Doc Horton is a singer/songwriter/producer/entertainer based in the Albany, NY Capital District. A dynamic performer, he was a 2022 nominee for the best R&B/Soul/Funk Act at the Capital District Digital Listen Up Awards.
A native of Norfolk, VA, Doc credits his classic pop-soul style to the influence of his mother, the late Mrs. Bernice J. Horton. A talented singer in her own right, "Mama" had eclectic tastes in music. On Sundays she "exposed" Doc to everything from spiritual hymns to The Temptations, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Robert Goulet, and many other artists. As a child, Doc was able to sing the lyrics to Sinatra's "Three Coins in a Fountain," as easily as The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg."
In his teens, Doc formed and sung with several local groups and became a talented songwriter. As a singer he was influenced most by Michael Jackson and the Temptations. As an entertainer he was influenced again by Michael, James Brown, and Tina Turner!! As a songwriter and producer Doc was influenced by Smokey Robinson, Norman Whitfield, Thom Bell, and Isaac Hayes. In fact, while a senior in high school Doc had planned to audition for the Temptations after famed tenor "Eddie Kendricks" left the group. Doc's falsetto is remarkably similar to Eddie's!! Unfortunately, The Temps also required that applicants be at least "6 feet tall!!" Doc did not quite meet the height requirement to be a "Tall Tempting Temptation!!"
Doc continued to perform with his groups throughout his college years at Norfolk State University. Upon graduation, he decided to "temporarily" put his career on hold while he pursued a graduate degree at Penn State. That "temporary hold" turned into a 34-year hiatus as Doc earned a master's and a Ph.D. and went on to establish a successful career as a Full Professor of Sociology. However, in March of 2012, an acquaintance, who himself was both a musician and professor, persuaded Doc to return to his first love, music.
Today Doc performs locally, with his band, "Doc Horton and the Jay Street Band" while continuing to work independently on his original music for national release. Doc also has formed his own company, “HDH Entertainment" to focus on music recording, production, and publishing.
Doc has groomed many younger artists over the years and has coined the saying, "I don't want to be a star. I want to MAKE stars!!" Finally, Doc has always believed in giving back to the community. Dubbing HDH Entertainment as, "The Company with a Conscience," Doc chooses a local charity to donate to annually and often has produced concerts strictly for the purpose of charitable fundraising.
