Episode 003 — Born by the River, Built for the Stage with Evelyn Champagne King

A conversation with Evelyn Champagne King — from singing Sam Cooke in a hallway at Sigma Sound Studios at 14 years old and getting discovered on the spot, to the losses that would have broken anyone else, to why she's still here, still bubbly, still entirely herself. Host: Skip Martin Summary: Evelyn Champagne King has one of the most powerful voices in the history of R&B — and one of the most powerful stories behind it. In this early morning conversation with her old friend Skip Martin, Evelyn traces it all back to a family amateur hour in a Bronx basement, a cleaning job she took for her sick sister, and a tall dark stranger who walked into a hallway while she was vacuuming and singing Sam Cooke. She also opens up about loss — a child, two brothers, her sister, her parents — and what it means to keep going anyway. A conversation about resilience, uniqueness, and what it really means to always be yourself. Main Topics: ● The King family amateur hour — how music started in a Bronx basement with drums, cungas, timbales, bass, and a family that performed for the neighbourhood ● How Evelyn got discovered at 14 at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia — vacuuming, singing Sam Cooke, not knowing anyone was listening ● What producer T-Life said to her in that hallway — and why she didn't believe him ● The losses she has carried — a child in 1989, brothers in 1974 and 1997, her sister Wanda in 2015, both parents ● Her definition of music — and the moment Skip shared his ● The secret duet with Skip on Someone Like You — and what's coming for the world ● Her legacy message: always be yourself, know where you come from, and stay bubbly Intriguing Quotes: "I was born by the river, you know, just singing. And a tall, dark and handsome man showed up." "I know one day I'm gonna make you a star. I'm like, yeah, right. And I just kept on vacuuming." "I go in my little corner and Freddie will tell you. He'll know something's going on right there." "They remember us as being strong and doing what we love — and knowing that they paved the way for me to keep going." "My definition of music is something that'll keep your soul in a good place." "I want them to know that I've always been lovable, caring. And I always gonna be me." Key Moments: ● [02:00] The King family amateur hour — Skip hears how it all started. A Bronx basement. Six brothers, a sister, drums, cungas, timbales, a trumpet, and a family that put on a show for the whole neighbourhood. That's where Evelyn Champagne King was born. ● [04:30] Evelyn is 14, filling in for her sick sister on a cleaning shift at Sigma Sound Studios. She can't help singing. A tall stranger walks in, hears her doing Sam Cooke, and tells her he's going to make her a star. She keeps vacuuming. ● [07:30] Evelyn talks about what she's lost — a brother in 1974, her parents and another brother in 1997, her daughter in 1989, her sister Wanda in 2015. And what keeps her going anyway. ● [11:00] Skip asks the question he asks every guest. Evelyn says no one has ever asked her that before. Her answer is worth the whole episode. ● [14:00] Skip reveals the secret duet — Someone Like You — and Evelyn performs a piece of it live. She says it sounded exactly like her from the moment she heard it. Notable Resources: ● Recorded: virtual conversation Connect with Evelyn Champagne King: ● Search Evelyn Champagne King on socials and streaming platforms Connect with Skip Martin: ● Website: https://www.skipmartinmusic.com/ ● Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/skipmartinmusic ● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skipmartinmusic/ ● Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/skipmartinmusic ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/skipmartinmusic Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.