Before I discovered my love for country music, I grew up listening to and liking various forms of jazz and Motown music. When I came across Nashville-born Wendall "Bizz" Bigsby, I was intrigued.
Bizz Bigsby is a dynamic and multi-talented artist whose roots run deep in North Nashville, a place where music was more than just a passion; it was a lifeline.
Wendell Bigsby was born to R&B artists Jimmy Church and Clarissa Pamela Bigsby Jones. But at the time of his birth, his parents were just 19 and 16 and were not in a mindset to raise a child. Bizz ended up being raised by his grandmother and great-aunts. He had a loving community, but without the benefit of a mother and father.
Bizz's musical journey began at the age of nine, when he performed in his first talent show, mimicking the Jackson 5 with a small band. The performance won the competition, but the joy of the day was overshadowed by the tragic news of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The streets of Nashville were filled with grief and anger, and the celebrations came to an abrupt halt.
Unfortunately, Bizz followed in his mother's footsteps and started doing drugs at an early age. Meanwhile, his father crossed paths with R&B greats like Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Little Richard, and Jimi Hendrix, who was a regular in North Nashville.
When his father returned to Nashville, he became a key figure in the city's music scene and was featured in the first TV show featuring R&B music and Black performers, filmed in Music City, called Night Train.
Church was a distant presence in young Bizz's life, and he admired his father from afar, watching him on TV. Bizz advised, "I always knew from age four what I wanted to do, but I didn't know how to do it. I was good at entertaining people. As a kid, my mother would wake me up at 1 AM to come and do James Brown for her friends."
But even riddled by drugs and alcohol for a large portion of his life, music was always Bizz's refuge. He had bands before and after college and even dropped out to play music full-time. But nothing ever permanently panned out.
It was at his mother's funeral that his dad noticed Bizz's talent. He sang Boyz 2 Men's "Mama." Church stated, "I didn't even know you could sing." Eventually, Bizz would go on the road with his dad.
Now, Bizz is a father to his own children, Lauren Nicole and Charles Brandon. Bizz is committed to being the kind of parent he wished he had. His daughter, Lauren, works for the state and has two children of her own, while Brandon, a recent magna cum laude graduate of Lipscomb University, is making his mark. Bizz has been sober for 12 years and has been pursuing his musical career with a renewed fervor.
He has completed his debut album, Here In This Town, which will be out on September 19th. I was fortunate enough to preview the record that sounds like something an artist who has been in the business for decades would release. Greatly inspired by the Motown sound but also influenced by Music City, the record has something for everyone. Most impressive is that Bizz helped co-write alongside his good buddy, Gtar Phil (Hughley), each of the 12 tracks on the record.
His first single, released this weekend, "Here In This Town," is a homage to growing up in North Nashville. They first played it at Rudy's Jazz Club, not thinking it would be part of the upcoming album. By the end of the first verse, everyone was clapping. They decided to include the song and make it the title track.
He stated of the song, "In the early 70s, when the interstate was put through North Nashville, it completely cut off 30 cross streets, so it choked off my community. This song is about what was going on in my city. Since I'm from Nashville, I wanted it to have that Nashville vibe, not R&B. But I wanted to tell Nashville how I felt."
Bizz is a staunch advocate for preserving the roots of American music while embracing modern influences. His resilience and creativity define his artistry, inspiring countless listeners with his journey of overcoming adversity and finding purpose through music. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Bizz's upcoming projects promise to push boundaries and further cement his place as a force in the music industry. With a growing fan base and a passionate commitment to his craft, Bizz's future in music is filled with endless possibilities, ensuring his voice remains vital in the evolving landscape of American music.
Bizz is a regular at Rudy's Jazz Club and, most recently, has been featuring his original music from his forthcoming album. He is also part of the ensemble Bizz & Everyday People, an R&B/Funk band that was voted best party band by Nashville's NFocus magazine.
Be sure to follow Bizz Bigsby on his website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and all streaming platforms.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, Facebook, and X.