MEREDITH's WEEK IN NASHVILLE - AND HER TWO MOVIES

Meredith's star appears to be rising pretty quickly - it's hard trying to keep up with her.  But I am managing - just.  Here is her latest interview, all about her recent week of performances in Nashville along with the two movies that are being released.

1   Things appear to be really moving for you?  How do you feel?

     

   A:  Overwhelmed, humbled, happy, unreal and rewarding all at the same time.  The entertainment world can be drazy, but with my new anti-bullying song and music video ('The Game') I feel all the hard work is worth while, knowing I can help girls and boys struggling in their youth;

2   You have made two movies recently and both have been released.  Please tell us about both of them...

     A:    'Frappe Avec Amore', released October 25th in Florida Muvico pompano, was quite the experience.  Considering I was only flown down for a day, because 'Red Head Randy' (other film) was released on October 26th.  Both films are different - one is horror - 'Red Head Randy', the other is comedic - 'Frappe Avec Amore', but the experience of meeting such creative directors, producers and film teams are priceless and I can't compare the two;

3    You have also performed in Nashville.  How exciting.  Please tell us about that;

     A:     So much fun!  After being discovered last year with 'celebrity' my manager told me we had fans in Nashville and was just waiting for the best opportunity to fly out there.  Finally Stephen Kohl of Kohl Photography presented me with an interview and shoot, the same week Mad Donnas reached out to my manager, Rick Galvin.  They planned an action packed week in Nashville and the fans I met - it was an unforgettable experience.  It is really something to talk to someone face to face, instead of youtube comments.  Shout out to Nate Thompson, a fan of my music and also the city itself.  His passion inspires me to come back and meeting him was awesome.

4     What else is there about Nashville that you feel the world should know?

     A :     If you're a tourist, go down music row, or Broadway.  It's really Honkey Tonk, but makes Nashville so unique.  Also little quaint shops like Pony show Nashville are worth stopping by.  Makes your trip.


5     Do you have any more DVDs which have been released recently, or about to be?

      A:       Yes, 'The Game' music video.  This is the most rewarding thing of all, releasing this to kids and seeing the feedback it's getting. 


6     Your family must be extremely proud of you.  How does this all make them feel?

       A:        My Mom is proud.  Extremely proud.  She remembers my early days off Broadway - long rehearsals, long hours and most kids complained but she knew I loved being on the stage.  Despite bullying, I stayed in public school until 11th grade (for work) and learned how to handle struggles like that.  Because of being bullied, I am able to speak out today and I know my family couldn't feel more rewarded.


7     During your career, to date, have you met many celebrities?  How does that make you feel?

       A:      I try to seem cool but when I met my heroes backstage - Adam and Anthony (who played Rodger and Mark in 'Rent') I was shaking and Adam was like:  'Are you cold or something?'  I tried to play that off!!


8      It sounds like you are collecting quite a fan base.  Do you have your own fanclub?  FaceBook page?  What else do you have?

        A:       My fans are definitely being more and more pro-active.  Instagram is pretty cool because every time I log on, a new fan account wants me to follow them.  Again my only hope is that my message helps the right person and maybe even saves a life.  My instagram is:
@meredithoconnor.

9      What is next in the pipeline for Meredith O'Connor?

        A:       The 'Entertainer of the Year' award ceremony in December, concert November 6th and the tour starting December 11th, hitting Florida to Maine.


10   Who and what inspires you?

        A:      Fans, stories of them being bullied and concerts where I can meet them.  I love listening to the stories of how school is and knowing I helped someone feel less alone.   Lea Michele from 'Glee' as well, is an inspiration of mine.  A similar start that I had as a child and now uses her platform for good.


11   What are your hopes and aspirations for the future with your career?

        A:       After this year?  Well, I'm going to hope people like 'Red Head Randy', that my anti-bullying video finds the same or greater success that celebrity did and that the tour brings many more wonderful encounters with fans I hope to help!


12   Do have have a message that you are trying to teach the world through your talents?

          A:      Well, I like to be living proof that ignoring bullies and doing what you love regardless will come and save you in the long run.  Parents and teachers always ask how to handle specific scenarios but I think that if you help a kid continue to love themself and others through all the pain, they are going to be OK.

And, in parting, Meredith has this message:

'Nashville is a city you will fall in love with if you go in.  All music lovers - it is everything it is cracked up to be.  They are welcoming, kind and there's always something to do.  You have to check out downtown just to see the honkey tonk vibe of Nashville but also drive down music row - every major record label is there.  If you want to see vintage clothing, the Pony Show is a place where you can find cool stuff that really captures the spirit of Nashville.  I was grateful to the fans I ran into there and will be back soon!


Photos:  Provided by Meredith O'Connor

Link:       'The Game'

Meredith and Orlando Brown - her bass player

BREAKING NEWS

FIROSHA PRICE

To Represent Australia in 2014 at The World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood, USA

The official World Championships of Performing Arts celebrates its 18th year in July 2014 and is now universally cited as the one-and-only official global event for performers and entertainers, both amateur and professional!

Griff O'Neil, competition president and founder and a one-time executive of the Miss Universe Pageant, has recruited over 75 scouts and national directors to scour the globe for outstanding talent.  'This is the only olympic-style talent competition ever created,' O'Neil stated.  'And a rare opportunity for the privileged few selected to participate at this elite world event'.

Over 75,000 applicants from 50 countries auditioned to participate in the USA this year for a spot to compete at the ultimate world meet staged in the beautiful Westin Bonaventure Hotel in West Hollywood, USA.

Selected to represent Australia from WA is FIROSHA PRICE who is set to become a part of the highly anticipated highly successful 2014 Australian team in Hollywood.

'Firosha is a vocalist who was selected by the International Entertainment Panel to represent Australia on a world stage in July 2014.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime and could open many career doors for Firosha and we are certain will bring back GOLD for Australia', National Director, Lizette Hunt, said.

Outstanding successes were achieved by the entire team in July 2013 with more than 100 medals won, 5 grand finalists, 12 industry awards, 6 major scholarships and 23 overall awards.

Sponsors are welcome and any support to help Firosha raise funds to get to Hollywood in July would be appreciated.

For further information please contact:

LIZETTE HUNT

NATIONAL DIRECTOR

AUSTRALIA & HONG kONG

WCOPA HOLLYWOOD USA 2014

Ph:  041 582 9141

Email:  wcopa@aimtofame.com.au

Web:  WCOPA & Aim to Fame

Firosha's PR:

Lannah Sawers-Diggins

Ph:  0411 139 639

Email:  abccalligraphy00@hotmail.com

Firosha's Links:

Starnow

FaceBook

YouTube

Website

INTRODUCING THE INCREDIBLE TAYO IRVINE HENDRIX

That said, this amazing lady, Tayo Irvine Hendrix, has actually been around for many years.  If her surname sounds familiar, there is good reason for that – Tayo is the daughter of Jimi.

            I have recently had the wonderful privilege and honour to have been able to interview Tayo.  This very down to earth lady seems to be extremely genuine to say nothing of very caring for people, for her fellow humans.  While her father was one of the world’s top entertainers in his hey-day, Tayo has not abused her origins at all, to further her career.  Instead she has set out on her own, by herself, using her own resources and talent to get to where she is today. 

        So, where is Tayo today – what does she do?  In her own words and with a smile:

          ‘More than you could ever imagine.  I am a healer, musician, shaman and consultant, but to see exactly what I do you need to go to my website – there are not enough lines here – www.tayoirvinehendrix.com.  In a nutshell I help people to live their best life through understanding their journey.  I bridge ancient healing methods and modern culture, providing healing for the mind, body and spirit through metaphysical growth and knowledge.  I teach positive thought, action and outcome through the Tayo Healing Programme.  As an experienced healer and counsellor to a wide variety of individuals, often in the ‘public eye’, I am recognised for merging ancient cross-cultural healing methods into modern living.  So what do I do?  I teach people to live a complete life’.

         Tayo describes her background as being in the arts.  In short, she loves healing, music and philanthropy.  It seems that her love of music kicked in at just three years of age when she was given a drum by her father.  This love continued into her youth and, guided by her parents, she played various instruments, ranging from drums to vocals.  Tayo also mentions that she has been blessed with the privilege that from the age of sixteen she has worked with some of the most prestigious artists of her time.

         

      When asked what it is like to be the offspring of one of the most famous entertainers in the world, Tayo describes this as: ‘challenging and rewarding to be in the arts – full stop.’  And as she stresses, it really does not matter who your parents are – very correctly she adds that: ‘we are not defined by our parents no matter how iconic they may be or may not be.  We are defined by the choices we make and the footsteps we take’.  How true.

      

      While it is universally known who her father,  Jimi, is, Tayo describes that her mother was a counsellor who encouraged her to develop this myriad of healing disciplines whilst also encouraging her daughter’s musical abilities.  Tayo says she is that she is because of her strength.

       When asked if she ever wishes that she was not born into such a public life, Tayo answers very simply and sensibly:  ‘I believe the mind builds the physical result – that you can take any condition and make it work effectively with understanding and communication.  I believe life is an ongoing lesson from which we are constantly learning – we are both teacher and pupil – as we teach so shall we learn’.

       When asked if they have had easy lives to date, many offspring of celebrities have answered that they have not.  Tayo simply answered that there is no such thing as an ‘easy life’.  She is also an author and her book:  ‘The Healer’, tells the remarkable story of her clients’ lives as well as her own early life, celebrating what it is to live your life to the full, irrespective of what is thrown at you.  Her book is due out soon.

       Of her musical abilities, Tayo’s first album is out and she feels that if she was choosing to ‘use’ her late father’s name to help her own career, she could and would have appeared on Breakfast TV along with a thousand other programs to date.  However, she has chosen not to do that – she is very definitely walking her own path and has never taken that easy option.  In her words:  ‘I am ME – I am sure BOTH my parents understand my footsteps.’  And indeed, while she has met many famous people throughout her life to date, when asked if she would like to name a few she simply answers that this is not who she is.  She believes that privacy is more important than celebrity.  She does say that she has met many ‘famous people’ throughout her life but her message is simply that:  ‘Those who are spiritually grown see past celebrity’.

        Tayo’s website includes an online shop which sells such items as Tayo’s Meditation & Relaxation CD, ‘Essential’ Aura Spray and ‘Tayo Crystal Elixir Preservation Spray’ among others.  To view her online shop and to purchase, please go to:  http://www.tayoirvinehendrix.com/shop/php.  There is even a ‘TaYouth Foundation’ which is Tayo’s way of giving something back to the community.  And of course, the ‘Tayo Healing Programme’.  The charity based foundation reflects Tayo’s mission to encourage young people to live life to the full and all that implies. 

         When asked about her aspirations and dreams for the future, Tayo’s response was crystal clear:  ‘To live life complete’.

       Tayo’s album:  ‘EXPERIENCE this’ is out now and available from itunes and all online stores.

      And in summary, her message to the world is:  ‘To live your life to the full, no matter what is thrown at you.’ 

           

Story Source:  Lannah Sawers-Diggins and Tayo Irvine Hendrix

Image Sources:  Press – Tayo Irvine Hendrix

                           Tayo Irvine Hendrix

           

           

           

Diana Mangano on Working with and Being Influenced by Other Musicians She’s Worked with in the Past – Edit by Keith Dion, August 9^th, 2013.

I love music but I never intended to become a professional, working musician.  I had a fantastic childhood – I lived a very simple life with my large, beautiful family.  I grew up in the country and never went anywhere near cities and chaos.  The natural world was and still is what I resonate with and honor.  Music was in my life due to my grandparents all having musical talent.  My father’s dad started early as a working musician.  He began to play guitar and sing at age five and never stopped.  He had perfect pitch, played many instruments, didn’t read music and was a sought out bassist and vocalist during the jazz years in Buffalo, NY.  He had me carefully listen to vinyl with him at age four, but I had been hearing music since in the womb.  Most musicians can read music, study music history and know all the facts, names, genres etc – I don’t.  I cannot read music notation and can often go days or weeks without even listening to it.

          Due to genetics I suppose, I was born with quite a voice and from an early age was prompted to use it by everyone around me.  Much to every adult’s chagrin, I was (and still am) rather shy and uninterested in being a ‘performer’.  I loved to sing and love music, but the attention and demands of front and center stage, lead roles, solos, photos, interviews, recordings, videos, all the focus – makes me ill.  I am forty five years old now and still feel exactly the same way.  Everything I did – dance, gymnastics, singing, acting – just kind of happened for me.  I was guided by my parents and teacher’s direction and dedication and I simply went with the flow.

          I never had the desire to be famous, nor the passion and drive to seek out a career in music – like so many of my friends did.  It is not surprising that, when I began singing with ‘The Jefferson Starship’, I asked Paul Kantnor if I could stand and sing way in the back – instead of being out front.  I somehow managed to make it through thirteen years of touring the world with them as their lead vocalist and another ten years or so, recording and performing with other musicians from around the country and San Francisco.

          Prairie Prince was pivotal in my life.  Not only was he my lovely partner for fifteen years, he was my inspirational fellow musician and we collaborated on many projects together.  Over the many years I have experienced and participated in the music world with all its glory, horror, fun and hard work.  I have dealt with every type of person one could imagine.  I have loved, hated, enjoyed, tolerated, continue and discontinued many working relationships with these people.

          Growing up, I focussed mostly on gymnastics for ten years and was a natural there, too.  I loved dance the most, due to the fun factor and the abandon and creativity involved.  No-one pushed me too hard in any direction with this.  I just excelled in gymnastics for some time.  Dance and voice where what I could still continue to do after gymnastics had throttled my body.  Having a large family and living far away from everything made it very hard to continue my gymnastics career.  It was too much stress for all of us.  So, dance and singing then took the lead.  In college, I was fortunate to work with some of the best musicians I’ve ever met.  Their talents were and still are for beyond those of most of the famous people I ended up working with.  For several reasons, I did not dig in my heels and pursue singing for professional purposes.  After college, I was going to enrol in school for Massage Therapy and almost did – but then my friend Liz invited me to a ‘Jefferson Starship’ concert and my entire life took a very different direction.  I was twenty five years old.

          To make a long story short.  I ended up speaking with the band after a show in New York and a month later I was on stage singing with them.  I never intended that to be the starting point of continuously working with ‘The Jefferson Starship’, or their various members.  It all happened by chance and in the following months, I half-heartedly offered them my services due to their lack of a female lead vocalist at the time.  My taste in music was quite varied, so I didn’t expect to just end up working only with them.  I simply did not want to limit myself to that one genre.  I moved to San Francisco and toured with them, but also began to sing with other performers.  I went from not doing much in western New York state, to singing on the same stages with some of the extremely famous musicians and groups that I had listened to all of my life.  Then I began to travel the world with them.

          I also started to do some studio work for local San Francisco and international brands but live performing was what I enjoyed the most, after finally getting over the pre-show anxieties I’d always suffered.  Prairie Prince and I began a relationship and he was pivotal in my singing career due to his kindness, support and the endless musical ventures and contacts he’d introduce me to.  He helped me explore and execute various singing styles, while we collaborated together with many musicians.  All of this happened without me really applying myself too much.  I was just going with the flow and having a lot of fun while doing it.

          Life happens, you roll with it and you bump into folks for reasons and that’s what happened with Keith Dion and me.  We knew similar musicians and one day, we just started to all create together.  Here we are now, due to Keith’s hard work and consistent efforts – and superior attention to the business end of things and all the details.  This is what made him stand out:  his kindness, business savvy and talent all rolled into one.  It is quite odd to find that combination in someone and even more odd to continuously work with someone for years without having any money, ego, or personal problems present themselves.  I am blessed.  My past experiences with at least 60% of all the other musicians, producers, agents, managers (‘damagers’ to quote Billy Eckstein) etc. I’ve worked with has proved to be less than enjoyable.  One manager in particular disgusted me so much that I left the band after thirteen years and never returned.  Performing and working with Keith has been a joy and I am very grateful for the opportunity.  He and I both understand the ups and more commonly, the downs, of the music industry and so we resonate on that level.  This makes our foundation similar and our desire to dodge the bullcrap and get to the good stuff, the ultimate goal.

          I still have a hard time with the role of being a front person/lead vocalist so I am enjoying my current collaborations with Keith and other bands today, from more of a background vocal role.  I have plans to record some of my own creations in the upcoming years too.  For now, I am loving life as a childcare provider and professional massage therapist, with a few singing gigs in between.

© Diana Mangano, August 9^th, 2013.

Sources – video links etc.

# 1:  Diana performing with ‘The Jefferson Airplane’ at their Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame induction, 1996.

(link):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_6x-rJdY&feature=em-share_video_user

# 2:  Sound Check – ‘The Great American Robber Barons’ performing on the ‘Bruce Latimer’ TV show in Pacifica, August 7^th, 2013, as shot by Vivian Vosu.  Non-broadcast quality audio though.

(link):      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaLp_soT4Q

Current Music Videos:  ‘The Great American Robber Barons’ –

1:  Reno Nevada:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IewLw83LeTU&feature=g-upl

Using Keith’s father’s 8mm home movie clips from the 1960s of the Las Vegas and Reno NV gambling strips.  This is the classic song by Richard and Mime Farina.

2:  At the Hands of the Robber Barons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--fiL8TR04I

An expose of the financial criminals that run our world – to be used by the Occupy Wall St. Movement.

3:  Too Big for Your Boots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQn11qWIHCA&feature=context-gau

Done in black and white, in a 1960s French TV style – reminiscent of Brazil ’66.

Web Site:

www.305am for all things on ‘The Great American Robber Barons’.

Virtual Press Kit:

From Ariel Publicity for The Great American Robber Barons.  To view the press kit with MP3s, YouTube video links, press, photos and bio material:

http://cyberpr.biz/clients/3227

INTRODUCING THE AMAZING FIROSHA

Here is another amazing young lady, ready to take on the world.  Please meet Firosha, talented young vocalist, songwriter and stylist.  To say nothing of extremely attractive, very nice and down to earth, to boot.  Her favourite genres are pop, R’NB and jazz but, having listened to a sample of some of her songs, I have a feeling this talented young lady could sing in any genre, if she put her mind to it.  She has also got quite a story to tell.  Now living in Western Australia, she originates from South Africa.  Now the thing is, she has been extremely self-conscious in her past, mainly due to bullying - and more recently, amazingly she has auditioned for several of the Australian reality talent shows – and didn’t pass any. 

Let Firosha tell you all about it.

1                   You now live in Perth, but haven’t all your life.  Where do you originate from?

Answer:  In 1986, at the age of eight months, my father flew my mother and me to Perth from Port Elizabeth, South Africa.  He had moved in 1983 with his immediate family.  We briefly lived in South Africa for three years in 1994 – but this has always been home.

2                   What made you move to Western Australia?

Answer:   My grandparents chose Australia because Cape Town, South Africa, had a very high crime rate.  My family was fortunate to have good lives there.  Though having four sons I can imagine this was a scary situation.  I’m sure apartheid didn’t make things easy either as they are cape Malay coloured with Welsh descent.

3                   You appear to be a very good singer.  When did you discover this?

Answer:   When I was about four years old I was like a child genius.  I could read encyclopaedias really early and speak properly.  I had a high pitch voice.  I have home videos of me at that age imitating Janet Jackson’s ‘Rhythm Nation’ and Paula Abdul with a combination of singing and dancing.  The furthest I can remember back singing and performing was with a primary school choir in South Africa when my family went back for three years in 1994.  I was about nine or ten years old.  South Africans are very talented and fierce competitors – I wasn’t very confident but I always managed to force myself to the front row and worked at it.  Even though I was the smallest.  I only really discovered I could sing around 1996-1998 when I was about eleven to fourteen years old.

4                   How long have you actually been singing?  How young were you when you first sang publicly?

Answer:    I have been singing on and off since I was five years old but I have never had formal training.  I taught myself by listening and imitating artists like Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.  I did a few school choir appearances and group talent shows but nothing solo until my first assembly performance of ‘Together Again’ by Janet Jackson in high school in 1998.  Soon after I entered a talent competition with my best friend but it was what you would call, an epic fail.

5                   What about the rest of your family?  Are your parents or any siblings, relations musically talented?

Answer:    My father sings – he has a lovely tone – very shy though.  I’ve heard his parents sing briefly in the kitchen or lounge and they sound lovely.  On my mother’s side I have a few younger female first cousins and an aunt who sings well.  My baby brother is quite the entertainer when he wants to be but he’s very shy as well.  My sister dances – well, everyone in all my family dances well.  No-one plays instruments but I learned piano very young and can play ‘Happy Birthday’.

6                   From reading your story, it seems that you have not always been very confident and this is something that has grown over time.  Why do you feel you have been lacking this?

Answer:   When you sing you bare your soul and it’s hard because you don’t know how people are going to perceive that.  As much as we say we don’t, as humans, care what others think, we do, even if only a little bit.  Today’s world takes away from the voice and talent and it gets overshadowed with a beat and image.  So if you feel you do not have a complete package it can make you feel like you are lacking.  The perfect look and sound – when in reality no matter how much we try, no-one’s perfect.  What looks and sounds good today may not tomorrow.  My lack of confidence came from yo-yo dieting, wanting to look like a size six pinup and listening to others put me down.  Sometimes those closest to you can say things to put you off following your dreams without realising they are doing it.  But then again, it’s those same people who support you and push you to your limits.  It just depends on how you deal with criticism because constructive criticism is good for you.  I think one too many failed attempts (competitions, reality TV, karaoke) had me second guessing my talent.  It wasn’t until last year I decided to invest in myself and find a way to get me out there, regardless.  This has been the best decision of my life.  Costly but effective.

7                   You have auditioned for several reality talent shows.  Would you like to explain the audition process?

Answer:   I have auditioned five times to be exact, from sixteen years of age when Guy Sebastian won ‘Idol’ – until this year.  These were ‘Australian Idol’, ‘Popstars’ and ‘X Factor’.  The audition process is nothing like you see on TV.  You complete mass paperwork at home, stand hours in a line, meet some lovely other talented people waiting and then you audition in front of two to three sets of judges before the ones on TV.  I have seen extremely talented artists turned away.  I have never been on TV.  I have never made an audition in front of a celebrity judge and the one I did in ‘Pop Stars’ – she had been there for hours.  She just wanted to get out of there so she picked the two good looking guys in my line up and it was over.  That was a good audition.  You sing in front of the judges and every other contestant – supporter on the day.  That tests you, your confidence and your talent.  This year’s audition looked more like a job application – or a housing contract.  I couldn’t believe the questions they asked and a lot of them didn’t even relate to singing.  When I asked the judge what I needed to work on this year, he said don’t waste your money on lessons – go busk in the streets.  When I asked him, respectfully, what he was looking for and to elaborate on what he meant by ‘go busk on the streets’, he couldn’t answer me.  As disappointed as I was I thought I gave it everything and will now follow my own path, creating my own opportunities.  I believe I have done so.

8                   You have been bullied.  Was this physical as well as psychological?

Answer:  School can be a lovely, or a difficult journey for some.  Unfortunately bullying still exists and the saddest part is the school protects the bully because the victim is too afraid to come forward.  When they do, instead of being protected they are somewhat shunned for bringing it to people’s attention.  Parents of bullies have terrible attitudes as well, to the entire thing so you can only imagine what’s going on in the home environment.  Bullying can occur in school but also in your adulthood, so the sooner you learn to overcome this, the better.

My bullying was physical and psychological.  Once they can’t touch you anymore because you are no longer afraid, they leave enough damage on your mentality and self esteem that you start to doubt yourself as a whole.  I was picked on in primary school by older kids.  In junior high it got worse because I was different.  I spoke English and I had gone to school but was still seen as different.  We are a lot more multi-cultural now but a s Muslim South African it wasn’t easy and you wouldn’t know I was Muslim unless I told you because we fit in – just.  I had girls start fights with me for no reason.  In junior high, I was a nerd, always had my head in a book, first class ranger police cadet and I think to fit in the kids that weren’t so popular would pick on the nerds to be accepted.  I was physically attacked and funnily enough never by anyone that was my size.  I did give them a fight though – I wasn’t afraid.  I had someone put dog food in my lunch once.  They teased me (about) my name, my tan and my religion.  I didn’t even wear a headscarf and was still subject to it.

9                   Did bullying occur throughout your schooling?

Answer:  I changed schools in Year ten, 2000 and the bullying stopped.  I was actually a little more popular so I made it my mission to stop other girls being bullied.  The older guys would ask me to watch over their baby sisters and I tried to put an end to all that.  I made it my mission to be friends with everyone from my background at any age and I’m still friends with a lot of them today.  I think standing up for what’s right has gotten me into a lot of trouble but I’m not afraid to take people on – if it’s for a good cause.  I think people need to learn to not be afraid and speak up.  If you see something happen, tell a teacher, help out.  By not getting involved, you are involved – your choice to do nothing.  If something bad happens to that person (eg accident or suicide) your conscience will be a hard thing to live with.

10              You appear to have overcome these obstacles and your family and friends have realised that you have a very strong and superb voice.  How does that make you feel?

Answer:   I’ve had a few other life lessons which have shaped me to become who I am – some good, some bad.  I feel amazing that I am finally being recognised for my talent.  I still feel that I have a long way to go and so much more to learn.  I have put my foot down in following my dreams and I’m pushing through to the best of my ability.  I’m hoping that someone will see my work ethic and raw talent and give me a chance.  I have been given that chance with WCOPA and my life is about to change on a large scale.  My friends and family are surprised – some don’t even know I can sing.  Overall everyone is very proud and supportive.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all, having them follow my journey has been a great feeling.

11              What are your plans for your career and the future?

Answer:   I would love, in an ideal world, to be a Beyonce or a Mariah.  Not exactly though – we already have them.  I have the work ethic to do it all – music, modelling, fashion, have a perfume and create an empire.  I have big dreams.  On a smaller scale I would like to make music that people are not going to be embarrassed to listen to ten years from now.  It is difficult because the commercial markets demand different.  I’d love to get involved in as many projects as I can because I would like to get my name out there.  I’m working on an EP at the moment and who knows – one day I’ll release an album and be able to perform it all for you.

12              Do you have a message you would like to teach the world?

Answer:  Do not be afraid.  You are never too old (or) young to pursue your dreams.  Every professional was once an amateur and, like someone recently told me, your voice has no expiry date.  Your biggest enemy is yourself – don’t listen to negative opinions.  Love yourself, turn yourself into a project and don’t give up until you’ve tried everything.  If it’s meant for you it will come easily – but if it’s difficult don’t be in a hurry to throw in the towel.  No matter how many excuses you find or how hard you think you have it, someone with less is doing more.  Don’t look at your grandchildren one day and say:  ‘If I was your age I would have been this or that’.  By then it’s too late and all talk.  People around you will appreciate you for your efforts because actions speak louder than words.  If you can’t invest, believe and love yourself – you can’t expect anyone else to.  Have faith – God hears us all.  We are all blessed, no matter what we achieve with that – that counts.  Find your purpose in this world, whatever that may be and be prepared to work at it with everything you have.  

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Contact Details:  Lannah Sawers-Diggins
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                                Ph:  0411 139 639

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