Clarence "Blowfly" Reid: Where It All Began

Clarence "Blowfly" Reid

Publisher’s note: I remember well during the mid to late 1980’s, as I began to work within the Miami music scene, I met many musicians who had enjoyed success. As I introduced myself, several would always ask if I was related to Clarence Reid. Easy assumption because we both shared the same last name, and we both were working in music. By that time though, Clarence “Blowfly” Reid had achieved legendary status not only in Miami but all around the world. He would easily be labeled a trail blazer for the new batch of X-rated rappers soon to burst upon the scene. We lost Blowfly earlier this year in death, but he will never be forgotten. I thought it was time to pay tribute to one of the most influential musicians from the state of Florida. For those of you who know little about “Blowfly”, take this opportunity to read his bio below.

Edward Reid

Before there was Kool Keith, Old Dirty Bastard or 2 Live Crew - before there was hip hop, for that matter - there was Blowfly, performing X-rated songs with a funky groove. Born 60 years ago in Cochran, Georgia, Miami's Clarence Reid has recorded more than 40 albums during his illustrious career. He got his nickname as a child when his grandmother, after hearing him sing dirty versions of then popular songs - like "Suck My D**k" for "Do The Twist" - proclaimed, "You is nastier than a blowfly."

In reality, there's a split personality involved in this man's music: there's Blowfly, the outrageously garbed creator of trash classics such as "Shittin' on the Dock of the Bay" and "Porno Freak," and then there's Clarence Reid, who has recorded more than a dozen "clean" albums over the years and penned songs for the likes of K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Gwen McRae, Betty Wright, and Sam and Dave. Many people cite Blowfly as being the first rapper with his 1965 "Rap Dirty" record, which was re-recorded for disco giants T.K. Records after the smash success of Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight." Blowfly himself credits the "soul talking" Southern radio DJs of the '50s and '60s as the pioneers of rap, but he is without dispute the first rapper to have a song banned, after an Alabama record store was busted for peddling "Porno Freak." Blowfly was also sued by the President of ASCAP for his "What a Difference a Lay Makes." (The music publishing honcho also happened to be the composer of the popular "What a Difference a Day Makes.") Blowfly's sounds are a staple of modern-day hip hop. His music has been sampled by many rappers, including The Jurassic 5, (whose hit "Quality Control" is backed by the outro from Weird World Of Blowfly) Ice Cube, Atmosphere and Puff Daddy.

In 1991, Blowfly hooked up with Fishbone and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist/wild man Flea to record "Shake Your Thang" (clean) b/w "Shake Your Ass" (X-rated), both of which are included on the soundtrack of Blow's legendary film, The Twisted World of Blowfly. The resulting relationship led to a series of shows with Flea and the Fishbone at Club Lingerie in Hollywood, Ca and multiple "Nuttstalk" tours with Fishbone over the next decade. In 2003, Blowfly was interviewed by Miami-based journalist/drummer Tom Bowker for a cover story in the Broward-Palm Beach New Times. When asked why he hadn't played a Miami area gig in 20 years, he replied "I don't have a band down here." To which Bowker replied "Want one?" Two months later, Blowfly's new band played Bowker's bachelor party and never looked back. In 2004, Bowker and his fellow bandmates -- keyboard player Mr. Lock (ex-everything for the Otis Redding progeny funk combo The Reddings), guitarist Chris Chavez and bassist Jon-Jon (now replaced by Rob Sherber) -- teamed up to record Fahrenheit 69, Blowfly's first album dedicated to new, original material since 1988's Blowfly for President. When word got out that Blowfly was recording a new record, guest artists lined up to get in on the freaky fun, including: Afroman (of "Because I Got High" fame) Slug (MC for Epitaph/Rhymesayers rap sensations Atmosphere), and Bay Area Electroclash freaks Gravy Train!!!! (Kill Rock Stars). After more having more flirtations than a Hollywood Starlet, Fahrenheit 69 was picked up by longtime fan and punk icon Jello Biafra and released to rave reviews on his Alternative Tentacles label in June 2005.

Since then, Blowfly has toured coast to coast in the US on his first headlining tour in decades, blowing the roof off of clubs and landing on festival bills with the likes of Har Mar Superstar, The Ravonettes, Dash Rip Rock, Rudy Ray Moore, Link Wray, Yo La Tengo, Kool Keith, Fatlip and RJD2 among others.

Over the years, Blowfly's seen a lot of his contemporaries fall by the way side. His survival can partially be credited to the fact that while Blowfly is totally whacked in the head, Reid is a God-fearing, Bible-carrying Christian. "I never drink, never smoke, and I never use drugs," confesses Reid. "I may go to hell, but it won't be for those things!"

Criteria Studios: Historic Hit Making in North Miami!

Criteria Recording Studio was established in 1958 as an outgrowth of founder Mack Emerman's hobby. Originally a trumpet player, Mack's jazz leanings led him to begin recording in his home and later on-site. Criteria was the first in the Southeast with monaural disc mastering and stereophonic recording in 1954. The purchase of the original building in '58 saw the beginnings of a business in earnest. The facility quickly became a haven for technology advancements. Multitrack recording saw it's birth with the advent of 3 track recording in 1958 followed by four track recording in 1966 both firsts in this part of the country. Our spiffy 8 channel console was the cutting edge of technology in 1964. The studio was also one of the first to utilize a live stereo chamber way back in 1966. We like to think that the traditions established back then continue today.

The original building housing Criteria was constructed in 1956. Purchased in 1958, acoustic modifications were completed and the history began. Since it was the only room at the time, there was no need for a studio designation. That however, was soon to change. In 1966 work was begun on the first building designed and constructed as a recording Studio from the ground up in the Southeast. Completed in January of 1967, this massive room comfortably held a 72 piece orchestra. Used extensively to record the early music for the Jackie Gleason Show, it has undergone a number of renovations since then. Its most recent being a dramatic 1990 overhaul featuring as its centerpiece completely restored vintage NEVE 8078. This room became Studio A, while the original studio became known as Studio B.

By the end of 1969 and 1970, both studios were booked around the clock and months in advance. With the monster success of projects including James Brown's "I Feel Good", Aretha Franklin's "Young, Gifted and Black", Derek & the Dominoes "Layla" and Brook Benton's "Rainy Night in Georgia" it was almost impossible to get in the doors. In early 1971 construction began on Criteria's third recording space: Studio C.

In early 1972 Studio C was completed. The next ten years were a succession of chart topping musical landmarks. From Eric Clapton's "461 Ocean Blvd.", (where Golden Beach's Mayor now lives) Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors", Black Sabbath's "Heaven & Hell" to the Bee Gee's "Saturday Night Fever". As with all of our rooms, Studio C's acoustics and equipment were modified as superior technology became available. The most recent renovation was completed in 1997. A complete control room overhaul was coupled with an incredible sounding new console: an API Legacy. just in case you were wondering; the muses are still there...

As the 1970's danced on and the platinum record count went up, history repeated itself. Despite the construction of Studio C, every room at Criteria had a waiting list. So we built Studio D. This recording space offered a warm intimate setting. The control room was dominated by a custom built automated MCI 532 console. Based on a long and beneficial relationship, Criteria and MCI founder Jeep Harned found themselves on top of the recording world. Introduced to Criteria by legendary producer/engineer Tom Dowd in the late 1960's, Harned's innovative designs helped Criteria stay at the forefront of technology. Equipment, like that console, custom designed to the demanding specifications of our clientele set a standard we try to live by today. In the early 1990's an SSL 6048 replaced the venerable MCI.

In 1979 the music business took a dive. The era of crazy record label spending was at an end. The days of "... here's a bag of money- call us when the record's done" were over. Massive studio closures occurred nationwide. Criteria endured, however there were some changes. The practice of staff engineers was abolished. Many went on to great things; among them were Don Gehman, Alex Sadkin, Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. In addition, the space occupied by the original studio B was retired as a recording studio and converted into storage.

All bad things must come to an end; and so the recession eventually petered out. The 1980's saw a string of artists leading they way. Among them, Julio Iglesias, The Romantics, Bow Wow Wow, John Denver, Meatloaf, Peter Frampton, Bob Seger and Ted Nugent. With the business on the rise, 1981 saw the undertaking of Criteria's most ambitious expansion: Studio E. The addition to the existing structure included new offices, expansive private lounges and even a waterfall. Designed by John Storyk, Studio E incorporated Cuban tile, pecky cypress, stained glass and 27 foot peaked ceilings. Upon its opening, the control room featured a custom built massive 56 channel MCI console and twin 24 track machines. Once the studio was complete, Criteria's disc mastering facility was relocated to the new wing directly atop Studio E.

With the increasing sophistication of technology, 1984 saw Criteria take delivery of the first SSL in the state. It was installed into the still relatively new Studio E. Later the same year, it was joined by the first digital multitrack and two track (Mitsubishi) recorders. In 1998 the control room was completely gutted and redesigned by acoustician George Augspurger. Stay tuned for more news on that or give us a call if you can't wait...

With the rousing success our first SSL, a second was delivered in mid 1986. The space previously occupied by the Criteria Cutting Center was modified to accommodate the second console and opened as a mix suite. It became the new Studio B. As for the disc mastering room, it was reopened as Fuller Sound. Still located in the Criteria complex, longtime mastering engineer Mike Fuller purchased the company and promptly installed a NEVE DTC console. He put in other stuff too, but that's his story...

Eight years later, our clientele began hinting in no uncertain terms that forty-eight channels for a world class mix room was inadequate. Studio B, (that's the new one remember) underwent a complete redesign under the watchful eye of George Augspurger. The result houses a Solid State Logic 4096G plus. And if our clients ever decide to leave it empty for a day or two you're welcome to come work there.

So there you have it.

Trevor Fletcher

Studio Manager

2016 Tortuga Music Festival in Ft Lauderdale

Blake Shelton

Huka Entertainment is pleased to announce Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival, now a three-day event, has added even more amazing performers to its already stellar music line-up. Joining country superstar headliners Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley will be: Billboard’s Top New Country Artist of 2015 and rising star Kelsea Ballerini, innovators of deep southern soul St. Paul & the Broken Bones, high-energy, straight country honky-tonker Jon Pardi, Kristian Bush, whose debut solo album was dubbed by Country Weekly as the "feel-good album of the year" and the beautiful duo Muddy Magnolias who Elle Magazine described as a “country, soul, and R&B cocktail that's heavy on harmony and candid, occasionally gritty, lyrics.” The fourth annual festival returns to the sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Florida on April 15th, 16th and 17th. Fans will enjoy a one-of-a-kind Tortuga experience at our oceanfront event, including sun, friends, songs, and sand as well as an exclusive viewing deck with a pool for VIP attendees.

Also joining the headliners in the initial wave of performers announced are: genrebending multi-platinum star Sam Hunt, “Die A Happy Man” hit-maker Thomas Rhett, country chart-topper Billy Currington, raucous country-rocker Kip Moore, legendary rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd, funk and soul fusion band Michael Franti & Spearhead, powerhouse vocalist Randy Houser, “Freaks Like Me” crooner Joe Nichols, “Buy Me A Boat” dynamic live performer Chris Janson, “Smoke” supergroup A Thousand Horses, Florida native southern rock swamp band JJ Grey & Mofro, “Ex’s and Oh’s” blues pop-sensation Elle King, iHeartRadio personality Bobby Bones and his comedy band the Raging Idiots, “Little Bit Of You” singer Chase Bryant, country quintet Old Dominion and “Burning House” songbird Cam. Tortuga brings the best emerging artists as well and this year is no exception with: LANco, Waterloo Revival, Native Run, Walker County, Tucker Beathard, Old Southern Moonshine Revival, Ryan Hurd, Courtney Cole, and Drew Baldridge.

Regular priced festival tickets are now available, with three-day General Admission at $199 and VIP at $899. Complete festival pricing can also now be found at www.tortugamusicfestival.com. 

Tim Mcgraw

Last year’s sold-out festival drew a record-breaking attendance of more than 75,000 music fans from all over the world. Proceeds from Tortuga Music Festival ticket sales have contributed more than $250,000 toward marine and ocean research and conservation organizations to date.

Produced and promoted by HUKA Entertainment, Tortuga Music Festival features the hottest artists in country, rock and roots music as well as Rock The Ocean’s Conversation Village, which hosts more than a dozen organizations dedicated to marine research and conservation. The event serves to celebrate the festival’s ocean side setting while raising awareness of issues impacting the world’s oceans and supporting marine research and conservation, as well as protection of the festival’s namesake – sea turtles that nest annually along South Florida’s Atlantic seaboard.

For additional information, and to sign up to be the first to receive updates, including lineup announcements, ticket on sales, special offers and more, visit Tortuga Music Festival on the following platforms:



Web: www.tortugamusicfestival.com 

Twitter: @FestivalTortuga 

FB: www.facebook.com/TortugaMusicFestival

Sister Hazel Is Still Rockin'

There are a few people in South Florida who believe everything and everyone found in the city of Gainesville, Florida are closely related to the University of Florida. Of course, that is far from reality. Gainesville is a thriving community filled with wonderful citizens. Also of interest is the cultural side of life in Gainesville, especially music. That is why I thought it was important, not only for the Gainesville community but also for the entire state of Florida, to feature the music group Sister Hazel. The band has enjoyed a long music career and appears to be positioning for several more years in the entertainment industry. The band continues to actively tour the country, and has just recorded their ninth studio album Lighter In The Dark. The album is scheduled for release February 2016. If you get a chance, you might want to preorder right now. For now, if you do not know anything about Sister Hazel, read this post and learn about one of Florida’s great musical treasures.

Edward Reid

Originating from Gainesville, FL, Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose well-spring of natural talent has been called "one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years" by Performing Songwriter Magazine.

In the 20+ years that they have been recording and performing as a band, they have accomplished something that, for most artists, is only a dream: they have built a career with a solid foundation, seemingly impenetrable by the shifting sands of the record industry and the economy. From a musical perspective, the band has always had the same approach to the creative process. The engine that drives them is based on the fundamental principles that attracted the attention of a major label, garnered hit singles on the radio and endeared them to a legion of avid fans: well-crafted, hook-infused songs complimented by solid instrumentation and lush harmony vocals.

For much of the last decade, Sister Hazel has built an empire of 'Hazelnuts' through savvy marketing, hard work, and plain-old, undeniable talent. They also host two annual fan-centered events; their “Hazelnut Hang” in Charleston, SC and The Rockboat, a cruise featuring nonstop opportunities for fan / artist interaction. "The only way we can keep doing what we are doing is by having our fans continue to connect and support us," said Drew Copeland. Commercial pursuit’s aside, at the heart of this band is their desire to do good work. The band itself is named after a now-famous missionary from the Gainesville area who has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of her fellow humans. Sister Hazel the band is true to their namesake, having taken on two major charitable projects with Feed The Children and Lyrics For Life. Lyrics For Life is a charity founded by singer Ken Block as a memorial for his younger brother, Jeffrey. It unites musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to benefit cancer research and patient-care charities.

  

With their 9th studio album, Lighter In The Dark, in the works, the band is embracing their roots and their Florida Music influences wholeheartedly. This legacy has always caused the band’s music to defy genre classification and to blur the lines between rock, country, and southern rock. As their first studio album in more than 5 years, the guys are certainly eager to get the new music to their loyal fan base and to work the new music into their high energy live shows as they continue to tour the country in 2016.

The dream for all musicians is to find a way to use their gifts to support themselves and their families at the same time they are enriching the lives of others. For Sister Hazel, it's an honor to be living that dream every day.