World Wide Waddie has been granted access to interview veteran soul singer Calvin Richardson for its inaugural “For The Record” sgement. Mr. Richardson reminisces over the highlights of his 10-year career in mainstream R&B as an independent artist, especially his banner year in 2009 which included two Grammy nominations, a critically-acclaimed album and a long-running hit single written for Charlie Wilson.
Also, find out what it was like to collaborate with legendary singer/songwriter/producer Babyface. Would he rather perform for Oprah Winfrey or President Barack Obama? Plus, he shares a childhood memory with a famous R&B duo that scored #1 hits in the 1990′s.
Personally, I was excited to enlist Calvin as the first interviewee for this new “For The Record” segment because I have been a fan of his work, especially his solo version of “More Than A Woman” which was later covered by Angie Stone. His critically acclaimed albums 2:35PM and Facts of Life: the Soul of Bobby Womack are praised as classics in the independent soul scene.
I had the privilege of hanging out with Calvin and receive a first-hand experience of what a music artist goes through on a typical day (or in this case, night). The evening began when I sat through his rehearsal while he ran through his catalog of hits with a new back-up band entitled The Revelations. I was amazed how Calvin and The Revelations performed together in sync after meeting for the first time in one session.
Afterwards, I rolled with Richardson to the 98.7 KISS-FM studio as he was the guest of legendary radio host Lenny Green during his Quiet Storm hour. I have not been inside a radio studio during a live session in years, so I forgot how it is to be in that environment. Calvin answered the hot topic discussion about whether foreplay in important before sex. His answer went well with the listeners as he replied that dinner is not as good without an appetizer. Well said, Mr. Richardson!
I had a blast and would love to be a part of his hectic schedule again if fun like that happens again. That’s why I’m a R&B Junkie!
