Rev. Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes

Artist Information

Biography

Rev. Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes is a singer/songwriter/drag performer and Interfaith Minister who's work as an Artist and Sacred Activist has earned him a place in The GLBT Hall Of Fame.

Rev. RoYo is an eccentric, and ecstatic performer with a southern rock, country gospel style. He brings his message of Non Duality into every event by merging GLBT and Mainstream Popular Culture with Integrated Spirituality. With a soulful voice, a message of oneness, great costumes, and a wicked sense of humor, his shows and CDs emphasize love, beautiful melodies, interesting stories, and a bit of inspiration.
Rev. Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes was born and raised in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, The Hit Recording Capital of the World and the birthplaces of Helen Keller and W.C. Handy.

The Muscle Shoals area is populated by an abundance of musicians and visual artists/painters. RoYo began studying music, painting and drawing at a young age with local artists and was encouraged to develop his own unique vision, which combines GLBT culture, drag performance, personal spirituality, and a love for Old Time Gospel Music. RoYo is influenced by pop, rock, blues,gospel, country, and folk, but doesn’t self-consciously follow any one tradition…combining them all into some hybrid of his own.

Awards and Accomplishments:

1. Jan. 2011-"Freedom" from "House of Joy" won a PRIDE In The Arts Award; "Freedom" and "I Wanna Know" also made "Best Music of 2010" on these radio shows: This Way Out, Audiofile, Artists Exposed, Queer Music Heritage's Out Radio, and QNation's PRIDE Showcase.

2. November 2011- OutVoice GLBT Music Charts: HOUSE OF JOY #14 in Top 20 cds.

3. April 2010- My song "Muscle Shoals" moved up to SongVault Finals, #3 on the Folk charts on SongVault.fm.
"Muscle Shoals" is now just 1 tier away from getting placed in the SongVault Directory and having a permanent placement on the SongVault radio network.

4. March 2010- My cd House of Joy won "Best Produced Record" from Pride In The Arts Awards. Producer: Robert Urban.
http://www.prideinthearts.com/

5. Mar. 2009: my songs "Love Divine", "We Are Angels" and "Home" make it into permanent rotation on Song Vault radio. http://www.songvault.fm/artists/roger_anthony_mapes.htm

6. May 2009: nominated for LA Music Award:
http://www.myspace.com/lamusicawards
PRODUCERS CHOICE CATEGORIES: Christian Contemporary Artist

7. March 2008: Vocalist in "A Tribute To Steven Schwartz" at Symphony Space, NYC, starring Steven Schwartz in live performance with guest vocalists and Voices of Unity Choir. Produced by Unity of New York.

8. 2007 Best Vocalist from The Bear Music Awards and was entered into their Hall of Fame.
http://www.myspace.com/2007bearmusicawards

9. 2005 GLBT Hall of Fame listing:
http://www.glbthalloffame.com/standinginductees.htm

10. 2003-2005 Awards and listing from The StoneWall Society:
http://www.stonewallsociety.com/GLBTArtists/yolandawingent.htm

11. OutMusician of The Year 2003:
http://www.outmusic.com/members_c.html

12. Fresh Fruit Festival Audience Favorite Award:
http://www.freshfruitfestival.com/awards_03.htm

Instrumentation

I'm a singer songwriter who plays with a southern rock guitarist, bass, and drums.
Depending on the gig, I also play solo with acoustic guitar.

Discography

LPs:
1. HOUSE OF JOY!
2. Welcome To YolandaWorld
Compilations:
1. Abbalicious
2. Hot and Sweet
3. Marry Me
4. Big Heavy World
EPs:
1. Roger Mapes and Red Hook Junction: Mighty Songs of Joy
2. Yolanda and The Plastic Family

Links

• Facebook
• my new cd HOUSE OF JOY
• "We Are Angels" live from HOUSE OF JOY
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• House of Joy Live
• Twitter
• Jango
• Song Vault.FM

Audio

• I Wanna Know
  Listen  
• We Are Angels
  Listen  
• Love Divine
  Listen  
• Home
  Listen  
• The Greatest Love of My life
  Listen  

Lyrics

• We Are Angels
• Home
• Love Divine
• The Greatest Love of My Live

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Homecoming Queen... As fabulous as ever, “Yolanda” is born again [+ Show ]
  

  In the late 1990s, Roger Mapes was Burlington’s king of queens. As his glitzy alter ego, Yolanda, th...In the late 1990s, Roger Mapes was Burlington’s king of queens. As his glitzy alter ego, Yolanda, the burly singer was the city’s most prominent drag queen, the leader of seminal B-town band the Plastic Family and, with fellow drag queen Cherie Tartt, the cohost of a popular local cable-access program, “The Cherie and Yolanda Show.” The name Yolanda was virtually synonymous with Burlington’s burgeoning drag scene, until Mapes relocated to New York City in 2000. “It was the best time of my life, basically,” recalls Mapes in a recent phone interview.
  This Saturday, he returns to the Queen City to perform at this year’s Winter Is a Drag Ball at Higher Ground. Mapes helped birth the drag extravaganza in 1995 as a benefit for Vermont CARES, an organization he would later work with when he discovered he was HIV positive.
  
  But when he once again graces the Drag Ball stage, Mapes will do so not as Yolanda, or even a character at all. For the first time in Burlington, he will perform as a complete version of himself: Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes. (read entire article at website)

• You inspired me. [+ Show ]
  

  you should know that I have such fond Burlington memories of you as Yolanda (performing with The Pla...you should know that I have such fond Burlington memories of you as Yolanda (performing with The Plastic Family, lighting up pride parades, entertaining us on public access with Ms. Tart!)... i grew into myself in that town, and you were a special part of that growing up for me. I felt your joy, your pride, your fearlessness, your beautiful spirit... and you inspired me. So thank you! I have enjoyed reading about your journey, and i look forward to getting to know the whole YOU!
  sincerely,
  Corey

• I Wanna Know is #3 in the Top Ten Songs of 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  CONGRATS TO THE ARTISTS WITH THE TOP TEN SONGS OF 2010 ~From the *GLBT Outvoice Top Ten Songs for 2...CONGRATS TO THE ARTISTS WITH THE TOP TEN SONGS OF 2010 ~From the *GLBT Outvoice Top Ten Songs for 2010 *#1 Sugarbeach #2 Shawn Thomas #3 Roger Anthony Tony Mapes #4 Norine Braun #5 Levi Kreis #6 Toni Vere #7 Terry Christopher #8 Tret Fure #9 Tom Goss #10 Dan Manjovi
  Listen to the show on Rainbow World Radio!!

• House of Joy at #1 in Top Ten Songs [+ Show ]
  

  Congratulations Roger on being voted into the October 2010- OutVoice GLBT Music Charts: HOUSE OF JOY...Congratulations Roger on being voted into the October 2010- OutVoice GLBT Music Charts: HOUSE OF JOY #2 in Top 40 cds and song "I Wanna Know" #1 in Top Ten.
  
  Len Rogers
  www.outvoice.net

• Deeper Dish with Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes [+ Show ]
  

  Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes is an interesting guy - to say the least. The singer/songwriter describe...Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes is an interesting guy - to say the least. The singer/songwriter describes himself musically as a blend of "George Michael, Emmylou Harris, The Handsome Family and Elvis with a splash of author Louise Hay and filmmaker John Waters" - and he recorded and toured for many years as Yolanda (his fabulous transgender persona) and The Plastic Family (his indie/alt/cult/jazz/rock/pop band). Now I will let him tell you in his own words all about his fascinating life and career....(see more at URL)

• Welcome To The House of Joy
  

  http://dishmiss.com/?p=980

• Perpetual Change-House of Joy cd review [+ Show ]
  

  Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes CD review by Pamela DeGroff Starting with this first installment of ...Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes
  CD review by Pamela DeGroff
  
  Starting with this first installment of Perpetual Change for the new year, we’re going to post the occasional CD review. With all the great music being released by the many talented artists within the GLB and trans music communities, it would be a shame not to help promote even in a small way.
  
  Roger Mapes, a.k.a Yolanda, has been featured in this column several times-August 2001, June 2003, in a two part series August 2009, and as part of the Abbalicious review in last month’s Transvocalizers, our companion column. Last fall, with the release of his new project, House Of Joy, his career has received a shot of creative adrenaline.
  
  hous-of-joy“For ten years I played, recorded and toured with my indie/alt/cult/jazz/rock/pop band called Yolanda and The Plastic Family,” Mapes said. “I decided to take my music in a different direction with House Of Joy.
  
  “I am originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and my first bands were bluegrass/gospel/folk, and Southern rock. I have now returned to those roots.”
  
  One listen to House Of Joy and you will definitely hear all of those elements — and more. Produced by Robert Urban, the project’s 11 tracks stay true to that statement, with one exception.
  
  The CD opens with I Wanna Know, followed by Mapes tribute to his hometown, Muscle Shoals. Both are pure Southern rock.
  
  We Are Angels, the next track, is a song Mapes has gotten a lot of mileage out of. Along with the song Freedom, both tracks were choosen for inclusion on the National Equality March CD compilation issued last year. Angels can also be found in two different versions-acoustic and a full band production-on Mapes 1999 release Welcome To Yolandaworld. The House Of Joy version is the best produced of all versions and has a real bluegrass/country feel.
  
  The other dominant Southern rock tunes are Nice Girl (”…it doesn’t pay to be a nice girl,” great lyric line); A Man Ain’t Supposed To Cry (perhaps the heaviest tune on the album); and, The Greatest Love.
  
  Mapes provides one cover, 1967’s Ode To Billy Joe by Bobbie Gentry. Mapes’ version is heavy on acoustic guitar, and (to me at least) seems to give the song a much darker feeling than the original ever had.
  
  The aforementioned Freedom, yet another Southern rock tune, has a definite anthem feel. While the song has a prominent transgender theme by discussing Brandon Teena, it doesn’t belabor the fact which would make it almost unlistenable by the end. The message, coupled with Urban’s excellent production, should definitely have an impact from its inclusion on the Equality CD.
  
  Control Queen, which could be any self-respecting drag queen’s theme song, is one of the few laid back tunes on the project. Done with excellent piano and acoustic guitar, it pretty much drives home the mantra of “I am a control queen/and everything has got to be my way.” (Gee, I’ve never met anyone like that — not in our community.)
  
  My personal favorite track, Legend, is also the most standout track on the CD. The playing is superb, especially the flute work of Robert Urban, which gives the song a real Jethro Tull feel in the bridge section.
  
  The musical accompaniment for Legend provides a pad for a song about loneliness. However, the reason I regard this as the album’s standout track is only partly because of the aforementioned musicianship. Lyrics such as “in my living room/where all my dreams come true”, and “…I am a legend in my own mind…” make it very apparent that some things in life are universal and truly experienced by all.
  
  House Of Joy closes with a bonus track, Intimacy, which is definitely techno, and from Mapes Plastic Family days. Compare this track to the rest of the album. I don’t know if Mapes would agree with this, but his new direction is light years beyond the Plastic Family material.
  
  His songwriting and vocal prowers have grown. In a musical landscape where unintelligible rap and barking band vocals have practically become the norm, it’s refreshing to hear an excellent singer who actually has something to say.
  
  Mapes has also known and worked with Robert Urban for many years, and their collaboration on House Of Joy is evidence of the professional trust and respect they obviously have for one another. A good producer doesn’t oveshadow his musician client, but rather knows how to create an environment in the recording studio that allows the artist to fully express themselves. Urban’s production isn’t overbearing, but instead compliments Mapes’ voice and songwriting perfectly. Working together, Urban and Mapes are a real hand-in-glove fit.
  
  Besides Mapes on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Urban also plays guitar, flute, Hammond organ, piano, bass, bottleneck slide, as well as arranging horns, strings, the choir, and providing backing vocals. Other musicians include Steven Sullivan, bass; Tom O’Neill, organ, synths, keys, bass, sound fx, and music for Intimacy; Mark Vollenweider, drums and percussion; Glen Munoz, blues harp; and Maxine, mandolin.
  
  One thing you’ll notice on the cd cover is that it’s credited to Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes. During last fall’s CD release party for the project, Mapes found something out. “Yolanda lives!” he said. “It’s so funny. I was not as ready as I thought to put Yolanda away for good. She’s back. I’m out and about as Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes now.”
  
  Late Breaking News: In an email update, Mapes also mentioned that he has enrolled in One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in New York City. He will also be appearing at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd (between 9th and 10th), New York, NY, on January 22nd. Cover is $15. (www.beechmantheatre.com) Mapes is also nominated for a 2009 L.A. Music Award for his song Love Divine. Check out www.rogermapes.com. Click on his photo to get to the main site. From there, you can access his music, artwork, and performance art. There are also links to reverbnation.com, facebook, linkedin, myspace.com,and twitter.)

• 2009 Pride In The Arts Music Award Nominees [+ Show ]
  

  Congratulations Roger, You have been nominated for 2009 Camp Pride Song Award for your song: "...Congratulations Roger,
  You have been nominated for
  2009 Camp Pride Song Award
  for your song:
  "We Are Angels" Roger Anthony "Yolanda" Mapes
  
  You can send your fans to vote for you here:
  
  http://www.prideinthearts.com/Awards/pitamusicballot2009.htm
  
  Good Luck!
  Len Rogers founder Pride In The Arts

• Roger Mapes Inducted Into GLBT Hall Of Fame [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.glbthalloffame.com/standinginductees.htm for Roger Anthony Mapes performing as Yolan...http://www.glbthalloffame.com/standinginductees.htm
  
  for Roger Anthony Mapes performing as Yolanda- GLBT Hall of Fame listing.

• Mapes nominated for LA Music Award [+ Show ]
  

  PRODUCERS CHOICE CATEGORIES Nominees in this category are picked by the producers of all our awar...PRODUCERS CHOICE CATEGORIES
  
  Nominees in this category are picked by the producers of all our award show events. They are chosen based on the quality of an artists recorded material submitted for consideration of nomination at one or all of our awards show events.
  
  Christian Contemporary Artist
  1. NITENGALE
  2. Roger Mapes

• The SINGLES column- Edited by Larry Flick [+ Show ]
  

  The delightfully eccentric singer/tunesmith Roger Anthony Mapes radiates joy and warm spirituality.....The delightfully eccentric singer/tunesmith Roger Anthony Mapes radiates joy and warm spirituality....on the beautiful "Angels", Roger deftly blends heartfelt poetry with a sweet, largely acoustic pop arrangement. It remains to be seen whether the world will embrace this sensitive man with a rich baritone voice. However, closed minds will miss out on what could be one of the strongest AC/pop compositions offered in months. Listen without prejudice.
  
  -Larry Flick

• Best Vocalist 2007 [+ Show ]
  

  2008 International Bear Music Awards presented me with the title Best Vocalist during their awards c...2008 International Bear Music Awards presented me with the title Best Vocalist during their awards ceremony of September 2007 and nominated me for their Hall of Fame.
  
  All the information at their website:
  
  MySpace URL:
  
  http://www.myspace.com/2007bearmusicawards

• OutMusician Of The Year 2004 [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.outmusic.com for Roger Mapes' OutMusician Of The Year award...scroll down to "Yoland...http://www.outmusic.com
  
  for Roger Mapes' OutMusician Of The Year award...scroll down to "Yolanda"

Setlist

Sample Set List-originals:
1. Muscle Shoals
2.Angels
3.Let Me Love You
4.Freedom
5.Greatest Love of My Life
6.Love Divine

Basic Requirements

Calendar