Terry Blade

  • Vocals
Years active2020–presentWebsiteterryblademusic.com
Musical artist

Terry Blade is an American singer-songwriter based in the Chicago metropolitan area.[1] He is the blues category winner of the 2023 American Songwriter Song Contest.[2]

He has been nominated twice for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards; in 2020 at the 11th Hollywood Music in Media Awards for his song "The Unloveable",[3] and in 2023 at the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards for his song and self-directed music video "Won't Be Around".[4]

His music videos have gone on to premiere as official selections of the Tribeca Festival,[5] LA Shorts Fest,[6] Sidewalk Film Festival,[7] and the Berlin Short Film Festival where he won the 2024 award for Best Music Video.[8]

Early life

Blade was born and raised in Washington, DC.[9] He has described his upbringing as "rough," adding that growing up black and gay "was one of the most painful experiences."[10] Blade has credited his mother and grandparents as prominent influences on his music, citing his family's earlier history as black sharecoppers in North Carolina and elsewhere in the Southern United States.[10][11]

Career

2020: Debut

On April 3, 2020, Blade debuted his acoustic demo "The Unloveable". The release earned a singer-songwriter nomination at the 11th Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[3] The song appeared as the opening track on Blade's six-track EP demo, Misery, which was released on May 8, 2020.[12]

In November of 2020, Blade released his A cappella single, "The 'Karen' Blues" which caught the attention of musician Adeem the Artist who described it as "witty and biting".[13] Adeem the Artist later described Blade's subsequent single "Same Gender Loving", as "a touching and poetic expression of love."[13]

2021–2022: American Descendant of Slavery, the Album and Neo Queer

On February 5, 2021, Blade released his debut studio album American Descendant of Slavery, the Album.[14] The album incorporated public domain audio recordings of formerly enslaved African-Americans.[15] The album won a Summit Creative Award for Audio at the 2021 Summit Awards.[16]

On March 1, 2021, the Archives of African American Music and Culture included American Descendant of Slavery, the Album in its Black Grooves publication of the February 2021 Black Music Releases of Note.[17] The Archives of African American Music and Culture classified the album as an r&b/soul release.[17] A month later, the album's track "Mtf" was highlighted by Adeem the Artist who noted that the song "details the story of a trans sex worker who is trying desperately to finance gender confirmation surgery and after defending herself from the violence of a client, ends up in a prison for men".[18] They added, "It reminds me of CeCe McDonald — though I’m not sure if it’s about her — and it’s a really moving song."[18]

On January 14, 2022, Blade released his second studio album Neo Queer.[19] Christopher Treacy of Country Queer wrote that the album "employed more of a neo-soul delivery system."[20] The album featured tracks such as "The Silent Treatment" and "All Ways" which received national radio airplay on Amazing Radio.[21][22] On January 24, 2022, Frankie Francis featured Blade on his Amazing Afternoons broadcast on Amazing Radio.[23] Two months later, Blade released his soul single "For You".[24]

2023–2024: Won't Be Around

On January 6, 2023, Blade released his blues single "Won't Be Around".[25] The single received national radio airplay and appeared on New Music Weekly's Country Up & Coming Chart.[26] It won first place in the blues category of the 2023 American Songwriter Song Contest.[2] The single also received nominations at the inaugural Hollywood Independent Music Awards and the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[27][28]

A month after its release, "Won't Be Around" appeared on Blade's third studio album, Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper.[29] The album received a nomination for Best Folk/Americana Album at the 2023 Josie Music Awards.[30] The music video for "Wasn't Mine", another song featured on the album, was officially selected for the Sidewalk Film Festival.[7]

Blade produced and directed the music video for "Won't Be Around" which went on to premiere as an official selection of the Tribeca Festival,[5] LA Shorts Fest,[6] New Media Film Festival,[31] and the Berlin Short Film Festival where it won the 2024 award for Best Music Video.[8]

2024–present

On June 24, 2024, Blade was featured on the Glastonbury Festival 2024 broadcast of Amazing Radio.[32] Two days later, he announced that he had been invited to join The Recording Academy.[33] On July 19, 2024, Blade received a nomination for Songwriter Achievement at the 2024 Josie Music Awards.[34][35]

Personal life

Blade identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.[36] He resides in the Chicago metropolitan area.[1]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Year Ref.
American Descendant of Slavery, the Album 2021 [14]
Neo Queer 2022 [19]
Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper 2023 [29]

Extended plays

Title Year Ref.
Misery 2020 [12]

Singles

Title Year Ref.
"The Unloveable" 2020 [37]
"The Karen Blues" [13]
"Same Gender Loving"
"Black Hurts" 2021 [38]
"For You" 2022 [39]
"Won't Be Around" 2023 [25]

Videography

Music videos

Title Year Ref.
"The Last Macbeth" 2020 [40]
"Mr. Robertson" 2022 [41]
"Won't Be Around" 2023 [5]
"Wasn't Mine" 2024 [7]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2020 Cult Critic Movie Awards Best Music Video The Last Macbeth Won [40]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Music: Singer-Songwriter The Unloveable Nominated [3]
Luis Buñuel Memorial Awards Music Video: Outstanding Achievement Award Mr. Robertson Won [42]
Virgin Spring Cinefest Music Video (Gold Award) Mr. Robertson Won [41]
2021 Summit Awards Summit Creative Award – Audio – Other (Bronze Award) ADOS, the Album Won [16]
2023 American Songwriter Blues (2023 Song Contest): Category Winner Won't Be Around Won [2]
Hollywood Independent Music Awards Americana/Roots Won't Be Around Nominated [27]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Music Video (Independent) Won't Be Around Nominated [4]
Josie Music Awards Album of the Year: Folk/Americana Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper Nominated [30]
2024 Bare Bones International Film Festival Best Music Video USA Won't Be Around Won [43]
Berlin Short Film Festival Best Music Video Won't Be Around Won [8]
California Music Video Awards Best Cinematography in a Music Video Won't Be Around Won [44]
Best Fashion and Makeup Won't Be Around Won
Social Justice and Hope Award Won't Be Around Won
Best Male Solo Artist Won't Be Around Nominated
Lyrics and Verse Won't Be Around Nominated
Best Inspirational Won't Be Around Nominated
Castle Rock Film Festival Best Music Video Won't Be Around Nominated [45]
LA Shorts Fest Best Music Video Won't Be Around Nominated [46]
Midwest Film Festival Music Video Won't Be Around Nominated [47]
New Media Film Festival Music Video Won't Be Around Nominated [48]
Northeast Film Festival Music Video Won't Be Around Nominated [49]
Regina International Film Festival and Awards Best Music Video Won't Be Around Nominated [50]
Sidewalk Film Festival Shorts: Music Video Wasn't Mine Nominated [7]
Thin Line Fest Music Video Won't Be Around Nominated [51]
Tribeca Festival Best Music Video Won't Be Around Nominated [52]

References

  1. ^ a b "Meet Terry Blade : The artist who makes music out of necessity". Earmilk. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  2. ^ a b c Whalen, Shane (2024-04-10). "American Songwriter 2023 Song Contest Winners Announced". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  3. ^ a b c "2020 MUSIC GENRE NOMINEES". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Archived from the original on 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  4. ^ a b "2023 HMMA Nominations". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Archived from the original on 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  5. ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (2024-04-23). "Tribeca Festival Sets Short Film Lineup For 2024". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  6. ^ a b "LA Shorts International Film Festival". LA Shorts Fest. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  7. ^ a b c d "26th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank: Shorts: Music Videos". Sidewalk Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  8. ^ a b c "Festival 2024 | Berlin Short Film Festival". Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  9. ^ "8 questions a Terry Blade". Blender Bookmagazine. 2021-02-01. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  10. ^ a b Frazier, Preston (2024-03-10). "Terry Blade on 'Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper': Something Else! Interview". Something Else!. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  11. ^ "Meet the 2023 Song Contest Category Winners - American Songwriter". 2024-07-03. Archived from the original on 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  12. ^ a b Cullen, Rebecca (May 9, 2020). "Terry Blade – Misery (Mastered For Headphones)". Stereo Stickman. Archived from the original on 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  13. ^ a b c Bingham, Adeem (2020-12-18). "Buried Treasure, December 18 • Country Queer". Country Queer. Archived from the original on 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  14. ^ a b Cullen, Rebecca (2021-03-05). "Terry Blade – American Descendant Of Slavery, The Album". Stereo Stickman. Archived from the original on 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  15. ^ "TERRY BLADE – AMERICAN DESCENDANT OF SLAVERY | RGM". 2021-03-17. Archived from the original on 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  16. ^ a b "Past SCA Awards Listings – Summit Awards". Summit Awards. Archived from the original on 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  17. ^ a b "February 2021 Black Music Releases of Note | BLACK GROOVES". 2021-04-20. Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  18. ^ a b Bingham, Adeem (2021-04-02). "Buried Treasure, April 2 • Country Queer". Country Queer. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  19. ^ a b "A&T Playlists: January 2022 Releases – Adobe & Teardrops". 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  20. ^ Treacy, Christopher (2023-01-05). "Q&A With Terry Blade • Country Queer". Country Queer. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  21. ^ "Soundcharts". app.soundcharts.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  22. ^ "Soundcharts". app.soundcharts.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  23. ^ "Amazing Afternoons | Monday January 24, 2022 | Radio Shows". Amazing Radio. 2022-01-24. Archived from the original on 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  24. ^ "Terry Blade - For You". Amazing Radio. 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  25. ^ a b The Boot Staff (2023-02-09). "The Boot's Weekly Picks: Willie Jones, Mya Byrne + More". The Boot. Archived from the original on 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  26. ^ McCoy, Buck (May 3, 2024). "Inside Country Radio". New Music Weekly. p. 33. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "2023 WINNERS | Hollywood Independent Music Awards". Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  28. ^ Neglia, Matt (2023-11-16). "The 2023 Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  29. ^ a b Liebig, Lorie (2023-05-01). "Most Wanted Music: 2023's Country, Americana, Bluegrass and Folk Album Releases". The Boot. Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  30. ^ a b "2023 NOMINEES". Josie Music Awards. Archived from the original on 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  31. ^ Johnston, Susan (2024-04-01). "Won't Be Around". New Media Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  32. ^ "Festival Pass | Monday June 24, 2024 | Radio Shows". Amazing Radio. 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  33. ^ Blade, Terry [@t.blademusic] (2024-06-26). "I am joining the Recording Academy to make an impact in my local music community! #iamtheacademy" – via Instagram.
  34. ^ "2024 Official Nominees". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  35. ^ https://www.josiemusicawards.com/uploads/4/1/0/3/41030395/songwriter_achievement_nominee_list_2024.docx
  36. ^ Treacy, Christopher (2023-01-05). "Q&A With Terry Blade • Country Queer". Country Queer. Archived from the original on 2023-01-18. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  37. ^ https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/908013480
  38. ^ https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/910362324
  39. ^ "Amazing Radio US". Amazing Radio. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  40. ^ a b "MONTHLY RESULT: JUNE 2020". Cult Critic Movie Awards. July 27, 2020. Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  41. ^ a b Cinefest (2020-09-04). "Monthly Selection: JULY 2020 – Cinefest". Virgin Spring Cinefest. Archived from the original on 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  42. ^ [email protected] (2020-08-24). "Monthly Selection – JULY 2020". Luis Buñuel Memorial Awards. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  43. ^ "Nominees-Part 1".
  44. ^ TasteTV (2024-01-11). "7th Annual California Music Video Awards Announce Nominees for Year's Best Music Videos". TasteTV. Archived from the original on 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  45. ^ @castlerockfilmfestival (2024-03-31). "Here are just some of the great films we will be showing at the Castle Rock Film Festival" – via Instagram.
  46. ^ "LA Shorts International Film Festival". LA Shorts Fest. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  47. ^ "Emerging Filmmaker Night - The Line-Up". Midwest Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  48. ^ Johnston, Susan (2024-04-01). "Won't Be Around". New Media Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  49. ^ "2024 Film Lineup". Northeast Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  50. ^ "2024 Nominees". Regina International Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  51. ^ "Event Details". Thin Line Fest. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  52. ^ Grobar, Matt (2024-04-23). "Tribeca Festival Sets Short Film Lineup For 2024". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  • Official website
  • Terry Blade at IMDb
  • Terry Blade on MusicBrainz Edit this at Wikidata
  • Terry Blade discography at Discogs
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
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