Southern soul

Music genre

"Deep Soul" redirects here. For the 2009 Greek film, see Deep Soul (film). For the 1992 album by Ronnie Laws, see Deep Soul (album). For the record label, see Deep Soul Records.

Southern soul

Stylistic origins|

* Soul
* blues
* country
* rhythm and blues
* gospel

Cultural origins| Late 1950s, Southern United States
Derivative forms| Memphis soul
Other topics

* Northern soul
* Southern rock

Southern soul or country soul is a type of soul and country music that emerged from the Southern United States. The music originated from a combination of styles, including blues (both 12 bar and jump), country, early R&B, and a strong gospel influence that emanated from the sounds of Southern black churches. Bass guitar, drums, horn section, organ, and gospel roots vocal are important to soul groove. This rhythmic force made it a strong influence in the rise of funk music. The terms "deep soul", "country soul",[1] "downhome soul" and "hard soul" have been used synonymously with "Southern soul".[2]p. 18

## History

[edit]

### 1960s–1980s

[edit]

This article is a part in a series on

Gospel music

Roots and beginnings

Christian hymns
Negro spirituals
Sacred Harp
Shape note

Genres and subgenres

Southern gospel

Gospel blues
Bluegrass gospel
Christian country music
Country Gospel
Progressive Southern Gospel
Urban contemporary gospel

Christian hip-hop

Related music genres

CCM
Soul

Southern soul

Associations and groups

Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Gospel Music Workshop of America
National Gospel Singing Convention
National Quartet Convention
Australian Gospel Music Association
GMA Canada

Awards

GMA Dove Awards
Stellar Awards
Covenant Awards

* Category
* Musicians

See also:

* Christianity: Portal
* Category
* Category

* v
* t
* e

Some soul musicians were from southern states: these included Georgia natives Otis Redding[3] and James Brown, Rufus Thomas and Bobby "Blue" Bland[4] (from Tennessee), Eddie Floyd (from Alabama), Johnnie Taylor, Al Green (from Arkansas).[5]

Southern soul was at its peak through the 1960s, when Memphis soul and the Muscle Shoals sound were popular. In 1963, Stan Lewis founded Jewel Records in Shreveport, Louisiana, along with two subsidiary labels, Paula and Ronn.[6] Lewis signed soul and blues artists such as Toissaint McCall, Bobby Rush, John Lee Hooker, Charles Brown, Buster Benton, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Ted Taylor and Little Johnny Taylor.[7] In 1966, the Shreveport-based Murco Records released "Losin' Boy" by Eddy Giles, which held a place on Cashbox magazine's Hot 100 for five weeks. Murco Records had soul chart success with its other artist included Reuben Bell.[8]

Other significant contributors were Stax Records[9] with their house band Booker T. & the MGs as well as New York based Label Atlantic Records. Atlantic was Ray Charles's home, and became an early exporter of the "Muscle Shoals Sound" by distributing Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman", recorded at Rick Hall's FAME Studios.[10] FAME becoming the studio of choice for new and experienced artists alike. Establishing the city of Muscle Shoals, Alabama as a major part of southern soul. Aretha Franklin credits FAME as the place her career turned around, and Etta James recorded hit album "Tell Mama" there.[11]

The Stax label's most successful artist of the 1960s, Otis Redding, was influenced by fellow Georgia native Little Richard and the more cosmopolitan sounds of Mississippi-born Sam Cooke.[12] Other Stax artists of note included Johnnie Taylor, Soul Children, the Dramatics (from Detroit), Eddie Floyd, the Staple Singers, Carla Thomas, and Isaac Hayes.[13] Atlantic Records artists Sam & Dave's records were released on the Stax label and featured the MGs. Wilson Pickett launched his solo career through his collaboration with the Stax team, and Pickett gained big hit "Land of a Thousand Dances" with FAME Studios musicians in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.[14]

After Sam & Dave moved from Stax to Atlantic Records,[15] Stax producer David Porter and his songwriting and production partner Isaac Hayes decided to put together a new vocal group of two men and two women. They recruited J. Blackfoot, together with Norman West, Anita Louis, and Shelbra Bennett, to form The Soul Children. Between 1968 and 1978, The Soul Children had 15 hits on the R&B chart, including three that crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, and recorded seven albums.[16][17]

Another Memphis 1960s label Goldwax Records, featured James Carr, Spencer Wiggins, and the Ovations.[18] Al Green, Otis Clay, O.V. Wright, Don Bryant, Ann Peebles and Quiet Elegance recorded for Memphis's 70s label Hi Records, where they were produced by Willie Mitchell.[19]

Rick Hall was a famous R&B producer of "Muscle Shoals Sound", originating from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.[20] The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section played on hits by many Stax artists during the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, and Atlantic Records artists Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, Joe Tex and Aretha Franklin.[21] Producer and session guitarist Chips Moman produced Bobby Womack and Womack wrote R&B song "I'm in Love" for Wilson Pickett.[22] Bobby Womack gained R&B hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now" in 1981.[23]

Malaco Records introduced Dorothy Moore, Bobby Bland, Johnnie Taylor, Denise Lasalle, Little Milton and others.[24] In 1983, former Soul Children singer J. Blackfoot saw success on soul chart with his single "Taxi".[25] In 1987, Marvin Sease gained an R&B hit with "Candy Licker".[26]

### 1990s–present

[edit]

After 1990, southern soul music was still recorded and performed by singers such as Sharon Jones,[27] Charles Bradley,[28] Peggy Scott-Adams, Trudy Lynn,[29] Roy C, Sir Charles Jones, Barbara Carr, Willie Clayton, Bobby Rush,[30] Denise LaSalle, Gwen McCrae, Johnnie Taylor,[31] Omar Cunningham,[32] and William Bell.[33]

In 2025, the southern soul music Boots on the Ground song by 803 Fresh became a viral sensation.[34]

## See also

[edit]

* Northern soul
* Rhythm and blues
* Blues
* Soul
* Gospel
* Gospel blues
* Soul blues
* Beach music

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Felix, Stanford (2010). The complete idiot's guide music dictionary. New York: Alpha. ISBN 9781101198094. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
2. ^ Pruter, Robert (1992). Chicago Soul. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252062599. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
3. ^ "Otis Redding Biography". Otisredding.com. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
4. ^ "Bobby 'Blue' Bland". Livinblues.com. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
5. ^ Al Green Bio biography.com Retrieved 23 November 2024
6. ^ "The Jewel/Paula/Ronn Story". Bsnpubs.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
7. ^ "Little Johnny Taylor Bio on Soul Blues Music". Soulbluesmusic.com. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
8. ^ "Reuben Bell". Soulfulkindamusic.net. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
9. ^ "Label Spotlight: STAX – End of All Music". Theendofallmusic.com.
10. ^ Breihan, Tom. "The Number Ones: Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
11. ^ Tell Mama Allmusic Retrieved 23 November 2024
12. ^ Otis Redding Todayingeorgiahistory.org Retrieved 17 May 2025
13. ^ Stax history STAX Retrieved 25 October 2024
14. ^ White, Adam; Fred Bronson (1993). The Billboard Book Of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits. New York: Billboard Books. p. 22\. ISBN 0-8230-8285-7.
15. ^ Seth Sutel; Alex Veiga (March 2, 2004). "Warner Music Slashes Jobs, Ousts Bigwigs". The Washington Post
16. ^ "Deep Soul Column - J. Blackfoot interview". Soulexpress.net. November 20, 1946. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
17. ^ "The Soul Children - Story and Interview". Soulexpress.net. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
18. ^ "Goldwax Album Discography". Bsnpubs.com. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
19. ^ Hi Records allmusic Retrieved 31 August 2024
20. ^ Rick Hall alamhof.org Retrieved 17 May 2025
21. ^ "Swampers guitarist talks classic Aretha Franklin sessions". AL.com Alabama Media Group. August 17, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
22. ^ I'm in Love allmusic Retrieved 25 November 2024
23. ^ Bobby Womack allmusic Retrieved 11 November 2024
24. ^ Malaco Records Msbluestrail.org Retrieved 29 August 2024
25. ^ "The Soul Children - Story and Interview". Soulexpress.net. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
26. ^ Marvin Sease allmusic Retrieved 26 November 2024
27. ^ "Soul music great Sharon Jones dies at age 60". Soultracks.com. November 18, 2016.
28. ^ "Charles Bradley Bio". Thecharlesbradley.com. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
29. ^ "Trudy Lynn Discography". Trudylynn.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
30. ^ "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
31. ^ "Johnnie Taylor | Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
32. ^ Crenshaw Jr., Salomon (May 5, 2016). "Omar Cunningham: Recording music is just one of many talents for this Alabama native". Alabama News Center. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019.
33. ^ "William Bell". www.arts.gov. August 7, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
34. ^ Cornwell, Cassie (May 23, 2025). "South Carolina local going viral with song 'Boots on the Ground'". Post and Courier. Retrieved May 24, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* AllMusic Guide to R&B
* Blues Critic Website dedicated to Southern Soul, Rhythm & Blues & Soul Blues Music
* SouthernSoulRnB.com – Daddy B. Nice's comprehensive guide to today's Southern Soul Music
* Getbluesinfo.com – Southern Soul/Blues Channel:
* CarolinaSoul.Org
* beachmusic45.com \- Southern Soul Beach Music Site

* v
* t
* e

Country music genres

Genres|

* Bluegrass
* Progressive
* Traditional
* Christian country music
* Country en Español
* Country and Irish
* Country pop
* Bro-country
* Cowboy pop
* Country rap
* Country rock
* Alternative country
* Americana
* Cowpunk
* Gothic country
* Gothic Western
* Rockabilly
* Gothabilly
* Psychobilly
* Roots rock
* Heartland rock
* Southern rock
* Swamp rock
* Honky-tonk
* Neotraditional country
* Norteño
* Outlaw country
* Progressive country
* Sertanejo music
* Southern soul
* Talking blues
* Traditional country music
* Truck-driving country
* Western music
* New Mexico music
* Red dirt
* Tejano
* Texas country music
* Western swing

Regional scenes|

* Atlantan
* Australian
* Bush band
* Bakersfield sound
* Canadian
* Canadian fiddle
* Cape Breton fiddle
* Métis fiddle
* Quebec fiddle
* Newfoundland & Labrador
* Lubbock sound
* Nashville sound
* Nigerian
* UK
* West Country / Scrumpy and Western

Related|

* Appalachian music
* Cajun music
* Classic country
* Country radio
* Rock and roll

* v
* t
* e

Soul music

Genres|

* Blue-eyed soul
* Boogaloo
* Brown-eyed soul
* Cinematic soul
* Future soul
* Hip-hop soul
* Latin soul
* Neo soul
* Northern soul
* Progressive soul
* Psychedelic soul
* Retro-soul
* Smooth soul
* Southern soul
* Soul blues
* Soul jazz

Regional scenes|

* Afro-soul
* Chicago soul
* Memphis soul
* New Orleans Soul
* Philadelphia soul
* British

Other topics|

* African-American music
* Funk
* Mod (subculture)
* Mod revival
* Motown
* Plastic soul
* Rare groove
* Samba rock
* Samba funk
* Sophisti-pop
* Soulboy
* Stax Records
* Swamp rock
* List of soul musicians

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