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BETTYE LAVETTE


BIO:
Betty Jo Haskins was born January 29,1946, in Muskegon, Michigan. The family moved to Detroit when she was six years old. Her parents sold corn liquor and her living room was oft-times visited by The Soul Stirrers, The Blind Boys of Mississippi, and many other traveling gospel groups of the day. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Bettye did not get her start in the church, but in that very same living room, where there was a jukebox, filled with the blues, country & western, and R&B records of the time. The "5" Royales, Dinah Washington, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Red Foley, ...these were her roots. By 16, Betty Jo had become enamored with showbiz. She decided to change her name to something more dramatic. She knew a local groupie by the name of Sherma Lavett, liked the sound of the name, and thus, Betty LaVette was born. Singer Timmy Shaw brought her to Johnnie Mae Matthews, notorious Motor City record producer. Bettye's first single was "My Man - He’s a Loving Man.", in the fall of 1962. The record was quickly picked up by Atlantic for national distribution. The record charted #7 R&B and put her on her first national tour, with Ben E. King, Clyde McPhatter, and another newcomer, Otis Redding. After a brief spell at Detroit's Lupine label, Bettye went back to New York and became the featured singer in the Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford Review, where their Small's Paradise shows became the talk of the town. Her association with Don and Dee Dee spawned her next big record, for the Calla label. "Let Me Down Easy", written by Dee Dee Ford, was an atmospheric masterpiece. Bettye's pleading voice, set against the moody string arrangement by Dale Warren produced a record that is on many "greatest soul songs of all time" lists. It went # 20 R&B in 1965 and led to an appearance on the television show, Shindig. It also put her on a tour with The James Brown Review.

Latest Articles


David Malloy Shares 'A Brand New Day' From Upcoming Album 'Mirror' Photo David Malloy Shares 'A Brand New Day' From Upcoming Album 'Mirror'
by Michael Major - March 13, 2024

The colors MALLOY saw in the sky that morning helped to inspire the look and feel of the “A Brand New Day” video and to cast his dog “DJ,” a three year old 100% German shepherd, in it. The video was directed by Andrew Rozario for Casting Life Films with animator, Beau Burnette and illustrator, Ian B...

Lizz Wright Announces Career-Defining Studio Album 'Shadow' And Toronto Concert Photo Lizz Wright Announces Career-Defining Studio Album 'Shadow' And Toronto Concert
by Michael Major - February 15, 2024

On Shadow Wright pens five originals including “Root of Mercy,” “Circling,” “This Way,” “Sparrow” which features Angelique Kidjo and “Your Love” with Meshell Ndegeocello. She showcases along with her own works singular renditions of songs by Cole Porter, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Sandy Denny, ...

Danielle Nicole Unveils New Single 'Love On My Brain' Photo Danielle Nicole Unveils New Single 'Love On My Brain'
by Michael Major - January 05, 2024

The Love You Bleed was produced by Tony Braunagel (Taj Mahal, Eric Burdon, Robert Cray) and co-produced by Nicole, with John Porter (B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bryan Ferry) mixing. The tight-knit quartet on the songs features Danielle on bass guitar and vocals; Brandon Miller (electric, acoustic, pedal s...

Suwannee Spring Reunion Lineup Sets Sam Bush, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan Band, Photo Suwannee Spring Reunion Lineup Sets Sam Bush, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan Band, Donna The Buffalo
by Michael Major - November 21, 2023

The 2024 Suwannee Spring Reunion features music on multiple stages and includes Sam Bush, Railroad Earth, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan Walls of Time Band, Donna the Buffalo, Keller Williams' PettyGrass ft. The HillBenders, Bettye LaVette, The Steel Wheels, Town Mountain, Seth Walker, Jon Stickl...

Grammy Nominated Musician Danielle Announces New Album 'THE LOVE YOU BLEED' & Shares Photo Grammy Nominated Musician Danielle Announces New Album 'THE LOVE YOU BLEED' & Shares New Single
by Blair Ingenthron - October 28, 2023

Danielle Nicole has announced the upcoming release of her new album, The Love You Bleed, out January 26, 2024 via Forty Below Records....

Dave McMurray Returns with 'Grateful Deadication 2' Grateful Dead Tribute Album Photo Dave McMurray Returns with 'Grateful Deadication 2' Grateful Dead Tribute Album
by Michael Major - April 05, 2023

The follow-up to his acclaimed 2021 tribute album which once again finds the saxophonist reimagining the songs of the Grateful Dead with his gritty and soulful Detroit sound joined by guests including Oteil Burbridge, Bob James, Jamey Johnson, Greg Leisz, and Don Was. Watch the video for “Scarlet Be...

The Soul Motivators Share 'Power!' From Upcoming Full Length 'Do It Together' Photo The Soul Motivators Share 'Power!' From Upcoming Full Length 'Do It Together'
by Michael Major - March 01, 2023

'Power' pushes the TSM sound to new celestial limits - Interstellar synths and drum n’ bass inspired breakbeats are mediated by Teruko’s ethereal vocals with the fire and passion of Bettye Lavette and tight rhythm of The JB’s. Other highlights include, ‘It is what it is’ - a smooth soul groover that...

Steve Dawson Has His 'Eyes Closed, Dreaming' on New Album Photo Steve Dawson Has His 'Eyes Closed, Dreaming' on New Album
by Michael Major - January 31, 2023

Eyes Closed, Dreaming, the newest album from Steve Dawson is, without reservation, a pinnacle and career highlight for the Nashville-based Canadian musician. With its melodies, inspired instrumentation and soulful vocal performances, Dawson’s newest music soars effortlessly over the very high bar he...

Dave McMurray Releases New Album 'Grateful Deadication' Photo Dave McMurray Releases New Album 'Grateful Deadication'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - July 16, 2021

Grateful Deadication was announced last month with the video for a transcendent version of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter’s “Loser,” featuring Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir, alongside Bettye LaVette and Weir’s Wolf Bros bandmates Don Was, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti, and Greg Leisz....

Dave McMurray Releases Cover of the Grateful Dead's 'Franklin's Tower' Photo Dave McMurray Releases Cover of the Grateful Dead's 'Franklin's Tower'
by TV News Desk - June 25, 2021

Grateful Deadication was announced earlier this month with the video for a transcendent version of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter’s “Loser.”...

2021 Blues Music Award Winners Announced By The Blues Foundation Photo 2021 Blues Music Award Winners Announced By The Blues Foundation
by Stephi Wild - June 06, 2021

The irrepressible spirit of the blues was on full display during The Blues Foundation's 42nd Blues Music Awards (BMAs) presented by Global Electronic Technology when winners across twenty-five (25) categories were announced. ...

Ringo Starr To Celebrate 80th Birthday with Charity Broadcast Photo Ringo Starr To Celebrate 80th Birthday with Charity Broadcast
by Kaitlin Milligan - June 30, 2020

Today Ringo Starr announced 'Ringo's Big Birthday Show,' a broadcast to benefit 4 charities: Black Lives Matter Global Network, the David Lynch Foundation, Musicares and WaterAid....

Bettye Lavette to Release New Album from Verve Records Photo Bettye Lavette to Release New Album from Verve Records
by Sarah Jae Leiber - February 12, 2020

This Spring, Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Bettye LaVette will release a new album, “Blackbirds,” on Verve Records featuring songs primarily popularized by some of her peers, other iconic women in music, who she personally loved, respected and admired. Set for a May 8th release, the album finds LaVet...

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Announces Fourth Round of 2019 Lineup Photo Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Announces Fourth Round of 2019 Lineup
by Kaitlin Milligan - August 15, 2019

For the fourth straight week, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has announced ten more artists for their 2019 festival which takes place in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on October 4-6. As with past lineup reveals, fans were treated to a sneak-peek audio clip of the soon-to-be-announced artists on HSB's ...

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Announces Third Round Of 2019 Lineup Photo Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Announces Third Round Of 2019 Lineup
by Kaitlin Milligan - August 08, 2019

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass keeps the lineup announcements rolling this week. Through their traditional “artist medley” teases, fans were treated to a sneak-peek audio clip of unannounced artists on HSB's social media accounts earlier in the week. Today, HSB revealed ten new artists who will join the ...

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Announces Second Round Of Lineup For 2019 Photo Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Announces Second Round Of Lineup For 2019
by Tori Hartshorn - August 01, 2019

Celebrating its 19th year in 2019, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will return to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on October 4-6. The festival, founded by Warren Hellman in 2001 as a musical gift to the people of San Francisco and the world, celebrates American “roots” music and its many outgrowths. Eac...

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Announces First Round Lineup For 2019 Photo Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Announces First Round Lineup For 2019
by Kaitlin Milligan - July 25, 2019

For the past 18 years, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has brought hundreds of thousands of die-hard live music fans from around the world to San Francisco's Golden Gate Park each October. This year, onOctober 4-6, Hardly Strictly will celebrate its 19th year with performances by celebrated acoustic duo T...

Montclair Jazz Festival Announces 10th Anniversary Celebration Photo Montclair Jazz Festival Announces 10th Anniversary Celebration
by Kaitlin Milligan - June 06, 2019

Get ready, jazz fans! The award-winning JAZZ HOUSE KiDS® today announced the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL 2019 line-up. The Garden State's largest and favorite music festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary this summer with two jam-packed weeks from July 26 through August 10 featuring 250+ jazz music...

WXPN Announces XPoNential Music Festival Lineup Featuring Hozier Photo WXPN Announces XPoNential Music Festival Lineup Featuring Hozier
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 26, 2019

WXPN, the non-commercial, member-supported radio station of the University of Pennsylvania, today announced the artists who will perform on Friday, July 26 at its 2019 XPoNential Music Festival presented by Subaru. The annual three-day festival will take place Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28...

Soul Icon Bettye Lavette Returns With An Album Of Bob Dylan Songs Photo Soul Icon Bettye Lavette Returns With An Album Of Bob Dylan Songs
by A.A. Cristi - March 09, 2018

For her tenth album and first album on a major label in nearly thirty years, legendary soul singer Bettye LaVette takes on the songs of Bob Dylan with the grit and experience that makes her one of the greatest living soul singers. Things Have Changed is a masterpiece of interpretation of one of the ...

Erin Costello Debuts DOWN BELOW, THE STATUS QUO and Embarks On US Tour With Shannon M Photo Erin Costello Debuts DOWN BELOW, THE STATUS QUO and Embarks On US Tour With Shannon McNally
by Tori Hartshorn - February 05, 2018

Erin Costello Debuts DOWN BELOW, THE STATUS QUO and Embarks On US Tour With Shannon McNally...

David Bromberg Gets the Blues at 72 with a Town Hall Birthday Blast 9/23
by A.A. Cristi - September 14, 2017

A musician's musician, master of the guitar, the mandolin, the fiddle and several other stringed instruments, David Bromberg is a one-of-a-kind figure in popular music. He will celebrate his 72nd birthday and his new blues-rooted CD with a special performance at The Town Hall in New York City on Sat...

Music Legend Todd Rundgren Gets Notre Dame Artist in Residence Mini-Documentary
by A.A. Cristi - May 25, 2017

Rundgren started his Spirit of Harmony Foundation a few years ago to help bring music back into schools - http://spiritofharmony.org....












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