Night Traxx Presents Valerie Day, John Smith of Grammy Nominated group Nu Shooz

Night Traxx Radio

In April 1985, Valerie Day, John Smith, and their band NU SHOOZ released the five-song EP ‘Tha’s Right!’. Acting on a dare from a local music writer, Gary Bryan of Portland, Oregon’s KKRZ put the song “I Can’t Wait” on the air. Listener reaction was strong and immediate- the kind of response known in radio jargon as ‘Instant Phones.’ But this was no overnight sensation. By the time the whole world heard about the Soul band from Oregon, they’d spent seven years onstage, four hours a night, four or five nights a week. So, when their spotlight moment came, the Shooz could get up and play. By the end of the year, “I Can’t Wait” was a regional hit. But the song really took off when it was remixed by Dutch DJ Peter Slaghuis. Atlantic Records signed the band in January 1986. “I Can’t Wait” eventually reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other hits followed. NU SHOOZ was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy in 1987. In 2013, Nu Shooz join joined the 80's revival tours, "Superfreestyle Explosion" and "Lost *80's," sharing the stage with acts like Expose', The Jets, Animotion, WangChung, Flock of Seagulls, Boy George, and More. At the same time, they reformed the live band featuring former members from every incarnation of the group. Nu Shooz announced their retirement from performing in 2019. "I Can't Wait " plays somewhere on Earth every eleven minutes. What a long, strange trip it's been.