My Village of Support
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it also takes a village of support to help an independent artist evolve, grow and be successful. To say the least, I've had a large village of support from my family, friends, students, fellow musicians and singers. I have a long list of thank-you's sent out into the Universe to every soul who blessed me throughout the years with their support, encouragement, prayers, resources, their talents, expertise... and most of all love.
MY DAD
As a small child, I watched my dad play the piano. His right foot tapping out the tempo, every part of his body animated. I loved watching him play. He was so happy, so passionate, lost in his own world... deep in the creative mode. My father, Robert Alexander was a quiet introvert until he sat down at the piano and his fingers stroked the keys while creating his Jazz. It was almost magical. He was, and is, my inspiration. At age seven I was creating melodies on the piano. I give my father credit for that early inspiration. He awaked the desire to create music within me. Like my father, I was an extremely sensitive, shy and a quiet child. It took me a long time to share my music with my parents. When I finally did, they were totally shocked.
Soon afterwards, my parents found me a music teacher for me and my sister. Unfortunately, the teacher was cruel and discouraged me. At our first lesson, she hit my hand with a ruler, right after I shared my original song. Through my tears, shock and embarrassment, her angry voice told me not write any more songs until I learn music theory. That was my first and last lesson with the piano teacher. I didn't stop writing though... I just stopped taking piano lessons. But, because of this negative experience, it took me years to feel safe enough to share my music with anyone, except my family.
I became a closet songwriter. I avoided any medium, platform or person that would judge me or my music. That included, music classes in school, choir and band. In my first year in high school, I took two chemistry classes to avoid taking choir. The principle told me that I would not succeed doing this... but I was determined to prove him wrong. That semester, I got straight A's in all my classes, including both chemistry classes.
MY FAMILY
My biggest fans, are still found within my family circle. In addition to my parents, my brother Raymond Weber and sister, Tamara Alexander would always listen to me sing and play my songs. My brother, Bobby Alexander supported and attended all my past and current concerts. Where my family is concerned, I have only one regret. Both my parents passed away, before ever seeing me perform publicly. But, I'm sure they're both with me in spirit.
When I married, my precious children, Trinese, Tiffany and John, were the beneficiaries of my ever growing music song list and constant rehearsal sessions. At this point in my life, I discovered a real love for singing. This was a surprise to me, since I was extremely shy, I was reluctant to share my music and to ask other singers to help me make Demo's. So, I was forced to sing my own songs... Truly a blessing in disguise. I found singing my own music, both healing and fulfilling. I could express my emotions, my passion, things buried deep inside my consciousness that I found too hard to openly talk about. I found my VOICE... My purpose and life long dream.
MY MUSICAL MENTOR
There is one person I can truly say was my mentor in the entertainment field. This was Jerome Taylor, aka World Famous Jerome. Jerome, a well known DJ in the Bay Area, also mentored my son's sports league. Jerome taught me so much... putting my best foot forward, how to dress, using the best equipment, the importance of being on time, being prepared and professional, and of course, the importance of rehearsing.
After hearing my music for the first time, he asked me to work with him. He bought me the top- of-the- line equipment to create and record my music in CD format. In exchange, I performed at all his events. He would 'mix me in', as I sang with the CD's. Jerome helped me to overcome my stage fright and encouraged me to keep writing music. My first event with Jerome was 'Teens of the Sixties'. There were over two thousand people in the audience. I was shaking in my boots as I tried to hide in the dressing room. But, of course, Jerome found me and told me to get my a** on the stage, if I wanted to get paid and perform again. I obeyed and did my best to make him proud of me. After that event, we did weddings, fundraisers, anniversaries, birthday parties, retirements, Jack and Jill events, clubs, and private parties.
Working with Jerome, blessed me with a lot of experience and increased my confidence as a performing artist. After every event, we would go to breakfast and discuss and evaluate the performance.
I miss him so such! He really believed in me and demonstrated that in word and deed. Jerome was not only my mentor but one of my most caring and devoted friends. Our working relationship ended a few years back when he got married and moved to Las Vegas. Jerome was also fighting MS, a serious medical condition. Despite his relocation and illness, he continued to check on my progress and let me know he was still in my corner. Sadly, Jerome passed away in July of 2019. Months before his passing Jerome asked me to perform his favorite song at his funeral. It was a song I wrote for my children, "No One Can Take the Place of You". I honored his request and performed the song with a broken heart. I performed it again, a week later, at my oldest daughter's funeral. I will always be sincerely grateful for his genuine love, support, mentorship and presence in my life and in my son's life. Thank you Jerome!
FRIENDS
As a young adult, I started writing original weddings songs for my friends' special days. Even though I suffered from extreme stage fright at that time, I performed my songs at the weddings. My love for them and my happiness for the special event always helped me rise above my fear of performing in public.
After many years filled with prayer, meditation, flower essences and consistent practice, both in private and in public, I finally overcame my stage fright. Don't get me wrong... I still get nervous, but not like before. I have my spiritual teacher, Pat Roach and others to thank. I learned to face and overcome my emotional issues, my painful personal history as child and as an adult, and to move beyond the negative experiences that emotionally prevented me from fully expressing myself and demonstrating my talents and abilities. I know there have been millions of prayers offered up on my behalf. They have and continue to work in my life and are part of my healing journey. It hasn't been quick or easy to get to this place in which I find myself today. It took years, growth and understanding. The assistance of Pat and others were also necessary.
During this time, many new friends emerged to help move me along my musical path. Joe Capers was one of them. Joe and I became good friends. He owned and operated a 24 track recording studio in his home. Joe was totally blind. It was amazing to observe him operate his studio. Joe would allow me to come to the studio, to record my songs. Some of those times, I was deeply depressed, and wanted to give up because of my painful personal life. But Joe would insist I come to the studio and record. We collaborated and wrote a song together.
Naomi Bell is another loving soul who helped me. She gave me equipment and encouragement right after someone I was working with, backed out of several projects and left me unable to complete them. She remains a genuine source of support and encouragement by supporting my events. To me, Naomi is and will always be, family. A special thank you to my friend Frances Kazami for providing the funding toward music production and for supporting all my concerts, and to William Hall for producing several of my concerts. Mary Daniels for her support. Thanking my best friend, Margo Myers Van Orden, for coming down from Eugene Oregon, to attend my concerts along with her supportive family here in the Bay Area.
Other friends, organizations, and businesses that also gave me support and opportunities to shine and move forward: James Brooks, Michael Lange, Arnita Calloway, George Jackson, Askari Sowonde, Felton Pilate, Angela (Angel) Wheeler, Ron Steward, Bay Area Repertory Theater, Dewayne Wiggins, The Java House, 57th Street Art Gallery, The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, West Berkeley Senior Center's Black History Program, West Oakland Senior Center's Black History Celebration, It's A Grind Coffee House, The City of Oakland Parks & Recreation's Expressing the Dream, Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration, Dept. of Human Service's Back History Celebration, Council of Negro Women, INC, African American Museum, Oakland Fine Arts Summer School, The Black Expo, Chapel of the Chimes, Miss Pumpkin Productions, L.K Wilson's Self Esteem Youth Program, Norma Ward, Geoffrey's Inner Circle, Jacque Burvicks, Encinal Yacht Club, Laney College, Soulful Saturdays, 2 Star Market Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Women'Arts, Rhythmic Cultural Works, City of Oakland's 2021 Seafood and Soul Festival, Antoine Davis, Studio 43 and many others. Special thanks to Johanna Woolley and all my wonderful students from Alameda Recreation & Parks Department for their loving support.
MEDIA PRESENTATION
Special thanks to Olga Gerrard for the graphic designs of posters, flyers, tickets and for the set-up of my Facebook professional page and Brownpaperticket webpage; Mark Williams, Mahir-Abdul-Haqq and Russell Allen for their professional photos, Ron Thompson for videos of my live performances.
Thank you to Valerie Allums, my stage and event manager. Caterer, William Hall for food preparation, caterer, Elton Brown for donating his delicious pastries and also C.W. Homestyle Catering. Thank you, Pam Foster, Valerie Allums, my children and all those who helped prepare and serve the complimentary food and wine at each event. Thank you!
MUSICIANS / SINGERS / HOSTS / SPECIAL GUESTS
I've been blessed to work with many multi-talented, award winning, recording musicians and singers. I appreciate everyone. They are, my master teachers, the support I needed to shine and to refine my craft. Their contribution to my growth as a performer will never be forgotten or be unappreciated. They helped me raise the bar of my professionalism, my performances and my ability to be a part of a united, creative team. I'm so grateful.
Thank you, Musicians: Lloyd Gregory, Ron Belcher, Glen Pearson, Leon Joyce Jr., Richard Howell, Billy Johnson, Stab Wilson, Steve Carter, Jim Grantham, David Daniel, Steve Jackson, Willis Hickerson Jr., James A. Levy, Terry Rodrigue, Joe McKinley, George Spencer, Jack Dorsey, Art Maxwell and others.
Thank you, Vocalists :Tracy (James) Pearson, Tamara Joiner, Anna Lisa Jack and Marlayna Washington.
Thank you, Event Hosts: Lloyd Gregory, James Brooks, William Hall and Micky Wright.
Thank you, Special Guests: Vocalists Rodney Bell, Frankye Kelly, Mary Daniels and poetess, Zakiyyah Capehart Bolling.
Thank you, Sound Engineers: Dre Rivers and Shaun Wilson.
Thank you, for the Musical Charts: Glen Pearson, Wayne Wallace, Derek McKinney and Keith Saunders.
My recent, local concerts were supported by the public, family, friends and my students from Alameda Recreation and Parks and performed by A- list musicians and singers. They were sold out events. How blessed I am, to be supported by such an amazing village. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You Heavenly Father, for blessing me with so many opportunities to share my gift! All honor goes to You, the Giver of all good gifts!