BOARD MEMBERS
The Southern Soul Foundation Board Members are dedicated, committed and passionate about preserving the heritage and bringing forth above board standards for Southern Soul Music.
PRESIDENT:
TRACY GARNER
BIO Forthcoming
VICE PRESIDENT/BRAND AMBASSADOR
JERRY 'BOOGIE' MASON
Following his 30-year-long career in traditional radio, Crestview Florida-based entrepreneur and promoter Jerry “Boogie” Mason built a network of traditional and new media connections via e- mail, print advertising, and social media, to promote blues, Southern Soul, and other genres of music rooted in communities of color.
His email blast, The Boogie Report, continues to alert the world’s blues communities with up-to-date information on the latest recordings, tours, emerging artists, and cultural opportunities. Through Mason Media Services,
Jerry aggregates relevant material from various social media and local community websites to provide a forum for readers to exchange ideas, share information, and remain connected to the arts community at large.
Building on the success of The Boogie Report, Jerry hosts the Southern Soul Video Network, The Blues Buffet Radio Program, and a digital daily newsletter.
Jerry has served as Publicity Chairman of the Central Mississippi Blues Society, advisory board member of the Jus’ Blues Foundation, Advisory Board Of the Jackson Music Awards Association member of the Board of Directors of The Blues Foundation, member of The Board Of directors o The Vicksburg Blues Society and Information Officer of Solomon D. Loche American Legion Post 501.
Awards And Accolades
Jus Blues Music Best Radio Show 2010
King Mose Memorial Award 2019
Backstage Atlanta Radio and Records Service Award 2021
Keeping The Blues Alive Award 2022
VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURY:
SHERENE REEVES
With over 30 years of Accounting and Finance experience working in multiple areas from entry level to management, Sherene Reeves MAFM has proven to have a solid understanding of what it takes to be the top financial expert on the Southern Soul Foundation Board. Elected as the Vice President of Treasury, Sherene has served as the Treasurer from the Foundation’s inception.
Sherene’s strengths are professionalism, resourcefulness, experience, education, and knowledgeable in accounting. She holds a Master of Accounting and Financial Management from Devry University. She currently works as a Senior Accountant for a local government agency and worked for multiple non-profit agencies.
Sherene’s connection to Southern Soul is as the artist, Lady Sunshine. Lady Sunshine is a singer, songwriter, artist coach/manager and promoter. She was nominated for several awards in Southern Soul her firt year as a recording artist.
She serves as an assistant for an on air with a Southern Soul Radio Personality at JPRG and Southern Soul Express TV Show.
Lady Sunshine has written multiple songs with Southern Soul in the title:
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If it Ain’t Southern Soul released 2022
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The Southern Soul Slide released 2022
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Southern Soul Anthem released 2023
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Southern Soul Christmas Bells released 2023
Sherene AKA Lady Sunshine believes in doing what’s right, helping others, staying classy and professional.
VICE PRESIDENT, EDUCATION AND BOARD CHAPLAIN
DIEDRA HURDLE
DieDra has an amazing range. She is inspired by many great singers such as Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, and Whitney Houston. Her voice reminds the music listener of Anita Baker with her silky smooth approach to slow jams, Patti Labelle with her vocal techniques and Aretha Franklin with her gospel background. Never wanting to be compared to anyone and establishing her own sound,, DieDra has previously gotten the title as “The Blues Diva” and now the music industry has crowned her as “The Alabama Blues Queen.
DieDra has worked hard and has lived up to her well deserved titles, “The Blues Diva” and most recently “The Alabama Blues Queen”. In June 2020, she wrote her first Movie entitled "Frienemy for Life". Since then she has written 2 more entitled "Turkey Creek" and "Ocoee Blues". Awards
2010 Blue Note Award- Nominated for: Best New Artist by Blues Critics
Nominated Song of the Year “Hip Swing’ in Blues by JUS Blues
Nominated Female Artist of the Year 2009 JUS Blues
Semi Finalist in the 2009 International Blues Challenge
Nominated “Most Popular Female Artist” 2010 by JUS Blues
Nominated 4 Carolina Beach Music Awards 2010
Best Blues Album, New Artist of the Year, Blues Song of the Year, and Best Solo Album
2014 International Blues Challenge Finalist
Nominated for Jazz/Blues Female Artist of the Year 2016 by Alabama Music Awards
Millie Jackson Classy and Sassy Award August 2023
Judy Collins Icon Award August 2021
Nominated for Female Blues Artist of the Year from Alabama Music Award May 2021and 2022
The Southern Soul Foundation Board Members are dedicated, committed and passionate about the preserving the heritage and bringing forth above board standards for Southern Soul Music.
VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY
"DR. NICK" JOHNSON
Nick “Dr. Nick” Johnson is a native Washingtonian. He retired from the Federal Government after a 38 year career in Air Traffic Control, serving as a Controller, a training specialist, supervisor and a division manager.
As music has always been his passion, in the late ‘90s, he began laying the foundation for his “second career” by working at WPFW, producing a weekly radio show. This eventually led to a co-host position with D. C. Radio legend, Bobby Bennett.
Eventually, he would get his own show and, as “Dr. Nick,” hosted the morning show on XM Satellite Radio’s SOUL STREET. The focus of SOUL STREET was classic R&B and soul oldies spanning from the mid ‘50s through the mid ‘70s.
He also hosted the “Doo Wop Special,” a weekly (every Sunday evening) 2 hour show playing oldies but goodies from the vocal classic era, the ‘50s.
When SIRIUS purchased XM Satellite Radio, the XM programmers were terminated and he returned to WPFW, first hosting “Bluesday Tuesday,” then the Thursday edition of “Don’t Forget The Blues.” Eventually, he was asked to host a show featuring Southern Soul music on Saturdays. 12 years, he hosted “Southern Soul Rumpin’,” a 2 hour show on Saturday afternoons, featuring the best in Southern Soul & Blues.
Eventually, he would leave WPFW and join the team at ATX SOUL RADIO (www.ATXSOULRADIO.com), hosting “SOUL STREET” and also “SOUTHERN SOUL RUMPIN’” (Southern Soul & the Blues).
Additionally, as a professional announcer, he has served as Master of Ceremonies for various concerts, shows and award ceremonies. For nearly 10 years, he MC’d “Blue Monday Blues” at Westminster Presbyterian Church in southwest
D. C., and is the MC for Hardway Connection’s (a local Southern Soul Band) weekly club shows. He also frequently MC’s shows at The Carlyle Room, Bethesda Theater and other venues in the Washington, D. C. Area.
Dr. Nick has also provided voice-over narrations for government and industry training films, as well as WPFW Public Service Announcements.
BOARD MEMBER
EDGAR CHAMPAGNE
Edgar Champagne is a Vietnam era veteran for the United States Army with two years college. He is the oldest of seven brothers and sisters all still living in 2025.
He wanted to be a rock star recording artist because he loved music and performing. In Gary Indiana. he was a member of the Black Uprising and warmed up for Styx of Chicago and Lakeside from Dayton Ohio.
Edgar began his radio career in Columbus Ga. In 1976 right after getting out of the Army at Fort Benning Ga. The station was WOKS AM 1000 WATTS before black people had FM stations. He joined the first FM station WFXE FOXIE 105 in 1978, he was the first voice people heard on FM Radio.
He has worked every format on the dial talk, sports ,rock, chr, urban, and RNB in cities to include Montgomery, AL. Hattiesburg, MS., Prattville, Al. and Columbus Ga.. Edgar worked up until December 2024 spanning over 45 years as a creative radio personality widely accepted in all walks of life He joins the SSF after an invitation from Jerry Boogie Mason as a founding member, and brings sales and promotion savvy with thought leader stems geared for taking the organization to the next level. He loves sports, plays golf and still has an ear for hits.
He lives with his PHD wife Joann Thomas Buchanan and 3 pets Happy.
DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP
LEE PARKER
Lee Parker (born April 25, 1945, in Jackson, Mississippi; currently residing in Huntsville, Alabama) is a seasoned music industry professional with over 50 years of experience spanning music production, songwriting, publishing, artist management, concert and festival promotion, consulting, and record marketing.
He began singing in church and developed his musical foundation in the Rowan Junior High and Lanier High School bands. While still in high school, he launched his entertainment career by organizing and promoting local talent shows. After graduating, he served three and a half years in the U.S. Navy—including one year in Vietnam—where he also booked entertainment for NCO Clubs.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he earned a Sociology degree (with minors in Social Welfare and Early Childhood Education Development) from Jackson State College, followed by a Business Administration/Marketing certification from Massey Business College.
Parker has held numerous roles in education, social services, military administration, media, and entertainment. He is the founder and CEO of Brimstone Music Group, Inc., and for 26 years promoted the Alabama Down Home Blues Festival, the state’s largest and oldest Blues and Soul event.
Throughout his career, he has worked with a long list of major and independent record labels, promoting legendary artists across R&B, Gospel, Blues, and Southern Soul.
His community involvement includes service in veteran organizations, civic groups, church leadership, and the Southern Soul Foundation Board.
Mr. Parker has received numerous awards, including:
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Blues Promoter of the Year (Malaco, 1997)
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Southern Konnection Hall of Fame (2002)
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E. Rodney Jones Living Legend Award (2004)
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Soul Blues Lifetime Achievement Award (2022)
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Alabama Blues Hall of Fame Inductee (2023)
At West Mastin Lake Baptist Church, he has served over 20 years as Chairman of the Deacon Board, trustee, men's ministry participant, and adult Sunday School teacher.
Parker’s hobbies include bowling, reading, music, and football. His professional associations span national media, music, and Gospel organizations.
BOARD MEMBER
GIA COMPTON
Gia Compton is a veteran legal executive and strategist for artists, musicians, writers and producers in the entertainment space. Extensive experience in regulatory, criminal trial practice, and contracts compliments an uncommon ability to evaluate risks and provide counsel to clients.
She is a writer/producer/broadcaster with her own production credits. Her roots are deep in culture driven artistic expression. A long serving patron of the arts in all forms, she has sponsored and presented before numerous film festivals & music forums supporting new voices and visions.
She regularly presents on topics that focus on the protection and sustainability of those working in the creative industries. She is the Business Affairs Director for AMG, a Canadian based global Film/TV /Music company. She is General Counsel to Gee-Bee Productions known for documentary projects including A Wu-Tang Experience and Killa Hill.
She is a legal analyst and columnist for industry publications.. Gia is a certified arbitrator for FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and is approved as a registered agent for the WNBA. She is a board member of the Georgia Intellectual Property Association.
Gia received her BA from Mercer University and her JD from Emory University School of Law. She is represented by Next Phaze Media in Los Angeles.