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| Heart 2 Heart is a high-energy group, that specializes in funk, jazz, rock, Motown, and and soul music ranging from the 50's to the 2000's. They are a very entertaining and versatile band. The musicians range from drums, bass guitar, keyboards and male lead vocalists with a golden voice that makes up this fabulous high-energy entertainment group. |
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Atlanta-based showband, Heart 2 Heart, has been performing for about thirty years. They had already released an album in 1982.
The members at that time were Rick Williams (Drums), Frank McKinney (Bass), Z.B. Malone (guitar), Al Joyner (Keyboards), Darius Chapman (Percussion), Paul Wilson (Trumpet), Glenn Walker (Vocal) and Bobby "Chees" James (Vocal) according to the credits of this album. They were a self-contained band, performing both funky and slow ballads. To attract our attention, Bobby and Frank had a high aptitude for writing songs. Bobby and Glenn Walker were talented vocalists. |
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They brought to the album a high level of quality, especially some of the
slow tunes with group styles, which were orthodox, sweet, beautiful and
excellent.
Many soul fans in Japan have begun to take notice of them since they released their CD single,"I Can Make You Feel Good" in 1996.
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(1991)
Irocc , EZ-Tee, Da Reel Cheez, and, Freaky Frank |
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| "I Can Make You Feel Good", written by Frank, was a massive and strong ballad, with an impressive intro by Nick Longo's alto sax and emotional vocals by Bobby. The lilting tune entitled "I Adore You", written by Frank and Barry Crawford,gave us their wide musical abilities.. In their own, self-covered, "Never Make A Believer Of Me", the
lead singers of different types sang intertwininglytogether. It was just Soulful! |
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| (1996) |
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| The members were ABJ(Keyboards), G-Man(Sax, Keyboards), Valentino(Drums), Freeky Frank(Bass, Guitar, Keyboards), G.W.(Lead, Background vocals), M.W.(Lead, Background vocals) and "Cheez" (Lead, Background vocals) |
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They became 4 pieces group, Gary Hardwick, Bobby James, Glenn Walker and Frank McKinney, and released their second album "Irresistible" in 2001. |
| Their smooth and contemporary R&B, set on top of their old school soul and long career in music, made many soul fans excited. Their abilities of writing songs and singing have become higher and higher since the previous single. |
| In 2010, they released their third album "Mind Your Business."
Their music is mixture of R&B, Soulful Old School bringing back memories
and pleasing the new music makers and listeners ears. Bass, keys,and great
vocals of Bobby ''Cheez'' James, great bass riffs of ''Freaky'' Frank Mckinney and keyboard riffs of Gary ''G-Man'' Hardwick, makes up the Super Group, The Heart 2 Heart Band. |
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| Interview with Bobby James... |
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Could you briefly tell us about your background, like, where are you from?
- I was born in Albany, GA. I'm number seven of nine children. |
What did you grow up listening to?
- Rock n Roll, Country, Soul, Blues etc. |
Can you remember the first record you bought?
- I didn't have to buy records. My father and uncle owned Juke Joint's
in the 60's. The record exchange guy for the jukebox would give me the
records I wanted, so I always had an assortment. |
What is your musical background like? Have you always wanted to be a singer?
- Yes, as long as I can recall I have always wanted to sing. My home was
constantly overflowing with the harmonic voices of my older sisters and
brothers. At about age 4 my older siblings Alva and Lillie taught me four-part
harmony. We were forever singing at various church and community functions.
Some how, I wound up in an array of talent shows around Albany. |
Who has been your biggest inspiration in music?
- Wow! So many. Michael Jackson, so much talent from one so young.
Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Linda Jones just to name a few.
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Who are your main influences as a singer?
~ My siblings. |
Let's talk about Heart 2 Heart. How did you come up with the name?
- Our original name was Royal Flush. But, there was another group using that name. We were going on tour and needed something new. Each of us (the band members) chose a name we thought befitting our band. We put them in a hat,
(So to speak) and Ronald Atwater's' Heart 2 Heart became our new name. |
How did you meet Frank and G-Man?
- Frank and I are from Albany. We belonged to different bands. I was a
member of Jam Trax and Frank was a member of Destiny. Both bands broke
up and we both joined Royal Flush. G-Man was in a band named Bad Water
out of Atlanta.
Bad Water broke up and G-Man joined Heart 2 Heart in 1995. |
I know the first time I of you was when your album, "Tuff" was
released. That was in 1982. What was the road like to get there?
- Tuff. (Tough) |
Please tell us a little bit about your work with Interscope Records. And
how did you link up with them?
- We signed on that single. The album was never released. We were the 1st Band on Interscope they had just Started then it was fun ...
We form a Production Company within Heart to Heart called T.H. Productions in 1990-1991 which lead to us meeting Bill Lowery Music Publishing Group and Southern Tracks Recording Studios in Atlanta Georgia.We also met Don Perry and Joel Katz Well Known entertainment Lawyers in the Music industry Back then through Bill, Which Ultimately lead to us Meeting Jimmy Ivine President/Owner of Interscope Records and of course he was very Impressed with our talent and Single "Judy's Booty". We went on to Produce another Platinum Act Called "Silk" the Album "Lose Controll" for Keith Sweat on Kia records /EMI Electra in 1992 T.H Productions. |
Moving up to date, please tell us about your "Mind Your Business"
CD, the concept behind the idea and your impressions.
- Life's experiences, stories and relationships aid in creating hit songs. |
How has the reaction been so far?
- The public has responded overwhelming with great affection.
How would you describe your sound and style?
- Sound and style is a collection of each Golden Voice I've ever heard.
Molded into my own soulful genre.
You recorded with Toni Redd, "We Should Care". How did you hook
up with her?
- She and I were in a band that was put together to tour Japan. |
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"We Should Care" (with Bobby "Cheez" James) by Toni Redd - "N" the Key of Redd (US-CD, 2009) |
Let's talk about Dream City Records. When and where did you start it?
- It started in Atlanta around 1996. We started DCR to release H2H featuring
"Buff". The name was inspired by the late Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.'s
"I Have a Dream" speech.
What other artists are under DCR?
- Basically, H2H. Also the artist, Venze. |
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Venze - "Issues"(US-CD, Dream City) |
You have many unreleased songs; don't you plan to release them?
- Most definitely. You'll be the first to know if and when this happens. |
Have you ever had a memory in your career that you can't forget?
- Yes. Visiting foreign countries and experiencing the truth that:
"Music is the universal Language"
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What really drives you or motivates you to continue to play music?
- My love and passion for the art is a constant motivator.
What is music for you?
- My Existence. Music is a part of my soul.
Would you like to say anything to your fans?
- I owe it all to God for blessing me with such a wonderful gift. With
prayer and perseverance I have the ability to get through this great life.
To my fans, thanks for the love, devotion, and support over the last 35 years. |
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| Discography |
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| Heart To Heart - Tuff (US-LP, Raven R-33-1021, 1982) |
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Nowhere To Go |
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2 |
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Whatever Blows Your Skirt Up |
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Lullaby |
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4 |
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Cosmic Wave |
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6 |
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Tuff |
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7 |
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Never Make A Believer Of Me |
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8 |
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Short Pants |
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9 |
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Zebulon (We can do it) |
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| Heart To Heart - Judy's Booty (US-single, Interscope / EW, 1991) |
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| CD Single |
| PRCD-3858 |
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| 12" single |
| DMD-1650 |
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Written by Roy Murray, Errol Taylor and Harry Williams
Produced by T.H. Productions
Engineered by Peter Robbins at Southern Tracks |
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| Heart To Heart featuring Buff (US-CDS, Dream City Records Buff 1234) |
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I Can Make You Feel Good (Radio Mix) |
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I Adore You
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Never Make A Believer Of Me |
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I Can Make You Feel Good (Remix) |
Produced by Heart To Heart / Co-produced by A2TheL |
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| Heart 2 Heart - Irresistible (US-CD, Dream City Records HTH2770, 2001) |
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Executive producers: Heart To Heart
Produced by Gary Hardwick, F. McKinney
Co-produced by B. James, A2 The L |
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He Don't Love You Like I Do |
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Irresistible |
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3 |
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Ooo Baby i Wanna |
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Hang Out At The Party |
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Are You Ready? |
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Slow and EZ |
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Goin Thru Som Thangz |
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8 |
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Ain't No Doubt |
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9 |
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Finally It's Friday |
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10 |
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Never Alone Again |
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11 |
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I Can Make You Feel Good |
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12 |
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Get 'Em Up |
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Never Alone Again (Acoustic) |
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I Love The Way |
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Hands Up |
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| Heart 2 Heart band "Mind Your Business" (US-CDS, Dream City Records,
2010) |
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| Heart 2 Heart band- "Mind Your Business" (US-CD, Dream City Records,
2010) |
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Mind Your Business |
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Back In the Day |
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So Sexy |
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She's Gone |
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I Love My Baby |
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Let's Build A Castle |
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Party, Party, Party |
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Your Love Is |
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Going Thru Som Thangz |
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10 |
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Shake What Cha Mama Gave Ya |
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| Frank Mckinney - Get 'Em UP (US-CD, Isha Records, 1999) |
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All Songs written, arranged & produced by F. McKinney
Ex-Producers:F. McKinney, W. Godbold & G. Hardwick
Co-Produced by Gary G-Man Hardwick |
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Get 'Em Up |
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Raze Up |
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I Like It |
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I Wanna Know |
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Kinky Love |
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Say Yes |
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Come And Go With Me |
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Frank is Gonna Funk You Up |
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I Wanna Get With You |
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Play Something Slow DJ |
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11 |
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Show Me What You Got |
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12 |
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Come & Go With Me
(Sax Version) |
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Believe in YOurself, Believe in God |
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| Da Reel Cheez (Bobby James) "Keepin It Reel" (Demo-CDR, 2000) |
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Cow Girl |
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Ain't No Doubt |
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I Can Make You Feel Good |
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Never Alone Again |
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Your Love Is Everywhere |
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Goin Thru Som Thangz |
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Slow and EZ |
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I Love The Way |
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10 |
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Finally It"s Friday |
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11 |
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Your Love Is Everywhere
(Sax Version)
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12 |
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Never Alone Again
(Acoustic) |
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Photo gallery
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| 1992 Cheez signing autographs after a Hott Concert ! |
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1991. This Year was a Great Year for them Signed a Major Deal and, was
the 1st Band on Interscope Records. Their Hit Single was "Judys Booty"
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1986
"EZ-Tee","Freaky Frank", Barry"BC"Crawford, "ABJ", "irocc" & "Da Reel Cheez". |
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Original Group for the "Tuff" Album 1981-82' |
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| Dream City Records |
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Contact :
Myspace
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| May, 8, 2010 |
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