Hurry, Hurry Hurry!

After a 4-year hiatus from the scene, Donnie has hit the stage with prolific writing, hard knock real life stories and emotionally provocative self analysis. The Daily News puts Donnie front and center of audiences relating to his hurt, his joy, his experience, his talent and above all, his perseverance. Soulful chords and politically consciousness lyrics are juxtaposed to create a “new” kind of soul the even his late cousin Marvin Gaye would be content with. Definitely a strong comeback full of funk!

BH: I was in Vegas when I first heard a single from The Colored Section. How did that record do?

Donnie: Actually, it didn’t do well at all. It only sold 50,000 copies world-wide. Lack of promotion on the labels behalf was the major reason. Not a lot people liked it and that’s okay. But a lot of people loved The Colored Section! Saving lives with my music is good. I had a married couple come to me saying they were about to get divorced but listening to the album helped bring them together. Knowing that helped my self-esteem. I was really down about the low sales of The Colored Section.

BH: Well, I really enjoyed it! I loved in particular the New Orleans vibe song. Sorry can’t remember the name (laughs). When I heard Cloud 9 I said ‘great, something different’.

Donnie: Well, I have so many music mentors ranging from all genres and by background is Gospel. So you get all that. I don’t listen to the radio anymore. What’s on the radio doesn’t get on my nerves, it’s just that you hear the same chord progressions all the time. Creativity is lacking.

BH: So then I hate to ask because it’s somewhat obvious [to me], but who are your musical influences?

Donnie: Well, not really. It’s not that obvious. It’s not Stevie Wonder. It’s not Donnie Hathaway. People think that because they don’t’ know who me background. They don’t know Fred Hammond, Daryl Coley, Commissioned, the Winans, etc… Gospel was my influence as far as writing is concerned. I’d be nothing without Daryl Coley. Don’t get me wrong, Stevie did a lot for music.

*The full interview will be available shortly.

Ken & I Were Strung Out!

Ken Ford is well poised and studious looking on the cover of his latest album suggesting his music is classical. Two minutes into the first track and you’ll be in for a sweet surprise of uncommon jazz melodies and finger movements unseen to even a skilled type writer. His sold out shows begin with an uproar of howling women and men standing in anticipation of his smoky stage entrance. A strong bass drum kick, a low G down beat and a huge smile set the tone for the evening.

Ford plays the acoustic and electric violin with such passion and intuitiveness that he makes his bow lose strings several times. His intimate connection with his instrument is simply beautiful. Ken Ford’s music is transgenerational, transcultural, transgender and just damn good!

BH: When I first heard you were an electric violinist, I thought how cool. Then I thought, hmm, a historically classical instrument being used to do jazz & funk through an electric medium. So, I gotta ask, why the violin [electric]?

For the full interview, go here: Ken Ford Interview