05/09/2026
Been in the entertainment business for 51 yrs. I've performed with so many artist, including Bobby Blue Bland, Johnny Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Miles Jaye, Brick, Confunksion, Earth Wind and Fire, Cameo, Gerald Levert (RIP), Angie Stone (RIP), Gladys Knight, Maze ft Frankie Beverly (RIP), Carl Carlton, Jessie James, Rick James, Teena Marie, Usher, SOS band and others.
I broke the debuts of several rap artists like Soulja boy, D4L, Franchise Boys, Young Jock, Kia, Luke, Trillville, Outkast, and others.
And when it comes to Southern Soul Music, we created the space for so many artists to shine, when the odds said no, you cant grow.
Right in the middle of the Rap epidemic when R&B mixed with old school Conquered the music and Nightclub Scene, with demanding songs like "Candy", "Just in Case", "Wifey", Return of the Mack, Back That A*z Up, Freakem, Planet Rock, Raggae, house, even slow jams like Sparkle, Adore, Meeting in my bedroom, Right and Wrong way, etc...
In the midst of all those demands, I had to be the craziest MF alive to introduce massive party crowds to something I thought was needed. Southern Soul music. I remember fighting with the radio station jocks about the artists in my lineup. People like Mel Waiters, Sir Charles Jones, and TJ Soul, were the only artists to break the radio barriers.
And here I am, pushing artists like Cupid, Kenne Wayne, Lebrado, Jeff Floyd, LJ Echols, Jackie Neal, as far back as 1999.
Then, in 2002, as a mixing DJ, I began putting these artists in Party mix CDs that still circulate to this day. Sold my party mixes in nightclubs in Atlanta, Houston, Michigan, Louisiana, and wherever I went.
By 2006, I started promoting
"SOUTHERN SOUL SUNDAYS",
by 2008 we were finally isolating our efforts by doing shows before audiences of 1,500 on gotdamn Sunday Afternoons broad daylight 4pm-1am, after church services. Artists like Lacee, Willie Clayton, Theodis Ealy, and others. Hit my stage "Live".
Then by 2009, me and Mose Stovall, the Velvet Voice, started selling tickets to these shows with artists performing.
Ultimately, in 2011, I opened the 1st actual "Southern Soul Blues Club" DJ Virge's Southern Soul/Blues Club
People say I was way too far ahead of everyone else.
I started promoting unknown artists like Tucka, simply because he was from Lafayette Louisiana.
And now, that I pushed this talent and created interest, I didn't do it all, but I did my part. I made enough impact for people to make money on album and ticket sales.
So, after sharing the stage with so many Nationally established talents, in this music world, I cant stress enough to the artists in this cliche called Southern Soul, to stay humble. Dont disrespect your DJs. And remember to stay focused on the music, not the bullshyt. Karma watches everything. No matter how big you think you are... look at all those more successful than you, whose career fell in one day. Think of those who were idolized for their talent, and still died broke. More important, is never forget the old school saying what goes up, must come down. The artists with longevity are the ones who stay humble in this game.
