Infected Brain

Present yourself to the readers

Lady A is a Blues-Soul-Funk-Gospel vocalist and entertainer. I grew up in a small church in the Seattle area and at 16 became choir director for the church choir when our pianist quit. Never really knew I had it in me until I began teaching parts so the choir could sing acapella. I remained with my back to the audience (church audience) as director for many years, but was asked to sing in a Motown band in the 80's. I was a background singer in the Sonny Byers Motown Revue for a few years and one day Ms. Thompson of Thompson's Point of View Restaurant asked me to put a band together and do a show at her restaurant, as she had heard me sing many times. From there began Lady A & the Baby Blues Funk Band. We were great friends and our band was together for a better part of 17 years.
I decided to become a solo act after the group broke up in 2012. My best friend, and brother John Oliver, drummer for the group at the time, stayed on with me and produced my very first CD "BlueZ in the Key of Me". He remains by my side to this day encouraging me, inspiring me thru music and it's important to have someone in your life who believes in you, the music you do and encourages your dreams. John is that to me, along with being my drummer and music director on stage.

Your texts and your compositions ?..What are they talking about ?..How does inspiration come ?

My music comes from a place of spiritual awareness. What I mean is, I'm a very spiritual person, I believe in God, I believe we all have a place and a purpose on this earth. So when I write, it purely from a place in my heart, whether its about a broken relationship, or my grandmother, or musical friends... it's all true. I hear a tune in my head sometimes... or sometimes I get the lyrics first.. It depends on where I am in life at the time. I write partial songs and come back to them months later... or I sometimes can write a song in 5 minutes... but it comes with a message, of hope in the blues-soul arena. I want people to get something from the lyrics.. I hope they do anyway.

Why did you choose this style of music ?

I didn't choose the style I don't think, it chose me. I love all types of music from Jazz to Country, Soul and have always loved the blues, but with a twist. I grew up in Seattle, which to me is the funk capitol.. so I listened to a lot of Funk music, Parliament, George Clinton, Gap band, Confunkshun, Tom Browne... when I began singing, I did a lot of Motown and funk, but wanted to infuse the blues into it... so my earlier bass player Gary Smith (R.I.P.) and brother John began arranging music for me... we would make the blues and funk out of hits like "Dancin' in the Streets" by Martha and the Vandellas and make it Lady A Style. People really liked the versatility in the music so it stuck with me. I call it Neo-Blues ( Soul, Funk with Blues on top) = Lady A Style

Are you day or night ?

Unsure of this question, but I work during the day for the city and am about to retire in a few years and become a full time musician. I am blessed to have had a job this long and be able to travel, sing and the amount of energy it takes to do both is sometimes overwhelming, but I count it all joy to be able to do what I do. I love music...

Why the name LADY A ?

I'm not even sure anymore... it stuck one day when I was married. I used to go by Miss A in my early singing career in Florida where I lived at the time, but when I got home to Seattle, I was kidding around with my bass player and he called me Lady A jokingly and it stuck.

What are your personal musical tastes and your influences ?

I'm a huge Denise LaSalle fan. I listen to Bobby Rush, Sugaray Rayford, John Handy, B.B. King, Jimmy Smith, Prince, Parliament, Bobby Womack,
Bill Withers, Sade, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, the Clark Sisters... my music taste goes with how I'm feeling for the day. I always start my morning out listening to Gospel music, then I taper into my own music (because sometimes I have to force myself, to listen to myself.. LOL) then it's however I'm feeling. Like now I'm about to listen to one of my favorite local artist, Josephine Howell ( R&B)before I head off to rehearsal with my band for the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon this weekend.

Your record listening time ?

When I'm home, I generally listen to music at least half the day. Generally I listen to music while I'm working in my home office on Lady A stuff, cooking or enjoying some down time... other times, I'm very quiet in my apartment so I can either write music, listen for inspiration, pray or just be quiet.

What’s your top 5 albums of all time ?

OMGosh.. I'd have to say
Earth Wind & Fire - Reasons
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
Bobby Rush - Down in Louisiana
Denise LaSalle - Greatest Hits
Kirk Franklin - Losing my Religion

In the shower or in the bath, do you sing ? If yes, your songs or those of others ?

LOL I'm generally singing my songs. Especially since my new CD just came out... I'm practicing all the time as it's festival season.

What's your best live memory ? And why ?

When I went to Denmark to teach Gospel songs at the Musik Solund Festival. I was asked by my friends at Music to come and teach gospel to intellectual disabled individuals and it was amazing. I taught groups from Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium. they were exceptional and so eager to learn gospel music. When they hit the stage at the Solund Music Festival I was so proud of them, they worked really hard.

In studio, what was the ambiance for the album DOIN’FINE ?...etc.…

Working with my other play-brother, guitarist, film actor, producer and friend Dexter Allen is always amazing. He is super talented, has crazy producing skills and is just fun to be around. he and my other co-producer Joey Robinson who is equally talented are a joy to watch as they create music from my lyrics and just their creation process is phenomenal to witness and hear. We come in, immediately ready to work and have so much fun doing it.

How does it work for the design of the CD ? and why this title ?

I'm about to be 60 years old. I have had some tough times in my life and I have been blessed to come through being what I see as better me... I am conscious of being able to help someone, when I wasn't in a place like that before... it feels good to help someone else in your life.. it takes the focus off you, whatever problems you may be having and it makes you aware of just how blessed you are...
Dexter Allen wrote the music, gave it to me one day and I immediately began humming I'm Doin' Fine. It's where I am in my life... I love my life. I may not have everything I want, but I have everything I need and I am Doin' Fine. Life is good And I wanted to share that with people in this CD... that if you think positive, keep positive people in your life, stay focused and help others.. you will be doing just fine.

What are your projects ?

Right now it's festival season so I'll be out promoting my new CD, enjoying the summer . Lady A Productions is sponsoring my 2nd Annual Ladies Luncheon and Day of Inclusion September 22nd, which is a way for me to stay connected to my women friends, and women I don't know.. Its a day of empowerment, inspiration and a way for women to encourage one another. It was such a success last year, I was asked to do it again, so we're going even bigger this year.
I'll get a small rest in October, then in November I leave on tour the Top Dogs of Soul band out of Sweden with producer and pianist, Erik Petterson. I toured with them last year, amazing musicians and always some great music. Back home in time for my 4th Annual Red & White Affair in December which is a holiday event which helps 2 of my charities, Emode learning Foundation , which helps children with math skills and the Nurture Foundation which helps feed and cloth the homeless.

Would you like to work with an artist ? If so who ?

As far as women.. I would say I would love to and will get a chance to work with Nellie Tiger Travis again ( We will be in Sweden together for a short time in November), and we toured on the European Blues Cruise together a few years ago. She is talented, a young woman who has it all on stage and funny as hell, and/or Deitra Farr both ladies out of Chicago... I love Deitra's style, we've never worked together before, but I attend a show when she's in town.
As for men, I would love to work with Sugaray Rayford and Dexter Allen on a project... Oh my gosh. Because I know these two gentlemen, their music, style and their energy on stage. I'm hard to keep up with on stage - so they'd have to bring it! LOL

What would you have chosen as a job outside of music ?

I couldn't begin to say.. probably some type of charity work that involved direct connection to those who make the decisions so progress could be made immediately instead of waiting months, sometimes years for change.

What’s your biggest regret ?

I can't regret the things in my life... they happened for a reason. Everything, issues, problems, crisis, broken friendships, relationships, joy, laughter, Music, God.... it's all brought me here.

What's your motto ?

Be Blessed and Be A Blessing

Website to remember

www.ladyababyblues.com

What would you like to say to the readers ?

I hope you love the music you listen to, whether it be mind or any artist out there on the local scene trying to make a difference by the words they lay to paper. It takes passion, perseverance, faith in oneself and the ability to laugh at yourself to keep making music for people you sometimes never meet, never know if they like what you've put out... We can do better in this world, be better to one another. Being kind only takes a second so smile at someone you don't know, you just might make their day, and if that doesn't work. TURN ON SOME MUSIC... it's hard to be mad "When the Music Plays" (hint.. my new song coming out next year) LOL always workin.

What question, I did not ask you and would you like me to ask you ?

To book Lady A
contact:
Muzik4You Entertainment
https://www.facebook.com/Muzik4you17/
www.ladyababyblues.com