DAVID PORTER: THE SOUL MAN

Join us as we welcome DAVID PORTER on SATURDAY, JUNE 20 at 2:00 PM to celebrate the release of his new book THE SOUL MAN.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Spanning more than sixty years and over 1,700 songwriting and production credits, The Soul Man: Life of Songwriter David Porter goes beyond the hits to reveal the man behind the music. Growing up in segregated Memphis, Porter first encountered the power of song in the pews of his childhood church, and was close friends with Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire) and Booker T. Jones (Booker T. & the M.G.'s).

Immersed in extraordinary talent from an early age, these formative experiences shaped a lifelong devotion to music, ultimately leading to his groundbreaking work at Stax Records, where, as the legendary label’s first staff songwriter, he co-wrote classics like “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” and “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” with Isaac Hayes – songs that not only defined an era but continue to resonate across generations, cementing Porter’s place as one of the most influential figures in music history.

Beyond the hits, the memoir offers rare behind-the-scenes stories that bring Stax Records’ early days to life. Readers will encounter the earliest incarnation of the label, Satellite Records, witness Porter helping Otis Redding refine “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” just days before the singer’s tragic passing, and his impact on artists like Biggie and Wu-Tang Clan, who sampled his work. The book also explores Porter’s role in mentoring the next generation of musicians, showing how his legacy continues to shape contemporary music. These anecdotes illuminate not only the music but the spirit of innovation, resilience, and collaboration that have defined Porter’s career.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
David Porter, a pivotal figure in soul music, was the first staff writer at Stax Records, where he co-wrote iconic hits like “Soul Man,” “Hold On I’m Comin’,” “I Thank You,” “When Something is Wrong with my Baby,” and “Wrap it Up,” many alongside Isaac Hayes. His songs, which have appeared on national charts over 200 times and amassed lifetime unit sales exceeding 450 million, are enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame and have influenced soul, R&B, and hip-hop, with over 450 samples in tracks like Mariah Carey’s “Dreamlover,” Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.,” and The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya.” Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 with Hayes, Porter was featured in HBO’s 2023 Stax Records special and founded The Consortium MMT, cementing his legacy as a genre-defining songwriter.