More than just a black female rock artist!

I have loved music since I was a tot. My dad listened to all kinds of artists from multi-genres, and from his influence, I aspired to create music at an early age. I wrote my first song at the age of 10 after getting my first keyboard. The song wasn't half bad and really cute. My family still remembers it and sing it jokingly to this day. It took years for me to hone my skills. I didn't record my first professional demo till 1997 at age 21. It caught the attention of a major record label in New York, but my sound wasn't understood. They didn't know if I was trying to be pop or alternative but wanted me to be more rhythm and blues. In other words, I hadn't found my niche.

Anyway, as time went on, my journey went from trying to make it in the music industry to failed opportunities and disappointments. I almost gave up on my passion of being an artist. I stopped writing songs for a while but continued to lean on God for guidance. I love rock 'n' roll music so much. It kept me going through some really dark times in my life. I was inspired by the sounds of Lenny Kravitz, Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Cranberries. There are so many others that I enjoy, but these guys are my absolute favorites. Dolores O'Riordan ignited a fire in me with 'Salvation' as well as 'Dreams'. She was my shero and biggest inspiration as an artist. I wanted to be like her so badly. However, I had no one to take interest in my goal of becoming a rock artist. I wasn't exactly in the right area for that, a small farm town in North Carolina. I even had a music producer to laugh at me, assume I didn't realize and thought it was his place to remind me that I was black. Sad part about that is that he was black himself. I even met a black woman in New York who had the audacity to question me about why my parents would even name me Ebony. She argued that she didn't see me as the color black like the name truly means and thought I was a disgrace to the name. Not to mention the white man named Bob in Rocky Mount, North Carolina who said my parents were crazy thinking I would be accepted by white people with a name like that. The nerve of some people, right?  But I continued to lean on God for guidance. 

Contrary to what that music producer also quipped, I wasn't trying to be bad and live on the edge. That is not what rock music means to me. It's like when Chester sang the words, "I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I'm close to something real, I wanna find something I've wanted all along, Somewhere I belong". Linkin Park was singing how I felt, and Lenny Kravitz was spreading love with "Let Love Rule". 

Growing up with alcoholism all around, attitudes and tempers flaring due to life being super tough on us black folk in the still evident Jim Crow south. I didn't seem to fit in anywhere. I wasn't black enough for some of my own people but was certainly black to white folk. I couldn't sing at their venues, and I better not dare sing a rock song. As I started to perform at coffee houses and such, I found that singing jazz, gospel or rhythm and blues was safer and a better chance of me getting heard. Don't get me wrong, I love all types of music, especially gospel. I just really wanted to express my heart through rock 'n' roll, that's all. So, I started releasing music as an indie artist in 2006 and created a sound that would be referred to as inspirational alternative (uplifting rnb/soul music with rock elements). 

My desire to serve God through rock music began to grow over time, especially after discovering Christian rock bands like Decyfer Down, P.O.D., Newsboys, Third Day and BarlowGirl. Although, I was afraid to step out on faith and make it happen. I felt the Lord calling me to move on it, but I was disobedient and instead trying to please the world with what I thought they expected of me as a songwriter. So, nothing worked out for me. No matter how hard I tried to prove myself. 

It wasn't until the beginning of the year in our Lord 2022 that my life began to shift. After serving jury duty in local court, I fell ill to Covid-19. During my isolation to protect others, especially my son, I became utterly depressed. I had this lingering cough and completely lost my singing voice. It's like I was permanently hoarse. My spirit was lifted only by watching films like "God's Not Dead" and "The Shack". I also watched videos of Newsboys lead singer, Michael Tait performing in his home with Adam Agee and Dave Stovall. Michael is a phenomenal man of faith who gave me hope and inspiration in my darkest hour where I could plainly hear God speaking to me. He's amazing and not to mention a black man from Washington, DC who is a true rock star for Christ! I started writing songs, beginning with "Wanderer". Big thanks to Canadian producer, White Hot, who supplied me with some awesome tracks! Although, I still couldn't sing, I felt compelled to keep writing and pressing on. Before long, I had an extended play of songs ready to go. So, I booked studio time with the best studio I could find close to me, Tequila Sunrise Music. Miraculously, my voice came back right before the day of recording. My first Christian rock EP, "Ebby The Dreamer" was made. It was given that title because the whole time I was sick, I got visions or dreams similarly compared to Joseph the dreamer in the bible. 'Ebby The Dreamer' was released in the fall, receiving some great feedback and support. So, I followed up with the album, "Mission Statement" in 2023. I'm finally fulfilling my purpose as a rocker for the 'Rock of Ages'. GOD is still guiding me, and I will continue to lean on Him. I pray that my music and story will encourage others. After all, I'm more than just a black female rock artist! I'm a soldier for Christ!

 

Me recording at Tequila Sunrise Studio in Gaston, NC