Riding out the storm

RIDING OUT THE STORM WITH ANDY STOKES the Black Governor of Music

WORDS BY | FAWN ABERSON

In 2018, Andy Stokes was riding on the high C of a three decade long professional music career after releasing the first single, ‘Best Day Ever’, off of the EP, Now. Inspired by his newly-wedded wife, the song was an instant hit. As the first Northwest artist to debut in the top 30 on both Billboard Adult R&B and MediaBase UAC charts, ‘Best Day Ever’ remained there for an impressive 25 weeks, climbing all the way to #11. The single was followed up by a second successful release from the same EP called, ‘We On Da Flo’, a collaboration with superproducer DJ Battlecat and superstar Snoop Dogg.

“Let me be the poster child to all you musicians out there. Don’t ever give up on your dreams, it’s going to be hard, but it is all about your passion,” laughed Andy Stokes during an interview he did with Flossin Media in January of 2020, which aired on the PDXBlackRose Podcast Series.”

During our interview, the “Northwest King of Soul” and Oregon Music Hall of Famer shared a storied depiction of growing up around the world, courtesy of his military father, who consequently instilled in him his deep love of music and performance.

“Every Saturday afternoon while mom was cooking up something in the kitchen, my dad would pull out the records and I’d be in the room trying to dance like James Brown, while singing into a broom handle.”

Throughout the interview, Andy spoke often and lovingly of his parents who supported him through his life. In his teens Andy didn’t take music seriously at all instead following the athletic route he was sure would lead to a professional career in football. He got close, playing College ball at Oregon State and then making a run at the pros, however, he didn’t make the cut. Disappointed, he recalls his mother assuring him that he was made for something more than sports. And she was right.

Since then Andy has been surfing on the high waters and low tides of all the turbulence that can come with a professional music career. He’s formed and split from bands with highly acclaimed and skilled musicians; He’s been signed and cut from a major record label, headlined at music venues and festivals all over the world and his vocal ability is on par with the likes of Pebo Bryson, Charlie Wilson, George Clinton, Bruno Mars and John Legend. dance floors full of adoring fans. Although no longer a resident, he is still one of the City’s favorite sons, a love he acknowledges as mutual. “Wherever I go, I let other performers know that we have some of the best fans in Portland and the Pacific NW.”

With the popularity and money generated by the ‘Best Day Ever’ single, Andy and his wife were able to launch their own Independent Record Label called New 5 Records, getting both attention and respect from other indie and major labels. In January of 2020, Andy was nominated for, and subsequently awarded, Governorship on the Board of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy (PNWCRA), which covers Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Andy is bringing a much needed and diverse voice and perspective to a Chapter that had been lacking active Black representation in previous years.

At the onset of 2020, Andy’s future was as bright as it has ever been. He had shows booked around the world, he was set to release a new single that promised to get people once again groovin’ on the dance floor, and he was still basking in the glitz, glam and glow of the 2020 Grammys, which he attended as both an artist and as an official representative of his Chapter. Then seemingly, in one fell swoop, the coronavirus swept the globe, slamming shut the doors of live music venues everywhere.

make a living, and fundamentally impacts who I am.” For their part, the PNWCRA has been working feverishly to help the music community during this crisis by compiling a comprehensive list of resources where local musicians can find helpful information to get them through these unprecedented times. They have participated in coalitions and focus groups with other community leaders to help inform local government response in support of artists and venues. In addition, they worked with State employment agencies to host a webinar on unemployment and pandemic assistance specifically for the creative community, which typically has unique circumstances that make the process more complicated to navigate. They have also rallied the creative community to lobby for the CARES Act, to ensure key provisions were included to help music professionals. Like so many performers during these strange days, Andy refuses to let the virus kill the music. To glance at his, and so many other performing artists’ social media profiles, you come across impromptu virtual concerts delivered from their bedrooms, porches, or as in Andy’s case, the sidewalk and street. And we, the fans, are turning out in record numbers online and doing what we can to get down with the music while keeping our distance from each other. As performing Artist, Andy used his downtime for introspection,

“I am truly blessed to be in a place in my career where I can ride out the storm. I have actually been really busy. My day starts out with a bike ride because I gotta keep up the routine! Then I spend a few hours working remotely with my writing partner on new music, and I gotta tell you, we

have been killing it! Then I spend some time on my piano creating music and my wife keeps me busy with ‘projects’. The slow-down has given me the gift of time for reflection and that has let me attain a new depth of creativity which I’m not sure I could have reached without the quiet. So, while I am itching to perform for my fans, I am appreciative of the blessings that have revealed themselves to me. Make no mistake though, when this is over – look out!”

You Can Listen to More of Andy Stokes story and download his music at: www.andystokesmusic.com

“Just as it is for every performing musician, the closing of venues has been devastating for me.”