Everett “Blood” Hollins out of Hampton, VA,
recorded for RCA and Strange Fruit Records. “Blood” played trumpet or flugelhorn on a
number of recordings or added vocals to projects by Weldon Irvine, Friends of
Distinction, and others, including a duet with Jean Lang, a Newport News resident who signed with Philadelphia
International Records .
Hollins was also a friends with another Peninsula
native, David Williams, guitarist for Michael Jackson and others.. When Williams teamed with James Jamerson, Jr.
to form the group Chansen, Hollins introduced the duo to the soon to be
Executive Producers for the project, Marc Kreiner and Tom Cossie.
Currently, “Blood” is an ordained minister known as Elder
Everett Hollins of Greater Joy Church of God in Christ in Newport News where he sings, plays keyboards,
and writes Gospel songs.The latest
album project is the Joyful Praise Ensemble.
The Joyful
Praise Ensemble is the brainchild of its founder and
producer Everett Hollins,
a former background musician for the late Otis Redding / Patti LaBelle / Candi Staton / Johnny Taylorto name just a few. In the 70's he
received gold records for his association with the group "Chic" whom he introduced
to the world with their first single, "Dance,
Dance, Dance". Source
On the album, Hollins performs a song by Andre Crouch called, “The
Blood.”
Blood Hollins "Don't Give It Up."
:How Have You Been" - Blood Hollins & Jean Lang
Jean Lang
Newport News native, Jean Lang, had her heart set on becoming a
singer. She started early in her
hometown by singing with various local bands before making her way for bigger opportunities
in New York. There she continued in pursuit of her goal and
eventually meeting the right people, like Alonzo Tucker (who co-wrote “Baby,
Workout” with Jackie Wilson).
A meeting with Leon Huff of
Philadelphia International Records’ famed team of Gamble & Huff, soon got
Jean Lang in with the label, where she started writing and co-writing with
people like Bunny Sigler for artists like Billy Paul, The O’Jays, First Choice,
and Three Degrees.
Lang also hooked up to record
with another Hampton Roads resident, Everett
“Blood” Hollins to record the song, “How Have You Been.”
"How Have You Been"
"Shower the People"
"I'm Gonna Make It" written by Jean Lang. & Bunny Sigler
"I Didn't Know" written by Jean Lang & Bunny Sigler
Jackie Gregory
A tall, slim, attractive Newport News native with a beautiful voice, named Jackie Gregory, used to take the stage to open for a number of other artists and shows, like Charlie McClendon and Roy Hines. A lot of talented performers and contributors to the world of music are from this area, and VMSoul would like to remember them and maintain their legacy for history.
