Mr. Wiggles - A Man Before His Time
Mr. Wiggles was born on August 8th, 1937in Richmond, VA. The Mecca of the South
Mr. Wiggles idol was always the great singer and bandleader Louis Jordan.
I remember every nickel I got would go in the “piccolo” (that’s what you called jukeboxes today). And every number I played would be Louis Jordan. Whoever said Louis Jordan was not an idol in the early 50’s did not listen to my piccolo in Miss Moody’s Store on 15th and Boston.
I remember 2nd Street just like it was yesterday. They might tear down the buildings but they can’t tear down my memories. Another idol of mine was Larry Donnel. He was singing at the Hippodrome, and I asked Larry if I could be his valet. And to my surprise, he said yes. Boy boy boy boy,…that was the beginning of Mr. Wiggles.
Little Richard, Fats Domino and Chuck Berry came on the scene, and man, you couldn’t tell Mr Wiggles he wasn’t Chuck Berry, Little Richard or Fats Domino.
Across the street from the Hippodrome Theatre was the Slaughters Hotel, Eggleston Hotel and the Harrison Hotel. 19th and Hull was Southside Mecca. Gregory’s Ballroom was where I won my first talent show. My manager was the legendary Allen Knight, the first black DJ in Richmond. After seeing all the sharp clothes, fine women, and fancy cars that were part of the entertainment world, it didn’t take long for me to decide what I wanted to do with my life. I always wanted to be a publisher, performer, writer, producer and owner of a record company.
Thank God now I’m a publisher, BMI writer, producer and singer. My brother and I put out my CDs on my labels (Sound Of Soul Records), together we own a state of the art studio (Urban Beat Studios, both analog and Digital).
These are some of the artists I had the pleasure of working with: Little Tommy, (Jimi Hendrix, The Upsetters featuring Grady Gaines ( Little Richards famous band), Little Dickie Wonder, Oscar Wright, Sebastian Williams, The House Rockers, Carol Cook, Lulu Howard, Tanya Frye, Larry Saunders, The Whole Darn Family, Danny Boy, Carlton Robinson, Sir Walter, La Rich and the Dream, Next Millennium, Freak, Roderick, Wigglin’ Men, and of course Mr. Wiggles.
Other Rap acts like American Express, MC Rockwell, Cool Carl, Mahogany, and Jason, even in1985 when the Hip Hop game started, I was there.
A fraction of 1% of entertainers make it. I’ve been blessed to be “doing it” since the early sixties. I believe in entertainment. And no matter where you’re from, be proud of it.
I currently have several CDs on the market. Mr. Wiggles and Friends, Mr. Wiggles Again and Mr. Wiggles and His Sound of Soul Family. I am very thankful for the great articles in 64magazine , Plan 9 (by the Scorpio Brothers), Key Awareness, Richmond Free Press, Living Blues Magazine (Jackson Miss.) and In the Basement(London UK). The following radio shows: Eric Stanley, (105.7), WCLM Sweet Tuesday, Southside Jack, Sterling Harrison, Les Green and The Mystery Man, UVA Charlottesville station WTJU with Jon Lohmann,
For more information see the website: www.soundofsoulrecords.com
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