AKB named as one of "Top 20 Signings of 2008" by Music Connection and obtain top management with Tess Taylor.
Tess Taylor is the president of NAIRP and was named one of "50 Innovators, Iconoclasts, Groundbreakers & Guiding Lights of 2008". She is in the company of such industry notables as Trent Reznor, Robert Plant, Tena Clark, Irving Azoff, Brian Eno, AC/DC, Derek Sivers, and many others. In the same issue of Music Connection Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz were named as one of "Top 20 Favorite Signings of 2008".
You can read the 2 articles from the December 2008 Music Connection Magazine.
THE BOYZ WIN LAMN URBAN JAM FINALS
"Hi y'all, we a blues band" And a profound silence fell over the room. Lead singer Sugaray of Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz said, "I'm gonna say that again 'cause the room always gets real quiet - we a blues band" But within one minute of launching into their set, the entire audience was up and dancing, and AKB went on to crush the youthful competition with charisma, musicianship and fantastic tunes. Winning the LAMN Jam Grand Slam Urban Artist of the Year title by a landslide, AKB beat out hundreds of competitors and got these remarks from top-tier talent judges in the preliminary & final round:
"I'm an Aunt Kizzy'z Girl now!" "You guys are on your way to something big." "Unbelievable! I was blown away from beginning to end. I could listen to you play for hours!" "You should be on stage with Taj Mahal at the Long Beach Blues Festival." "Wow!" "Dope, hot and sexy! I'd love to see you guys live again." “Fantastic!” “Let me bow to you!” “I walk out of here tonight a blues fan because of you.” “Why am I talking and you guys aren’t playing?” “After hearing just two songs, I want to buy your CD!”
Interscope Records A&R scout Danny Carter, himself heavily steeped in contemporary urban and hip hop music, gave some of the evening’s most heartfelt words. I just wanted to start off by saying ‘thank you’ because I just feel I got treated to something special tonight. I don’t feel like I’m in any position to judge what y’all do. As an A&R, I go back and study all the music and predecessors that came before me. And you showed me tonight I haven’t really done proper research on blues. But I walk out of here tonight a blues fan because of you. People like you motivate me to do what I do, to try to be the best… because I see that you’ve been doing it for a long time. I just watched you on stage, there’s music pumping through your veins, you’re gettin’ pleasure out of being here. Like I said, you inspire me to do what I do. So thank you!
Morris (Atlantic Records); I thought you guys were fantastic! Ray, your voice is amazing, it’s totally unique, you guys are all absolutely incredible players, I feel uncomfortable passing judgment. Look, we’ve been seeing contemporary urban, R&B and hip hop acts all night, and it was kind of a surprise and shock to see a blues act come up… You guys were fantastic, it was a real treat, thank you so much!
Koda (Angel Diva Music); Let me bow to you!
Brian Shafton (RBC Records): Why am I talking and you guys aren’t playing? You just ripped it up! Over the top! You did an unbelievable intro, your musicianship is fantastic, from A to Z, every single one of you guys. The chemistry is there, you can feel it, you can smell it, the stage presence, the experience, the interaction, your aura… it’s all so real. A+ and heartfelt! After hearing just those two songs I want to buy the CD!
One judge (Violet Brown) even awarded the band an unprecedented perfect 10 score!
The bands most valuable ingredient is that the band's dynamic frontman Sugaray knows how to read and work a room. While most artists simply perform, exceptional artists are responsive to the mood of the crowd. The energy shifted when AKB took the stage, and the band had the crowd on its feet within seconds. One judge stated it was a pleasant surprise to see a blues band of “old guys” beat the pants off five other contemporary urban, R&B and hip hop acts. Without batting an eye Sugaray responded "Blues is the original urban,”
As a direct result of winning the LAMN Jam preliminary round in June, AKB signed a deal with RBC Records.
RBC Records partner Brian Shafton, a talent judge who signed the band on the spot when he first heard them two months ago, stated "Nothing speaks louder than Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz' music. In our eight years of existence, RBC has never signed a group based on one listen until we heard AKB. And it only took two songs! We are not alone in our opinion as everyone who hears the group falls in love immediately. Above and beyond their musical talents, the guys are incredibly hard working and gig over 200 nights per year. Although blues is not the most commercially viable genre, we believe that with the right talent and music we can traverse this stereotype, and we know we have this."
Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz is a diverse group of musicians from Southern California, who perform high-energy blues, rock & soul. In January 2006 the Boyz competed at the 2006 IBC (International Blues Challenge) in Memphis TN, where they came home with 2nd place, after competing with over 130 blues bands from around the world. Their first CD, trunk full of bluez, was released January 2004 and their 2nd CD "It's Tight Like That" was released in 6/2007, both to rave reviews.
Blues Critic stated in March 2006:
"if you ain't got a great singer you ain't got this critic's ear. Well, the Boyz got themselves a serious blues-shouter who goes by the name Sugaray Rayford. Hailing from Tyler Texas, Sugaray possesses one of those powerful ,gospel-soaked voices that can take the meekest of songs and improve it. He and his mates start their debut disc, "Trunk Full Of Bluez", on the good foot with a ripping 12-bar blues shuffle called "Jelly Roll". Sugaray comes-a wailing' and guitarist Jim King shreds mightily over the racing groove, courtesy of bassist Joe Schiavone and drummer Duane Hathorn. And their show stopping version of Albert King's "Rub My Back". This track sizzles! Dare I say it even eclipses King's version and this is coming from a serious Albert King admirer!”
Lead guitarist, Jim King's solo debut album, WHEN THE BLUES ARE GREEN garnered rave reviews & he recently signed with Grooveyard Records for distribution of this CD.
"Blues Revue" magazine stated:
"His stripped-down approach reveals an uncanny soulfulness that's almost unnerving in its depth and effectiveness."
Grooveyard Records states:
“Excellent debut studio disc from this awesome, obscure blues/rock guitar slinger from California featuring an amazing, superb eleven track Peter Green musical tribute. Deep burning blues licks, killer extended solos…”
Not only will you be blown away by their musical talents, but their high energy, soulful stage performance is mesmerizing. The energy they create on stage is like being picked up by a twister, and at the end of the night when you touch back down, you won't know what hit you; but you will feel great. The Boyz call it being Kizzyfied!
My husband and I had the honor of kind of celebrating something special with you guys tonight at Bailey's in Temecula. You see it was 2 years ago that we were contemplating a divorce, when we stubbled across your band playing at Baily's. Thanks to you, we found new ground, a new spark. For us you remind us of the dawn after the darkest night. Today we celebrated nearly two extra years on our marriage. 26 yrs of mostly bliss. We thank you for coming into our lives and will catch you every chance that we can get. An extra plus, we were able to introduced one our best friends to your music tonight. She loved you all and had a blast! May the powers that be bless you and keep you all safe! Your devoted fans and friends! Lesa and Shaun
Dear friends, i hope everything is good for you. I think about you. I lesson a few time your cd, i love it. Also i put your song on my myspace. I'm so sad that you don't come back in France, i would like too see you again. Big kiss and take care my friends....i hope sincerely you come to France so soon. Your fan Kiki
Here is a link to photos from your show at the Greater Ozarks Blues Festival in 2007, opening for Joe Bonamassa! http://www.flickr.com/photos/photogal1967/sets/72157621296929925/ I am actually in the photo that you are using on your myspace page, I am photographing from right below where Michael is playing. I am going to try and make the show at BB's Jazz Blues and Soups, mind if I bring my camera? ~Rhonda
Hi everybody, just here to say our new RORY GALLAGHER HAWK BOOSTER is ready for shipping. Have a listen if you get a chance, All the best, Stevie Flynn.
Boyz, I don't know Aunt Kizzy but I know y'all make her proud. Thanks for the add…
May peace and happiness fill your cup May the sun find you smiling when it comes up May you never face hard times all alone May the road be smooth you’re traveling on
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