Soul Blues
Born and raised in Millen, Georgia, Frank Bey began his singing career performing gospel at the tender age of 4. Along with his brother and two cousins, their group “The Rising Sons” toured around The South making live appearances as well as radio broadcasts. At age 17 he joined the Otis Redding Revue working as the opening act for several years. During his time with Otis Redding, Frank learned to captivate and mesmerize an audience with a song.
In the early 1970s, he formed a tight-knit radical funk group – Moorish Vanguard. But in a record deal gone wrong with James Brown, it all fell apart. Abandoned by his closest friends, Frank quit singing for 17 years. Eventually, Frank would find that he could never walk away from his dream. He returned to music, and despite a sudden battle with kidney failure, connected with an internationally touring blues band.
On stage, whether for hundreds at international music festivals or dozens at a local church, Frank Bey is radiant, powerful, and generous. His perfectly self-tailored suits are as sharp and polished as his smooth baritone voice. Off stage, one might just miss Frank. He’s quiet, humble and focused. He walks with a cane, but is still dressed to a “T”, partly because he only has room for show clothes in the closet of his tiny apartment.
Frank was nominated in 2014 for Soul Blues Artist of the Year and for Soul Blues Album of the year for his album with the Bey Paule Band, “Soul For Your Blues.” He was again nominated in 2016 for Soul Blues Artist of the Year and for Soul Blues Album, “Not Going Away”, also with the Bey Paule Band.
”Frank Bey had been standing in the shadows of stardom far too long. He has finally stepped out of the shadows.”
Lee Hildebrand – Music Journalist
“In a time when American Idol-type vocal gymnastics too often pass for soul, Frank Bey is a perfect reminder of what soul singing is really all about: Communication, warmth, and emotional sincerity.”
Rick Estrin of the Nightcats – Alligator Records Recording Artist
Ask Me How I Feel is a nuanced, participatory portrait of the 72-year-old singer’s life and the most exciting but treacherous year in his unbelievable comeback story.
Connect with Frank Bey
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