In all of our shag dance classes at Dance Fever Charlotte we try to promote the original rhythm & blues music that helped to influence & create the Carolina Shag.  Many of these rhythm & blues artists were from North & South Carolina and still reside in the area.  Sadly, unlike the musical artists of today, these artists from the 50’s often did not receive the financial rewards that they deserved.

Nappy Brown is one of the rhythm & blues artists that we often play during our shag dance classes at Dance Fever Charlotte.  Napoleon Culp (aka “Nappy”) was born in Charlotte, N.C. and grew up singing in church.  One of his first live gigs was actually singing with a gospel group on WBT radio in the early 50s.  His powerful bluesy talent was recognized by record producers and he soon switched over from gospel to rhythm & blues. 

Nappy had a string of hits on the rhythm & blues charts during the 50s and toured with the Alan Freed rock & roll reviews.  Many of his songs remain rhythm & blues and shag dance classics to this day including:

• That Man
• Don’t Be Angry
• Alright Now
• Well Well Baby-La
• Night Time Is The Right Time

His playful vocals sometimes seem like another language but are irresistably catchy.  Of course, Ray Charles went on to make “Night Time is the Right Time” a National hit, but Nappy was the orginal writer and recording artist.

Nappy passed away in September 2008 while in the middle of an international comeback tour.  He died with very little in the way of financial rewards, but left a legacy of rhythm & blues and shag dance music to span all generations.  Singer Bonnie Raitt and the Rhythm & Blues foundation paid for his funeral but there were not enough funds for a proper headstone for his grave.

There will be a benefit on Sunday October 18th at 6pm at the Double Door Inn in Charlotte to raise money for a headstone.  This event is only open to ages 21+ and will feature many local and national rhythm & blues acts who are donating their time & talents for the event.  For more information on the benefit check out this article called “A headstone for Nappy Brown” from Creative Loafing:

http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/a_headstone_for_nappy_brown/Content?oid=743192

 

For more information on dance classes at Dance Fever Charlotte visit www.dancefevercharlotte.com