Heston Francis Interview

My interview with International Recording Artist, Heston, who recently released his fourth independent album, Transparency: https://www.amazon.com/Transparency-Heston/dp/B01LZNAUZQ / https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/transparency/id1159859887

Terrance - What essentially led you into this journey with music and furthermore what drives you to push it out to the public?

Heston - I have had a love for music since I was about 6 or 7. Helping my mom prepare for church performances and developed a love for it along with all my fathers vinyl. My desire to push it out publicly started after moving to Atlanta and dabbling in the underground scene, realizing I might have something to contribute.

Terrance - Who were the artists that evoked your influence growing up to do what you do?

Heston - Beres Hammond, Bob Marley, Otis Redding, The Bee Gee's, Michael Jackson and the list goes on.

Terrance - Talk to us about your fourth album, Transparency and what inspired the title?

Heston - Transparency is my life unedited. My influences and the experiences during a tough relationship with a few good moments sprinkled in it.

Terrance - Musically where is your mind with this release in comparison to previous projects?

Heston - My mind is on growth, betterment. Improving my sound, making this album better than the last...

Terrance - What’s the current single you’re working with from the album?

Heston - The current single is Mind, Body and Soul.

Terrance - Is there a particular non-single on the album that people should lookout for?

Heston - I would say Stay, my favorite on the album. The one that stands out is Major and the song Why I Love You.

Terrance - As an independent what would you say are the benefits and challenges of navigating your way as an artist?

Heston - The ability to be 100% creative musically is a plus for sure, full control of decision making as it relates to how I am presented and represented. The downside is mainly not having the machine to support the release and the struggle with that.

Terrance - If you could perform anywhere in the world that you haven’t before, where would it be and why?

Heston - I would love to be on stage at dusk for the live Aid concert in South Africa. That would be my dream of dreams performance.

Terrance - What are your thoughts on music piracy?

Heston - Today a CD is looked at as a résumé. There was a time when it bothered me if someone pirated my music but it's actually a compliment. People do it all the time.. if you are a fan of my music and share it with someone else then you are spreading and helping me to get the word out about it.

Terrance - Who are some artists you’re currently listening to or inspired by?

Heston - Right now Major. And especially his song Why I Love You is on repeat in my CD player.

Terrance - If the opportunity presented itself name one artist you would love to collaborate with.

Heston - Wyclef for sure. Because of our similar backgrounds as West Indians, his love for soul music and live instrumentation. I think it would be a perfect fit.

Terrance - Which is your preferred music listening pleasure? Vinyl, CDs or MP3.

Heston - Vinyl for sure. The crackling sound on vinyl is priceless.

Terrance - If there’s one misconception about yourself you think people may have what is it?

Heston - Misconception would be that I am further along in my music career. The work in my opinion is still at its infant stage with much more to accomplish.

Terrance - What’s your favorite part of your live show?

Heston - The close of my show where I perform Songbirds, a song paying homage to my musical influences, it takes the audience on a journey through their life through music.. Heartfelt.

Terrance - What’s the one personal life philosophy you live by?

Heston - The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

Terrance - Ultimately what type of legacy would you like to leave?

Heston - A legacy of great songs and songwriting, like Lionel Richie. Quality all the way. It's what I hope and strive for.

Terrance - Any final words you would like to leave for our readers?

Heston - Thank you, to your audience for paying attention and allowing me the platform to further my dream...

Bobby Washington Interview

My interview with Billboard’s #1 Hot Singles Sales recording artist Mr. Bobby Washington. With a track record of over 300,000 albums sold independently, lyrical songwriting abilities, soulful vocal dynamic range, charismatic stage presence, and innovative music production and engineering skills, here is Bobby Washington...

Terrance - For the readers who may not be aware can you first introduce us to who exactly is Bobby Washington?

Bobby Washington -  I'm an R&B Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Engineer, Film Maker and all around Entrepreneur who believes if you want something done you gotta do it yourself.

Terrance - Do you think the culture of your hometown [Miami, FL] has any effect on your music?

Bobby Washington - No not at all. Miami is filled with many Island cultures and bass music and my music doesn't reflect that. Most people never even guess I'm from Miami.

Terrance - Are there any artists who were influential to the development of your sound?

Bobby Washington - Yes I there are several artists I study, some are popular and some are not. From the popular list, there's Michael Jackson, R Kelly, Stevie Wonder, H-Town, Hi-Five, New Edition, Bobby Brown, Mint Condition, Guy and Babyface. On the non-popular side, I learn a lot from Steve Grey and Sevin Wilson.

Terrance - Your single “Triple X” is enjoying a tremendous amount of success at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Singles Sales Chart, how does an artist of your brand achieve that without radio airplay?  

Bobby Washington - I made it to the top of the Billboard Charts and still riding it by Simply Band To Fan Marketing. That is building my fan base over the course of time and making music that resonates well with them to make them want to buy it. When you sell enough records or downloads, each artist is track through the Barcode on the product by Nielsen Soundscan, who then delivers the numbers to Billboard Charts.

Terrance - Talk about your new album, ToNite, and your expectations with this project.

Bobby Washington - ToNite is a blend of 90's style slow jam R&B with a twist of today’s club jams. I had a great time producing this album. I brought in Sevin Wilson and Steve Grey to produce some tracks on the project to give the album a great balance. I expect to sell at least 100,000 copies independently of ToNite....

Terrance - Not only are you a singer you’re also a songwriter/producer as well, where do you draw inspiration to write?

Bobby Washington -  I get inspiration from other music I reference. I also draw inspiration from real life experiences. Sometimes I could just get on the keyboard and start with some pretty chord progressions and before you know it, I have a beautiful song.

Terrance - You’ve been on the independent music scene for some time, the question is if the opportunity presented itself to sign major would that be of interest?

Bobby Washington - I was signed to an independent label in 1994 "Up Front Records" and that was enough for me to realize I'm on a whole different level of thinking. I don't think like a normal artist. I think like a businessman first then an artist. I've had several people contact me who claim they could get me signed as an artist to a label and my answer is always the same. I'm good.... There's nothing a label can do for me financially that I'm not already doing for myself. Yes they can give me much more exposure but as we have seen with the majority of artist, they are more popular than they are financially sustained. Reaching the billboard without a major label proves that you really don't need a label to reach great success as an artist. The power of the Internet and the knowledge I have using it, I have made the impossible possible. You may not see me at the music awards now but that too will soon be possible independently.

Terrance - What would you say is the most rewarding about the music business you’ve encountered thus far?

Bobby Washington - The greatest reward I've found in this business especially being independent, is the ability to get paid handsomely for what I enjoy most. Being able to do music that touches people's lives is also rewarding to my being.

Terrance - You mentioned the power of the internet/social media, how efficient is it to Bobby Washington; the artist?

Bobby Washington - Social media has been nothing less than an absolute blessing for me as an artist. Just the idea of knowing that at anytime, I can go off and create whatever I want and then jump on social media and expose it directly to my fans. I owe a lot to social for my success. Coming from only being able to travel and sell in the streets of the USA and now have the world at my reach with the click of a button really taken me and my music to the next level.

Terrance - What can an audience expect from your live show?

Bobby Washington - When fans come to a Bobby Washington show they can expect a smooth sensual experience. They will feel the emotion and understand what I’m feeling from each song that’s performed. They will always leave satisfied and wanting more.

Terrance - What advice would you give to those like-minded creatives who struggle with believing in themselves and the quality of their work?

Bobby Washington - I would tell them to move out of their own way. I would also tell them that the greatest artist don't always make hit records. I love Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson but out of the hundreds of songs they made throughout their careers I may only really love 20 songs at most if that. And that goes with every artist including R.Kelly, Usher, H-Town and more. Think about it; name one artist that you really love each and every song they ever created. Not just the ones you heard on the radio but those album fillers.

Terrance - Where can our readers reach you in social media?

Bobby Washington - I can be found on just about every social network available Everyone can find me on just about every Social Media Network Available. Facebook.com/bobbywashingtonmusic, Twitter.com/bobbywashtweet, Youtube.com/bobbywashington.bandcamp.com, Instagram.com/bobbywashmusic, SnapChat.com/bobbywashmusic

Terrance - What is it you would like to tell your fans and people who are reading this interview?

Bobby Washington - I would like to thank each and every Friend/Fan for continuing to call to order my albums, and to those who continue Like, Share, Download, and support Real R&B, not just mine..  Please continue to support Real R&B Music. Don't allow radio to destroy our youth with evil music. Remember Garbage in equals Garbage out. Listen to Bobby Washington music at http://bobbywashington.bandcamp.com

Donell Jones Interview

My interview with R&B recording artist, producer and songwriter Donell Jones who has brought us hits such as “U Know What’s Up”, “Where I Wanna Be”, “You Know That I Love You”, an impressive Stevie Wonder remake of “Knocks Me Off My Feet”. Check out his newest single and video “Never Let Her Go” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju_JSr_nkV4 which features David Banner from his forthcoming eighth album.

Terrance - This year marks 20 years since you’ve been in the business, so far what do you consider the highlight of your career?

Donell Jones - What I would consider the highlight of my career is I would say winning an American Music Award but in actuality I think the highlight of my career is basically staying around for 20 years, I mean to still be able to do this and love it you really can’t beat that.

Terrance - Tell us about the new single “Never Let Her Go” and it’s backstory.

Donell Jones - The new single Never Let Her Go is based off a song I did a while back on my second album, Where I Wanna Be, called Have You Seen Her, and basically the song is about me seeing her after sixteen or seventeen years and she still looks beautiful and she got away that time but I’ll never let her go this time now that I got her back in my life.

Terrance - David Banner makes a guest appearance on the song what was that collaboration like?

Donell Jones - Hooking up with David it was incredible man. We seen each other going up Stone Mountain we exchanged numbers and we were like let’s work together so when I made the beat I sent it to David and he jumped on it just like that so I felt it was meant to be.  

Terrance - Introduce us to your forthcoming eighth album you’re working on.

Donell Jones - I’m definitely in the lab right now I don’t have a name or date for the album or anything like that and I’m just working at my pace so I really can’t discuss much about it but definitely be on the lookout for some new music soon.

Terrance - Would you say it’s more or less challenging being an independent artist as opposed to the major label system?  

Donell Jones - I think being an independent artist is great. There’s a lot of opportunities that come along with that but you have to get out there and make them happen yourself. I also think it’s incredible to be with a major label you know you don’t have to do as much work, they handle all the business and make things happen for you a lot faster so there’s pros and cons with both. I wouldn’t say I would choose a major label over an independent or vice versa I think they both have their benefits. For me it’s all about the music.

Terrance - Do you think there’s any validity when people say R&B is dead?

Donell Jones - When people say R&B is dead I don’t believe that I believe you know it’s just music. These young guys are taking it to another level and I may not like the subject matter they’re talking about but some of the music I love. When I was coming up the older guys didn’t like what we were doing so it’s evolution, things change and it turn around and come back so I appreciate the things the younger guys are doing not so much the subject matter but just the music and the ability to become entrepreneurs. I love that fact.

Terrance - We’ve seen LSG and TGT come together for collaborative projects, if the opportunity presented itself what two male artists would you work with?

Donell Jones - If there were two other males I would work with… to be honest with you, I mean I love all the guys I came up in the business with I wouldn’t even pick two I would just you know if something was to happen I’d definitely have to think about it because I’ve been a solo artist for a long time and hooking up with two different people, two different personalities may be a little difficult because I’ve been in a group before and I know how the dynamics of a group can be with people having different ideas and things like that so I don’t know. It definitely wouldn’t be something I would do for a long time it would probably be a one-off but I would consider it though but I don’t have anyone in mind I would do it with.

Terrance - Talk to us a little about your first independent project a few years ago called The Lost Files and the initial vision with it.

Donell Jones - I wouldn’t really call my first independent an independent it was just a bunch of songs that I had did in the past that hadn’t made any of my albums and they were just sitting on my computer so I just decided to put it out on iTunes. I really didn’t promote it I just told my fans on Twitter that I had some songs and people went out and supported the project and it turned out great, it was just something sitting around and I had an idea and just put it out.

Terrance - People say you’re underrated as an artist so the question is, do you think you were somehow in the shadows of TLC, Usher, Toni Braxton, who were also LaFace Records recording artists.

Donell Jones - I loved being on LaFace because of what they stood for. I was very inspired by Babyface as a youngster coming up and also L.A. Reid. I think in any record company when you have the caliber of artists that they had on that particular label most of us would say we got overshadowed but at the same time I still got what I needed out of the label. They still supported my projects, made sure they got listened to. I didn’t become a superstar like the mentioned artists did but at the same time people still know who Donell Jones is because of LaFace Records.

Terrance - Take us back a little to how “U Know What’s Up” was conceived.

Donell Jones - I didn’t write that record so I really don’t know how it came about I just know that Eddy F. and his team got together and wrote the record. It wasn’t really called U Know What’s Up then, the first draft of the record was called, When You Hear the Car Horn Blow, and when I heard that particular part of the song I didn’t like it at first so they went back and changed it and they came back with the second version called U Know What’s Up and I was still a little skeptical about it because I was still thinking about the first version I had heard but after I laid the song down and listened to it a few times I fell in love with it and it became one of my biggest hits.

Terrance - What was it like working with the late great Lisa “Lefteye” Lopes on that song?

Donell Jones - Working with Lisa was incredible, and she really took my career to another level by jumping on that record and appearing in the video. It just shined the light on me and people started to pay attention to what I was doing. I mean, just somebody with charisma man and her personality stood out. I don’t think TLC would be TLC without Lisa being in that group that’s just how much of a great spirit she was.

Terrance - Also known for affectionate love ballads like “Where I Wanna Be”, “Yearnin”, “Do U Wanna”, “No Interruptions”, do you see ballads making a comeback?

Donell Jones - I see ballads definitely making a comeback and taking over. We don’t have love music anymore you know when it’s time to get that romance going with your girl you don’t want to be playing a rap record. I feel like that’s why people play dusty’s and go back and listen to older music because it gave that sense of wanting and needing love but I think ballads will definitely make a strong comeback but it’s not just about the slow music it’s about the lyrical content too. I think that’s what people are missing great lyrics with great music.

Terrance - What would be your profession if it wasn’t music?

Donell Jones - If music wasn’t my profession… I don’t know, I mean all I’ve ever thought about was music so I really can’t answer that question because it never crossed my mind what else I would want to do. It’s just music. I find myself doing it everyday. It’s still my first love and I don’t see that changing.

Terrance - Where can the people reach out to you in social media?

Donell Jones - If the fans out there want to check me out i’m on Facebook and Twitter @donelljones96, instagram @donelljonesforever.  

Terrance - Anything not discussed you’d like to share with the readers?

Donell Jones - I’d just like to thank the fans for supporting me throughout the years and just for rocking with me and appreciating my music and I just got more to offer and I appreciate them for what they’ve done for me. Thank you.

Karen Clark-Sheard Interview: New Album "Destined to Win", Essence Fest & More!

My interview with the Legendary Karen Clark-Sheard who is also one fourth of the premier gospel group The Clark Sisters. Destined to Win, her sixth album is available everywhere: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/destined-to-win/id999885185

Terrance - The Clark Sisters were honored this year at the 2016 Essence Fest with tributes from an array of artists like Kelly Price, Brian Courtney Wilson, Ledisi, Yolanda Adams, KeKe Wyatt, your daughter the talented Kierra Sheard and many more so tell us what was that experience like and to still have such a huge impact on so many.

Karen Clark-Sheard - That was a great experience for us to be honored by such gospel and secular artists of their caliber, it was so encouraging to know and to hear from them how our music and ministry have impacted their lives. It really helped us to know what God called us to do.

Terrance - Your latest sixth album, Destined to Win, which has thus far been your highest charting album on the main charts why do you think that is?

Karen Clark-Sheard - I think maybe because Donald Lawrence and I connected and we had so much success with our collaborations on my very first CD and I believe fans were looking forward to the collaboration for so long. Donald is of course a phenomenal producer and does great work even for The Clark Sisters last record, so everything he touch with us has been a success and I think that’s why it did what it did.

Terrance - Artists say every song on their album is their favorite which is respectable but which stands out most to you on the album and why?

Karen Clark-Sheard - Probably the song “My God Is Big”. That song really ministers to me because of situations I’ve encountered and I just had to sing that particular song and it uplifted me knowing that my God is bigger than any problems or issues I’m having even with what’s going on in the world today and society. That’s one of my favorites because it’s a simple song with a simple message that both the Gospel and secular world can embrace.

Terrance - A few years ago your family were involved in the reality show The Sheards, if the opportunity presented itself again would you do it?  

Karen Clark-Sheard - Sure. We were getting ready to do the second season and my husband is one of the Bishops on the COGIC board in our church and his schedule got so busy until he requested to put it on hold because he realizes it’s a great tool to help families and to do outreach as well so to answer your question if the opportunity presented itself of course we would walk back into it again.

Terrance - How are you able to balance wife, mother, first lady and artist?

Karen Clark-Sheard - I take it one day at a time because we promote families even at our Church we believe in having families stick together and having family values and making sure that we stay connected. I tell my children even though they are grown-up; my son is growing into manhood and my daughter is a lady, we are very adamant about staying connected because it’s easy for families to grow apart. Even with my husband, when I’m away I come home and make up for lost time because we can get so busy and disconnect. Even in the church the enemy is trying to attack families and marriages but of course we pray against it, you know? So that’s one of the things that help us stay connected. We come back home and minister so we can be example to the people so as a wife I try to do my duties when I’m home as much as I can and as a mother I stick to that and remain connected to my children so they know that I’m not just so into my ministry and don’t have time for them. That is a priority for me and trying to juggle all of those and being a first lady so I try to make up for it when I’m away. I come home and spend time with the people in my church and I enjoy that most of all.

Terrance - Next year marks the 20th anniversary of your solo debut LP, Finally Karen, at that time what was the transition like coming from The Clark Sisters to Karen Clark-Sheard?

Karen Clark-Sheard - I wouldn’t say I was fearful but we were such a family and that’s what my mother Dr. Mattie Moss Clark who was such a great woman promoted. She promoted us staying together and sticking together no matter what, and to even hear that I was breaking off to do my own solo album was hard for me at first because I am the youngest and my sisters used to always pretty much I guess be my leaders. I enjoyed singing with them and so my oldest sister Jacky warned me and told me when you become your own solo artist you really have to become your own businesswoman and make your own decisions and so you know all of that was another step to me and a whole different phase I had to walk in. When I saw the success on my solo record I was encouraged by God, he was letting me know that I’m with you and you can do this. Of course I learned the business, it made me tap into being a businesswoman and led me to now being my own entrepreneur of having my own record company Karew Records so that played a part as I was growing into my solo career but now i’m okay because I’ve learned so much from it. My sisters and I still come together to sing but I realized the solo thing was part of my destiny and what God wanted me to do so I fell right into it.

Terrance - Considering you’ve been around to witness the ever changing revolution of music specifically Gospel what’s your take on the genre and where it stands today?

Karen Clark-Sheard - I believe Gospel music has moved to a place now where it has been expanded and that it’s being accepted in more places than the Church. It’s in the secular world and I’m grateful to God that it gives us another platform to do exactly what God called us to do to because he said go out to the world and preach the Gospel and I believe that God has allowed even the Church world to be more I guess open to Gospel artists performing on secular stages because at one time it wasn’t but now they see that it’s a great tool for ministry and I see it expanding even more so I’m adamant about stepping into that opportunity we have now. You know we’ve been in the Gospel music for years and even though there are new artists coming up they are embracing our music back in the day now so it’s a great opportunity for us as well.

Terrance - I previously interviewed Faith Evans and she called you her Vocal Godmother so the question is why do you think artists on the more secular side of music like Faith herself, Kelly Price, Mariah Carey, Beyonce are attracted to your influences?

Karen Clark-Sheard - I believe it may be possible most of them started in the church and because I am connected to the church you know in my beginning stages and most of them are younger than me. Of course we all have a person we are influenced by or admire and to hear they admire my vocal ability that’s so encouraging to me because women of their caliber, their calling my name? I know Beyonce was once in a singing group [Destiny’s Child]. I heard Kelly Price and Faith Evans say they were in female groups before they got in the business so I think that’s what we all have in common and attracted them to me as well as my sisters it’s an honor to know they respect and admire us.

Terrance - And while we’re on the Faith Evans subject, what’s your thought on her acapella performance of “For the Love of the People”?

Karen Clark-Sheard - Oh she is phenomenal! First of all, Faith Evans is so gifted and to hear her sing that song was like Wow! Of course Twinkie was such an amazing songwriter and she was so relevant and to hear Faith sing that and bring it up to date was amazing and she did an incredible arrangement and didn’t take the melody out. It’s like she’s enlightening the next generation of people because you know they still love Faith Evans and she’s letting them know like, Hey don’t forget it’s where we got it from, and those types of women of their caliber do not have to do that. It’s a privilege she can take our old song and still sing it today you know? Even though it’s talking about God it doesn’t take away her having a personal relationship with him so that really blesses me to know that she loves God.

Terrance - It’s interesting because now with the impact of social media if a newer generation of artist covers an older song people research the song that it originates from and discover it.

Karen Clark-Sheard - Right and that’s why I’m saying by Faith singing that people are going to ask, where did you get that song from? That’s how our name is carried down in the next generation because sometimes I ask young people at the ages of 20 how you know about us or what you know about The Clark Sisters? They look at me like, Please, of course we know them because of people such as Faith Evans so it’s amazing they’re still keeping our name alive even with my daughter it’s a blessing.

Terrance - In reference to your daughter Kierra Sheard who was first introduced to us on the song “The Will of God” at the age of 10 and has since become an artist of her own, can we expect a Mother/Daughter collaborative album in the future?

Karen Clark-Sheard - Oh Absolutely. We have already talked about putting an album together and it may be in a couple years from now.

Lydell Williams Interview

Hailing from Little Rock, AR, currently residing in Richmond, VA, singer, songwriter and musician Lydell Williams is on the rise to establish himself in the music industry with a sound reminiscent of prominent fixtures in Neo-Soul such as D’Angelo, Bilal, John Legend, Dwele, Musiq Soulchild and Raheem DeVaughn. Lydell Williams new album, The Sound of My Melodies, is available online everywhere music is purchased.

Terrance - Tell us who were your greatest musical influences growing up.

Lydell Williams - My musical influences growing up were a wide range of music like Maze, Earth Wind and Fire, The Gap Band, The Isley Brothers, James Brown, Al Green, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Womack, Lee Williams, Ray Charles, Teddy P, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Mahalia Jackson, Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, Prince, Sade, 90's R&B like D'Angelo, Erkyah Badu, Jill Scott, Bilal, Musiq Soulchild.

Terrance - As a songwriter where do you draw inspiration from?

Lydell Williams - Love, Life, Romance and Relationships.

Terrance - What’s the key quality that makes an artist great?

Lydell Williams - Originality, Authenticity, staying true to one's self and amazing experience of a performance.

Terrance - You released your debut EP, The Sound, in 2008 how have you evolved from then to now as a musician?

Lydell Williams - I believe that I've grown tremendously in my sound, my quality and artistry.

Terrance - What was the recording process like for your new album, The Sound of My Melodies?

Lydell Williams - The recording process was a true journey in my growth, a well needed learning experience. It taught me to balance. It brought me to a place of hope and love again. It brought me to write and sing from different places. It brought me The Sound of My Melodies.

Terrance - Talk to us about your latest single “Don’t Go Looking for Love” and what inspired it.

Lydell Williams - “Don’t Go Looking for Love” was inspired by my quest of studying “love” and its origin and what it really means. What is love? The many types of love. Where does it come from? Where should you start looking for it? What kind of love should you be looking for? These questions of curiosity drove this song through the roof with a rich sound filled with melodies, solid lyrics and jewels to share with a beautiful message that resonates with everyone.

Terrance - If you could choose one song from The Sound of My Melodies album everyone should hear what would it be and why.

Lydell Williams - My most personal song from The Sound of My Melodies would be, Don't Go Looking for Love. I believe it represents my life and album as well as the message and inspiration and substance I want  to give a share with music lovers around the globe.

Terrance - What are your thoughts on R&B and where it’s going in 2016?

Lydell Williams - Honestly I believe there's a major need for more great R&B music in 2016. I also believe that this is the year of the R&B takeover. A lot of the legends are returning to the music industry.

Terrance - How effective is social media to your brand of artistry?

Lydell Williams - Social media is the reason my brand, my music and artistry is available and accessible to touch so many music lovers around the globe, so I'll say it’s a major asset to the industry as well the independent artist like myself.

Terrance - Recording Vs. Performing: Which do you ultimately prefer?

Lydell Williams - I'm a lover of the art, so I love both. But If I had to choose one to do everyday ultimately it would be recording because I'm a very creative individual with so much to give and live and say.

Terrance - With added songwriting and producing to your credentials, are there any artists on your wishlist you would like to collaborate with?

Lydell Williams - The legendary The Roots, D'Angelo, Common, Jill Scott, Maroon 5, Erkyah Badu, Bilal, Musiq Soulchild, John Legend, Raheem Devaughn.

Terrance - Are there any other ventures in Entertainment you’re pursuing or would like to?

Lydell Williams - I have an extreme love for the arts. So fashion, an abstract art Line, and acting I would like to pursue.

Terrance - What advice would you give other rising artists who aspire to do what you do?

Lydell Williams - Well my advice to other rising artists who aspire to do what I do would be learn the business extremely well. Stay true and authentic to yourselves, work extremely hard, learn and love your craft, know that to whom much is given much is required, and nothing comes easy. Stay grounded and keep a prayer in life because you’re gonna need it.

Terrance - Are there any upcoming dates and cities you will perform?

Lydell Williams - Upcoming cities and tour dates will be available soon. Stay  connected  at www.lydellwilliamsmusic.com for my monthly newsletter, new music, videos and more.

Terrance - Where can our readers find you in social media?

Lydell Williams - Twitter : https://twitter.com/LydellWilliams, Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lydell.williams, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thernbsoulman, Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lydell-williams, www.lydellwilliamsmusic.com

Terrance - Lastly, what is it you would like people to take from their listening experience from Lydell Williams?

Lydell Williams - I want prove that music can move you, your mind, body, and soul. A new brand of Neo-Soul, a new sound in your ears. I believe my music is different in that the pure un-confused expression of joy, truth and honest emotion that can be extraordinarily gratifying and inspiring. I'd like people to experience my story, my sound. Back to the roots of R&B and Neo-Soul filled with substance, raw feelings, and emotions conveyed by life experiences with potent lyrics and live instrumentation, full of passion. Motivated to create a legacy and sound of my own.

Heartbeat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBzNF0HddR0

Don’t Go Looking for Love - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IdHVNkfUp8