By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — A huge event for Music City Black music fans is the 92Q and Analog Soul New Year’s Eve Party, being held this year at the Hutton Hotel from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. It’s being hosted by top radio host and program director Kenny Smoov, and features Will Davenport, The Shindellas, Shae Nycole and Louis York. Kenny Smoov is not only a long time award-winning broadcaster but a decorated Desert Storm Veteran who has earned among other things an Army Commendation Medal 2 Clusters, Army Achievement Medal 2 Cluster and additional honors during his six years of service. He’s won Billboard Radio Personality of the Year (Small Market), Highest Rated Urban Station in America (KBCE, Alexandria), and NAACP Image Award (South Carolina).
Vocalist William Davenport seamlessly blends gospel roots and soul/R&B performance flair, while also being a multi-instrumentalist proficient on piano, guitar, violin and organ. He was formerly featured in the BET Music Matters campaign, and has shared the stage with many notable stars, among them India Arie, Will Downing, Boney James, Laura Izibor, Mary Mary, and Kirk Whalum. The Shindellas are a unique and imaginative girl group, a Nashville based trio who emphasize collective interaction and engagement more than just individual performance. The three some of Tamara Chauniece, Stacy Johnson and Kasi Jones officially formed in 2017. Their 2021 debut album “Hits That Stick Like Grits” was well received critically, and their newest release “Shindo” continues that tradition. Developed by the duo of Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly, who signed them to their label Weirdo Workshop, the Shindellas characterize their sound as “New American Soul, a cohesive style that spotlights Chaunice’s gospel roots, Johnson’s experience doing all types of music in commercial jingles and Jones’ facility with musical theatrical numbers.
Shae Nycole has an extensive background on stage and in acting projects as well as a love for music. Her first EP “Undefined” was an introduction to an approach still in development, but her 2019 release “Hands” was the start of a new phase in her career. After appearing at the Essence Music Festival,” Nycole also began her own label “Muse Music Group” and has continued to grow as an artist and performer.
The duo Louis York have gotten extensive national exposure on such outlets as CNN, the PBS NewsHour and the 3rd Hour of the Today Show, and also had a pair of singles “Don’t You Forget” and “How Will I Feel” both reach the Top 15. They’ve recently established their own studio and label while settling into their headquarters in Franklin. Louis York also teamed with Sir the Baptist to executive produce the Grammy-winning LP “The Urban Hymnal” by the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands, and are now set to release a second album “Songs With Friends” that will also feature contributions from PJ Morton, Jessie J, Lalah Hathaway, Chris Daughtry, Anthony Hamilton, and more.
Early Bird Tickets are $50 per person, with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. General Admission tickets at the door are $60 per person with that same perk,. VIP Tickets are $150 per person and include access to an open bar all night, plus priority access to seating, tables, couches and heavy passed premium Hors d’oeuvres.
DJ Kenny Smoov will be joined during the festivities by DJ TwoEE!
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