Reggie McDaniel remembers a time when soul music was it.

The native of Headland, Alabama, grew up in a household where gospel, soul, R&B and other genres were part of the blend.

The emergence of other predominantly Black genres like rap and hip-hop pushed soul from the pop charts.

McDaniel co-founded Birmingham’s Soul 1^st Records in 2003 to keep soul – in particular Southern soul – alive.

But McDaniel doesn’t believe it’s the label that is keeping the music alive; the artists and the audiences are doing that.

“I think the fans keep it alive,” he said. “The fans love it. So as long as the fans support it, it’s going to stay alive.”

The fan support is what surprises the uninitiated.

“They have a legion of fans – millions of organic fans, true fans who love their music, that follow their music,” McDaniel said. “People are amazed until they see the kinds of crowds these people draw.”

Reggie McDaniel talks about Soul 1st Records and Southern soul music from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

During Black History Month, Alabama NewsCenter is celebrating the culture and contributions of those who have shaped our state and those working to elevate Alabama today. Visit AlabamaNewsCenter.com throughout the month for stories of Alabamians past and present.