Vocalist-Keyboardist-Producer Wade C. Long has been musically inclined for as long as he can remember. He first began to write and produce music for himself and other artists throughout his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and later made the big move to Los Angeles, California.
Wade finally released his first LP in 2020. The very timely Nostalgia gave listeners an upbeat outlet from a year that was left grief-stricken by a worldwide pandemic and social unrest. Wade was rewarded by seeing his music reach several Smooth Jazz and Soul accolades, including being voted a finalist for Soultracks.com’s Reader’s Choice Award for New Artist of the Year.
A new album was released in January 2023. A Long Story featured collaborations “Trin’s Jam” with Billboard Smooth Jazz chart topper Christian de Mesones and “Celebrate You,” a duet with the iconic Hil St. Soul, that drew comparisons to Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrelle.
His latest single, “Have You Ever Been Loved?” is said to have all the elements of a timeless R&B ballad; heart melting chord-progressions, sentimental and thought-provoking lyrics, with jaw-dropping background harmonies, and an outstanding lead vocal. “Have You Ever Been Loved?” has a Piano Lover’s version and a video for the single.
What would you be doing right now if it weren’t for your music career?
One of my favorite things is providing community outreach to the homeless, so other than music, I’m sure that’s what I’d be doing right now.
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance that made you say “Woah! I want to do that!”
Always, I have. And what changed everything for me was watching the greatest singer of all time, Luther Vandross perform “The Impossible Dream” on the Grammys in 1996 or 97 I believe. It was flawless and not talked about enough!
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
The internet has had a tremendous impact on the music business. So much of what we do from where you find our music, to doing all those important things like paperwork and making sure we get our money, the internet is the hub for all of those things when just a few short decades ago it wasn’t really a thing.
In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition? What is the secret to making yourself noticed?
You stay in the game and get yourself noticed by being yourself. I may be paraphrasing, but Tom Brady said, “Your only competition is the kid in the mirror.” I believe when we try to duplicate other people and their styles, it limits people from seeing our originality, and we become someone else’s ellipsis. Of course, we all borrow from those we admire, but at the end of the day it’s all about being your own “you.”
What is next for you?
Next for me is ramping up finishing vocals for and completing my 3rd full length album to be released this summer called “A Funky Kind of Love.” I feel I’ve really grown as an artist in the past couple years so I wouldn’t sleep on me in 2024!
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Of course, I sing in the shower! Who doesn’t? I’m fairly certain it’s illegal not to sing in the shower. And I sing everything there. Originals. Songs I make up on the spot. Sometimes I even sing to the water and tell it to be hotter.
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
Shrimp Pad Thai would be the one, but honestly, if the right her is cooking it, it would be hard to go wrong!
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I’m a huge fan of Only Murders in the Building and also of Silo and I am so happy the writers and actors strikes are over so I can get back to my shows. I’ve been dealing with some legit withdrawal and I need my shows back right this particular now.
What’s your least favorite personality trait, you like about yourself?
Well, some people say I’m a perfectionist and a workaholic and I don’t rest enough, and while I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of those things I can admit they may not be the very best traits.
What’s your favorite children’s story?
My favorite children’s story is There and Back Again by JRR Tolkien because it was probably the only children’s book I read as a child and all of a sudden I’m grown and all the Hobbit films come out, and I got to sort of relive that part of my childhood.
Singer-Songwriter Wade C. Long Releases His First Single of 2024
Wade C. Long has a question for us all, and he poses it in his new single, “Have You Ever Been Loved?”
Following the largely successful “Celebrate You” featuring Hil St. Soul, Wade sets sail solo once again with a new love jam. “Have You Ever Been Loved?” has all the elements of a timeless R&B ballad; heart melting chord-progressions, emotionally thought-provoking lyrics, with jaw- dropping background harmonies, and an outstanding lead vocal. Produced by Wade C. Long himself, who provided most of the instrumentation “Have You Ever Been Loved?” also has a Piano Lovers Version, a softer alternative to the soulful funk of the original.
The original mix is available now everywhere, and the Piano Lovers Version will be also, starting January 26, 2024, but radio airplay for both versions is encouraged right away.
