I had to accept and grow into my voice

September 2, 2017

“My dad played every instrument and taught himself. My mom sings and has a beautiful voice. I would hear songs on the radio and think they were my mom’s songs because I heard her sing them. My first memory of singing in public was in middle school, but I did theater before that. I once gave a speech about oppression and segregation and that is the last time I had butterflies when I got up in front of people. I got into singing through show choir. After high school, I wanted to go to AMDA in New York and got an audition and a small scholarship but it wasn’t enough for me to go so it didn’t work out. Everyone knew I was going to New York and I even had New York written on my car. I was depressed for two years when I didn’t get to go.

I went to South for a while majoring in theater but school wasn’t for me at the time. I worked for TSA at the Mobile airport. My shift started at 4 in the morning and I was the youngest person there. After that I emceed and DJ’d at hip-hop clubs. It teaches you how to feed off the audience. I was in the club life, up all night and sleep until 3 the next day. I was singing too and ended up losing my voice because of throat nodules. I couldn’t talk. My mom made me go to the doctor and I had a cyst on my throat. I went to training to learn how to use my voice. I prayed God please don’t take my voice. I was singing with a show band that was playing at weddings and casinos. I was so raspy and didn’t know how to use my voice. I would say ‘I hate my voice’ or ‘I want my mama’s voice’ and a friend told me, ‘God gave you a new voice.’ That humbled me and I knew I needed to be grateful. I had to accept and grow into my voice.

I also play trombones and back percussion. I have learned how to play guitar and there are so many other instruments I want to play. I just have to spend time with each one and learn them. I played with a band called the band Fortunate Few and I was the only black girl playing with white guys who are 40 and up playing rock and blues. It showed unity and where we have come as a city. It also showed me a lot about people and if we cut ourselves, we all bleed red.

The music scene in Mobile when I was growing up reminded me of New Orleans. We have great music, but we need to compensate musicians better. This is our job and we all have to eat but we are sacrificing. I haven’t had a clock-in job for 7 years and doing this is stepping out on faith every day. I love Mobile and want it to be my foundation and I want to be a part of making it grow. My family is here and I want to help the children here. But for my business to take off, I have to go to different places. I want to play festivals around the world spreading the message of LIP, Living In Peace.” (Yo Jonesy)

1 Comment

  1. Gina blount

    Love! I, too, an learning to use my voice because I really love singing! Get it, mama!

    Reply

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