How did you start singing and when did you start liking the oldies?
I always loved to sing. From when I was 2 until I was about 6 I would sing Tomorrow from Annie, Stand By Your Man and every song from Grease. It was my Uncle Stevens 50th Birthday and we didn't know what to get him. My Mom wanted to give him something different, so she asked me if I would sing a song. Since he was turning 50, we thought it would be fun to pick a 50's song. I started watching You Tube videos and realized I love this music! The first 50's song I learned was Gee Whiz by Carla Thomas!
How did you get started in the business?
I started taking musical theater classes. When I was 8 I entered a contest for Cutie Pie Idol. At that time I liked country music. I sang Stand By Your Man and won. The judge liked me so much that he had me on his radio station and told me if I learned so more songs I could come back and sing.
I then learned Gee Whiz and some Frankie Lymon songs. I went into another contest Long Island Idol and won for the kids division so I got a little more confident. We tried to sing at a few fairs but nobody really wanted to give me a chance except for Still Cruisin Car Club. They let me sing at one of their shows and everybody stood around and watched. They believed in me and since then, I get to sing at a lot of different places!
Who are your biggest influences, musically?
I love Connie Francis for many reasons and I think its cool that she sings in so many different languages, Brenda Lee is a Huge inspiration as is Frankie Lymon, Lesley Gore, Barbara Harris & The Toys (they put on an amazing show) Aretha Franklin, Kay Starr, Tammy Wynette, Carla Thomas, The Beatles, Elvis, Skeeter Davis, Michael Jackson, Patsy Cline and Etta James to name a few.
Eva Cassidy is somebody I aspire to be like. She covered many old songs and put her own style into them. She was beautiful and loved singing. She just wanted to share her music with people. She didn't care if she made it big, she was happy sharing her gift. She died much too early in her life and enough people didn't get to hear her music!
I reallly look up to and admire P!nk. I don't want to cover her songs, because they are all her thoughts, but I want to learn to have her drive and attitude. I watched a few interviews on her and I love the person she is. She is honest and does and speaks her mind. She isn't afraid of what people say. I think she's a great singer too.
I also enjoy listening to Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Norah Jones, Beyonce and many more top 40 singers, I just don't get inspired by them! Oldies insprie me because I can relate to them and feel them.
What are your future plans?
I really would like to be a singer and actress. I want to go to college and become either an Archeologist or Chef. I will always sing though. I also might want to work with sick children or the elderly, I haven't made up my mind just yet! I want to be involved with animal rescue organizations, maybe be an ASPCA officer!
What are your hobbies?
Of course singing. I really enjoy my musical theater, I like collecting pigs and little trinket boxes, texting, shopping, my computer, cards, reading, cooking and crocheting. I Love Geocaching! I like to ask lots of questions! I love to eat!
What advice do you have for other kids your age?
People and kids all the time tell me I should sing songs from this decade. I listen to songs from this decade but they aren't fun to sing. The songs I sing I love to sing. I pick out all my songs, not anybody else. Sometimes its hard because I am different but as long as I am happy and people leave my shows happy then I am doing what God gave me my good voice for.
My advice is to stick with your dreams no matter what. Don't change for anybody. Its not always going to be easy but it feels good to be the ONLY girl around singing 50's rather than another just another girl singing pop songs. I know that even if your the best singer in the world there will always be people that don't like you. Just sing for the people that do like you and be happy. Right now I am happy being me