I was born in Elmira, NY September 18, 1970. I was constantly surrounded by my enormous family on both sides. I was taught at an early age about respecting and honoring those who served our country and learned the importance of community at an early age.
I began singing in front of my family at age six but didn't perform in public until I was eight years old.
Music has always been an outlet for me. Much of my young life was spent with my grandparents. Because I was born to such young parents there was some dysfunction and difficulty growing up. It was a way for me to express how I felt. I learned to have great compassion for people because of some of my families difficulties and illnesses. We didn't have much financially, but I learned to enjoy the simple things of life from both sets of grandparents on both sides of my family. No matter how bad life has been I've always found a way to find joy in the journey and Music has been every bit a part of it.
When my mother remarried a third time, just before I became a teenager, we became very immersed in our church. I was not allowed to listen to mainstream secular music as it was thought to be improper. So most of my young life I did spend listening, learning and singing only Christian music in the church. However, I was frustrated and embarrassed in high school as everyone else was listening to it. Being very involved in music in school, in music theory for two years and choir, I would sneak and listen to music every chance I got. I was listening to everything from Motown, R& B, Blues, Jazz, Pop, Rock to heavy metal rock. I loved my 80's music. I soon realized that I loved gutsy, soulful, big voices that shared deep meaning in their songs. I related. Everything from Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland, to Respect by Aretha Franklin, then Madonna, and my favorite - Whitney Houston. As I grew older my taste varied and I begin to love the sound of country music. Shortly after I married my husband I felt like the country music scene had changed its sound. You could express yourself through this genre and have a mix of pop, rock, country, and gospel. I could express my faith and live my life.
I currently reside in Fayetteville, NC. I've have lived here for nine years. I'm a military wife and mother. Both of my sons are serving our country as well. We have three grown children and three grandchildren.
I've sung in front of crowds as large as 69,000. I have opened for several signed artists and performed for hundreds of varied events all over the United States and abroad.
I have had a band and duo guitar player to accompany me in Texas and here in NC. My band's name here is NC is Nobody's Business.
My first live performance was at the age of eight taking a lead vocal at a school performance in front of 1000 people singing in A production of The Whiz.
I continued to perform throughout my life in upstate New York in my hometown for festivals, fairs, major events, sporting events, nonprofit organization's, churches weddings etc.
I made the top five in a worldwide Christian singing competition called Kingdom Bound competing at Darien Lake Amusement Park in Upstate New York near Rochester. I competed with Canadian bands and American bands.
I Married SFC Robert W. Charles III June 26th, 1999 and moved to his hometown in Lancaster, PA. I was so dedicated to my music and community, on my last night in my hometown, on our wedding night, I performed the national anthem for The Elmira Pioneers baseball team.
We resided there for seven years. During that time I performed for hundreds of events.
I was invited to audition performing our national anthem and oh Canada for the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo, NY.
I received a letter from President George Bush shortly after 9/11 with regards to my commitment to the community and the military for my support through my music.
I had the privilege of working with Bob 94.9 FM country radio station in Harrisburg, PA performing. I performed at their annual event The Bob Birthday Bash at the Zembo Auditorium in Harrisburg, PA through clear channel radio and Bob 94.9FM as the local artist three times. First opening for Country artist Blake Shelton when he was up and coming and then in full concert for Country artists Keith Anderson, Shelly Fairchild, and Headliner Mark Chestnut. At that concert I also opened singing the national anthem and performed the original song I wrote to my husband, I can't wait to love you, a cappella at the end of my concert and honored Dj Newman with our America flag flown during a mission from my husband who was deployed at the time in Kuwait .
In 2016 I returned for a third time singing the national anthem opening for Country artists and headliner Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Mo Pitney.
I also opened for Brian McComus and Dirks Bentley in Harrisburg, PA for PNC Saturday through Clear Channel and Bob 94.9 FM.
I competed in a contest to be the permanent anthem Singer to emulate Kate Smith of the Flyers hockey team for the Hershey Bears hockey team in Hershey, PA. I won first place and performed the National Anthem at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA as their anthem singer for two years every game in front of 10,800 people.
I also performed for The Harrisburg Senators baseball team in Harrisburg, PA for three years and for several large televised sporting events and for The Lancaster Barnstormers at Clipper Stadium in Lancaster, PA for their dedication to our military for those sent in harms way during 9/11.
Shortly after September 11th, my husband was deployed for 15 months, upon his return he was quickly informed that we will be moving to a new location. We were stationed at Fort Hood Texas for three years.
During that time I performed at hundreds of Community, large, nonprofit, Sporting and military events.
In FT. Hood Texas I competed in A worldwide military songwriting competition call songs for the soul of service and won first place in the inspirational category and third place overall. Songs for the Soul of Service took my song, I can't wait to love you, written for my husband and featured it on a compilation CD.
I competed and won first place locally in Texas for The Colgate Country Showdown. Two of my original songs, Dream Big and I Can't Wait to Love You were featured on the radio for one month. I made it to the top 10 for Regionals.
I competed in a contest and represented Texas and won first place competing in Operation Rising Star. I made it to the top 12. The show was televised and I competed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
I also competed in other competitions in NY, PA as well as TX - Christian Artists Talent Search, America's Got Talent. X-Factor and The Voice. Last year I auditioned for The Voice in Feb. 2017 in Baltimore for season 12 and made it to the third round just before blinds. I will audition again.
I won first place in a singing contest on The Royal Caribean Cruise Lines and performed on the ship.
In my hometown of Horseheads, New York I had the privilege of meeting with country artist Charlie Daniels who invited me on the tour bus with his band after his performance at Tags to talk with me about my music.
In FT. Hood, I met with Gretchen Wilson and shared my music.
I opened for The Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders after winning first place for FT. Hood representing Texas in Operation Rising Star.
In FT. Bragg, NC I've opened singing our national anthem for Chris Daughtry and Gary Siniese and Colt Ford.
I opened for Parmalee in an acoustic concert on September 11th, 2012 through Beasley Broadcasting radio at The Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC.
I have performed at The Crowne Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC for sporting, military events and nonprofit organization and for Beasley and Cumulus radio stations. I've also performed for nine years at the Cumberland County fair at the Crown Coliseum.
I've performed at Festival Park in Fayetteville, NC for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, military events and country against cancer.
I performed July 4th at a large festival in Hartsville, SC for 9000 people.
I also performed for the Winston Salem Airshow for two years to name a few.
On November 9, 2015, I had the privilege of opening for Colt Ford again for the second time with my band performing in full concert at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst, North Carolina for the VGA- The Veteran Golfers Association, to honor our veterans during veterans weekend. I also opened a third time for Colt Ford in 2017 at The Dormie Golf club in Pinehurst, North Carolina also for the VGA - The Veteran Golfers Association.
In September 2017 I was invited with my husband to sing our national anthem in Seoul Korea at the Hyatt hotel for the military banquet.
I was invited in 2017 to compete in radio songwriting contest with 93.9 FM Country radio in Myrtle Beach and won second place during the month of December with my original song -cotton candy sky. I performed my song at the Carolina country music awards at the house of blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in January 2018. I was nominated for songwriter of the year and female vocalist of the year.
I Just finished my project of recording 10 of my original songs that have all been legally copy written in Washington, DC.
I have had the privilege of singing doing hundreds of performances at clubs, restaurants, pubs, fairs, festivals, for nonprofit events, parades, sporting and military events in Fayetteville, Springlake, Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and surrounding areas in North Carolina. Also in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I support our military community in many ways.
I have performed for Relay for Life and many other military functions to honor our troops such as Homes for our Troops.
I have been singing professionally for over 39 years. I write my own music and sing top 40 cover music - genres include country, pop, rock, blues, and Motown.
I've performed live and interviewed on radio and TV and for the newspaper. I have many newspaper articles and awards for my Music achievements.
Many thanks to:
Radio stations - administration / DJ's -Beasley Broadcasting - WKML 95.7 FM country - Don Chase. Cumulus Radio stations - Goldy WFNC 640 AM talk radio / Sandhills local music artist series & IHeart radio in NC. A colonial media group in Myrtle Beach, SC / 93.9 FM country with sweet tea. Clear Channel radio in PA- Bob 94 9.9 FM country radio station - Newman.
Newspapers:
The Star-Gazette - Jeff Murray, Elmira, NY. Lancaster new era newspaper, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Fort Hood Herald, Killeen & Coppers Cove Texas newspaper. The Fayetteville Observer- Fayetteville, North Carolina.
I have several references and photos upon request. Thanks to my photographers Vince Stitnuck and Roxanne Baucom.
I have had several sponsors supporting my music.
Special thank you to:
Chevrolet and Harley Davidson Dealerships in Fayetteville NC for sponsoring my shirts for our military for my song -you are not forgotten.
A special thanks:
I've had over 35 radio interviews with Cumulus radio in Fayetteville, NC on WFNC 640AM talk radio and I Heart radio with Goldy / Jeff Goldberg. Thank you, Goldy!