DieDra
Birmingham, Alabama, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Norfolk, Virginia born and raised Diedra covers all the baseson her wonderfulnew release for producer Keith Ruff's aptly named Ruff Pro label that , if there's any justice, should take the Southern Soul-Blues market by storm. In addition to a couple of arrestingly dramtic dance numbers (the opening, mood-setting "Hip Swing'in Blues" and a slower groover titled "Shake It Up", she wends her gospel-inflected, sinuous way, Patti Austin style, through a superbly arranged series of ballads like the reflective "The Woman In Me", ( you can certainly tell she was singing in her family group by the age of eight) and the conversationally sultry "i Yi-Yi" in adition to reaching way down for a deeper soul-blues intensity on two of the albums most noteworthy songs -the self assured "What We Needed" and what should become a leaving-blues classic called "Keep It Movin". Other melismatic spellbinders encompass a slow-grooved, sensual intoxicater titled "I'm Ready" (not the Willie Dixion song but Willie Dixon Like) along with both the decreet strings/horns and female chorus framed backstabber-themed plea "So Called Friend" and the similar, retro-soul sibilant testomonial "Can't Nobody". DieDra admits to being influenced by Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, and Whitney Houston but definitely has a sound all of her own that she's been developing since 1996 when she was discovered by Altanta, Ga Charlie Cross-who soon had her opening for the likes of Al Green, Betty Wright and Sunshine Anderson. With this all-original disc, full of her original slow jams and up-tempo testifiers, she should be on her way as a headliner. Contact RuffPro at 4055 Ruff Rd. Pinson, Alabama or the gorgeous lady herself at diedraathome.com for more elucidation.
Gary Von Tersch - Big City Rhythm & Blues Mag
Discography
On the Air now is "Keep It Mov'in", "Shake It up", "The Women in Me", "Why" and "Hip Swing'in Blues".
Photos
Bio
DieDra
Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, DieDra has been singing since she can remember. It was a God-given talent that has exploded into a gift that she shares with the world. DieDra was raised by her maternal grandfather, who wrote and sang songs in the church. DieDra was a part of the family singing group at the age of nine. As the lead singer, she has been inspired by Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, and Whitney Houston.
DieDra has spent a majority of her life in Jacksonville, Florida. As an ex-military spouse, she taught herself how to get around the city in search of a manager for her career. In 1996 she met the late Charlie Cross, of Brunswick, Ga. He signed her to his management company and her career began. DieDra has had the opportunity to opening up for Betty Wright, Al Green, Avant, Carl Thomas, Sunshine Anderson and recently touring with Bobby Rush.
In 1998, DieDra was signed to Boogie Down Production in The Bronx New York. Over the next 10 years, she was locked in an unproductive contract with Big East Entertainment. Nothing happened. Keith Ruff was assigned to produce DieDra’s first CD by the company. Because of Keith’s schedule, he was never able to get started. Now, 10 years later Keith Ruff of Ruff Pro Records called DieDra and found out that after all these years, her project was still incomplete. DieDra signed on with Keith under Ruff Pro Records, and in 1 month “Overcoming Hurdles” was born.
DieDra has an amazing range. She has been put in the category of Anita Baker with her silky smooth approach to slow jams and Patti Labelle with her vocal techniques. Never wanting to be compared to anyone and establishing her own sound, DieDr has gotten the title “The Blues Diva”. That she is! Her new, long awaited album “Overcoming Hurdles” will take you for a ride through the vocal talents of this 5 foot power. She is living up to her new title “The Blues Diva”.
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