but I think in a sense Grown & Sexy has hurt our music. When Meisha and The Hiphuggers and then Lissen perfected covers with a pocket; it was all that the promoters wanted to hear. Original music started to take a back seat, because of how well we covered national hits. Kato, the ironing of this situation is because of gogo’s ability to perform a cover in a lot of cases better than the original artist, our own music has become a thing in decline.

Is there anything that you would like to do in addition to making music?
Just travel a little more

Art & Music has an impact on both young and old. Everyone loves a celebrity, so what advice do you have for the youth of today?
As cliche as it may sound, get as much education as possible. Knowledge just gives you more opportunities.

If you had only five minutes on earth to perform one song that could leave a great impact on the world today, what song would you perform and why did you choose this particular piece?
Someday We’ll All Be Free by Donnie Hathaway. The lyrics were so powerful

Do you have any video links where people can see you?
I can be seen on almost any YouTube link w/E.U. during the 80’s and most links with Let It Flow within the last few years

Is there anyone special you would like to thank for making your dream come true as an artist?
My mother,the late great Phyllis Taylor made me believe I could do anything if I was willing to work hard enough

Just for fun… please answer the following questions!
Without music, I would be: boring.
Music is: ministry.
My music makes me feel: alive.
I write the songs because: they make a difference.
Support music because: it soothes the soul.

Thank you kindly!

Okay… so we took this question to our family and friends on Facebook (because that’s where you can basically find everybody). And these are some of the answers that we received:

When do you first fall in love with Go-Go?

Dj-noise Crank’N-Berry:
I DONT KNOW THE YEAR BUT IT WAS IN THE 80’s RARE ESSENCE!!!!
I CANT LEAVE Tidy BAND ” MASTER PEACE ”
& CLASS BAND!!! YEAH TIDY I CANT LEAVE OUT MASTER PEACE, THE HUT DOWN IN PARADISE! IF ANYBODY HAS A MASTER PEACE TAPE PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
REAL GO-GO HISTORY!!!!!

Kevin Jones:
Seeing JY play outside in the Farms. And stealing a Chuck tape from the night before from a big time drug dealer in my neighborhood. Matter of fact, I still have that tape.

Sean Hawkins:
When Chuck Brown dedicated “don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing” to me and my best friend in college. True story. That’s me Sean. Best friend Vincent Ernest Siders. Or Vinnie. ‘ Vinnie and Sean up Howard university. Vinnie and Sean known to party til dawn’. True story. Give you the details later. Just let me know how much Chuck Brown was about the people. That go go was not bigger than life. It was lufe5.

Adrienne DreDre Burkley:
I recall hearing Bustin Loose in the very late 70s and loved it, but never even knew it was a part of a genre dubbed GoGo. The first time I actually fell in love with it was when Trouble Funk dropped their double LP (with Drop the Bomb). Purchased it, wore it out, and became obssesed with this thing they called “GoGo”. EU was my next purchase. P.S. – I have never looked back and it will forever be a part of my life. Period.

Regina Rising Lee:
I fell in love with Go-Go when my baby sitters took me with them to east gate to JY and we lived in simple city… I was 8-9. She told me to sit on this crate next to the trash can and watch this band. It was JY, I fell in love.

Lori Fridie Rojas:
In the late 70s, seeing Rare Essence at the Maverick Room on a Wednesday night, I became hooked. Ms. Mack at the door, Benny and Funk calling my name… good times.

Ess Cee El:
I fell in love with Go-Go when I heard What you wash your Body with, Camay all over. #tellingmyage

Joe Mike Mike Lee:
It was late 70’s for me. I heard Chuck, R.E and Trouble. I was always asking for copies.that beat and socket got me hooked. I was always trying to record from one tape deck to the other. It worked until people started talking.

Deena Hebron Myles:
The year was 1985 at Coolidge HS. Reds & the Boys were in one room and Junkyard in another room. The smell of Polo Cologne was in the air … Lol!

Denise Pendergast:
I was 9 chuck, rare essence, eu, reds and the boys, trouble funk, lil benny and the masters, petworth band, and junk yard. Celebrity Hall Uptown kicking it!! Please don’t get me started ..

Marlon Williams:
1980. My older brother was an EU fanatic and we used to share a bedroom. He would play EU tapes early in the morning when we’d get ready for school and EU tapes at night when I was trying to go to sleep. LOL!! So naturally I was hooked on early EU. I even stole some iron on letters out of this fabric store in Forestville Mall when I was around 13 and I ironed “E U” on the front of my gym shirt and my name on the back when I was in FSK middle school. LOL!!!!

Tonya L. Hubbard:
Omg it’s was back in the days of Columbia park rec and Essence used to dress in red and white (little booty shorts) hunnti and Benny was on the front line and they used to hit maniac maniac hey hey ha ha ..and the front line (horn) section would hit that dance omg!!! Or big Tony would hit trouble funk express I could go on and on ..like wen class used to hit inspector gadget …class band and show show show (echoing) or wen eu used to practice in seabrook and the whole neighborhood thought we were stars cuz they played with Grace jones and hit Slave to the rhythm ..Gogo for life

Maiah Coles:
It was mid 80’s when I heard/watched my uncle play the drums for Class band

MsBrique IsBlessed:
When E.U. came out with “Rock Your Butt” and “Knock ‘Em Out Sugar Ray”. S.E. Finest!

Ethan Madison:
That first night I heard JJ Star play “Body Moves”

Johney Myles Gates:
My first gogo show was at the Coliseum. It was around 82 or 83 when Lil Benny was saying. (WE WORKING UP A SWEAT AND YOU ANT SEE NOTHING YET…. ITS FUNKY ITS HOT AND GIRL YOU GOT ALOT……….WHEN YOU WHERE THEM JEANS UP ON YOUR ASS I CAN TELL YOU GOT CLASS….Lol miss the Ole days.

Regina Hogan:
Wow good question. Hmmm imma say I fell in love with Go Go when I first heard Chuck at the Panarama Room in the 80s then Ayre Rayde and Trouble at Rosecroft and then Benny at the Howard and Mr G taking pics!

SimplyChante Smith:
Pic Center. Circa sometime in the early 80s lol. Snuck in with Aaron Bowe and the Pure Elegance Band.

Jay Small:
The year was 1985 and both my grandparents lived down the Farms. So, everyday, after school, I was tended to by my grandparents while my folks were at work. Well, my grandmother, Ms. Bunker, former president of the resident council, used to help run the Scout House, where the young JYB practiced. We lived just 3 doors down from Derrick McCrae, former manager of JYB, so our families knew each other. I was 9 at the time.
I was in 4th grade, just picking up the trumpet and my mother said why don’t you go play your horn with them. They were playing on plastic horns at that time, Big Willie’s toms were 5 gallon buckets and his bass drum was a trash can. Buggs was Buggs. Pratt lived around the way. I would sit on the steps inside and watch them work. Derrick had them youngins working hard at their craft.
I remember coming home late from school one day and couldn’t get in the Scout House to see them practice. I had to stand outside and boost myself up to look through the barred windows. They were practicing Freak-a-deek Zone! At that moment, hearing the keyboards and that lil red piano synthesizer they used to have, I was hooked!!! It was my first time hearing a hit on the radio played gogo style, plus it was my introduction to some youngins around my age who were crankin hard! From that day, it was JYB FOREVER!!!!

Daye Luck Luciano:
Stinky dink get rigidy raw, stinky dink get rigidy raw. Like 1990. I was 13.

Scott Dean:
“Can we Drop the Bomb on the whole d*** house, y’all?!”
Also: ‘You Are The One’ – AM/FM (Brunswick, 1981)

Marc Lowery:
Standing outside the Howard Theatre and hearing the Crankage going on inside in 1980!

Kamaal-Allah Williams:
Seeing Funk, Benny Dave and Jungle Boogie on stage. I lost my mind. I believe it was 1981. I am still shaking just thinking about it!!

Lisa Lomax:
In 88 when I was in job corps

Larencie Moore:
I fell n love wit gogo when I went 2 the Club LaBaron 2 c Trouble Funk and they hit “Trans-Europe Express” that was it I was n love.. Then later they would hit “let’s get small” I was n gogo heaven.

Jason Alan Easley:
I always heard it but feel in love in 94 when I went to see BYB at bumpers…hearing it live was much more powerful and influential for me.

Thesoundsof Innercountycrank:
First time i heard busting loose and the freak freak a deak part came on. That Congo breakdown i was hooked

Derek Dp Junior:
Since 93… I remember I may have been around 3 or 4 watching Rare Essence live @ Rhythms on VHS. I was a fan of the sound. I grew up around RE wit Donnell, my dad, BJ, Godfava, Blue, BoJack, Mickey, WhiteBoy, Shorty and Darrin X

Carl TheFunkanaut Hawthorne Jr:
RE’s Body moves ….about 80 or 81….that pocket beat is hypnotic..

Hall Of-Fame Dink:
When I first heard Run Joe when it first came out! My brother name is Joe and it fit him lol

BigFinejuicee Juice:
When go go hour was actually a hour in like 90-91 my bff and I would tune in every night and i heard Jy it was a wrap been a GoGo head every since!

Dabeats Be-Sick:
Since the age of 8 back in the early 80’s my dad had a band in they use to practice in my house.

Wayne Lew:
My sistas Chuck Brown tape…when they hit the Laddi Daddi…..I knew that show from the beginning to the end….#1988

Percy Bates:
Playing with “greats” like yourself being on the same page when it came to showtime.

Eric ‘Nephew’ Floyd Sr:
I first fell in love when I first seen it love at the Cap Cntr. I was a trouble funk fan but after RE finished there set (they came on right before TF) I was good. Didn’t even stay for Trouble.

Ke-Maurelle Callme-Princess:
I fell in love with GoGo TWICE! The first time was when I was younger and UCB came out with Im a Ho. The drive was outstanding and their transitions were amazing! I remember I used to have to sneak and listen to it because my mother didn’t allow me to listen to GoGo due to its sexually orientated lyrics.
The 2nd time was when I joined a GoGo band for the first time! The crowd’s energy was mind-blowing and captivating! It was a feeling I had never felt before and I could never imagine letting it go.

Nikki Musiqizmylyfe Clark:
Imma country girl, born and raised in NC so I didn’t know anything about Gogo! My older cousins would come down from DC and visit us during the summer so of course they would bring their CDs for us to listen to them and low and behold they put in a Chuck Brown and I couldn’t stop dancing! That socket was something serious. I would always have then send me CDs until I eventually moved here to the DMV area. I wanna fall in love with it again; the way I did when I was 13.

Richard Kyle:
1980

D.j. Widebody:
When my pops came home one night with the go go live vhs… me and my brother’s would watch that joint every morning before school….

Sakina Blaze Plummer:
1984 @ crystal skates with chuck brown

Oliver Henderson:
Ever since I moved in with my cousin around 92 and all he did was pump jy cd’s Ma dukes would pop me in the mouth after I would recite Immidymiddydamittty moe I’m rubbin and fukinup all da hoes rubbin the back bone butt cheeks nipples n toes ha ha would scream it all thrue the house.

Delvin Onmylevel Poole:
GoGo Live Capital Center.. Didn’t take playing drums serious til I heard Lil Pooh from Obsession at 1995 Unifest. Youngest dude on stage getting it in.

DK BodyofEvidence:
I fell in Love wit Gogo in 1997 at The Gospel go-go on Friday nights at 5840 Kirby rd at Victory Christian Ministries with Xodus Band while in my own New Band called New Creation Band. THEN I got into my craft as a lead talker and started researching who I could learn from. Learned from Chi Ali, Chief Rocka, Lil bit of D Floyd, and rest was history.

Clyde Rowell:
Early 90’s when I heard (I see the lights/ I see the party lights)

Pike King:
Been a GoGo fan since 84. But when I first heard JYB and they were kids on buckets. That was the first…. All the kids wanted to go looking for paint buckets.

Julano Congoj Myers:
1st TIME I SEEN GOGO LIVE IN 88 I WAS IN LOVE…
..I LITERALLY TOLD MY MOM I NEED SOME BONGOS CAUSE YOUR YOUR DINING ROOM TABLE IS TOO PRETTY TO KEEP BEATIN ON…#11YRSOLD..# .#TRUSTORY

Terrence Sorrell:
When i lived in King George Va and JYB came 2 the King George Lodge. Wasn’t old enough 2 get in,so we sat outside of my homeboy house and listened..Cause he lived right next door 2 the lodge!!Believe it was like “92” or “93”

Carl C-Man Anderson:
In 85 after hearing Junkyard being played in my neighborhood!!

Liza Figueroa Kravinsky:
When I heard it live for the first time in a club somewhere in the Waldorf chitlin circuit. Don’t remember the band or the club, but I remember the beat! 1985

Theodore Priscilla:
late 76, early 77, got off at midnite and went to see Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers………. Saw Sugar Bear and Chuck over the next cpl of years, and then came TROUBLE!!!!! After that Go-Go was ingrained in me because it was so funky, so different. By me being older and raising a family at the time Go Go was taking over the city, I didn’t get to see the bands much at all in the 80’s and 90’s or even now, to tell the truth, but I got to enjoy the crank at cabaret’s, street festivals, my kids, and I’ve been in love with the city’s music for almost 40 yrs now….. and still love it just as much now as I did then; In addition I’m getting a chance to actually play and perform in front of people with the Go Go Symphony ensemble at the tender age of 64 after having NEVER been on a stage before in my life, so Hell Yeah I love Go Go and would do just about anything to make sure that this music gets it’s just due just like I know all other lovers of the genre is gonna do. There are some who say GoGo is Dying…..I think, no……. I know it’s not dying. AND I just learned that I just may get to perform in the pocket with the great drummer Ju Ju on stage. Only the Almighty can stop this Go Go train. Let’s party.

Stanley Cooper:
Kiddy Cabaret’s in elementary schools (when they’d have live bands) in SE, DC. Summer In The Parks/Summer Hut (sponsored by the Anacostia Museum)/Showmobile, and DC Police Boys/Girls Club events. DC Recreation Dept. events, and from all the DMV based bands, great and small, in the late 70’s/early 80’s.

Tino Jackson:
I fell in love when I received love back from other musicians in D.M.V. and abroad

Michael Anthony Taylor:
The very first time I heard the “One on One” still in high school. Funky Ned and I would practice together all the time.

Mark Te’ago Ward:
1980 wit the EU freeze ! Everybody froze lol

Lisa Oftheworld Henry:
I cant remember been so long love boat love boat mess my memory up, but im thinking when I went to the Howard or the Coliseum.

Jeff Hitz Thornton:
When I heard a trouble funk tape around 1980 – Big Tony said….:”Shirl is here in her red n white….she came to boogie all night all night::””” and I was hooked….. Now I have recently fell OUT of love with gogo but listening to these old RE joints from 1981,2,3,4 is makin me fall back in love again lol

Malcolm Luther Wiseman III:
I grew up in Takoma park MD a block off eastern Ave and you could hear Mass Playing at Lamond Playground on Saturdays…. we would walk over there and get our boogie on! This was late 70s early 80s

Jeff Mcclelland:
1982 When I heard a Rare Essence Tape

Paul A. Gross II:
When I went to my first Coliseum show in 79 with my uncle Turhan Gross DJ Capricorn at the time. He went to HS with Tricky Rick.

J Rocn Ron:
Getting my first go go tape which was a 81 Maverick Room Essence that I found out was eventually the famous Sugar tape. Funk had so much passion in his voice talking about New York and DC that I immediate felt that go go was the pride of DC.

Emmett Nixon:
When I was drumming for TF, I knew we had something special. It was funky, original, turned out to be iconic in this genre of music, and appreciated globally. Do you know that they play Trouble Funk in Serbia? I’m so glad to have been a part of it’s evolution.

Jordan Rich:
1996

GSwagg Complete:
Outside PG College, the first time I saw Rare Essence in person 1979-80. Funk had the spotlight, energy, showmanship and the crank was unreal!

Eugene Randall:
I FIRST FELL IN LOVE WITH GOGO, WHEN WE WERE GOING TO HYATTSVILLE JR HIGH SCHOOL. WHEN WE USE TO SING ON THE BUS GOING HOME.

Melody Graves McKinley:
When my cousin Johnny wright who was a the road manager of new edition at the time from cape cod Massachusetts played a tape of chuck brown in the early 80’s I have been hooked ever since. I went on to audition for an all female gogo band with no experience and was on the front line playing the cowbell and singing. I met kids dad at Vince’s studio and ended up learning how to play 6 instruments. It catapulted me into the music business and eventually to television where I work today at tv one.

Ron Duckett:
1979 Trouble funk club lebaron

Changing Phaces Band Dre:
JYB – that is all

Victoria Cookie Mayo:
It was at Cherys in 1983 – I used to work there E’ry Saturday night …. RIP-Moe

Schooner Theman:
78 down Anacostia Park. Essence was playing for free under the skating rink part. Back then Anacostia Park and Haines Point were the main hangout spots for damn near everybody. Been in love wit it ever since.

Don Wilson:
The first time I heard the GO GO Rump Shaker on the radio… listened to go go for years before, but that rendition put it over the top for me.

Janey Baebe:
Watching my older sister and her friends yelling BOOODAAH STICK EM HA HA HA STICK EM!!! I was like what is this?!

Champ Boogie:
First it was RUN JO… Then it was W-OR- & a D… Then I seen JY on CRUSH GROOVE…Then it was “JAMMIN JEFFFF… HIT IT……….” Then it was “….WTF Is They YEllin’….WE IN THE MF’n DOPE JAM!!!”…. Been hooked since Run Jo tho…

Michael Fennell Sr.:
79 when RE came to Ft. Totten Park

B Walton:
I was 5 or 6 years old and the first band I heard was Northeast Groovers! Just could not stop bobbing my head! Oh man. The crank never stops! There’s nothing like GoGo!!

Hennessy Jones:
I was about 8 and I was at the community center on Bolling AFB. This kid named Snapper had a tape with Chuck’s “Run Joe” and Junk’s “Sardines & The Word.” Those, of course, are all classics today. I still get cised every time they let the rocket go on Sardines! Haha!

Ronald Primrose:
The 80s of course no doubt first trouble funk e.u. then re 4life

Marcus Lynch:
When I heard heap big fun it was over for regular music

Charita Smith:
Hearing young JYB crank on buckets downtown near Woodies and in ’88 when Back Yard cranked at LaPeña on 16th & Irving Sts.

Dennis Rado:
I grew up in the same neighborhood as Mass extinction, and they used to pack an 18 wheeler with sound and instruments. We would watch them pull off as they left to go on tour.

Aubrey J Anderson:
D.Floyds basement at 13 years old and when I got with Nature Boys shortly after.
.

— Photo property Grover Massenburg

Time and again, we like to put focus on individuals within this music culture who have not only grind in the trenches, but continue to exemplify their growth in their music and their maturity as an artist. And Wayne Davis is no exemplary to this process.

A veteran bass player in this industry of over 20+ years, Wayne has footprints ranging from a variety of bands, such as The Mighty Groovers to Miriam Wright to Signature Live to Proper Utensils. And now while the timing is right, he’s finally come forward with a project of his own that embodies the experiences he’s gathered from the roads he’s traveled. It’s simply entitled “A Childhood Dream”.

What is your name?
Wayne D. Davis

Where are you from?
Washington, D.C. However, I lived in Folkston, GA from 76-79, Hollywood, FL from 79-81 and again in Hollywood, FL from 87-90.

Thinking back to early childhood, what was your first experience with music for the first time like? What song do you remember most as a child?
From what I’ve been told, at age 2, I used to play my mothers pots on the kitchen floor while she prepared dinner. However, me, my brothers and cousins (females) used to make sudo-bands with morracas, tambourines and anything that we could beat on. If I had to pic one song that I remember most as a child it would be “Grazin In the Grass” by Hugh Masekela.

What made you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
I knew from as far back as I can remember that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I didn’t pick music, it picked me.

How old were you when you started getting involved in music?
I got my first drum set at age 8.

How did you become involved in the type of music you play/sing now?
When I was about 14, my older brother took me to my first Go-Go and from that experience everything that I did in music was based on my Go-Go roots.

Can you give me detailed information regarding your upcoming Da Bass-ics project “A Childhood Dream”?
The CD is something that I always wanted to do, based on a dream that I had as a child. In the dream, I was hearing the song “Hollywood Swingin” by Kool and the Gang and I was imagining myself performing on stage. However, I was playing the drums in my dream. The CD is a eclectic mix of who I am as an artist (musician, songwriter and arranger) that displays different genres of music that have shaped my style. Basically it’s a musical portrait of me.

Can you give me a brief rundown of the experiences that you have had in the music industry (i.e., groups, bands, other other projects leading to where you are today)?
I’ve had the pleasure of playing and/or recording with Pookie Hudson & the Spaniels, The Midnight Movers (Wilson Pickett’s band), The Choice Four, Mouse Trap, The James Brown Experience, Miriam Wright, Teri S, Miracle, Grenique, Maiesha Rashad, Citilites, Eternity, Angela Johnson, MVP, Pure Elegance, Paradise, Publicity, Nexxx Level, Reach, Clarence the Bluesman Turner, Chance, Class, The Mighty Groovers, Rare Essence, The Groove Masters, N 2 Deep, PB Experience, Suttle Thoughts, The Soul Patrol, Proper Utensils, Signature Live and more.

What can people expect to see at your live performance?
Every time I play regardless of who I play with, I try my best to leave it all on the stage. I strive for perfection, great tone and groove. Stage presence is also important, so I try to look and sound the part and I always focus on being a professional. To do what you love and to have people love it also, is a true blessing.

What do you feel distinguishes “an artist” from just a musician?
What distinguishes an artist is creativity, style and approach to interpret lyrics/music as well as daring to be different. An artist will always be identifiable.

What project(s) are you currently working on now, and how soon can we expect a release of it?
My pet project Da Bass-ics is due to be released in early December of this year. I’m also working with the PB Experience, on a song called “Momma Said” that is currently available on iTunes, a cover “Christmas Time Is Here Again” due for release for Christmas and others due to be released soon. I’m in the studio with Signature Live working on material that should be released before the summer hits. I’ve done work on forthcoming releases from Kal-El Gross, Kimberly A. Lewis, Kevin “Bam Bam” Sykes and a movie by Michael McCorkle called “All the Man I Need”. I also recently worked on a project called Crescendo and they have a release on iTunes called “Let’s Dance”.

Is there anything that you would like to do in addition to making music?
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking. I would love to some day do a DVD of some of my favorite recipes.

Art & Music has an impact on both young and old. Everyone loves a celebrity, so what advice do you have for the youth of today?
I think everyone should have a great deal of humility and being an artist we should never forget it. Also, we should always be willing to help someone (in and out of music). In regards to being ready presenting your art, I personally live by the “five P” rule: Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. While being a celebrity might be cool for some, you should always have your craft polished and ready.

If you had only five minutes on earth to perform one song that could leave a great impact on the world today, what song would you perform and why did you choose this particular piece?
“What’s Goin On” is my favorite song of all time. The lyrical content is still relevant today, it speaks of “Peace and Love” and volumes to what would make a perfect world. The chord structure and melody are relatively simple yet is very orchestrated which makes the song interesting every time you hear it.

Do you have any video links where people can see you?

• Robert “Mousey” Thompson” and the James Brown Experience
• Urban Legends
• Me testing out my new bass from BassWorx
• These are only audio track from Citilites Jazz Band that Eirk Brown calls his favorites

Is there anyone special you would like to thank for making your dream come true as an artist?
My mother the late Joenetta Edge not only supported me in my dream but also allowed thirteen other kids to take over her basement twice a week over a several year period. My father, grandmother, aunt and brothers are all responsible for shaping my musical taste and style by exposing me to different types of music. My kids keep it 100 with me and let me know when something sounds good or bad. Eirk Brown and Herb White of Uniqek Sound have both been extremely supportive of my “Childhood Dream” for over 30 years.

Just for fun… finish the following sentences!

Without music, I would be: Lost.

Music is: the heartbeat of my being.

My music makes me feel: free and at peace.

I write the songs because: that’s what I hear in my head.

Support music because: its the universal language to all mankind.

Thank you kindly!

It has been officially announced that famed drummer William “JuJu” House has joined the cast of classical musicians who make up the Go-Go Symphony ensemble.

JuJu, named just this year as a 2014 TMOTTGoGo Honoree, is by no means a stranger to the go-go stage, but he is also quite familiar with international stages in general. Playing across musical genres, he has performed with EU, Chuck Brown, Little Benny, and also with Luther Vandross, Natalie Cole, Doug E Fresh, Arrested Development, Chaka Khan, and many more.

(I think you know where I’m going with this. So now you can just add orchestra & classical to his long list of music genres.)

**Photo property of Liza Figueroa Kravinsky

The Chuck Brown Band from the Beautiful Life album – Lighters. Video Directed by Jai Jamison. Video produced by Jon Malis, Jai Jamison MMBBQ Productions. Song produced by Chucky Thompson. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bea…

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