Daryll Blakely knows how to “Cater 2 You.”

And, as much as he loves rhythm and blues and as much as he wants to perform R&B, “catering” to his audience means self-censorship.

“I sing R&B but with absolutely no profanity,” he said. “That’s not the kind of music that I do. I sing R&B for everyone.”

Blakely was the guest of honor at a listening party at J Michelle’s Special Events on Saturday. The listening party was free and the purpose of the party was to debut Blakely’s album “Cater 2 You.”

The album will debut nationally on July 23 and that’s a day that won’t come a minute too soon for Blakely.

“I’m so excited,” he said. “This is what I’ve been pointing toward since I was about five years old. The album is all my music. It has eight songs, including the cover song, ‘Cater 2 You.’ I wrote all of the songs and I sing them all.”

All eight of Blakely’s songs were on the program Saturday and, if he has a favorite, he’s not telling.

“I like them all,” he said. “They all different and they’re all R&B – clean R&B.”

Blakely said debuting his album for home folks was very special him.

He is originally from Clayton but lives in Troy. He attended Troy University where he received three degrees and now teaches math to fifth- and sixth-grade students at Brantley Elementary School.

“A career in music is what I’ve dream about and now I have a chance to make that dream come true,” he said. “This album is my big chance, my big hope.”

Blakely is a dreamer but his is also somewhat of a realist. He has lofty goals but he also has a backup plan.

“I’m passionate about my music but I wanted to have a backup plan,” he said. “So, I got a degree in education. I love teaching, so if a career in music doesn’t work out, I’ll always have something to do that I love.”

With his “Cater 2 You” album set to debut on Tuesday, Blakely’s dream is that the phone will ring and it will be the record company with an offer for him to go on tour.

“You can always dream,” Blakely said, with a smile. “I’m a dreamer.”