Legendary vocalist Andy Stokes has been tearing up NW clubs since the 80’s. Andy’s musical career includes lead vocalist with the legendary funk band Cool’R, recording for A&M Records, world-wide tours, featured artist with The Stylistics, Michael Bolton, George Clinton, The Temptations, as well as many others. He was also the voice of the California Raisins.  Stokes has recently signed to a new recording contract—look for the first release “Promise” this April/May 2016.  The video for Promise was released on April 19th – like it, and subscribe at http://youtu.be/m17ewpF0Kmk . His performances are riveting; as The Oregonian put it, “Andy Stokes sings with an earthy intensity that matches the magnetism of his extroverted showmanship on stage.”   Follow Andy Stokes on Twitter @Andy_get_stoked, on Facebook www.facebook.com/andygetstoked. Andy’s website is www.andystokesmusic.com About Andy Stokes   I am certain that if you look into the Soul of Portland, you will find Andy Stokes…among other things. Andy Stokes spent his formative years moving between Danville, Virginia, where he was born, and Germany, where his father was frequently relocated while in the Army.  A football scholarship brought him to the Great Northwest in 1975, where he has resided ever since. He described his family, now located in the Tacoma area, as “all-Army, jocks - all sports.” “There was some music in the household in the form of record albums: Temptations, Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, Sylistics and such. I'd just be in my room with my back leaning against the hi-fi, using the broomstick as a mic.” Though Andy claims that he never intentionally set out to perform music, he sort of “fell into it.” “Sure, I sang around the house. I especially enjoyed the sounds of James Brown and Stevie Wonder.”  Having performed over the years with local Portland icons like Cool'R (his own band), Curtis Salgado, Linda Hornbuckle, and New Shooz. He has also performed nationally with Michael Bolton, George Clinton, Connie Stevens, Temptations, Stylistics and others on a broader scale. Additionally, he was voice for one of the famous California Raisin characters, developed at Will Vinton Studios. It was a CBS special in 1989, called “Meet the Raisins.” Now, how many artists can say they have been able to interpret the voice of a piece of fruit? In 2009 Andy Stokes was inducted into the "Oregon Music Hall of Fame" with the band Cool'R. Andy's heart and soul are worn on his sleeve as he sings everything from soulful power ballads to upbeat funk tunes that make your whole body want to move. His voice and his emotion are certainly powerful and positive musical forces to be reckoned with and you will be singing the songs long after the lights of the stage have gone down.   Andy Stokes: Oregon’s King of Soul – Q&A by Alaya Wyndham on August 19, 2015 Andy Stokes, long time Soul musician, and arguably Portland’s best, is as funky as they come on stage, and he’s also completely down to earth and nearly zen-like in the way he approaches his life and fame.    Andy Stokes Musical Achievements   1983:  Hired as Lead Singer for the Band Cool’R 1985: Cool’R voted top R&B band by The Skanner Music Awards; Andy Stokes voted top male vocalist 1989: Cool’R signed by Herb Alpert to A&M Record Co. Los Angeles CA The single ‘Victim’ released for A&M Record Company (Written by Phil Baker and Andy Stokes) Lead Vocalist Coors Light National Commercial Lead Vocalist on California Raisins ‘At the Hop’ on the LP ‘Meet The Raisins’ Soloist for the CBS special ‘Meet The Raisins’ aired November 1989 1992: Established the Andy Stokes Band 1993: Released single ‘Test of Time’ which went to #9 on Portland’s Z100 Radio National Countdown and stayed on the charts for two months Voted Northwest Music Associations Artist of the Year, Top Male Vocalist, Song of the Year, and Top R&B Band  1995: Released first solo CD “About Time” which reached #2 on Portland’s Top 24 Countdown 2001: Released second solo CD “Tell Me What You Like” 2002: Released third solo CD “Andy Stokes Live At Bacchus” 2004: Relased fourth Solo CD “Turn It Up” Andy Stokes Band wins first place at African Sundiata Festival’s Battle of the Bands in Seattle Washington 2005:   Cascade Blues Association Muddy award for Performance of the Year – Andy Stokes with Ray Charles Tribute Band at the Portland Blues Festival 2008: Performs with the Oregon Symphony and the Ray Charles Tribute Band Lead Vocalist for award winning Childrens’ Book “One Night in Frogtown” Independent Publishing Award, The Moonbeam Award, and Oregon Book Award City of Portland awarded Andy Stokes for his 30 years of invaluable contribution to music in Portland 2009: Andy Stokes is inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame with the Band Cool’R 2015: Cascade Blue Association 2015 Muddys Male Vocalist of the Year "Andy Stokes was like a Pied Piper of funk, when the people heard that music they just followed the runes? They cam from down the waterfront, across the street and packed the courtyard.” Tony Democoli – Rose Festival Coordinator "Andy Stokes singes with an earthy intensity that matches the magnetism of his extroverted showmanship on stage.” Marty Hughley – Music Critic, The Oregonian