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I remember the first time I heard Koko sing. I'd been performing country and pop for years when a fan suggested that I buy one of her cassettes, so I did. While driving down the road I put the tape in. When I heard her soulful voice, I was so excited that I nearly had to pull off the road! I wanted to hear more of that kind of music, with that kind of feeling. Things were going pretty good in my career, then all of a sudden I took a detour to check out something altogether new. I made the switch to the blues and have never looked back.
After coming into the blues I finally got to meet the woman who made me change directions. It was at a club in Chattanooga, Tennessee on March 13, 1995 at approximately 10:00 pm. Koko and I were instant friends, and she became a real mentor to me. Any time I was feeling the least bit down or frustrated with the business, with a kind, reassuring word she would lift me back up to where I needed to be. She was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. One of the last times we talked she said, "EG, you and I have a job to do. It don't matter if there are thousands, hundreds, or even one who comes out to hear us sing, If we can touch one heart in that room, that may be troubled or down, we've done our job. That's what our job is, and that's what we were put here to do."
Some of the best times of my life were with Koko - like the time when some friends and I went to her bachelorette party, her wedding, her birthday parties, and any of her shows that were within reach. And what a shock I got one night when I was playing in Huntsville, Alabama, and I looked up to see Koko walking in. She had come to surprise me, and that she did! I have so many wonderful memories of great times with her.
When Koko recorded one of my songs on her ROYAL BLUE album, then sang a duet with me on my TROUBLE album, I told my friends that, at that point, I could die happy. I remember when I first heard her vocal part for the duet. I'm more of a smooth vocalist, and when I listened to Koko's part, it was so full of feeling and grit that I had to go back in the vocal booth and try to bring up my game. She also recorded one of my songs on her OLD SCHOOL album, her last one. It's touching to know that I'll always have these musical treasures of my dear friend.
Koko and I talked for years about her coming to Georgia to go fishing with me out back in my pond. We had also talked about me going to Chicago to write some songs with her. I wish now that we had made time to do those things.
I know that what I've learned from Koko will continue to help me, on my musical journey, and in my life in general. |
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Produced by EG Kight and Bonnie Tallman
Release date August 19, 2008
- With special guests Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, Greg Piccolo, and Southern Rock legend Paul Hornsby
- Eleven songs written by EG Kight
- Receiving air play on AAA, Americana and Blues radio
- Went to #1 on the Roots Blues Charts
- Went to #1 on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluesville
M.C. Records
president Mark Carpentieri said "over the past year we've released
recordings by great songwriters like Eric Bibb and Anders Osborne.
Like Anders and Bibb, EG has that rare combination of writing great
songs and being able to deliver them." Click
here for more info, or click
here to buy it now!
“…demonstrates her extraordinary range of talents,
delivering every single cut with passion, fury and taste.”
- Living Blues
“…sings with frank, commanding authority, crafting
songs that simplify life’s mysteries.” - Macon
Telegraph
“…showcases Kight's astonishing textured voice and
cagey songwriting…" - The Sun Gazette
“…tackles hard-hitting gospel and blues ballads with
equal ease.” - Florida Democrat
“…features her blazing guitar work and fiery, resonant
voice.” - Patriot-News
“…her best effort ever… EG Kight has hit a home-run
with this excellent album." - The Planet Weekly
“…shows her mastery of several varied musical styles…”
- Music City Blues
See EG Kight on YouTube
and on Blip
TV. |
EG Kight’s thoughts on Koko Taylor's influence 
