music chose me.

singer. voice talent. actor. emcee. coach. songwriter. producer. dancer. cheerleader. promoter. audio angel & her good intentions.

OKeh short history: 

OKeh was founded by Otto K. E. Heinemann when he set up his own recording studio and gramophone record pressing plant in New York City in September 1918. Heinemann formed the name of the record label "OKeh", from his initials.  OKeh began by issuing popular songs, dance numbers, and vaudeville skits similar to the fare of other labels, but Heineman also wished to experiment with music for audiences neglected by the larger record companies. OKeh produced lines of recordings in German, Czech, Polish, Swedish, and Yiddish for the USA's immigrant communities. In 1920, Ralph Peer's recordings by African-American blues singer Mamie Smith were a surprise smash hit for Okeh. The company perceived the significant, little-tapped market for blues and jazz by African American artists. Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Bix Beiderbecke are only a few names of jazz greats that have recorded for the label. By 1926 Columbia Records bought the label and kept it running into the 60's with jazz and R&B recordings. 

In 1994, Sony Music reactivated the OKeh label as a new-age Blues label. Okeh's first new signings included Keb' Mo, Popa Chubby, and Little Axe. By 2000, the Okeh label was again retired, but in 2013 it will see its re-launch as a jazz label once again.

If you’ve ever seen Raymond Coats' West Coast Groove Band perform, you know what a high- drive artist he is. But ask him to talk about his career and the sociable, magnetic musician-songwriter becomes noticeably uncomfortable and gracelessly quiet. “The combined flashes are one big story telling that’s still not concluded. I just sit back and stay indebted to still be making music with helpers,” says the humble vocalist Coats, a consistent entertainer who has maintained an amazing ability to perform throughout his solo career that began in earnest in 1974. One of those memorable moments for Coats occurred twenty years ago at a Forty Niners game when walking up the ramp at half-time and singing one of his originals when he was stopped by Bill Withers who became a friend and confidant with whom he recorded in his studio. The two were a hit from the beginning. One of the tracks that came from this collaboration, “Special Love For me” came at a time when Bill, already a solo recording artist, and Coats was being propelled from being a first-call sideman to an in-demand solo artist. Oh, and seriously folks, don't forget to pick up your copy of his latest CD. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/raymondcoats26

Oh yes, it is also on ITunes and Amazon.com to look around! http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Raymond-Coats-Sr/dp/B00FPWWBZU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1426811483&sr=1-1&keywords=Raymond+Coats

Ray’s ability to cover many genres of music is also enhanced by his originals off Simply Raymond, distributed by Tate Music Group through Orchard, also allows you to have the music and the sound you want to make your event/s perfect!!

For booking call: 707-392-0984 or http://niceandloud.com/raymondcoats

Gregory Piere is following