What I Write About

Someone asked me a while back what I write about.  I was a little taken back by the question because I had never looked at my song inventory in that way before.  I really didn't know how to answer the question, but it was a good one. Each artist has a base that they write from. This base is constructed by their character, what drives them, their fears, their faith, their upbringing, and so much more. My base is typically my own experiences and the experiences of people close around me. I write for healing and therapy for my own self. Whether it's whimsical, a deep hurt, a place of confusion, or joy my writing comes out of whatever I happen to be moving through at that time. It helps me to cope with things in a much more mature way.  My hope is that once the material gets out into the world, it will be as therapeutic for you as it is for me.

For example, here is a song I wrote about Hurricane Katrina. Being from New Orleans and having evacuated the day before the hurricane hit, I have a first hand knowledge of what it's like to be caught up in a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty.  This song captures my experiences facing the threat of a hurricane  while growing up in New Orleans. It is sad and heartbreaking to think of all the lives and homes lost due to this disaster, but all we can do is try our best to move on. This song is a part of that healing process for me. Others who have faced similar circumstances will be able to relate to this in their own way as well.

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Also, I will say that my writing comes in spurts.  I could write 10 songs in a given month, and another month I could write nothing.  My creativity comes in cycles.  When I'm not in a flowing cycle, I tend to use that time to rest and recharge.  Throughout this process I've learned not to force anything. Everything happens when it is supposed to happen.  Everything has a balance.  All in all, the balance of life can be tricky, but that's what we are here for to learn and pass on the knowledge we learn through our legacy.  I hope that my music will be a part of my legacy for generations and generations to come.  After all, that's what being an artist is all about.

My Show at Crown Station Pub in Charlotte, NC

This past weekend Rob and I traveled to Charlotte, NC for a very unique show where we performed with a violinist and a bassist.  We call it, Anitra Jay & The Rebellion!  It's a new concept that was very well received by our fans in Charlotte. About 30 people came, which is not bad for a Friday night competing with Janet Jackson (who performed at the same time on the same night as me)!  The audience danced, they were engaged and they interacted with me and the band during the entire show.  One fan said she was blown away by the quality of the music and the interactive experience.

I put together VIP bags for advanced ticket purchase holders.  It was a limited amount and we sold out of those.  I wish I had made more!  The gift was a Rebel gift bag which contained a very important piece of the "rebel's" attire, the bow tie!  You can see the band wearing it in the picture below!

All in all we had a great turnout and the night was truly magical!  We didn't have Janet Jackson, but what we did have was a good time and lots of memories!  Thank you Charlotte and I can't wait to see you again.

New "Off the Clef" September 2015 Episode

We've got an all new episode of "Off the Clef"!  Watch now to see why we took an unexpected two months off from filming this series, see a very special guest join us,  hear about our latest tour in the big state of Texas, and join me for a virtual Ride Along. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL2DyaRpKuQ

My Show at Three Layers Cafe in Jacksonville, FL

We just got back from a trip to Florida and boy was it amazing!  One of the shows we did was at a decadently fresh wine bar and cafe called Three Layers!  We performed there on a not-too-hot August Friday night.  The soul was flowing like a floodgate that night and people kept pouring in all through the night.

We had a fantastic time and I think we showed our guests an even better time.  All in all it was a very magical night.  About 30-40 people showed up.  You can see in the pictures below,  we had a packed house.  Strangers had to share tables in order to be seated.   But that's okay because it made for an even more intimate experience.  Everyone was engaged and people were introducing themselves to one another.  At one point perfect strangers were dancing and singing to each other.  Wink wink, to Venus the Goddess and Pete from Australia!  I even gave a shout out to Jerry, the barista (who was awesome by the way) and mentioned how much I like Three Layers' delicious Jeff's Squares and people came up and bought some for themselves.

So many people came up afterward and were almost in tears about how deep the experience was.  A couple ladies said they felt honored to have been there and we made them feel really special.  They wanted to know when we'll be coming back.  For me this is where music really makes an impact, when people are so moved they are in tears and afterward when they tell you about their experience.

I was the one who was honored to have so many people support independent music in that way is truly a gift that I don't take lightly.

Thanks Jacksonville, for a wonderful time.  And a super special shout out to Ray and his friends for making it a party as well as my new friends from Real Rootz Naturalz Jacksonville, FL (thank you for my wonderful gift!).

I can't wait to see you again.

Soul Music in Nashville

Since moving to Nashville, there is one question I've gotten asked a lot that I never expected.  As a singer-songwriter providing soul in Nashville, I thought people would automatically make the connection and make sense of it, but oddly enough most people ask me, "Why Nashville?" Nashville is not just about country music anymore. Mostly all genres exist in Nashville.  Sure, the big obvious one is COUNTRY.  But other forms of music thrive in Music City, U.S.A including Gospel, Rock, New Age, and even Punk.

My answer is:  Yes. Soul music in Nashville. It does exist. :)

Here are several reasons why: 1. Soul Sundays at The 5 Spot.  This goes down every 2nd and 4th Sundays in hip East Nashville at The 5 Spot.  Bringing soulful local and national acts to the heart of organic art and community of East Nashville.  It's alive, it's raw and a very popular spot for soul music lovers in Nashville.

2.  Lovenoise.  The company that brings you Soul Sundays at The 5 Spot, also produces bigger shows throughout Nashville successfully continuing a tradition of soul in Nashville, TN.  Acts such as Marsha Ambrosius, Anthony David, and Anthony Hamilton have graced the LoveNoise stage.  Visit the link to see their upcoming schedule.

3.  Nashville to House Soul of Black Music Roots.  The city of Nashville is making plans to open the National Museum of African American Music.  Most people don't know that soul music has history in Nashville.  Although Nashville is typically known for its country music scene, it could be argued that "Nashville's original 'Music row' was Jefferson Street, which until the 1970s was a vibrant corridor of live music venues where iconic musicians like Little Richard and Jimi Hendrix built their careers and where local legends like Frank Howard, Jimmy Church and Marion James earned a living" (Nate Rau, The [Nashville] Tennessean).

4. B.B. Kings - Nashville. Check out The B.B. King’s Blues Club All-Star Band at B.B. Kings. As house band of B.B. King’s Blues Club, these guys know how to jam. This group is the most talented collection of musicians in the Mid-South. The band is found weekly on our stage playing rhythm and blues favorites with emphasis on Memphis music, as well as a variety of other styles including soul, pop and classic rock.

5.  My Top 5 List of artists who provide Blues, R&B and Soul in Nashville.

Update: I moved to Houston!  I am no longer based in Nashville, but I wanted to give you this short list of other artists who are that I think you'll love!

Sarah Clanton Jason Eskridge Kira Small Etta Britt

If you're looking for someone to perform at a private function, I'm willing to travel.  I'm a bluesy soul singer/songwriter who plays guitar accompanied by my hubby on hand drums. Together we can bring you a mix of soul music, improv comedy, and fun you'll never forget!  I'm not too far away, and I'm always looking for a chance to come to Nashville.  Check out my website or send me an e-mail for booking.

6.  Check out the Nashville Blues Society.

7.  Listen to Soul of the City Radio Show WXNA 101.5 Nashville. This radio show is currently hosted by Erica on Thursdays from 4-6. You can tune in live on 101.5 radio in Nashville, but you can also listen to the live streaming version here. Erica interviews local artists on her show, and she also shares concert calendars, gig dates, and event related to soul music in Nashville.  It's a great way to get the underground scoop of everything soul in the Music City! Listen to previous episodes here. I recently had the pleasure of sharing my music live for an in-studio on air interview. I'm hoping to get the audio for it soon. Stay tuned...

There you have it folks.  If you're looking for Soul, Blues, R&B in Nashville, check out these sources.  You won't go wrong.

I'm Going to Remain Silent

So we're in the car traveling back to Charlotte for a show right before Labor Day.  We see state troopers and police vehicles every 10 miles on the I40 stretch between Memphis and Nashville.  I'm driving, and I get comfortable using my handy-dandy cruise control to make certain I don't go over the speed limit.  We get into a congested traffic area.  The speed limit is 70.  A truck/construction thing is in front of me and abruptly slows down to 62.  I look in the rearview and notice a black SUV with lights in the dash.  They haven't turned on yet, but I slow down even more just to be on the safe side.  Ten seconds later, the lights come on. "We're getting pulled over," I said to Rob who was half asleep.

After pulling to the side, all the images and thoughts from #ferguson began to race through my head.  I tried to think back for the past several miles, "Did I do ANYTHING to break the law?"  I couldn't come up with anything.  So I put both hands in the 10 and 2 position on the wheel and just waited.  Luckily before the #ferguson incident happened, I had already done an extensive internet investigation into police misconduct and in particular, traffic stops.  I was painfully aware of profiling, arrogant/condescending attitudes demonstrated by some (not all, but enough to be weary of all) police officers, and what's more sobering- the fact that they (the police) can legally lie, manipulate, and intimidate you into getting you to do what they want which most of time involves giving up YOUR RIGHTS!  I prayed that I never got into a situation where I'd have to assert myself to a police officer but lo and behold it happened.

Two officers get out and approach my vehicle.  They come over to the passenger side.  One officer bends down through the passenger window and says, "Ma'am I pulled you over because," (get ready for the worst crock of bull I have ever heard from an officer's mouth) "your tag is partially covered and you got too close to the vehicle in front of you."

He then asked me for my license and registration.  Then came The Questions.

Now, before I get into what happens next, let me tell you the real reason why they pulled us over:

1.  We have out of state tags

2.  We have a back seat full of stuff

3.  We're an interracial hippie looking couple (enter Rob's hair) 'who probably has drugs in all of that stuff they've got in the back seat'

But he couldn't say all of that because that would be profiling.  So he came up with the other lame excuse.

Back to the Story:

While collecting my documents, he starts the questioning.  "Where are you coming from."

We answer and say "Memphis."  I can tell from his glances that he wants to know what's in the back seat.  Our back seat was pretty full.  We had lots of camping supplies, my merchandise suitcase, Rob's drum, and our clothes suitcase.  In my mind I'm thinking, "I'm only answering one nosy question and he better not ask any more."

Then here he comes with a second question.  "Where are you headed, back home to North Carolina?"  An assumption he made based on my license and tag.

I looked at him in the eyes and said, "I'm going to remain silent."

He said in a joking condescending manner "You're going to remain silent?"   Almost as if what I just said was incredibly stupid and proposterous.

"With all due respect, sir, I'm going to remain silent," I repeated.

He steps away from the vehicle and speaks to the second officer.  I heard him say, "The driver is not talking.  They are coming from Memphis, and they're going back home to North Carolina (still going with that assumption, heh?).  She gave me all I asked for though, so ..... (I couldn't hear the rest.)

He comes back to the car and gives me back my documents and tells me to drive safely.  I said ok and thank you and drove off as fast as I could.  No warnings, no ticket, no citation.  That's how I knew his reason for pulling me over was baloney.  I believe that officer really wanted to search our car.  According to the Constitution, they legally can NOT search anything without a warrant or in the case of a traffic stop - reasonable suspicion (i.e. a bag of drugs laying around).

Unfortunately with the recent influx of police misconduct and murdering of unarmed individuals, I've developed a heightened sense of mistrust when dealing with anyone in law enforcement.  Their job is to Stop The Bad Guys. However, the supposed "war on terror" and "war on drugs" has made innocent US citizens targets.  In essence, a lot of innocent people now become The Bad Guys.  Additionally, incidents like #ferguson and #trayvonmartin have fed into the racial divide and it is so easy to get caught under the cloak of racism.  Don't get me wrong, racism is a huge issue on its own, but this phenomenon goes far beyond race.  There are people who wish to subject everyone, not just minorities, to a totalitarian climate where no-one is free and where democracy is dead.  We can see it happening everyday in laws that are constantly being implemented making it hard to vote and easy for law enforcement and government officials to kill without any repercussions - The Police State.

The Police State, oddly enough, has been foreshadowed in mainstream music.  Click here to learn about that.

Pop icons like Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Brittany Spears, and so many others all have performed on live TV and in their music videos with a militarized police force looking dance squad showcasing it as "glamorous" and "hip."  The link I shared is a site dedicated to addressing symbols displayed in pop culture that speak to a hidden agenda.  Now you may not subscribe to all of that and that's ok, but the particular article that I linked to specifically dives into facts about how the police state is being showcased in mainstream music.  Anyone with eyes and ears will see the parallels between what they are showing in the music videos and what's going on in the world today.  It makes you wonder if there is more to it than art mimicking life.  All of this "art" was created before the recent law enforcement attacks on American citizens.  And it is far from "glamorous" and "hip."

Learn your rights.

Be ready to assert those rights.

And most importantly, get reconciled to Christ.  Death is not the end.