Multi-genre composer, bandleader, musician and vocalist Damien Sneed, (who toured with the legendary Aretha Franklin during her last few years) and iconic singer/songwriter and award-winning producer Valerie Simpson share a joyful conversation with SoulMusic.com founder, David Nathan about their 2022 tour, “A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen Of Soul.”
Damien says the tour “was inspired just by thinking of something that I could do to honor the Queen of Soul, who was a great musician, a great singer, and a true icon” while Valerie talks about Aretha’s artistry and her ability to put her own stamp on whatever she recorded; and Aretha archivist David reminds Valerie about one of his personal favourite recordings – the first song Aretha recorded penned by Valerie, Nick Ashford and Jo Armstead, “Cry Like A Baby,” back in 1966!
Soul Talkin’ session recorded February 24, 2022
(c) 2022. SoulMusic.com/David Nathan
TOUR DATES (March 2-March 2o)
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Christopher Cohan Center, San Luis Obispo, CA, (Valerie Simpson)
Friday, March 4, 2022
Poway Center for the Performing Arts, Poway, CA, (Valerie Simpson)
Sunday, March 6, 2022
Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto, CA, (Valerie Simpson)
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Eppley Auditorium, Culver, IN, (Karen Clark Sheard)
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Hancher Auditorium at University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, (Karen Clark Sheard)
Friday, March 11, 2022
Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire, WI, (Karen Clark Sheard)
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Marcus Performing Arts Center, Uihlein Hall, Milwaukee, WI, (Karen Clark Sheard)
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Governors State University, Center for Performing Arts, University Park, IL,
(Karen Clark Sheard)
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, NC,
(Karen Clark Sheard)
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ, (Karen Clark Sheard)
Friday, March 18, 2022
Kimmel Cultural Campus, Merriam Theater, Philadelphia, PA, (Karen Clark Sheard)
Saturday, March 19, 2022
McCarter Theatre at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, (Karen Clark Sheard)
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, Flushing, NY,
(Karen Clark Sheard)
