Canton Blues Fest headliner Annika Chambers bringing 'sass soul' to Centennial Plaza

Annika Chambers was surprised to hear her name called earlier this month at an awards show in Memphis.

Confident in her singing prowess, the Black musical artist thought her outspoken views on issues of race and equality might hurt her chances to be recognized.

But Chambers was overwhelmed after she let go of her husband's hand and walked the aisle to the roar of applause. During her acceptance speech for top Soul Blues Female artist through The Blues Foundation, she credited her spouse for his support and inspiration.

"People were just standing up and saying how proud they were of me because they also know I did put a lot on the line," said the Houston, Texas, native. "It's a tall order to stand up and speak out, and another tall order to deal with the backlash, so I felt like validated that I'm on the right path and continue to stand up.

"... I just feel everyone should be able to live in this country peacefully."

This was an example of how Chambers and Paul DesLauriers work together. Another is when they share a stage, the wife belting out soulful, bluesy vocals harkening a forgotten era, and the husband playing guitar with a range of licks influenced by old school blues and classic rock.

"We say we're like sass soul and rock and roll," Chambers said, her voice a mix of pep and laughter. "We're just high energy together you know; I feel like it's almost like jet fuel and take off and go."

Chambers and DesLauriers will display that chemistry and shared passion for blues-inspired song when Chambers headlines the Canton Blues Fest on Saturday at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton. Chambers is scheduled to perform at 9:30 p.m., her first local appearance.

Admission is free, but reserved seats are available for $15 each.

Openers will be the Jake Friel Band and Gary Lee & The CatDaddys

Opening acts will be the Jake Friel Band at 6 p.m. and Gary Lee & The CatDaddys at 7:30 p.m. Playing the blues since he was a kid and formerly with The Brighter Side, Friel is a songwriter from Stark County.

Gary Lee & The CatDaddys, a blues-based rock and soul band from the Cleveland area, will perform at the Blues Fest for the first time.

"We wanted to bring in a national act while still supporting our regional blues music scene," said Collyn Flloyd of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Blues Fest reduced to one day due to rising costs

Canton Blues Fest is one day this year instead of featuring several bands and musicians spread over two days as has been the norm in the past. The event is coordinated by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"We’re proud of the fact that Canton Blues Fest has always been, and still is, a free event," said Flloyd, the chamber's vice president of events and marketing strategy. "With non-ticketed, free events can come challenges, especially when faced with rising costs across the board, as our Blues Fest has seen this year.

"To remain free to the public and still bring in top talent like our headliner, the increased cost only permits us to put on a one-day event."

From church choir to touring singer in Army

Chamber's road to a singing career began as a kid who sang in church before her talents were showcased while serving in the U.S. Army.

After winning a talent show with a gospel song, Chambers was introduced to the blues. She would later tour as a performer for the Army, visiting Kosovo and Iraq.

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Following another talent show, when the crowd erupted over her cover of a Bonnie Raitt classic, music became her life's passion. "And I talked to my colonel, and I said, 'Sir, I think I'm meant to sing.'"

Polished studio recordings and rousing performances led to bookings at music festivals in South America and Europe.

"This is the life," Chambers said of her commitment to music. "This is where we're supposed to be."

Canton is a stop on her summer blues circuit. Other shows include the Chicago Blues Festival on June 12 and Montreal Jazz Festival on July 1, as well as performances in New York and Las Vegas.

"We're going to come and show out," she said of the Canton gig.

Get ready for 'Mavis Staples meets The Rolling Stones'

Chambers style is an up-tempo, smoldering, down-home fusion of rhythm and blues, soul, funk and gospel. Gifted with a robust, versatile voice, she also brings down the pace with finesse and flair.

Musical influences include Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples and Whitney Houston.

"You'll definitely hear all of my influences," said Chambers, a 36-year-old Florida resident. "I feel like it's ... Mavis Staples meets The Rolling Stones."

"I grew up in the church, and I got to hear a lot of good singers," she said. "I just think I pull from everyone of my (favorite) singers ... and make it my thing," she said. "I do feel sometimes like I'm going back in time because I feel like I connect with the old Aretha (Franklin) when she was more blues."

Chambers and her husband sing a duet, "Need Your Love So Bad" by Little Willie John.

DesLauriers is from Canada, and has recorded and performed with a band of his own.

"We sometimes close out the show with B.B. King and U2's 'When Love Comes to Town,'" Chambers said. "And we'll switch over and do some CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival), so you'll get that rock and roll, and we'll take you down memory lane."

'I'm just a firm believer of whatever you believe in, you stand for that.'

Chambers' releases have included the 2016 album, "Wild & Free," which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard blues albums chart. Chart success continued with her 2019 record, "Kiss My Sass."

In 2015, she was nominated for Best New Artist at the  Blues Music Awards. Chambers is planning to release new music in October.

"We think this is the record that really captures the time that we're in because there's a lot stuff going on," she said.

"I channeled the kids who got shot and the teachers who got shot in Uvalde (Texas)," Chambers said. "That's too much; at some point, we have to acknowledge that's too much, but my job is also to put it in music, so I was able to really channel that and get the emotions out through my music.

"... In a way, it's good we see where we are, because maybe we can all take a step back, and at no point should we be okay with children dying in the classroom or knowing my grandmother can go in a store and someone can gun her down," Chambers said. "And I do believe in the right to bear arms (with some restrictions)."

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com. On Twitter: @ebalintREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Outspoken, award-winning Annika Chambers headlining Canton Blues Fest