Member Since: 07/05/2007
Band Website: http://www.tonidodd.com
Band Members: Southbound Blues have gone through a whole boat load of musicians and every last one of them were awesome. Founders of Southbound Blues are yours truly & Eric Davis drummer, my Husband, who is the love of my life. Whoever is with us you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be great.
Influences: My influences are based on the different pages that have ufolded my life. I was raised with eight brothers & sisters in an Italian/Mexican family. My grandfather was a saxophonist and had played in the big bands. It wasn't unusual to walk into my grandparents house and hear him rehearsing. So from the gate I was exposed to many different types, styles & ethnicity. With the coaxing and support of my parents seven of us are singing, playing some kind of instrument, doing the business end of it or performing. From the beginning I knew deep down in my soul that I wanted to perform and I didn’t care what I had to do to make it happen. Being raised in a large family and positive environment really helped me to quickly adapt to any given situation because lets face it we all know what a tough business this is and believe me I come from the school of hard knocks. I believe that if you have the right support and love in your childhood years it stays with you through life. After a certain amount of time you realize that you will not be a superstar but I feel that all the singers out there who have stuck with it and are consistent and persistent are Divas in their own rite. Its unbelievable how much talent there is out there. We all do it for the love of playing music. It’s our calling. Disappointments have come too many times but we still get right back out there in spite of the hurt and pain we have endured. I started singing in church & was drawn to ceremony later on indulging in the American Native music. What the kids were listening to in my neighborhood were Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Temptaions, The Supremes, James Brown-The whole Soul evolution. I absolutely loved it. I was drawn to Blues at an an early age. I dicoverd Billie Holiday & Jimmy Reed which led me to Lightin Hopkins, Sugar Cane Harris, Etta James, B.B. King & Ray Charles. This list is just really endless but I will try. Bessie Smith was in a category all her own. I loved Janis Joplin, Bonnie Bramlett, Bonnie Raitt and in da hood(my Hood) Tata Vega-Phenomenal singer-Rita Coolidge, Delaney & Bonnie, Chaka Kahn, Aretha Franklin. Stevie Wonder & George Benson. Great back-up singers like Rosemary Butler were overlooked. She's been on all kinds of albums. I think Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam is one talented guy. I really love Kelly Clarkson-That girl sings her ass off. John Mayer is definitely headed for the Blues side of life. Great writer. My husband, Eric Davis, turned me on to Tom Waitts. That cat is as cool as they come. Don't be surprised when you see me singing one of his tunes and maybe a recording!
My biggest influence was Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues. Later on I discovered Country music through Emmy Lou Harris and Gram
Parsons which also led me into the beautiful world of Southern Rock-Marshall Tucker, Lynard Skynard. Hank JR., & The Almond Brothers. Wynona Judd crosses the threshold of Country & Blues. I also loved The Stones, The Beatles. especially George Harrison. Bob Dylan was a big influence along with Joan Baez & Joanie Mitchell. As you can see I don’t have too many boundaries when it comes to music, which led me into all types of projects. My music has led me around the world and got paid to do it. I wouldn’t change my life for anything. It’s been one heck of a ride and I’m still on that wave. I currently have an awesome Blues band that has touched my heart and soul and has taken me to stages such as B.B.Kings, The House Of Blues and Beale Street in Memphis.
Sounds Like: SOUTHBOUND BLUES BABY!!!!!
Record Label: Unsigned
Type of Label: Indie