Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Explained

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Origin:Ventura, California, U.S.
Years Active:1989–present
Label:Big Bad, Interscope, Capitol, Vanguard, Savoy Records, Concord
Current Members:
  • Scotty Morris
  • Kurt Sodergren
  • Dirk Shumaker
  • Andy Rowley
  • Glen "The Kid" Marhevka
  • Karl Hunter
  • Joshua Levy
Past Members:
  • Jeff Harris
  • Ralph Votrian

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a contemporary swing revival band from Southern California. Their notable singles include "Go Daddy-O", "You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)", and "Mr. Pinstripe Suit". The band played at the Super Bowl XXXIII halftime show in 1999.[1]

The band was originally formed in Ventura, California, in 1989 by leader Scotty Morris (guitar and vocals). The band was named Big Bad Voodoo Daddy after Scotty Morris met blues guitar legend Albert Collins at one of the latter's concerts. "He signed my poster 'To Scotty, the big bad voodoo daddy'," Morris explains. "I thought it was the coolest name I ever heard on one of the coolest musical nights I ever had. So when it came time to name this band, I didn't really have a choice. I felt like it was handed down to me."[2]

Moriss and drummer Kurt Sodergren are the two original members who have appeared in every incarnation of the band. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has concentrated on performing their own interpretations of swing music of the 1940s and 1950 and original songs in a similar style, regularly touring and performing worldwide.

History

Early career: 1989–1996

After playing in punk and alternative rock bands during the 1980s, including False Confession, part of the Oxnard, California Nardcore scene, Scotty Morris founded Big Bad Voodoo Daddy with Kurt Sodergren.[3] The band launched two CDs, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Watchu' Want for Christmas? under their own label (Big Bad Records) before getting their big break when their songs "You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)", "I Wan'na Be Like You" and "Go Daddy-O" were featured in the soundtrack of the 1996 comedy-drama Swingers.

The band was also the house band for the television game show Big Deal, a partial remake of Let's Make a Deal.

Commercial success: 1997–2004

From there, they were signed by Interscope Records. With Interscope, the band released Americana Deluxe, This Beautiful Life, and Save My Soul. The band has continued their tours, performances and album releases. The band appeared at the half-time show of Super Bowl XXXIII (January 31, 1999)[4] and the 2006 Capital One Bowl, and also served as the house band for ESPN's ESPY Awards for a few years.[5] The band created a version of the opening theme for the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, which was used for the 1998-1999 and 1999–2000 seasons.

Live performances and return: 2005–present

They created a new song for the movie The Wild, Big Time Toppin' (Go Man Go), and recorded a song for Disney's Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation Special. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy also performed on the hit television show Dancing with the Stars, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to promote their album , a collection of their renditions of Cab Calloway songs that was released in April 2009.[6] They also have been performing at EPCOT for the annual Food and Wine Festival since 2008.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] They performed at Kahilu Theatre, Waimea Hawaii and while Kurt was there he spoke of going to Scott's house in Ventura and working on a new album beginning February 2019. He also mentioned that the band had played at one of Donald Trump's birthday parties. Their website was updated for their 30th anniversary, which took place in 2023, and mentions upcoming releases.[12]

Band members

Current members
Touring members
Former members

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
[13]
US
Indie

[14]
US
Jazz
[15]
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
  • Released: 1994
  • Label: Big Bad
Americana Deluxe
  • Released: February 24, 1998
  • Label: Interscope, Coolsville
47
This Beautiful Life
  • Released: October 19, 1999
  • Label: Interscope, Coolsville
93
Save My Soul
  • Released: July 8, 2003
  • Label: Big Bad, Vanguard
195 12
Everything You Want for Christmas
  • Released: October 12, 2004
  • Label: Big Bad, Vanguard
31
  • Released: April 21, 2009
  • Label: Big Bad, Vanguard
Rattle Them Bones 129 2
It Feels Like Christmas Time
  • Released: October 22, 2013
  • Label: Savoy
Louie Louie Louie
  • Released: June 16, 2017
  • Label: Savoy
7

Compilation albums

Singles

Filmography

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122139307 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Live In Los Angeles
  2. http://napavalleyregister.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/mondavi-swings-to-the-jive-of-big-bad-voodoo-daddy/article_da5768f4-4b0d-5313-b6b7-6ecb43bf9a5d.html Mondavi swings to the jive of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
  3. Web site: McAlpine. Ken. 3 January 2017. Exclusive Interview For Big Bad Voodoo Daddy lead singer Scotty Morris, Ventura is home sweet home. August 11, 2020. Visit Ventura. Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau.
  4. Web site: Talking Story With Kurt Sodergren – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Cofounder. Roby . Steve. January 4, 2019. Big Island Music Magazine. May 19, 2019.
  5. Web site: Did you know?. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. 17 March 2018.
  6. http://www.bbvd.com/press/images/downloads/BBVD_Bio.pdf “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy”
  7. Web site: Eat to the Beat! 2008 concert lineup . Wdwmagic.com . 2008-07-08 . 2012-11-25.
  8. Web site: Eat to the Beat 2009 Concert Line-Up . WDW News Today . 2009-06-04 . 2012-11-25.
  9. Web site: 'Eat to the Beat' Concert Series Lineup at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival « Disney Parks Blog . Disneyparks.disney.go.com . 2012-11-25.
  10. Web site: 'Eat to the Beat' 2011 Concert Series Lineup at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival « Disney Parks Blog . Disneyparks.disney.go.com . 2012-11-25.
  11. Web site: Eat to the Beat Concerts | Epcot Food & Wine Festival | Walt Disney World Resort . Disneyworld.disney.go.com . 2012-11-25.
  12. Web site: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy . 2023-09-25 . Big Bad Voodoo Daddy . en-US.
  13. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Chart History. Billboard. December 25, 2020.
  14. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Chart History: Independent Albums. Billboard. December 25, 2020.
  15. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Chart History: Jazz Albums. Billboard. December 25, 2020.
  16. Web site: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Apple Music. December 25, 2020.
  17. Web site: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Top Songs. musicvf. 2020-03-20.
  18. Web site: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Top Songs. musicvf. 2020-03-20.