Receive the Latest Events, News, Jobs, and Top Community Economic Development Stories Like this one Click Here | Reach up to 1.3 million people Promote
-------
Multi-talented Musical Prodigy Gina Williams Works Creatively To Releash 5 Albums This Year In Different Genres
Gina Williams, is quietly shattering barriers of how things “should be”. I caught up with the multitalented singer and pianist who diversely sings and performs in 5 different musical forms. Williams, a product of striving Jamaican roots by way of a challenging Canadian upbringing - has a fascinating story to tell!
The singer, pianist, songwriter, and composer released a choral and orchestral album called “Olympiad” and performed with 4 choirs and 2 orchestras on Ukrainian National Television in 2019.
This year she is releasing 5 albums - Each in a different genre: EDM, Caribbean, Gospel, Classical, and Rock.
The multi genre musician was born to Jamaican parents in the prairies of Alberta.
Growing up with racism and prejudice, she spent most of her years hiding her gift of music - the ability to hear finished music in her head because somehow she believed “people like her shouldn’t be the one with “that kind of a gift.” Decades later, she finally accepts herself and her attraction to anyone unconventional.
Listen To Gina Williams' Gospel Video
See Gina Williams' Amazing Classical Vocals
More Videos And The Exclusive Interview With Gina Williams Continues After Sponsor's Messages Below...
Please Support Our Ad Sponsors Who Make This Community News Blog Possible. And Don't Forget To Tell Them You Saw Their Ad in The Scoop!
SURVIVING CHAOS
AUTHOR TELLS HIS STORY ABOUT GROWING IN EXTREME POVERTY WITH A SCHIZOPHRENIC MOM
Harold Phifer has announced the publication of his second book, a collection of autobiographical short stories exploring his sad and often appalling upbringing in Columbus, Mississippi. Kept secret for more than 50 years, Phifer’s childhood was largely forgotten until an explosion during a job in Afghanistan forced him to take some time off to recover in a paradise beach resort in Thailand.
While there, he met an unusual but compassionate stranger who pulled him into a long discussion about his experiences growing up. Hours later, Phifer finally found a measure of peace from the ghosts of his past and began planning out the stories that would later appear in Surviving Chaos. The book is available for purchase via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible. For More Info Click Here
Be Encouraged And Inspired With...
New Children’s Picture Book Honoring A Mother-Son Bond And Black Hair Pride
See How Author Shellice Beharie pays tribute to the memory of her loving son in her debut picture book, "PRINCE AND HIS MOTHER’S CROWN: Tales Within my Mother’s Hair."
This read-aloud narrative communicates that in their early stages of childhood boys can find comfort and creativity in their mother’s tresses. Checkout this is very uplifting reading for our challenging times: Click Here. Or to order: Click Here
Video & Exclusive Interview With Gina Williams Continues Below...
Video & Exclusive Interview With Gina Williams Continues Below...
Kamau Austin Interviews Music Prodigy Gina Williams
Kamau: Gina Can you tell us a little about your background and life growing up in Canada.
Gina: Certainly and thank you for having me! I'm originally from Edmonton, Alberta and being a child of the prairies, I enjoyed playing with snakes in my mom's vegetable garden and in the nearby grain elevator, lying in the fields chewing on ears of wheat until it turned into gum, and playing video games with the neighbor's boys who were great babysitters!
My parents are Jamaican so I enjoyed that part of the culture mostly through my Mom's rice and peas or Dad's fried dumplings. We were all taught to eat with our knives and forks from an early age and it wasn't uncommon to use words like "insipid" for drinks.
So I sometimes joke that I'm a black redneck with English table manners....
Growing up you deal with the harsh elements of the weather and in my case racism.
My first encounter was when I was 4 years old playing with friends and one day "Suzie" said to me, "My mommy said I can't play with you anymore because you are a nigger."
"What's a nigger?" I asked.
"I don't know" she said and that was the last time we played together. Didn't take long to find out exactly what it meant... I was 6.
I worked hard in school so I could go to University to study music, I had a few friends in high school but I was picked on a lot by teachers and students. It never really ended.
At home I was ridiculed when I would try to sing my songs and told repeatedly what my gifts were and were not. I felt like I was put into a mold someone else made for me that didn't fit. Growing up was very confusing and generally painful.
Kamau: What inspired you to go into the music field?
Gina: My childhood best friend would always complain that church music was so boring. I felt really jealous for God and wanted to bring to the world music that could be spiritual but not boring. I didn't know that there were artists like Amy Grant, or Michael W. Smith at the time.
So I prayed for the gift of music that would accomplish this desire and I started hearing specifically Christian Contemporary music when I was 6. I was already hearing finished music in my head when I was 4. This was more pop rock music in its sound....
Kamau: We know you are a talented vocalist and pianist but also what are the kind of services that you offer in your music business?
Gina: I'm also a songwriter and a producer. Outside of music, I am a Film and television actress and I have been in numerous shows and most recently appear in the TWIX Cookies and Creme commercial.
Kamau: How did you become interested in performing in such diverse musical genres?
Gina: When I saw the joy it brought people when I would sing Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love" or other songs in various genres, in my heart I would ask to myself, "How can I deny them this joy if I only did Rock or Classical?
Where it comes my music, I hear it as if someone turned on a radio and debuted a new song, I'm grateful that as of last year, I know how to produce most of it, and I've paid my dues in blood, sweat, and tears just to deliver it...
I resonate with the pain and joy of others around me. I want people to know that I get it and we're not alone.
Kamau: Can you tell us about some of the challenges you've had in your music career and how did you overcome them?
Gina: Oh Kamau, I was bitter. When I finished the University I vowed to never do anything Classical again....
Getting scholarships and good grades were generally difficult in University. I was either not good enough to get the scholarship or I was so talented that it was better to give it to someone else. So someone else then would get the help. I only know this because I was told in confidence.
The more I trained to become what I hoped to be the world's first black female concert pianist and to break through the stereotype my grades mysteriously didn't improve. On his death bed, my professor explained to me that I was already at the top of my game but was pushing me to be so good that the others would finally see it.
His plan backfired, not realizing that they didn't see the true worth of my gift as a pianist. He apologized and told me he regretted it.
Not only did they not see it, they failed me in my Jury to teach me lesson -- that was revealed to me by God. And I went to each one of them and told them what God had told me.
So they gave me a re jury and did not fail.
If I were to write everything, I would leave you depressed. All I wanted was to make people happy. But God didn't forget my childhood dream to be a singer, and at my later stage in life, He has woven all of my gifts and more together. I have witnessed Him achieve the impossible for with God "all things are possible."
Kamau: Where can people see news, upcoming events, and purchase some of your upcoming music albums?
Gina: People can find it all and more at ginawilliams.com! For news, please join me at the "Inner Circle."
To listen to samples and purchase previous albums, they can be found at the "Listening Room." For the upcoming albums people can go here. Physical CDs are also available.
Kamau: Can you tell us about some of your goals and plans for the future of your music business?
Gina: Although there will be more releases, the two other genres that are on my radar are hip-hop and jazz.
My heart is with those who are truly having 'a bad day', and part of the proceeds from all of my album sales help those most in need around the world. This is a personal commitment. I'm grateful that together we can make a difference.
Listen To Gina's Rhythmic Caribbean Music Stylings
Get Promotions Or Products To Enhance Your Business or Life Below
Checkout This Essential Quarantine Reading
Without Being An Athlete, Entertainer, or Drug Dealer
Black wealth is only 10% of white wealth now. Do you know Black wealth is projected to have a median income of zero by 2053?
How can we survive a global economic crisis driven by the Coronavirus with little wealth to fall back on? Get the scoop on how highly successful entrepreneur Chuck Starks, who built one of the fastest growing US businesses, looks to show us how to survive economic downturns in his new book: "Get Rich While Black... Without Being An Athlete, Entertainer or Drug Dealer".
Where to Order? The book is available on: Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and virtually anywhere books are sold.
Checkout My Exclusive Interview with Author Chuck Starks Click Here
Are You Looking To Reach Over 828,872 Prospective Black Customers Online Profitably? Let's Do it! Discover How This Little Known Company Helps Clients Generate Over $72 Million DollarsSee How Social Media And Black News Sites Can Profitably Promote Your Business Click Here
Checkout This Essential Quarantine Reading
Without Being An Athlete, Entertainer, or Drug Dealer
Black wealth is only 10% of white wealth now. Do you know Black wealth is projected to have a median income of zero by 2053?
How can we survive a global economic crisis driven by the Coronavirus with little wealth to fall back on? Get the scoop on how highly successful entrepreneur Chuck Starks, who built one of the fastest growing US businesses, looks to show us how to survive economic downturns in his new book: "Get Rich While Black... Without Being An Athlete, Entertainer or Drug Dealer".
Where to Order? The book is available on: Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and virtually anywhere books are sold.
Checkout My Exclusive Interview with Author Chuck Starks Click Here
Are You Looking To Reach Over 828,872 Prospective Black Customers Online Profitably? Let's Do it!
Discover How This Little Known Company Helps Clients Generate Over $72 Million Dollars
See How Social Media And Black News Sites Can Profitably Promote Your Business Click Here
Give The Gift Of Beautiful And Affordable Photo Realistic Or Ethnic Art For The Holidays
World Class Sophisticated Art Can Portray Your Love This Holiday Season - Discover Exceptional Black Art, Get Exclusive Custom Framing, and Receive Expert Photography from Renowned Local Artist Click Here
Beautify Your Home and Accentuate Your Life - Discover Exceptional Black Art, Get Exclusive Custom Framing, and Receive Expert Photography from Renowned Local Artist Click Here
Posted by community events coordinator, Nzinga Lonstein Austin, is a prolific blogger who writes on the entertainment industry and issues for people with developmental and physical challenges.
She is presently in high school looking to have a career in video, film, and media. You can see more of her entertainment writing on Lonstein Movies.
About the Black News Scoop - covers national and global news focused on reporting positive, insightful, and empowering news for the international Black Community.
Since you are here think about this please. Do You Want The Southeast Queens Scoop and Black News Scoop To Continue To Promote Empowering News and Events largely ignored by the corporate owned mainstream media?
Since most Black businesses don't have large ad budgets then please consider donating to ensure we can continue our media efforts. We appreciate all contributions ($5, $10, $15, $20, +) no amount is too small. Please donate now below or read more on donations.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Share your comments with us. No post SPAM please - it will be deleted. Only real comments please.