“As a child the radio was my favorite toy. I sat in front of it whenever I could, listening to pop music and would sing along on WTIX that played local artists, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, the Meters and all of Allen Toussaint’s material, Ernie K-Doe. I also listened to big pop stars like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and all those other great artists coming up in the ’70s.

When I was six, my older brother started a band an...