With his impressive debut CD, "Soulvival," singer, songwriter and producer PapaLee proves that the demise of soul music has been greatly exaggerated.

This Sacramento, California native, born and raised as William Hanford Lee Jr. is no stranger to the entertainment business. Lee has been honing his acting, singing and writing skills since he was 12 years old, and all that dedication has been paying off.

PapaLee has written and produced music for movies such as Denzel Washington's thriller, "The Taking of Pelham 123" and "Terminator Salvation." His music has also been featured on several television commercials such as Old Navy and Dodge Ram Trucks and on shows such as the USA Network's "Burn Notice" and "The Bernie Mac Show."

And with the early buzz surrounding "Soulvival," which sizzles with mid and up-tempo grooves, it appears PapaLee is poised for even more success.

N2Entertainment.net caught up with the multi-talented musician who now lives in Los Angeles. We talked about his remarkable, musical journey which has led to the release of "Soulvival." (SEE IN THE GROOVE REVIEW). Lee Jr. also told us what soul music means to him, his biggest musical influences, what singer he wishes he could have met and collaborated with and plans for an upcoming West Coast tour.

Lee also discussed the impact Sacramento musicians such as Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer Brian Alexander Morgan, Jay King, Derek DOA Allen and the late Robert Brookins have had on his career and on soul music in general.

Here's what else PapaLee had to say.

Q. How much of a lifelong dream has it been to now see your debut album "Soulvival" come to fruition?

A. Well, it wasn't completely a lifelong dream. I envisioned this moment at various times of my life very strongly, but really, "Soulvival" came about from pure inspiration. I've always been a music person. I acted and sang in the Sacramento Music Theatre when I was 12. I performed in high school theatre and was part of the vocal jazz ensemble at Sacramento State University. I even started promoting comedy, because I felt I had done most everything I could do locally as a singer. But I believe all these experiences laid the foundation for me being where I am today. They undoubtedly prepared me for this moment and it's very exciting to complete this part of my journey.

Q. How long did it take you to complete "Soulvival?"

A. It was six months from beginning to end. Once I just narrowed my focus to just songwriting, I found I could write a song every day.

Q. So you wrote all the songs on the CD and was it an easy process?

A. I wrote all the songs on the album in the park with my guitar and tape recorder. I truly felt that the process of "trying to produce" a CD was hindering my progress, but once a couple of songs came, the process all started to flow. When I had written what felt like an entire album, I started the process of producing it.

Q. What are your favorite songs on the CD and why do these stand out for you?

A.Honestly that changes almost every time I listen to the record. Today, my favorite song is probably "Lovin' Man." It's so bluesy and soulful and I just really get into it. But then when I hear the cuts "Nobody Knows," "Gone," and a few others I'm like damn, these are good too! (Lots of laughter).

Q. There's no mistaking that "Soulvival" is a straight up soul album. Was it risky to release music like this particularly since mainstream radio these days is bent on hip-hop and bubblegum soul?

A. I ABSOLUTELY did a soul record. I needed to find a creative lane where I could build an audience. I had to seriously ask myself what type of music goes with my age, background and personality and I kept coming back to soul music. I wasn't trying to be T-Pain or Chris Brown. Don't get me wrong, I love contemporary R&B hip-hop and pop as much as the next guy, but soul music has surrounded me forever and defines me. Plus, I think I sound pretty good singing it. (Lots of laughter). In terms of radio play, good music always finds a way to the hearts of those who know it when they hear it, love it, and embrace it wholeheartedly. That's what I'm banking on.

Q. Who were some of the artists you collaborated with on "Soulvival?"

A. I wrote and produced the whole record, but my horn section "Hornlicious" features Bijon Watson and Louis Van Taylor, my homeboy Stephen "Stevo" Théard who put down the drums and some of the percussions, the brilliant guitar work of Daryl Darden and Reggie Boyd Jr. And I can't forget my girl Luenell who adds her comedic touch to the track "Up In Here."

Q. What's the first single off the CD and do you plan to release a video in support of it?

A. The first single is "Beautiful." It's a very special song to me. I wrote it as a love letter to my newborn baby girl Lily Kathryn Lee that my wife Maria and I recently welcomed into the world. Becoming a father really shifts your focus toward things like your legacy, and purpose and can give you some serious clarity. I plan to have a video for every song we release. A couple of directors and filmmakers that I've worked with over the years have offered their services. We're really just starting out, so right now we have a small team but we're hustling to make that all happen.

Q. Does the modern age of YouTube and the Internet help or hurt your cause to promote "Soulvival?"

A. YouTube is fantastic. It's a very viable medium and can be used effectively to promote my music. The challenge that I'm finding is nothing is really worth anything. I know that's not the truth, but that is the feeling being expressed by a lot of people in the industry. Many of us who have worked in the business for a lot of years are finding that we are doing some of the most exciting work of our lives, but making less than ever to do it! People are still going out and having fun, listening to and consuming product, but it does not seem to have the value that it once had. I do feel like the personal experience of seeing and hearing something really powerful and inspirational has become even more priceless, and I am really trying to focus on creating that.

Q. Were there any people that you grew up with who have encouraged and inspired you along the way?

A. Absolutely! I have been a quiet protégé of Brian Alexander Morgan (SWV, Usher) for a long time. Derek "DOA" Allen and I went to high school together and he's been giving me some great notes over the last year or so. Of course we all loved and respected Robert Brookins who passed away last year. Watching those guys do their thing always made me feel as though I was in the right vicinity, that I was "close to the fire." I was surrounding myself with amazingly talented people, like Brian and Derek and what keep me going was knowing that a lot of the success they discovered came from talent combined with timing, determination and-- for lack of a better word-- luck which is just being in the right place for growth and opportunity to find you. So I figured that if I really just stuck with it and stayed on the grind, that a certain amount of success would come my way.

Q. Is there a reason you didn't collaborate with any of these guy on "Soulvival?"

A. Well... honestly, money. (Lots of laughter). Producers of that caliber don't work cheap. Really, I love them with all my heart, but this was a labor of love type project where I didn't want to wait for schedules to clear up, or be on anyone else's timeline.

Q. Speaking of those aforementioned Sacramento musicians, can you talk about some the contributions they have made to the music industry?

A. I can't speak on their contributions to the industry specifically. I do know that I respect them all a lot! I personally appreciate all the hours and hours Brian let me spend with him in the studio with everyone from SWV to Eric Benet to JoJo, and DOA putting me in his band, and Jay King recently featuring me on his radio show and Robert singing with me at the 40th Sacramento Observer Gala. I mean little things like that had a huge personal impact. I know that I smile real big when I hear their music on the radio or on the internet, because I know them personally, and I know that they had an effect on people around the world.

Q. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A. My biggest musical influence of all time is Michael Jackson, then Parliament. I still love the P-Funk and the old school bands from the '70s like The Ohio Players, LTD and the Isley Brothers. They were the soundtrack to my life. As I got older, I got into the crooners, Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross.

Q. Do you come from a musical family?

A. Actually, most everyone in my family is more talented than me. I think part of what drew me to the business was that I really felt that I had something to prove. My grandfather started the Spiritual Five and used to put on gospel concerts way back in the '60s and my dad can sing. I mean Dr. Lee can sang!

Q. You've also written and produced music which has been used in TV shows, commercials and movies. What are some of them and how did you get connected in that arena?

A. I did some music for the opening sequence of Denzel Washington's movie, "The Taking of Pelham 123." I've also had music on "The Bernie Mac Show" and "Burn Notice." I worked with the Transcenders (Black Eyed Peas) on spots for "Old Navy" and "Tabasco." And I had a huge television campaign for Dodge Ram Trucks. I always wanted to write music for picture, and I credit Ben Watkins and Skip Chaisson-- both from Sacramento as well--for giving me some great opportunities to do music for a lot of their projects. I just did all the music for Skip's show on FSW called "Outspoken" and Ben is currently producing on "Burn Notice."

Q. If there was one artist you could work with--past or present--who would it be and why?

A. I never got the chance to meet or work with Michael Jackson. I always think about how incredible it must have been for those who collaborated with him and saw that process first hand. I also wouldn't mind working with Leona Lewis again. We collaborated on some stuff right before she won X-Factor in the UK. I think we could put some grease on her sound!

Q. Any plans to tour in support of "Soulvival?"

A. Definitely. My wife and I just had our baby, but I hope maybe in September to do a West Coast swing with stops in the Bay Area, San Diego and of course Sacramento.

Q. What else does the future hold for "Papalee?"

A. I've always wanted PapaLee to be an artist/band hybrid kinda like Sade because I love being in a band. I am back in the studio next month to knock out a Christmas EP, then hopefully a new album for summer of 2011.

Editor's Note: Be sure to get a hold of PapaLee's debut CD, "Soulvival." It's available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, MySpace Music, eMusic and on Amie Street and select retailers.