This Gospel Girl Can Deliver The Blues Ms. Annika Chambers know that seated in the audience were two successful music producers: Larry Fulcher (inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame) and Richard Cagle (President of Montrose Records). The blues world was new to her and so when they approached her about recording on the Montrose label this was indeed an interesting opportunity. Soon after that performance Larry presented Annika with about forty songs to choose from and Rich prepared the recording studio. Annika’s first album “Making My Mark” came to life and it was a smoking presentation of multiple blues numbers that were cool to the max. She loved the album and knew that being new to the blues world, only her own hard work toward gaining as much visibility as she could, would help shore up the success of her first album “Making My Mark”. It was her personal desire to see the album succeed that motivated her to pass out file card sized
Within the blues world there is a lady named Annika Chambers. Annika is known around the world as the rising star of both traditional and soul blues. On stage she has the presence of Tina Turner, fast moving, upbeat including a smile to die for. When you slow things down she has this Etta James kind of delivery that is reminiscent of the traditional blues scene years ago, but yet Annika is one hundred percent her own person in both delivery and presence. She grew up on gospel and in church people noted that this young fifteen year old girl could really sing. People were commenting that when she turned on the praise music you were sure it was from her heart. Annika was introduced to the blues while in the Army and not too long afterward Annika and her band entered what is known as the International Blues Competition which was hosted by the Houston Blues Society. Little did she 32 Rock and Blues International • September 2020
ads in freezing weather no less than on Beale Street in Memphis Tennessee. Chilled to the bone, water freezing in the corners of her eyes, she would smile and hand a card to anyone that would accept one. This ladies and gentlemen is Annika Chambers. A very dedicated, talented, ambitious blues singer. In fact, it wasn’t long afterward that Annika received the coveted Blues Music Award from her peers and soon after that festival date after festival date. Annika has received five Blues Music Award nominations to date. Today her presence at American based blues festival and key events remains strong plus Annika is one of the most sought after blues acts in Europe. She’s even performed at the Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas and on stage at Europe’s largest blues festival, Lucerne. When she returns to her home town of Houston, Texas she packs them in no matter which stage she is on and no wonder, her performances are aces. When she’s in Memphis she can hardly get from one club to another without being stopped and being congratulated on her BMA and her albums. If you haven’t seen an Annika Chambers show or heard her music, check her out - this woman’s got it working! https://www.annikachambers.com/
