Memphis veteran Don Bryant returns to soul after decades away

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Stardom may well be sweeter the second time around for soul singer Don Bryant. In the early 1960s, the Memphis native was a featured vocalist for bandleader Willie Mitchell, who produced him at Hi Records long before Al Green, Otis Clay, and Syl Johnson found their way to the label.

Then in 1968 soul chanteuse Ann Peebles, one of Mitchell's new signings, entered Bryant's life. For the most part, he placed his singing career on hold during the early 70s to concentrate on songwriting—and on helping the woman who'd soon be his wife achieve stardom (they married in 1974). "When she exploded, that was it," says Bryant. "It seemed like, 'Don, you sit right here, and we'll get back to you in a minute.'"

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