Interview with Apollo Theater Bassist, Alex Evans - (Yahoo! Entertainment Reprint) #ThrowbackThursday

Most of us have to imagine what it would be like to work and perform with such musical greatness as Usher, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Whitney Houston, Boys to Men and the venerable legend Patti Labelle. But for St. Louis, Missouri native and long-time musician Alex Evans, what is fantasy to most is his everyday reality.

Having started his musical career decades ago as part of a family venture, Evans is currently the house band Bassist at the historic Apollo Theater located in Harlem, New York. The Apollo Theater has been an integral part of music heritage for 77 amazing years, launching the careers of many iconic entertainers. Evans has been blessed to be a part of that rich heritage and I was favored with the opportunity to interview him about it all.

Here’s a look at what was said:

Gonzalez: I’ve heard that you started working in the music industry when you were 8 years old playing Bass and singing backup vocals as part of your family’s group The Evans Gospel Singers. What was that experience like?

Evans: It was a greatly defining moment for me and, now that I’m older, I truly appreciate the impact it has had on my career. Starting out as early as I did enabled me to establish certain characteristics that are necessary in this business – like discipline and work ethic.

Gonzalez: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the music industry?

Evans: Stop, look, listen, and then apply yourself whole heartily to your gift.

Gonzalez: How often to you practice?

Evans: Well, it varies. Sometimes, I will find myself in a period where I’m everyday and all day!

Gonzalez: How has the music industry changed since you first started?

Evans: Music and the world of technology are always changing and they are becoming far more integrated in terms of distribution and even in the process of creating music. Music now is heavily dependent upon technology.

Gonzalez: The Apollo Theater is such an iconic piece of New York City’s heritage that it just exudes music history. What does it feel like to go to work every day in such a historic and venerable venue?

Evans: Wow. This is such a big deal for me. I grew up watching Showtime at Apollo and the Apollo was always this larger than life place. Now I get to be a part of the Apollo experience.

Gonzalez: I’ve read that over the years you have played and recorded with an impressive array of musical artists including Patti Labelle, Usher, Mariah Cary, Whitney Houston and Boys to Men. Is there one particular artist or musical group that you hit if off really well with and if so please elaborate?

Evans: Well I have to say MS.PATTI LABELLE. She has always been so nice to me. She was a consummate professional and just the nicest lady.

Gonzalez: What artists do you especially look forward to in the future?

Evans: Elton John and Paul McCartney

Gonzalez: What has been your most memorable music industry experience thus far and why?

Evans: During the 2011 BET awards, they honored Patti with the life time achievement award and in her acceptance speech she said," I would like to say thank you to my band. I would like to thank ALEX EVANS." I just felt so overwhelmed like man, this is her moment and she included me. Just WOW!

Gonzalez: What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

Evans: The fact that I have been able to make a career doing something I truly love to do.

Gonzalez: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Evans: Hopefully being the best father who ever played bass.

Gonzalez: If you could only be remembered for one thing what would it be and why?

Evans: Being the best father who ever played bass.

Author's Note: This interview originally appeared on Yahoo! Entertainment several years ago. The publishing rights have since reverted back to me.

John Ellison: My Interaction with Man behind Some Kind of Wonderful (Yahoo! Reprint) #ThrowbackThursday

Over the course of my years working in the travel and tourism industry I have had the opportunity to interact with many celebrities including Shelley Winters, Deborah Harry, Penn and Teller, Kane Hodder, Michael Jackson, Charlie Sheen, Matthew Broderick, John Cusak, Hulk Hogan and John Ellison.

Many interactions were insignificant, brief and singular events, whereas others were more substantial. A majority of them occurred while the stars were either performing or visiting in the area where I was working. Such was the case with John Ellison.

John Ellison is one of the original members of the Soul Brothers Six, a 1960’s rhythm and blues group whose signature song, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, was all the rage in 1967. Once released the song quickly hit the Top 20 on the Rhythm and Blues Singles Chart. Although I prefer the Soul Brothers Six version, the ultra popular hit was redone by Grand Funk Railroad in 1974 with much fanfare.

Afterward, the song enjoyed a new surge in popularity to the point of reaching third place on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart of that year. That, however, wouldn’t be the end of the song’s popularity. Today, “Some Kind of Wonderful” is considered to be the third most played song in the world.

Born in 1941 in West Virginia, Ellison’s soulful voice and multitude of musical talents would not go to waste during his time with Soul Brothers Six. In addition to being the lead singer, Ellison also played guitar and wrote songs. Other Soul Brothers Six songs include the infectious “Your Place or Mine”, “Love Don’t Get Better than This”, “its Not Easy Being a Woman” and “Good Dose of Love.” He also spent time combining talents with the likes of many other renowned figures. Among them are Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Little Richard, Diana Ross, Patti Labelle and Curtis Mayfield.

I first met John Ellison when he reserved a room at one of the hotels I use to work for. He would often perform on stage at various venues near the hotel and as such became somewhat of a regular guest for a while. I was the person he would usually contact to make his hotel reservations and more often than not was also the person to register him in upon his arrival.

What I can say about my interactions with John Ellison is that in addition to being a talented artist, the man is both gracious and humble. A quintessential gentleman, he was very pleasant to deal regardless of the circumstances. During one of his many visits in the area he presented me with a special gift; a signed copy of his Welcome Back CD. The autographed CD remains a treasured piece in my memorabilia collection.

To this day John Ellison continues to perform throughout the world both on stage and in the kitchen. He has his own restaurant and food business known as Some Kind of Wonderful Restaurant and Some Kind of Wonderful Food Company. Those that would like to learn more about the man, his music and foray into the food industry should log onto the official John Ellison website.