"Rock Hard Cachet" is the vision of Grammy award winning drummer Sonny Emory. Sonny has played with such acts, as "Earth, Wind and Fire", Bruce Hornsby and Lee Ritenour. Cachet features the stellar vocals of Shayna Steele, who has performed with such greats as, Bette Midler and Rihanna. Also featured is keyboard genius, Morris Pleasure, who has played with the legendary group, "Earth, Wind and Fire" and the late Michael Jackson.
The five member group fuses Rock and Funk seamlessly on their new album "Rock Hard Cachet". This promises to be a high-energy, funk rock experience.
A native Atlantan who received his first drum set at the age of four. After graduating from Georgia State University with a Bachelor in Jazz Performance, Sonny began his transition to becoming a professional drummer playing with Joe Sample and the Crusaders. With over 20 years of live performance and studio work behind him, Sonny maintains a busy schedule in the music industry and is highly regarded in the business.
Though probably best known for his groundbreaking drumming with Earth, Wind, and Fire; Sonny has performed with a virtual "who's who" in pop and jazz music including Stanley Clarke, David Sanborn, Bette Midler, Al Jarreau, Paula Abdul, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Boz Scaggs. He is also known for innovative visual effects during live performances that include exciting stick-twirling and back-sticking techniques. As a World Renowned Drummer and Grammy Award Winner, Sonny is considered to be one of the greatest drummers to have come along in a while. His proficiency and style have awarded him the opportunity to record on platinum status albums such as the B52s' Cosmic Thing and Steely Dan's Grammy award winning Two Against Nature.
Sonny is equally in demand for studio work as for what's delivered during live performances. This former member of the legendary group Earth, Wind, and Fire held down the drum seat for thirteen years. Also, Sonny has additional credits that include Bruce Hornsby, Jennifer Lopez, Lee Ritenour, and Steely Dan to name a few. Currently, he is gigging with Bette Midler and Bruce Hornsby while working on his own solo album. Recently, Sonny was invited to perform as the headliner for opening night of the 28th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. Now, he leads his own ultra funky progressive aggregation, State of the Art formerly known as Hypnofunk.
With a wealth of teaching experience, Sonny is committed to balancing academics and entertainment. He serves as an Adjunct Professor of Applied Percussion at Georgia State University. Additionally, Sonny teaches private lessons to assist students in developing their craft and setting long-term goals in order to be successful in their chosen musical endeavors.
Sonny has performed countless clinics and master classes in academic settings, drum stores, and during national music conferences, both independently and for his endorsers YAMAHA Drums, ZILDJIAN Cymbals. He recently performed a clinic in Melbourne, Australia and is currently finalizing plans for the beginning phase of Emory Performing Arts Center through a partnership with Deerwood Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sonny co-wrote the tune "Crusin", which can be heard on the score to Spike Lee's 1998 film "Get on the Bus". Also, he worked on the "Lethal Weapon II" soundtrack with Eric Clapton and David Sanborn. In 1996, Sonny released "Hypnofunk", a solo project produced by Earth, Wind and Fire's founder, Maurice White. He is currently putting the finishing touches to his fourth solo project entitled "Love's Pure Light" which is schedule for release June 2005.
Sonny is endorsed by YAMAHA Drums, ZILDJIAN Cymbals and Drumsticks, Shure Microphones, Meyers Sound Systems, Toca Percussion, and LP Percussions.
Rock Hard Cachet is Sonny Emory drums ~ The drummer for the stars!!! was a member of the legendary group „Earth Wind & Fire“ for more than 12 years, but his long list of credits include: Bruce Hrnsby, David Sanborn, Jennifer Lopez, Paula Abdul, Lee Ritenour, Al Jarreau, Bette Midler amo … Sonny can send a crowd into a screaming frenzy the moment he starts to introduce his outrageous stick twirling and backsticking techniques into a solo. But this isn‘t what makes Sonny one of the most important voices on the drums today, it‘s just the frosting on the cake.
Morris Pleasure keyboards ~ knowns as „Mo Pleasure“ as seen and heard with such as greatest like Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Ray Charles, George Duke, Natalie Cole amo … Mo has earned a reputation for being something of a musical x-factor, bringing his elusive and exciting je ne sais quoi to a myriad of musical settings in a variety of ways - bass, keys, trumpet, musical director, producer. As a solo artist, Mo has established a sound that gracefully incorporates several genres while maintaining a consistent sound that is organic, sophisticated and funky.
John Eley guitar ~ known as „J Eley“, is an up and coming Music Producer and one of the most sought after professional guitarist of his time. He has crafted his playing skills in all types of musical genres from Rock, Pop Gospel, Jazz, Hip Hop, Classical and much more. has worked with top recording artists such as Sheila E, Bobby Brown, Kirk Franklin, Take 6, Fred Hammond amo …
Isaac West bass ~ talent and experience has allowed him the opportunity to recorded with R&B recording artists such as: Trey Songz, Kameron Corvet, Estelle amo … His most noted experience thus far has come with the opportunity of performing and recording with Sonny Emory & State of the Art.
Shaundra T. Smith vocal ~ is an American Soul & Funk singer, songwriter, entertainer and developing producer. She‘s been graced to work with producers such as John Jackson, Abe Poythress, Earnest Echols, and Alvin Garrett to record vocals for national and international artists. Collaborations with other artists include „Celebrate“ with LP (Like Paul), „Unite“ with a group of local artists in Birmingham, and others.
1 Goodbye 3:27
Bass – Isaac West
Drums – Sonny Emory
Featuring, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Shayna Steele
Guitar [Solo] – Ryan Waters
Percussion – Raphael Peireia
Rhythm Guitar – Dick Smith (5)
Written by: – Greg High (2), Shayna Steele, Sonny Emory
2 - Break Yo Neck 3:50
Congas – Jimmy Young (10)
Drums, Drum Programming [Loop}, Synth [Bass], Keyboards, Rap, Backing Vocals – Sonny Emory
Rhythm Guitar – Rick Wachter
Vocals [Ad Lib] – Alfreda Gerald
Congas – Jimmy Young (10)
Drums, Drum Programming [Loop}, Synth [Bass], Keyboards, Rap, Backing Vocals – Sonny Emory
Rhythm Guitar – Rick Wachter
Vocals [Ad Lib] – Alfreda Gerald
3 - Candy Store 4:08
Bass – Sam Sims
Drums, Percussion – Sonny Emory
Drums, Programmed By [Loops] – Sonny Emory
Keyboards – Tim Gant
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Cara Fears
Written by: – Cara Fears*, Sonny Emory, Tim Gant
4 - Frankenstein 2:59
Alto Saxophone – Ryan Kilgore
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Darian Emory
Bass – Isaac West
Drums, Percussion – Sonny Emory
Guitar [Solo] – Edward Stroud
Organ – Stanyos Young
Rhythm Guitar – Chris Harris (21), Dick Smith (5)
Trombone – Chris Burns
Trumpet – Jerry Freeman
Vocals – Bruce Hornsby
Written by: – Edgar Holland Winter
5 - Mood-Lude (Does It Really Matter) 1:03
Instruments [All], Vocals, Written by: – Sonny Emory
Instruments [All], Vocals, Written by: – Sonny Emory
6 - Lost In The Sunshine 4:17
Backing Vocals, Producer [Vocals] – Mike Veal (2)
Bass – Isaac West
Drums, Percussion, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Sonny Emory
Guitar – Dick Smith (5)
Producer [Vocals] – Scott Kieklak
Rhythm Guitar, Guitar [Solo] – Ryan Waters
Vocals – Bruce Hornsby
Written by: – Dick Smith (5), Sonny Emory
7 - All Ain't Lost 4:05
Backing Vocals – Cara Fears
Bass – Isaac West
Drums, Vocals – Sonny Emory
Guitar, Vocals – Richard Smith
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Alfreda Gerald
Written by: – Cara Fears*, Sonny Emory
8 - Inside Your Heart 3:59
Bass – Isaac West
Drums, Percussion – Sonny Emory
Featuring, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Shayna Steele
Guitar – Dick Smith (5)
Keyboards, Loops, Voice [Synthadelica] – Gerald Jackson
Percussion – Raphael Peireia
Written by: – Cara Fears*, Greg Wachter*, Sonny Emory
9 - Truth'll Set U Free 4:07
Bass – Isaac West
Clavinet – Morris Pleasure
Drums – Sonny Emory
Featuring, Guitar [Solo] – Eric Clapton
Featuring, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Kipper Jones
Guitar – Dick Smith (5)
Organ – Stanyos Young
Saxophone – Darian Emory
Trombone – Chris Burns
Trumpet – Jerry Freeman
Written by: – Borden*, Kennedy*, Keck
10 - Sweet Sexxy Thang 3:28
Bass – Isaac West
Guitar – Dick Smith (5)
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Drums, Drum Programming, Percussion – Sonny Emory
Synth [Bass], Organ – Morris Pleasure
Vocals – Kipper Jones
Written by: – Isaac West, Kipper Jones, Sonny Emory
11 - Hot Night 3:37
Bass – Isaac West
Drums, Percussion – Sonny Emory
Featuring, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Kipper Jones
Guitar – Dick Smith (5)
Guitar [Solo] – Chris (White Chocolate) Harris
Keyboards, Loops – Gerald Jackson
Percussion – Raphael Peireia
Saxophone – Darian Emory
Trombone – Chris Burns
Trumpet – Jerry Freeman
Written by: – Gerald Jackson, Kipper Jones, Sonny Emory
12 - Infinity Divinity 3:41
Bass – Isaac West
Drums, Percussion – Sonny Emory
Featuring, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Kipper Jones
Guitar – Dick Smith (5)
Guitar [Solo] – Edward Stroud
Percussion – Raphael Peireia
Synth [Bass] – Morris Pleasure
Written by: – Kipper Jones, Sonny Emory
