Today we’d like to introduce you to Cal “King Cal” Settles II.
Hi Cal “King Cal”, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I come from a Grammy Award winning family of musicians that go back to Walter J Settles Sr. He sang with the Fairfield Four- having hit records including Safety Zone, the opening song in the movie Norbit. All of his children went on to record and perform excellent works for major artist and motion pictures including the sound track for O’ Brother Where Art Thou among MANY more. As the first born of Calvin Settles Sr., I’ve had an opportunity to work alongside one of the family groups The Settles Connection as a singer. I’ve worked on the soundtracks of major motion pictures such as Birth of a Nation and Elvis. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s greatest musicians such as Jimmy Hall, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Koryn Hawthorne, and many more. I founded and established one of Nashville’s most unique ensembles called the Pitch Black Studio Orchestra, a thirty plus piece orchestra, alongside other prominent musicians including family members. After graduating Ensworth High School in 2010, I studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Because music has been in the Settles bloodstream for decades, my transition from sports to music was a smooth one. I had the opportunity to play basketball for the Nashville Soul, a semi professional basketball organization, before the organization disbanded. After that, it’s been all music- everything from recording sessions to traveling nationwide to perform. Music has been a smooth and relatively easy path for me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m most known now for my works as a bass player, composer, conductor, and producer for the Pitch Black Studio Orchestra where we have had the opportunity to work with amazing, world class featuring artists such as Joel Frahm, Jeff Coffin, CJ Fam, and many more. I believe that we are the most unique ensemble in Nashville as we bolster a 30+ member, highly diverse stage presence and play in all genres making “music for everybody”. We have an EP that’s out already called Summer ‘25 and have wrapped up recording our second EP due to release at the end of summer 2026.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success is the accomplishment of any vision or goal that I’ve set forth. Success sits on a wide spectrum that has much to offer. It can be anything from finishing a recording project to winning a Grammy. In many ways, I have achieved success but continue to press forward towards continued success as a father, son, brother, and leader.
Pricing:
- $1,500 for small ensemble performance
- $25,000 for full orchestra
- $500 for individual performance
- $500 for individual recording
- $2,500 for small ensemble recording
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbsorchestra/
- Youtube: Pitch Black Studio Orchestra
