Kaiya Matthews Daughter to "Godmother of Detroit Soul," Visits Savingsouls

Today on This Side of the River KAIYA MATTHEWS!

Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur, Sr Vice president of Gotta Move Records /Recording Artist/ Author/ADC Band Member/Retiree from the Medical Field and Daughter to "Godmother of Detroit Soul," Johnnie Mae Matthews.

Kaiya's Mom Johnnie Mae Matthews was born December 31, 1922, in Bessemer, AL. According to the Soulful Detroit website, she learned to sing in her church choir, additionally performing alongside her mother at military bases throughout the Deep South. When she was 12 the family relocated to New Jersey, and in 1947 Matthews alone moved to Detroit, where she married and raised a family, largely limiting her musical aspirations to singing and playing piano at home. In 1957 she joined a local quintet called the Five Dapps, assuming lead vocals on "You're So Unfaithful," the B-side of the group's 1958 Brax label debut, "Do Wop a Do." Instrumental backing on the record was contributed by pianist Joe Hunter.

Later in 1958, Matthews formed her own record label, dubbed the Northern Recording Company, so named in honor of the popular brand of toilet tissue. Headquartered in an office at 2608 Blaine, just a few blocks from her home, she launched the imprint on just $85 borrowed from her husband's paycheck from the Ford Motor Company, in the process becoming one of the very first African-American women to own and operate her own label. With sessions typically recorded at either nearby Special Studio or radio station WCHB, Northern launched largely as a vehicle for Matthews' own performing career. Its premiere release, 1959's "Dreamer," was credited to Johnnie Mae Matthews & the Dapps.

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