Background

Started singing at the age of 12 in my  father's church in a small town in Texas.  I am the youngest of eight; four sisters and three brothers.  We formed a contemporary gospel group called the "Young Inspirations", a name created by my father, Rev. H. E. Young.  I believe I fell in love with music after having the absolute pleasure of seeing my mom touch so many people with her gift of song.  After graduating from high school, I auditioned for a R&B band called "Phaze III". After joining the group as female lead vocalist, I spent a year on the road traveling from city to city to perform.  The direction I chose to take my music did not set well with my father but it was something I had always wanted to do, particularly since  most of my siblings had already left home for college and military.  After being diagnosed with cancer, my father's wish was for me to return to where I started, the church - because this is where he felt I would prosper and grow; he passed away in 1989; Although I was never far away from church in my mind, I went back and did solo performance and continued writing contemporary gospel music with just a touch of R&B style.  In 2001, "The Young Inspirations" re-grouped and began traveling and performing new and old school gospel, including original material that I written.  My mother took my father's place in supporting and encouraging our group 100%; she kept us grounded and focused.  In 2004, aftern re-locating to the Houston area,  my mother was diagnosed with cancer.  My sisters and I stopped taking singing engagements in order to care for our mother.  Most of my time was spent traveling back and forth to see her.......... all well worth it.  Although the group stop performing for awhile, I continue to perform weddings, anniversary parties and other social gatherings.  It has been very hard to get back into gospel music since my mom's death in 2007; she was and will always be the root of "The Young Inspirations".  I have returned to writing music and continue to take engagements for a variety of events.  I will always be centered in gospel music but will continue to embrace the R&B and Jazz genre. 
Artists I admire include, Anita Baker, Jennifer Hudson, Luther Vandross, Marvin Sapp, Gladys Knight, Shirley Ceasar.  My mom has been my biggest inspiration to this date.  I look forward to a successful and prosperous 2009.    

Location

Houston, Texas

Occupation

Government/State

Music That Inspires Me

none entered

Films I'll Watch More Than Once

none entered