HOWARD HEWETT

An Irresistible Voice

Interview by Teresa B. Howell

Howard Hewett is one of the most talented soul singers of the past two decades. In group settings, as a guest vocalist and as a solo singer, Hewett’s virtually irresistible voice has wrapped itself around material of various qualities - turning good songs into great records and doing his best to save some of the lesser material with which he has sometimes been saddled as a solo artist.

Raised in Akron, Ohio, Hewett moved to Los Angeles and, after a period as a dancer on Soul Train, became a member of Shalamar, the centerpiece of Dick Griffey’s SOLAR (Sound of Los Angeles) label. His mellifluous tenor voice mixed beautifully with the bright vocals of Jody Watley and the writing and production of Leon Sylvers III, resulting in such top hits as “The Second Time Around,” “Full of Fire,” “Dead Giveaway” and “A Night to Remember,” as well as a number of underappreciated ballads, such as “You Can Count On Me” and “You’re the One for Me.”

When Shalamar broke up in the mid 1980s, Hewett went on to pursue a solo career. He signed with Elektra Records and recorded 1986’s I Commit To Love (R&B #12), a relatively solid urban album that yielded two R&B hits, “I’m For Real” (R&B #2) and “Stay” (R&B #8). The album also included “Say Amen”, a gospel tune that became a surprise hit on the Gospel charts and is Hewett’s signature song. Hewett contributed vocals to La Toya Jackson’s Hot 100 hit single “Heart Don’t Lie” in 1984.

In 1990, Hewett released a self-titled album, which included the hit “Show Me” (R&B #2), and 1992 saw the release of the LP Allegiance, which was not received as well as previous albums. He contributed to the second season theme song of “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper” which was a remake of Sam & Dave’s R&B Top 10 hit “Soul Man”. This recording was produced by singer Steve Tyrell.

After 1995’s It’s Time, Hewett stopped recording solo, spending much of his time providing wonderful guest vocals on albums by jazz artists such as Joe Sample, Brian Culbertson, George Duke and Everett Harp and on several gospel albums. Then in 2001, he recorded his first all gospel album, The Journey, on Sony, followed a year later by The Journey Live: From the Heart. It was six years before his long-awaited R&B return on the album, If Only. He continues to tour in multi-artist shows around the world and to provide guest vocals on the albums of others.

How did you get started in music?

I have been singing since I was 10 years old in Akron Ohio. I was the lead singer in a gospel group, The Hewett’s with my 3 sisters. My mom was a local gospel promoter. She brought in some big names. I was 20 or 21 years old when I started singing for money.

Was it 1977, when you started with Shalamar?

I came on as the 3rd lead singer in 1979, replacing Gary Mumford and Gerald Brown. My first album with them was Big Fun and first single was Second Time around.

What’s next?

I was recently back from Maryland. I have been in some small venues, Birchmire and (garbled name) from Nashville. I believe in returning to smaller limited capacity venues that need to social distance. I don’t want these smaller venues to go out of business. I believe that small safe steps is the safest way to start getting back out there. Having shows at these kind of venues have tided me over for now. In the meantime I’m doing Friday night chats on Facebook and calling them FACC (Fresh Air, Cardio and Conversation). I also do walks to beef up my cardio. I believes that the virus feeds off of low immune systems and low Vitamin D. I’ve also got, “Howard’s Girls”, a spin off from the FACC, it is a community of support and conversation for each of us. I really love how this has organically come about. I am also going to write a book.

How can we reach you?

Facebook: @ HowardHewettFanPage

Instagram: @howard_hewett

Twitter: @justavocalist

YouTube: howard hewett

www.howardhewettmusic.com

One of our readers would like to know if you will have a concert with her in her living room?

Yes! And we will stream it Live!