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Stax To The Max Returns to MemphisSubmitted by cashbox on Fri, 04/26/2013 - 02:28

Submitted to Cashbox Canada

For the third year in row, the Stax Museum of AmericanSoul Music is taking it to the streets with its STAX TO THEMAX, all-day, outdoor, FREE music and arts festival. Thisyear’s event, billed as Arts Memphis Presents Stax to theMax, takes place Saturday, April 27th, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Stax Records, an American record label startedin Memphis, Tennessee,was founded in 1957 as SatelliteRecords and the name Stax Records was adopted in 1961.The label was a major factor in the creation of the Southernsoul and Memphis soul music styles, alsoreleasing gospel, funk, jazz, and blues recordings. WhileStax is renowned for its output of African-American music,the label was founded by two white business people, JimStewart and his sister Estelle Axton STewart/AXton = Stax)and featured several popular ethnically-integrated bands,including the label's house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s.One of the biggest stars signed to Stax was Otis Redding,who had the major hit ‘Sitting on the Dock of the Bay’.The Stax Museum of American Soul Music isa museum located in Memphis, Tennessee, at 926McLemore Avenue, the former location of Stax Records. Itis operated by Soulsville USA, which also operates the adjacent Stax Music Academy.

Canadian Icon Mel Shaw Talks About the Stax To The Max Show:SG: how did it happen that the Vic High R&B Band were the first Canadiangroup selected to appear at Stax to the Max?Mel: That happened while my wife Fran and I, with two associates fromCanada, were visiting Memphis for the development of DREAM SINGERThe MUSICAL Memphis Edition.The invitation for the group toperform came from the Soulsville Foundation CEO Mark Wender duringour meeting at his office. He realized that our recording schedules inMemphis would coincide date wise with their big once a year SoulCelebration called STAX TO THE MAX. Mark was aware, through ourdiscussions, that the Vic High R&B Band were young but serious musiciansand that they had played BB Kings in Nashville. I assured Mark of theirprofessional manner and that they would have a great deal of respect for

the Stax tradition.

SG:That will be a lifetime memory for the young band. Tell me more about the meeting.Mel: We were meeting with Mark to talk about the Stax history, the Memphis talent scene and the impact of Stax

Stax Museum of American Soul

Stax to the Max in Memphis

Stax and Sun

Records on the history of Soul, Rhythm and Blues, and Popular music. TheStax Academy has been developing young Memphis artists for over tenyears and inspiring everyone with the Stax heritage for over fifty years. Wewill have an opportunity to see several of the Memphis acts on Apri 27thwhen the Vic High R&B Band get a chance to perform.

SG: When did you get the Vic High R&B Band involved with DreamSinger?Mel: It all came about when I called for some demos of this HIGH SCHOOLR&B BAND from Victoria that was causing a stir. I found out that Eric Emdecreated the R&B Band concept of young high school musicians and singersplaying R&B over twenty years ago. It took me long enough to hear of themand what impressed me was theyhave been mentored by BJ Cook,a well known Canadiansongwriter, and Martha Reevesfrom Martha and the Vandellas. Ithought, I have to hear this groupand when I did it convinced methey could be a core unit for aneventual DREAM SINGERVICTORIA EDITION of themusical. I was right. Now Eric, who by the way is also the musical directoras well as founder, agreed to record two songs on behalf of the Victoria

edition. As it turned out, we made it happen in Nashville during a full week visit in 2012.

SG:How did that turn out for them?Mel: Fran and I made sure it would be the trip of a lifetime - performing at BB King's Blues Club, producing an HD videoof the group performing and strutting up and down Nashville's Broadway Avenue.

SG: Now the first Vic High R&B release. When will you go to market?Mel: We have the first release - HIGHER AND HIGHER made famousby a Dream Singer inspiration artist, Jackie Wilson all ready to go, butwe have a video only half finished. The beginning was shot at BB King'sin Nashville and will end with the Vic High band in Memphis struttingdown Beale performing the song. we will then release the track and thevideo. It may even be in 3D.

SG: I believe the young group is going to enjoy every minute of thisMemphis experience.Mel: I agree Sandy. It is their first time in Memphis and they are excitedto be a part of the premiere MEMPHIS happening, Stax to the Max allday concert. Fran and I are thrilled for them as they experience being inthe Soul, Rock and Roll and Blues centre of Memphis. They truly will be experiencing the heart of the city and its music. Your story will be greatfor the band and for the Stax Academy group as well. So thank youCASHBOX CANADA for helping to tell their story and getting the wordout on the new generation of deserving artists. Oh, by the way, they willbe recording their follow up track for the musical courtesy of JohnSchorr, president of the SUN STUDIO, the birthplace of Rock and Roll.We currently have recordings coming from six city editions for DreamSInger The Musical.

This year’s festival, held behind the Stax Museum, features all-day livemusic, arts performances, vendors, nonprofit booths, food trucks,children’s activities, and more, with people from all over the country and even Canada participating. And in honour ofthe Stax Museum’s 10th Anniversary in 2013, the event promises to be bigger and better than ever before.Musical acts include:

* The Soulsville Charter School Jazz Ensemble* The Vic High School R&B Band from Victoria, British Columbia* The Monophonics (psychedelic soul and funk from San Francisco)* Swingtime Explosion (17-piece big band from Memphis)* Stax Music Academy* Headline Act: For the headline act beginning at 5:30 pm on the main stage,Stax to the Max is having an old-school Stax and soul throw down, with theGarry Goin Band backing Stax legend William Bell, longtime Memphis soulsinger Toni Green, and Kirk Whalum, with rare Memphis appearances by Staxlegends the Temprees, the Mad Lads, and the Astors, the latter of which hasn’t performed together in over 40 years.

According to Stax Museum communications director Tim Sampson, “We have a junket of 25 European journaliststraveling to Memphis to cover the Stax Museum’s 10th anniversary and we wanted to give them and the crowd a realStax experience. With the young people of the Stax Music Academy and the performances by the Stax veteran artists,we hope we will convey to everyone that the Stax Museum is more than just a museum, but also a community, a familyif you will, that uses the legacy we preserve to bring things into the present and take them into the future.”

For more information please contact Tim Sampson 901-485-8735 or tim.sampson@soulsvillefoundation.org(mailto:tim.sampson@soulsvillefoundation.org)

Vic High R&B Band

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Eddie EastmanWhat a wonderful group of kids.Reply · Like · July 30, 2013 at 6:54pm

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