Haley opening for Allen Stone (3 dates w/video from Boston)

[Miguel]

I was wondering if white musicians without an urban edge persona had a stiff barier to getting recognized in R&B and hip hop markets... I guess not if you're good enough !

He's receiving recognition and selling out shows at small venues. This gig is at a club in Montreal.

LA Times "Pop & Hiss" interview with him in December:

“I got a hold of Stevie Wonder when I was about 15. I wasn’t allowed any secular music in my house growing up and so I had to sneak records. Somebody gave me some Stevie and the first song I heard was ‘Isn’t She Lovely,’ ” he recalled. “That initial hook, once he starts into that [begins singing the lyrics] you’re hooked on the rest of the song. I just mimicking what Stevie was doing vocally as best as I could.”

...“We’re getting hounded by majors," he says. "But these days you’ve gotta have your … together before you go to a label. I want to develop that cult following where I can just go to a label and say, ‘All you’ve gotta do is take it to radio,’ ” Stone laughs. “I’m really trying to do it independently as best as possible. When you’re signed to a label, they have all of their chickens in a row already, they know how they want to do it.”

“Allen Stone” has won over critics for its retro-soul vibe. His lyrics recall the days of Wonder and Marvin Gaye, artists who sang more about what was going on in the world, and a little less about what’s happening in their bedroom.

“There is so much music at the forefront that really drops the ball. R&B especially. It’s always about sex. R&B and soul music has the power to change minds and affect people emotionally and spiritually. It has the power to ignite change. And that’s where I get passionate,” Stone said. “I miss music that stimulated like ‘What’s Going On’ … songs about social change, what are we doing, what’s our government doing, what are we doing as a country? I like music that says stuff besides I want to [expletive] you.”

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_bl...ngers.html