Miss Erma
Whiteside:
"On My Way!"
 Blues
Interview
Real BLues Real People
by "Miss Vickie"
special ops./STLBLUES.NET
Erma
Whiteside is back! And even though she may be starting
out slowly, you know she is a strong force in music
and is ready to sing!
I hooked up with "The Chron Man" at BB's for
Erma's gig, Saturday, March 10, 20007. This is a shy
guy from the '80's style of music, who taps his toes
to the beat and wishes he could dance on top of the
bar! (laughter) He came down to BB's to meet his friends
from work. Since they did not show up for over an hour,
he was forced to talk to me! (laughter)
MV: "This is your first time down
at BB's..How do you like it?"
CM: "I like it! I like the people,
good atmosphere, and I can hear the music all the way
back here by the door! It's like a New Orleans atmosphere.
I highly recommend this place to everyone!"
These are the sentiments I hear from everyone down at
BB's Jazz Blues and Soups and why not, it's a great
blues bar! How great? Well they helped Erma with a fund
raiser when she was stricken with a severe illness.
Their support has helped her make her way back! This
has been seen for many of the blues artists that have
been in need over time. You have to love an establishment
that promotes and supports the music the way BB's does.
It's a natural!
Erma began her professional singing career in 1974.
Her many influences were Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight
( maybe some pips! laughter) , Etta James, and BB King.
She started singing as a child. Her mother sang and
her father played the spoons down in the old south...so
music is in her blood! Erma started out singing solo,
while singing in church choirs, then moved on to the
band circuit. The more experience she got, the more
she wanted to travel and in 1989 she went to Germany
for 4 months and played with a band called Black Silk.
She loved traveling and had a great time and aquired
a lot of good experience while in Germany. Her illness
set her back for some time, keeping her from traveling,
but she's back and ready to perform! She has her passport
folks, call her up! "I'm on my way! It's my calling.
This is what I want to do!" and she's a powerhouse
on stage at BB's tonight! The crowd really enjoyed her
performance. "I have fun! It's a fun atmosphere!
I love to work with the crowd and feel their energy!,
says Erma. Tonight, Erma's band consists of some of
the really greats in the blues community... Craig Thornton
on bass, Steve Waldman on guitar, Mike Roseman on keyboards,
and "Drums Master" Keith Robinson. He really
keeps the beat! "They are my friends! I call them
The Driving Force..They are the Best!"
Erma's closest influences are some of the people she
meets in passing (like me) (laughter), friends and family.
After her children had grown, she needed something to
do, so she went back to school. She took some business
and accounting courses at Forest Park Community College
and realized this wasn't what she wanted...so she studied
piano. The College provided her a stage to perform during
class breaks. I was there too, studying, and would go
to hear Erma sing. What a treat! She graduated in 1997.
Erma has a good thing going on stage. She has a strong
affiliation with the Blues Society..they are like family..and
provide her with the opportunity to present her talent.
Once again, John May is in the picture and is helping
Erma and so many others to show off their talents. Erma
is presently writing for a new CD she looks to produce
sometime this year. Look for this one..you know it will
be hot!
You can check out her sound at 1860's Saloon in Soulard
with Eric Foreman's band called Marsville, and at Cookie's
Jazz and More located in Webster Groves.
Many thanks to BB's
for their support of the blues and to The Chron Man!
My special thanks to Erma Whiteside for this interview.
She is my friend and I love her dearly!
check out these websites - BB's
| Erma
Whiteside | Cookies
Jazz and more | Baby
Blues Showcase
|
