Ebony Evans

Interview 28 February 2007

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Hey how you doing, thanks for doing this.
I'm great thank you! And thank you as well for your interest in me.

Name
Ebony Christine Evans

City
Harlem, Georgia (it's about 10 minutes outside of Augusta, Georgia)

Age
20 something (lol)

Style
Nostalgic Soul Music

Tell me about yourself, where you from, background, family
Well, I'm from a small town called Harlem in Georgia, near James Brown's hometown of Augusta.
My father is a prison warden and my mother is an school teacher. I have 3 wonderful sisters.

Do you still live there, if not where are you based
No, I live in Atlanta, Georgia where the label I am signed to is located.
I've been living there for about five years now.

What are you working on now
Right now I'm preparing myself for shows in Europe and some promo dates here in the states.
Also working with non-profit organizations to help fund childrens causes throughout the globe.


Do you have a CD out or when can we expect it.
Yes, my debut album was released two months ago. Its called "Luv's Fire" and you find it on Amazon.com and most internet outlets.
It will be in most retail stores here in the states by Spring/Summer as well as stores in several parts of the U.K. and Europe.

How's it going down - what tracks can we look out for/do you like
One of my favorite songs are "You Are My Rainbow's End" and also "Somebody Let Him Know", but I am proud of the entire album,
it provided me with some growth and we were able to take chances most artist don't get to take on the first debut album.


Did you write the songs
No, but I got to work with a brilliant and veteran songwriter/producer Emmanuel "Manny" Campbell. He has been perfecting his craft for over 50 years, so it was a once in lifetime opportunity to learn from him. I will start writing as I gravitate more into my career, but I am here to perfect my singing abilities first and foremost.
Some of the greatest singers of our time, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, never wrote a song, but they impacting the world greatly with their vocals.
They are my blueprint right now, but I am working on being a polished songwriter by learing from other veteran writers.

If so tell me about the writing process


And production?
I would prefer finding talented producers and musicians, that is not my craft.
But I like and favor the 'underdog'.

What instruments do you play
My gift, my instrument is my voice, but I keep saying that I'm going to learn how to play the piano. Which is something I'm going to learn in the future.

Where is it obtainable from
Well I can only speak about vocals, and you know people often ask me that. It's just something that I feel. There's something about expressing yourself to people, and people are actually listening to you and they can understand and relate to what your singing about. That means youv'e touched them personally. There's no other feeling I get like the one I get when performing.
Not to get weird on you, but I believe it's from God. There's no other way for me to explain it.

Tell me about your style, what you do and what do you add to the rest of the stuff out there
Well, to answer your first question, my style is anything really that moves me. I want to be able to sing all kinds of music. My first album is sort of like a jumpstart of that. For your second question, I just wanted to put out some feel good music, you know falling in love, being in love, staying in love. But not in a vulgar way. More of a return to romantic lyrics and music that can
be played and enjoyed by the entire family.

Whats your show like, what gigs are you doing.
I am another person on stage, I love getting the audience connected to me. Most of the time with my band, and we like to really do a complete show.It's going to entertaining and hopefully I can help some people to fall back in love again or at least the idea of true love.

Do you use the same people live as on your recorded material.
All of the vocals are me. Including the background vocals. As far as the music, it was all done with live musicians in a studio.
When it's time to get on the road they are on the road with me as well for the most part.

Do you write your songs, if so what do you draw from
I do write, don't get me wrong. I do plan to write on my future projects. But this is just my first album and I'm more focused on getting my vocal artistry perfected. When I do write, it's usually about past experiences or maybe the way I'm feeling at the time. It has to be something that moves me so that I can make it a song people will relate to.

Tell me about the team of people around you.
I have a wonderful team behind me. Yomi Belson is the marketing director for my label. He is an expert in what he does as far as sharing my vision as an artist and knowing what it takes to help me get there. Anjel Clark who is the product manager as well as all of the interns. Of course the CEO Manny Campbell has provided me with years of training which I am forever grateful for.
I'm also very blessed to have a great family that is supportive in my pursuance of a music career. I think it good when you have good people around you, because it keeps you grounded.

Whats it like getting yourself heard, and getting stuff down as an independent.
It's an amazing feeling. I can't believe people are asking about me, and people are actually listening to my music. And being from an independent situation, it think it's good that way because it gives my time to grow as an artist while I'm still really a newcomer in this industry. Grassroots, learning the business, not rushing for success, getting to know my fanbase and the people, thats what I love the most.

Who are your influences, currently and from back in the day
Nat King Cole, James Brown,Minnie Ripperton, Aretha Franklin, Glady's Knight, Patti Austin,Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey,Celine Dion, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Anita Baker, Teena Marie, there are so many.

Who else have you worked with
Did some work on alot of independent artist on some past projects.
I have no features on my album, but I am sure I will be working with alot of artist in the near future.

What else have you done, how have you got where you are now
Well, when I was a teenager, I was a featured soloist on the Gospel album called '' Youth for Christ'' Georgia Mass Youth Choir . I appeared on two songs. I think it's on Savoy Records. Anyway, It was just because I started out in gospel music, so when the opportunity came up for me to be on the album, I did it. At the age of 12 I was a finalist on the popular Amercian show STAR SEARCH. After that I was signed to James Brown's label for a few years, his former wife Adrienne was my mentor. After her death I had other deals on the table, but things were not always easy. Its a saturated and very difficult business to break out in. I have been searching for the right label and recording deal for over 8 years before I found my home here at Coastal. It was well worth the wait.

Has music always been in you from an early age?
Yes! I was in chorus all through school. It was my favorite class! I would go to Atlanta on the weekends when I was in school, to record music. That's all I ever wanted to do. When I was little, I used to put on little shows for my parents all the time, things like that.

Are you in it full time.
Up until recently I have had to maintain jobs to be able to live my dreams and before actually making any money from my dream.
Because I am with an independent record label, most do not give advances to artist unless the artist has a previous sales track record.
But now I am able to live it full time, so I am really excited to be able to travel and do more live events and shows, its really a blessing.

What other independent artists are you feeling.
Being an aspiring artist especially on and independent level is a difficult thing to do, so I applaud all artist who got that route.
I like Leela James, Trina Broussard, Joi, Goapele, Amel Larrieux, N'dambi, Van Hunt, Dwele, Rahsaan Patterson, Hill St. Soul, there are many.

What's the scene like where you are.
Living in Atlanta, we still have a vibrant underground scene, but live performances are very scattered here.
Hip Hop venues have taking over most of the situations, so a singer who does not use sampling or Hip Hop beats and tracks, its a little difficult
to find consistent touring. But I am far from being a 'star' so I enjoy every show, big or small. I just love to sing and express it to anyone willing to
listen.

What is your following like locally.
Georgia has always been good to me, I have had my name branded here throughout the state because of performances and shows.
I am still on the grassroots level so its fun traveling and meeting new fans, I love meeting people.

What do you know about other markets, UK, Europe, Japan etc
Actually for the style of music I perform, the UK has been most receptive of my work lately.
Many Dj's, clubs, radio personalties have extended alot of love to me. Japan has a given me alot of love as well and
I have gained a great following in Germany, Amsterdam, France, Spain and other parts of Europe. Being able to spread my music
so far, this early in my career is such a blessing, I am real excited about my future career and performing in these countries.

How do you see Soul Music right now
I think we are going to see a great resurgence in lyrics, and real musicianship.
More instruments, less computerized music. The UK has always had a thriving soul community that I have always admired.

What are your ambitions
To have a career that spans decades, and to record albums for the love and not the money.

Whats happening next
I am still working with charity organizations on a project called PLANET EARTH IN HARMONY.
I recorded a single to go with it, and we are trying to help raise funds for these groups to continue the great work of helping
the future for children around the world. Always rehearsing with the band, doing some radio and retail promo shows
and events here in the states and in the near future the U.K. and other European countries. Always recording new music and learning
to perfect my gift of singing. Just trying to be a better person every day.

Is there something adventurous you might like to do but haven't yet with your music.
I want to learn to record and have songs in other languages, similiar to Nat King Cole. Music wise, I think I am always going to
seek production and music that stretches beyond a genre' or style.

What do you enjoy most about what you do
Making people happy, seeing them smile in the audience.
Knowing that maybe I was an inspiration to someone who has a dream.

What other things do you like to do.
I hate to sound cliche' but going to the movies, going to the gym, reading and traveling.

A few random one word things:

Favourite artist
Whitney Houston

Film
Don't have one...too many to name..I love em.

Actor/Actress
Denzel Washington

Food
Italian, Soul

Drink
Water

City
New York

Country
U.K.

Holiday Vacation
Jamaica

Sport/Team
The winning team



Anything else you'd like to say

To anyone who has a dream, never give up on it.
Being rich is not about how much money you have, but how often you can smile.



Good luck and thanks for your time

Mike

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