Stan Mosley
Mood:
on fire
Now Playing: Why Can't you Love Me
"At some point in time," Malaco recording artist Stan Mosley recalls, "I have either opened for or performed in the same venue as just about every major soul or blues act in the business." Malaco Records President, Tommy Couch Sr. says, "Stan is a cross between Bobby Womack and Jay Blackfoot, with a little touch of Al Green thrown in."
Stan's first flight toward fame came in 1974, when he moved from his native Chicago to East St. Louis, Illinois, and joined the soul group The Sharpees. A year later, his band became Shirley Brown's own and Stan sometimes sang backup for the hitmaking soul diva. In 1976, Stan returned to Chicago and worked the city's vast nightclub circuit, which turned out to be a "pretty good" life, Stan recalled. His acclaim grew and, for two years running, he captured the important Chicago Music Award (in 1982 and 1983) for Best Male R & B Vocalist.
By 1986, however, the thrill was gone. "I became disenchanted with the business?and joined a music ministry known as 'The Company' in Chicago," Stan said. By 1992, he was composing and returned to East St. Louis to team up with Gus Thorton to write several songs, which were released on Stan's own Stand Up label. "They're very good songs, but unfortunately I had no distribution," he said.
Then, in the mid-1990s, he signed with a new label "that I thought was a record company, but it actually was a record store. The results were pretty negative." In 1995 and 1996, he was performing on tour as the opening act for Cicero Blake, while also serving as Blake's driver and valet. Interestingly, that is the same way blues giant Bobby "Blue" Bland came up, working for lifelong friend and blues king B.B. King. At the same time, Stan continued songwriting.
In 1997, fate took him to Malaco Records. Composer William Payton, who had co-penned Tyrone Davis' 1997 hit single Freak on Malaco, introduced him to Tommy Couch Sr. for a fifteen minute meeting. Tommy agreed to hear Stan's demo tape "and fifteen minutes ended up being hours-and Mr. Couch signed me to his label!" Stan recalled.
The year 2004 saw a resurgence of sorts for Stan. He became the CEO on a project with Double Duo Records, and obtained a worldwide distribution deal. His current project "Steppin Out" is being co-produced by former lead singer of Public Announcement
"Ace" and Super-Producer
"Earl Powell" of Entone Recording.
The year 2005 looks to be very promising for Veteran Soul Singer Stan Mosley, Currently on a World Wide Tour as the opening act for The Legendary Soul Group The Chi-Lites. Stan will be celebrating 35 Years of performing.
Stan Mosley
Posted by deltablues55404
at 12:01 AM CDT
Updated: Sunday, 9 April 2006 4:30 PM CDT