One stage and one Southern star-filled night! Don’t miss the Denim & Diamonds Concert series with Southern Soul Rising Stars: Jeter Jones, Jay Morris Group, LJ Echols, Cecily Wilborn, Young Guy, and Mr. Mister live in concert! Don’t miss this event at Arena Theatre on Friday, November 22, 2024. Sounds by Chilly Bill and hosted by Poppa C. Doors open 7pm.
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Independently produced concert not associated or affiliated with Arena Theatre.
About The Show
The Denim and Diamonds Concert series presents Southern Soul and Zydeco artists live! Southern soul is a genre of music that originated in the Southern United States in the 1960s, and is a combination of blues, country, R&B, and gospel. It’s characterized by its raw, direct, and honest style, and is often described as “gospel-based” and “emotion-baring”.
Southern soul is also known as country soul, deep soul, downhome soul, and hard soul.
Some say there’s a thin line between Southern soul and blues, and that Southern soul updates the sound of blues while staying true to its rhythms and cadences. Whatever is said 360° is proud to present it live in concert.
Jeter Jones
Jeter Jones is an American blues, soul, and R&B singer and songwriter from Louisiana who is known as “King of the Trailride Blues.” Since his 2013 debut long-player R.E.A.L. (Raw Encouraging, Amazing Love) showcased his sweet yet gritty baritone voice to regional acclaim, Jones has been singular in his pursuit of Southern soul. Music, while his first love, was not his first career choice. For 20 years, he was first a soldier with the Army, and later a combat medic in the U.S. Marines. He saw duty in the Afghanistan invasion after 9/11, and in the liberation of Iraq in 2003. He retired as Sergeant First Class. Though Jones sang throughout his youth, it wasn’t until 2012, while still in the service, that he began to pursue it. After retiring in 2013, he released his sophomore studio outing, Da GQ Country Boy, in 2015; it showcased his stylistic evolution into a soul-blues singer with a stylistic debt to Bobby “Blue” Bland, Don Covay, and Johnny Taylor. 2016’s Trailride Certified signaled a move toward slick funk, while 2018’s Dhis Him showcased his return to rootsy Southern soul and featured a slew of guest spots.
Jay Morris Group
Imagine De La Soul re-imagined as a southern soul group and you have an idea of the Jay Morris Group. The sound is collaborative and homey, next-door-neighbor-like. Evidently no musical peers have advised the Jay Morris Group that the southern soul genre is exclusively the domain of solo artists, nor that practically every southern soul group that has defied the odds for a time (Klass Band Brotherhood, The Revelations featuring Tre’ Williams) has eventually suffered the departure of its lead vocalist. The album starts slowly but builds in quality throughout its generous sixteen tracks, culminating in its premier cut, “Happy Weight,” which tackles the very southern-soul theme of taking pride in one’s body. Unfortunately, the group’s finest song, “Ms. Wendy,” which made its chart debut in September 2018, is not included. However, the group has recycled “Ms. Wendy” as a new song (same melody and instrumental track), “4 Fa 4,” which IS included in the CD. “4 for 4” has gained 350,000 views on YouTube, a major accomplishment
LJ Echols
LJ Echols grew up in a small town in Mississippi called Bassfield right outside of Hattiesburg. LJ Echols started out in a gospel group called the “The Echols Family”, which consisted of six group members: Herman Echols Sr. (father)-lead guitar player, Mary Echols (mother)-lead singer, LJ Echols-bass guitar player and background singer, Demetric Echols-singer, Sedrick Echols- drum player and background singer, and their cousin Carlson McLoud- Singer. In the interim of his new found success, they released their first album in 1995 and the second album in 1997.
After the success of the gospel album LJ decided moved to Dallas, TX in August of 1999 to endeavor into the R&B (Rhythm & Blues) style of music. This is when LJ decided to come up with a grouped called the 4- Sho Band which consisted of three brothers and a cousin. LJ Echols-bass player and background singer, Demertic Echols- Lead Singer, Sedrick Echols- drum player, Carlos McLoud- second lead singer and background singer. The 4-Sho Band all shared a part of playing, singing, and writing their own music.
In the summer of 2004 LJ Echols started a solo singing career as a Southern Soul Blues Artist. LJ is very talented and versatile when it comes to music. LJ Echols plays, writes, produce, and sings his own music. In his new found success he released his first CD entitled, “Well Runs Dry” in the beginning of 2005 that is now playing across Mississippi, Texas, and other cities and states. When the Well Runs Dry CD dropped, LJ Echols was up for nomination for the Best New Blues Artist of the Year at the 2006 Jus Blues Music Awards that was held in Atlanta. In 2008, LJ Echols released his second album entitled, “Another Level” with his hit single “From the Back” which put LJ on the map for every down south state, the Mid-west, and up North States such as Michigan and Illinois. The song From the Back also had LJ Echols up for nomination again at the 2009 Jus Blues Music Awards that was held in Memphis, TN on August 5th for the Best Southern Soul Song of the Year.
Cecily Wilborn
Cecily is an R&B/Southern Soul artist based out of West Memphis, AR. She is a Music Production Grad from Full Sail University and the newest female artist to sign to the Nu Planet Entertainment recording label. Cecily’s most recent accomplishment is her single “Southern Man” which she wrote, recorded, and produced on her own, reached 4.6 million streams worldwide in the first year. Her resume includes performances with many celebrities such as King George, West Love, Trina, and more. A few of her favorite performances come from the BB King’s Stage, at the Essence festival in New Orleans, The Apollo in NYC, and the Memphis vs Lakers game at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, TN.
Young Guy
The rise of Young Guy and his smash single “Take Heed” (six million YouTube views and counting) has certainly caught everyone by surprise. Young Guy has joined a long queue of tradition – great Southern Soul singers with astonishing depth and maturity.
The signs are good for Young Guy. Without even a debut album to his credit. the Joliet, Illinois-born, Mississippi-bred, former hip-hop artist is already headlining shows, concerts, and festivals. Young Guy has made the hernia-popping leap to musical legitimacy.
Mr Mister
Mr Mister self-describes himself as “The New Sheriff In Town” of R&B Southern Soul. Mr Mister began his career at an early age. He fondly recalls “singing his first solo at age 4 in his church’s Easter program.” I am, Mr. Mister, is also known as Mr. Do It Good.
Purchase Tickets & Directions
To purchase tickets visit our box office, charge by phone at 713-772-5900 or ticketmaster.com
Arena Theatre
7326 Southwest Freeway (Hwy. 59)
Houston, TX 77074
Click here for Google Map
Neighborhoods: Sharpstown, Westside
Arena Theatre is conveniently located on Southwest Freeway between the Galleria and Sugar Land. Exit either Bellaire Blvd or Fondren Rd, and look for Boxer Property’s two Arena Place dark brown office buildings. Look for the Flags on top of the towers or the Westwood College sign as a visual indicator. Paid parking is available onsite with two covered, multilevel parking garages that connect directly to the theatre without exposure to the weather.
About The Arena Theatre
The Arena Theatre has been bringing in mainstream entertainers since the ’70s. Its round revolving stage allows audience members a degree of intimacy with the performers unavailable in a traditional arrangement. The Arena recently received a substantial facelift under new ownership. Upgrades include new sound, lighting systems, led screens and seats. Arena Theatre’s ambitious booking approach has brought some of the best national and international pop, urban, Latin, country and rock talents to Houston.
