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Smokestack Lightnin' Home Page -- The Blues Profile Page
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At some point in your life you have heard Arnold McCuller's
rich and distinctive vocals that have captured the hearts and ears of
many well-respected musicians and fans alike. Long time featured
vocalist with some of the best recording artist around, including Phil
Collins and James Taylor.
Arnold has also set out to further solidify his solo identity with
his first recording in 1984, “A Part of Me That’s You”, co produced with
jazz piano player, David Benoit. Then “Exception to the Rule” in 1990,
with his long time friend Dana Walden. Since he has continued to bring
his listeners new material with “You Can’t Go Back” co produced with
Bill Cantos, and guitarist Greg Poree. His favorite is his “Live at the
Baked Potato”, recorded at one of Hollywood’s most famous jazz clubs. Arnold McCuller is acknowledged as one of the most expressive
vocalist in the business. Whether performing solo or singing back up,
his show stopping live performances regularly bring audiences to their
feet. Arnold has been one of the music industry's most popular session
singers. McCuller's voice has graced recordings by a virtual who's who
of the music industry, including Aretha
Franklin, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt,
Bette Midler, and Brenda Russell. Lionel Ritchie, Dave Koz, Billy Idol,
Lyle Lovett and Beck to name only a few. You’ll need to Google the rest. An appearance on Saturday Night Live led to a phone call from singer-songwriter James Taylor. Little did they realize that 30 years later they would still be performing and recording together. In between world tours, Arnold appeared in such films as "Beaches", "Without You I’m Nothing", "Crossroads", "Hollywood Knights", "American Hot Wax", “What’s Love Got to do With It”, "Funny People", and The National Anthem in Clancey’s “The Sum of all Fears”. Born and raised in Ohio, Arnold's early musical experiences centered in the church, where both of his parents were prominent vocalists. He began his professional musical career when he was invited to join the national touring company of HAIR. Two years later he found himself in Manhattan where he studied acting, dance and voice._ In New York, Arnold joined forces with Revelation, a four member vocal group who recorded for RSO (Atlantic Records). "Get Ready for This", "You To Me Are Everything", and the critically acclaimed self titled album "Revelation". The group toured nationally with the Bee Gees, Smokey Robinson, Isaac Hayes and Millie Jackson and many others. _ All of his solo efforts have been released on his indie label, What’s Good Records, which features Arnold at his strongest and surely captures the attention of his international fan base. In 2008 Arnold released Sabor, a Latin Jazz project which is Arnold’s first all original effort, but clearly not his last. That year he was also involved in recording sessions with Donovan Frankenreiter on “Pass It Around”. Since then Arnold has stayed busy touring with James Taylor and recently got involved with a new album currently in production for Ry Cooder along with a very special upcoming Eric Clapton Blues record. Arnold’s new 2011 project, a Blues album called Soon As I Get Paid is set for an April 19 release along with live performances of the effort being planned nationwide. Soon As I Get Paid was made possible by the selfless financial help of his fans and friends through a special campaign through the social media website Pledge Music. Fellow musicians such as Lyle Lovett even contributed generous financial donations to the production, making this a collaborative effort that has resulted in what is sure to be one of the most important Blues albums of the decade.
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