Legendary soul musician Bobby Patterson rips the stage at 7:30 pm Friday, February 19, at the Allen Public Library. Once featured on National Public Radio, Patterson has been singing R&B and southern soul for over half a century. Releasing countless singles in the 60s and 70s, his original tunes have been covered by artists as diverse as Little Willie John, Albert King, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Jeff Tweedy.
Having once performed at the Carousel Club owned by the infamous Jack Ruby, Patterson now is a favorite at Austin’s South By Southwest, Damrosch Bandshell in New York City, and at clubs throughout Texas. As a songwriter, he co-wrote “That’s What the Blues is All About” with Al King. Another of Patterson’s songs, “She Don’t Have to See You” was recorded by Golden Smog for their 1995 album Down by the Old Mainstream.
He recorded a live album at the Longhorn Ballroom in 2002 and released I Got More Soul in 2014. Commenting on this recent album, Patterson declares, “More soul than more soul. More means more.” Produced by Zach Ernst, formerly with Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears and currently the Relatives guitarist, I Got More Soul is comprised of covers and songs inspired by Patterson’s witty radio punch lines. For years, he was a disc jockey at KKDA-AM, Soul 73 in Dallas where he was the voice for soul in Dallas. Patterson emphasizes, “Because, you know, a merry heart does good like a medicine. So I’d like for, you know, to open up your ears and take your medicine!”
Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214.509.4911 for more information.
