Strange, the many twists and turns our lives take. Although I've been a vocalist since childhood in Vallejo, California, I've recently begun writing my own lyrics and found a whole new source of joy. As a child I sang nursery rhymes with my mother, then elementary school solos, even a few duets with Fred Stewart who later co-founded Sly and the Family Stone. I sang in the Methodist Church but my mother switched our affiliation to the Episcopal Church where the singing lessons were free. Later, I went back to AME Zion Methodist Church and took private opera lessons. I sang at many talent shows and school events. In high school I ran track and played catcher in city league softball. My high school band director, Frank Bigoski, wrote our high school alma mater for my voice.
At age 16 I met the renowned Cornelius Grant, Musical Director and Arranger for the Temptations. I formed a singing group with my cousins Angie Whitney and Rachel (Woodall) Jackson called The New Horizon. Cornelius became our Manager and also our vocal mentor. Through Cornelius we met the great musical director Maurice King and Tony Award winning dancer and
choreographer Cholly Atkins of Motown's Artist Development Department. Mr. King and Cholly would settle for nothing but the best artistic effort out of us. Soon The New Horizon began life as background singers and sometimes the opening act for the Spinners.
By the 1980's we all went separate directions. In 1984 I was performing at Ivey's nightclub in Oakland with Philippe' Wynne when we lost him to a heart attack. I was raising two daughters got my Bachelor Degree and then went to work for United Airlines. I earned my Airframe and Powerplant License so I could work on aircraft. Can you believe it?
I am back at my music and beginning again. I Ain’t 2 Old. It ain't over till it's over. Don't stop till you get enough and obviously I haven't got enough. It's different this time - I have a sense of me and what I want to say. It's going to be hard but anything worth having is worth a good try and plenty of work. So any of you out there that have a talent, don't give up. The fun is there - in your belief, your plan, and your execution. Good luck to you and good luck to me.
I’m Just Saying...
