Posted by: Taye Cannon
There I was, standing on the front of the stage at Old Settlers Music Festival, band of brothers by my side. A huge rain storm had rolled in earlier, but had just cleared up in time for our 9pm slot, leaving the crowd with a sense of a reprieve. With Ray Wiley Hubbard and his band looking on, I took a deep breath, kissed my secondhand Civil Rights necklace, turned to the crowd and screamed, “Are you ready for some Dynamite Texas Soul?!”
I’ve been fortunate to have experienced a lot of these kinds of “pinch myself” musical moments, and they always get me thinking back about how I got myself here.
It seems like yesterday that I was emulating James Brown and Michael Jackson in my grandparents’ carport in Alabama as a child. The concrete was super smooth and made for a perfect dance floor. My cousin, my brother, and I would play basketball all day and dance into the night with a healthy dose of soul and funk music blasting from the jam-box.
Soul music has been a generational thing in my family, starting with my father who was there in the 50s and 60s when it all began. My cousin really looked up to my father, also a local basketball hero. They would ride around in his ‘64 Plymouth Sport Fury listening to Motown, Stax, and Atlantic soul artists, as well as plenty of vinyl spinning at home.
That same record collection was passed on to my brother and me, impacting my life deeply. That’s where this dream started for me. I can vividly remember sprawling out on the floor and rummaging through all of those records: Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, Chuck Jackson, Little Anthony & The Imperials, The Tams, James Brown, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Ike & Tina, Fats Domino, The Drifters, Sly & The Family Stone, and so many others.
The hours that I spent combing over those records, the pictures, the liner notes, the style — it’s priceless. In fact, The Temptations’ “Gettin’ Ready” album cover is a big reason I wear a suit on stage today. The french cuffs, shined shoes, gold rings, fresh fades — it all called for me.
Of course, getting to the prime time slot at a major music festival didn’t happen over night. It’s taken thousands of hours of practice, mishaps, trial and error, and sheer force of will over these many years to turn this dream into a reality. There have been many times when my musical future looked anything but certain, but I kept at it anyhow.
And that brings me to the point of this post. The more I think about it, I’ve got some interesting stories to share about how I got here, but the most important thing is why I got here — what kept me motivated to keep on keepin’ on in the face of rejection, unexpected obstacles, and just plain bad luck.
It all goes back to those years spent at home immersing myself in those records. You see, there are some people for whom music is just something that’s on in the background, to be ignored. Maybe most people. But not for me. For me, music is a companion. It’s there, front and center, when I’m celebrating with friends, feeling down after a breakup, or just having a quiet evening at home.
Over the years, I’ve met so many like-minded people for whom music is a big part of what makes them tick (if you’re still reading this, I suspect you might be one of them!), and that’s why I do what I do — so that one day (maybe even right now!) somebody will be sprawled out on their floor at home listening to my songs, looking at all the liner notes, and getting caught up in this shared experience.
I can’t wait to see where this musical journey takes me next, with all its highs and lows. Here’s to hoping you’re part of it — I look forward to meeting you along the way.
Thank you for being a listener and for making it all matter.
June 15, 2015 @ 9:08 am
I love this group.Great song,Great music,Definite rising stars.I look forward to more music.
June 15, 2015 @ 2:10 pm
Thanks Mike! We appreciate the kind words very much. Hope to see you out at a show some time soon!
November 29, 2015 @ 7:39 am
I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with this amazing group during a tour in Birmingham, AL truly an honor to perform along side them and they are a raw and true talent rising stars
November 29, 2015 @ 11:56 am
Thanks for the kind words. We appreciate the support very much. Hope to see you again next tour! Looking forward to sharing the stage again soon.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:47 pm
My favorites are “Rainy Day” and “Corn Bread” - gimme some butter !
February 22, 2016 @ 1:22 pm
Awesome! I’m glad you are enjoying the tunes! Hope to see you out at a show soon.
June 15, 2015 @ 9:11 am
I have heard many new groups over the years,but this one is fresh with a nice,smooth catchy sound.
June 18, 2015 @ 12:45 pm
I opened this blog post expecting to read Taye’s account of the story behind my “new” favorite song off the “Ain’t Nothin’ Fancy” cd, “Rainy Day” (track 9). (Background: Roxy Roca tore Memphis up last weekend with two shows at two clubs and packed houses both nights. I saw both shows and bought the cd. I’m apparently on a mission now to fry the cd because I’ve played it about 16 times through now while driving. It’s so damn good. Every time you play it you pick up things you missed before. And when the lyrics start coming together like one of those 100-piece puzzles, you can imagine what was going on at that time to prompt such emotion.)
So I was off the mark on Taye’s story about the song but it’s equally interesting to hear his account of early influences. No doubt, Roxy Roca is my “discovery band” for this year. Don’t miss a chance to see them.
June 18, 2015 @ 2:35 pm
Hey Steve! We’ll have to share the story behind the song “Rainy Day” some time soon. See you soon!
July 6, 2015 @ 9:52 am
I was steered your direction by a Facebook post by an excellent musician (Trumpet + ) who I have had the good fortune to play along side on several occasions. It seems that her husband (Austin) is scheduled to join you shortly. I wanted to hear what he would be doing. I’m very impressed and an instant fan of your music as I have seen and heard so far.
July 6, 2015 @ 10:12 am
Hey Ken! Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you are enjoying the music so far. I hope to meet you at a show some time when we are out your way.
July 14, 2015 @ 9:48 pm
Just checking you out because our very awesome Austin Johanning has joined your band. Austin’s brother JJ is my son-in-law and we know what an incredible talent Austin has. Wow, love your sound, look, vibe and it’s only going to get better with Austin on board. Come to Omaha-we’ll treat you right and we have a great music scene going!
July 22, 2015 @ 8:22 pm
Thanks Sharon! We’re having a great time together on this tour. We look forward to making it to Omaha some time in the coming year!
August 5, 2015 @ 7:05 am
Lonnie talked about that “will/way” thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObSqQ7sA2Aw
My son Eric and I drove around in our 2005 Odyssey listening to y’all Roxy’s first CD we bought at your grocery store gig in Austin, until we heard all the songs and picked out a couple of favorites. He’s a young reeds player, and he’s def. heard R&B/Soul music, this evening brought it home for him.
Thanks! See you next time!
August 5, 2015 @ 12:43 pm
Right on! Thanks for the comment. Love that Lonnie Mack song. Hope to see you out at a show again soon!
September 13, 2015 @ 8:08 am
Great band! Come to Argentina!
September 13, 2015 @ 11:21 am
Thanks for the comment! We would love to come to Argentina. We are working on making that happen. Hope to see you soon!
October 22, 2015 @ 8:30 am
Man!!! What a great band. I am a brazilian, living in Mendoza-Argentina (sic).
Got to listen to Roxy Roca at a radio show called “Delicias de un charlatan” some weeks ago and got totally hooked.
Hopefully the band will come down here someday.
Congrats. GREAT STUFF you are doing
October 22, 2015 @ 8:54 pm
Thanks Peter! We appreciate the support very much! Lead singer Taye Cannon just recorded an interview with Vorterix radio. I’m not sure when they will play that interview, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, please keep spreading the word and we’ll try to get to Argentina soon!
January 5, 2016 @ 9:30 am
I would love to hear you play in the UK. I’m a vinyl DJ in Manchester who specializes in New Breed Old School Funk & Soul, Keep On Keeping On!
January 6, 2016 @ 3:23 pm
Right on! With any luck both a vinyl release and a UK tour can happen this year. Meanwhile, our latest album, “Ain’t Nothin’ Fancy” is available now on 180 gram vinyl. You can get it on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aint-Nothin-Fancy-Roxy-Roca/dp/B00SSJI5NY.
February 25, 2016 @ 9:59 am
Hey guys,
Keep up the GREAT work. You are all working tirelessly toward your professional goals, and it shows. It was a joy to watch and hear you do your thing on stage. It’s got a good beat and I can dance to it, I’ll give it a “10”.
February 25, 2016 @ 11:28 am
Thanks Kim! We appreciate the encouragement very much. See you next tour!
March 13, 2016 @ 8:30 am
I’ve seen a lot of bands live and I’ve been singing and performing since I was 7 years old. It started with my dad playing his acoustic guitar and singing duets with him in restaurants for extra money since he was a single father raising 3 kids. I have to say, I have NEVER enjoyed watching a band so much!!! I saw y’all play at Vino Mio in Corpus Christi and it was mesmerizing. Absolutely amazing vocals and the band was so in tune with the crowd! I’d travel to see you play. I can’t wait to see you again, such a rush!
March 14, 2016 @ 5:52 pm
Thank you!! Very kind words. We always have a great time at Vino Mio. We will be back on 5/27! Hope to see you.
April 11, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
Cant wait to see you guys back in Bridgeport CT , had an awesome time
May 24, 2016 @ 9:01 pm
Thanks! We will be back!