Can you hear me singing?
I have a high, clear voice
like that of Percy Sledge.
I’m a soul singer
from somewhere like Macon, Georgia.
I perform mostly
country soul numbers
in the Music Shoals style –
Percy’s ‘Out of Left Field’,
‘You’ve Got My Mind Messed Up’ by James Carr.
I’m not a demonstrative singer.
I don’t believe in going down on one knee
like Arthur Alexander,
or asking members of the audience
to come up on stage with me.
I stand still most of the time
and let the words do the talking.
‘Sugar-plum dancing on my mind,
every day you whip me
seems like Valentine…’
I might throw out an arm if the mood takes me,
or place one hand on my heart.
I might close my eyes for a moment
as I take hold of the microphone.
Can you hear me singing?
