|
Please click on the category you wish to choose from the options
below
| |
|
Little Buster |
|
Four years ago B.B.King appeared on 3
separate big time National TV shows in the U.S. Every Host of these Shows asked B.B. about
the possibility of him retiring, and B.B. told them that when he does " THE ONLY
PERSON THAT CAN FILL MY SHOES IS LITTLE BUSTER".
BUSTER
FOREHAND:
Buster was born in Hereford, North Carolina, at the age of 3 Buster developed Glaucoma, as
a young Boy his Musical Career started as a Vocalist. By the time he completely lost his
eyesight, Buster learned how to play 6 Instruments, including the Guitar which he
consistently played, while attending the North Carolina School for the Blind.
As a Teenager Buster relocated to Long Island, New York, to live with his Sister. In 1959
Buster began his Professional Musical Career as a back-up Guitar Player in Alan Freed's
'ROCK AND ROLL SHOWS', the premier Showcase for many future World Class Entertainers, that
was at Brooklyn's Paramount Theatre. In addition Buster was performing on a regular basis
in the Bars and Clubs on Long Island.
In 1964 Buster won a Talent Contest at the World famous 'APOLLO THEATRE', and caught the
attention of Jerry Blaine, who ran the Jubilee and Josie Record Company. Buster signed
with Jubilee/Josie records, and recorded his Composition 'LOOKING FOR A HOME', which
became a Radio Hit in the local markets on the East Coast. Throughout the 1960's Buster
recorded for Jubilee/Josie Records, his biggest Hit was in 1968. The name of the song was
'YOUNG BOY BLUES' which was written by Legendary Song Writer Doc Pomus. Doc Pomus said
that "Buster's Overwhelming Version Of This Song Was "The Best Rendition That He
Ever Heard", far outstripping Ben E. King's cover of the Song. The last Single that
Buster recorded for Jubilee/Josie Records was 'CITY OF BLUES/CRY ME A RIVER'
Jubilee/Josie Records recorded Buster's first Album, compiled of previously released 45's
and some additional original Compositions in 1970. The title of the Album was 'LOOKING FOR
A HOME', but unfortunately due to the financial demise of Jubilee/Josie Records this album
was never released, and was put in storage in the Company Vault.
In the 1970 Buster put his recording Career on hold and concentrated on Live Performances
throughout New York. Buster paid his dues as an opening Act for B.B.KING, Muddy Waters, Bo
Didley, James Brown, Solomon Blake, Etta James, Millie Jackson, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson,
Albert King, Al Kooper, and many more.
For the next 25 years, Buster's incredible Live Performances overwhelmed his Audience.
These Shows featuring his unbelievable Vocals and Guitar playing, resulted in his
Legendary Entertainer status in New York that still remains today.
In 1996, Buster revived his Recording Career, with the release of his CD, 'RIGHT ON TIME'
on Rounder/Bullseye Records. This CD compiled mostly of Buster's original Compositions
received Worldwide acclaim, and resulted in a W.C.HANDY AWARD, Nomination, and received
runner-up status for the LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE CRITICS AWARD. Buster's Recording Career
moved forward in 2000, with the release of another CD, 'WORK YOUR SHOW' on Fedora Records.
This CD also received rave reviews by the Music Critics throughout the World.
These accolades created the opportunity for Buster to perform on 'CBS This Morning', 'Late
Night With Connan O'Brien', 'The Chris Rock Show', and Dan Ackroyd's 'House Of Blues Hour.
Buster has also been featured in Periodicals such as "Juke Blues Magazine' 20th
Century Guitar' 'New York Music Guide' 'Newsday' and 'Voices From The Shadows'. This
increased expose created the opportunity for Buster to Perform in Concerts and Music
Festivals in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.
Buster has always wanted to re-release his 45's, and in 1997, he learned that Sequel
Records in England had obtained the right to release all of the Songs on a CD. The Songs
and Album Cover design was from the Jubilee Album that was never released, this CD finally
makes these Songs available to a Worldwide Audience.
In the year 2000, Buster along with his Life long Friend Steve (DOC) Kleinberg, and Ayanna
Hobson, formed the Little Buster Record Company. One of the many goals of this
collaboration was to enable Buster to have complete control of his own Record Company, and
his Music. In addition to have Ayanna and her newly formed Group 'AYANNA & THE
SOULMATES' record Buster's original Compositions, in order to widened the Audience for
Buster's Music.
LITTLE BUSTER & THE SOULBROTHERS:
DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP:
Buster Forehand (Guitar & Vocals), Jerry Harshaw (Saxophone), Frank Antiss (Drums),
Alan Levy (Bass Guitar), Robert Schlesinger (Keyboards).
MUSICAL GENRE:
R&B,Blues,Soul,Jazz.
TELEVISION PERFORMANCES:
'Good Morning America','Conan O'Brian', and 'David Letterman' TV Shows. Buster has
performed in TV Commercials for, Comedy Central, Kit Kat Candy, Folgers Coffee, Subway
Sandwiches, and Mercedes Benz. Also a Musical Sound Track performance in the Film 'The
Siege'.
CONCERT PERFORMANCES:
'BLUES ESTAFETTE / VREDENBURG ULTRECT FESTIVAL', 'TOKYO GAS / BLUES FESTIVAL JAPAN',
'BLUES FESTIVAL OSAKA JAPAN', 'ATLANTIC JAZZ / BLUES FESTIVAL NOVA SCOTIA', 'SARATOGA
SPRINGS JAZZ / BLUES FESTIVAL'.
BUSTER HAS OPENED SHOWS FOR:
B.B. King, James Brown, Bobby Bland, Solomon Burke, Johnny Coplland, Muddy Waters, Albert
Collins, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Buchwheat Zydeco, Etta James, The Four Tops, Gladys
Knight & The Pips, The Temptations, Al Kooper, Mary Wells, The Mavelettes, Freddie
Scott, Bo Didley, The Manhattans, The Jive Five, Millie Jackson, Maxine Brown, and many
more.
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES:
B.B.King, Ayanna Hobson.
AWARDS:
Winner NEW YORK MUSIC AWARDS 'BEST BLUES ACT', Nominated W.C. HANDY AWARD 'BEST SOUL/BLUES
ALBUM OF THE YEAR', Winner NATIONAL ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT RECORD DISTRIBUTORS AWARD
'BEST ALBUM INDIE LABEL', Winner LONG ISLAND NEW YORK MUSIC AWARDS 'BEST MALE VOCALS',
'ARTIST OF THE YEAR', 'BEST R&B ACT'.
PRESS REVIEWS:
"Little Buster Is The Only Musician That Can Fill My Shoes", B.B. KING JUKE
BLUES MAGAZINE issue #36, "Little Buster, This Blues Man Is No Small Change",
SUN CHRONICLE Massachusetts, "Little Buster Is A Great Soul Singer, Who Style is
Between The Classic 60's Stax Sound, And Contemporary Southern Soul", BLUE SUEDE
NEWS, "Little Buster & The Soulbrothers Have It All", BACK BEAT Oklahoma
Blues Society, "Little Buster Is Unreservedly Recommended As A Gem" THE SHADOWS,
"Little Buster & The Soulbrothers Are A Straight Soul Blues No Frills, Sweet,
Joyous Romp" NEW MUSIC REPORT Great Neck N. Y. "Buster's Gritty Vocals And Crisp
Guitar Work Are Revelatory" LIVING BLUES, "Little Buster Is In The Forefront Of
Composer/Performers That Is Keeping The Deep Soul Genre Vital" JAZZ & BLUES
REPORT
CD RELEASES:
2001 Composed Music and Lyrics for 'Ayanna & The Soulmates 'LOOKING FOR A HOME TOO',
Little Buster Records.
2000 "WORK YOUR SHOW", Fedora Records,
1997 "LOOKING FOR A HOME" Jubilee/Josie Records.
1996 "RIGHT ON TIME" Bullseye Records,
LITTLE BUSTER'S 45 RELEASES:
1970 'City Of Blues'/'Cry Me A River'
1968 'Young Boy Blues'/'Cry Me A River'
1966 'But I Do'/'I'm So Lonely
1966 'All Night Worker'/'I Think I'm Falling'
1965 'I've Got A Good Thing Going'/'It's Loving Time'
1965 'I Knew It All The Time'/'T.C.B.'
1964 'I'm So Lonely'/'You Were Meant For Me'
1964 'Looking For A Home'/'River's Invitation'
Many thanks to Steve Kleinberg of 'Little Buster Records' for providing me with this
Information on Little Buster and also for allowing me to use his photographs. Anyone
wanting to find out more about Little Buster should visit the 'Little Buster' Website at
the following link
http://www.little-buster-records.com/
|
