33 - Indiana, Deniece Williams
Breaking of the half way point of the blog (!!! I know right?!?!), I bring a singer that brought R&B, soul, and gospel music to the masses. The "Black Butterfly" Deniece Williams.
Indiana was the 26th state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment on January 16, 1920.
Ms. Williams came to a career in music, leaving her goals of being a nurse, showing that the schooling was not her strength. Her career soared quickly resulting in being called many things including “one of the great soul voices” and “the Black Butterfly” to name a few. Through her life she has received four Grammy’s and twelve nominations.
Her R&B and soul music includes partnerships in the early 1970s with industry leaders including back up singer for Stevie Wonder Streeta Wright, Minnie Riperton, and Roberta Flack.
Signing with Columbia Records in 1975, she began her streak of seventeen albums. By 1986, she was able to turn her soul music to her true life passion of Gospel. Instead of limiting to one song on each album, she was able to finally release full albums.
Her music has been used on soundtracks and television. Most notably (to me) the song “Without Us” partnered with Johnny Mathis is the theme song to “Family Ties” and “Let’s Here It for the Boy” was an anthem on the movie “Footloose”.
Modern singers, noted such as Mariah Carey, strive to have the voice of Ms. Williams.
Why this woman?
Gospel music is not a part of my life. Catholic music being rooted more in hymns than the voice driven passionate music of gospel singers. But there are so many amazing singers that start their training in the halls of their churches. Hozier, one of my current favorites, started in the Trinity Orchestra and choral ensembles. VH1 has listed women who started in churches to include Jessica Simpson, Evanescence, Katy Perry, Whitney Houston, Brandy, April Lavigne, and Carrie Underwood. All developing such rich sounds and vocal miracles in many instances.
The songs that Deniece released in the films I know spoke a lot to me. “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” is a rallying cry through “Footloose” that brings everyone together in dance. I watched the movie on repeat play as a kid. I couldn’t tell you the number of times I saw it. Watching it as young as I was, there were some underlying themes I didn’t understand. The rebel daughter getting in trouble for things I didn’t quite see. The concept of no dancing. Hmmm. But at this song, the mood of all the characters come together. Awkward cowboys learning dance moves. Simple moves that I could replicate and play along with. And her voice still rings in my ears when you remember the movie.
Gospel music is soul stirring, whether you believe what they are singing or not. Voices like Deniece’s are the tunes meant to bring you closer to heaven. I can feel it.
Indiana was the 26th state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment on January 16, 1920.
Ms. Williams came to a career in music, leaving her goals of being a nurse, showing that the schooling was not her strength. Her career soared quickly resulting in being called many things including “one of the great soul voices” and “the Black Butterfly” to name a few. Through her life she has received four Grammy’s and twelve nominations.
Her R&B and soul music includes partnerships in the early 1970s with industry leaders including back up singer for Stevie Wonder Streeta Wright, Minnie Riperton, and Roberta Flack.
Signing with Columbia Records in 1975, she began her streak of seventeen albums. By 1986, she was able to turn her soul music to her true life passion of Gospel. Instead of limiting to one song on each album, she was able to finally release full albums.
Her music has been used on soundtracks and television. Most notably (to me) the song “Without Us” partnered with Johnny Mathis is the theme song to “Family Ties” and “Let’s Here It for the Boy” was an anthem on the movie “Footloose”.
Modern singers, noted such as Mariah Carey, strive to have the voice of Ms. Williams.
Why this woman?
Gospel music is not a part of my life. Catholic music being rooted more in hymns than the voice driven passionate music of gospel singers. But there are so many amazing singers that start their training in the halls of their churches. Hozier, one of my current favorites, started in the Trinity Orchestra and choral ensembles. VH1 has listed women who started in churches to include Jessica Simpson, Evanescence, Katy Perry, Whitney Houston, Brandy, April Lavigne, and Carrie Underwood. All developing such rich sounds and vocal miracles in many instances.
The songs that Deniece released in the films I know spoke a lot to me. “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” is a rallying cry through “Footloose” that brings everyone together in dance. I watched the movie on repeat play as a kid. I couldn’t tell you the number of times I saw it. Watching it as young as I was, there were some underlying themes I didn’t understand. The rebel daughter getting in trouble for things I didn’t quite see. The concept of no dancing. Hmmm. But at this song, the mood of all the characters come together. Awkward cowboys learning dance moves. Simple moves that I could replicate and play along with. And her voice still rings in my ears when you remember the movie.
Gospel music is soul stirring, whether you believe what they are singing or not. Voices like Deniece’s are the tunes meant to bring you closer to heaven. I can feel it.
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