Starting Out...

I began singing at the age of two. My mother said I had a pretty high-pitched voice. She said that I walked around singing the congregational songs. According to those who were there, Mother Hattie Briggs would let me lead the congregational songs with her at church. Everyone loved to hear me sing those songs. I sung them with such sincerity. Mother Briggs has always said, "Chile, you had to be airnointed, all them mothers that laid hands on yo' mama's belly." At age four, I began playing the organ. I was always asking our musician then, Sis. Dafronya Smith, if she would show me how to play the organ. She always told me I was too small. After awhile, she let me sit on her lap and she showed me some chords. She said I had a natural ability and suggested to my mother that she get me lessons. Of course, my mother got me those lessons.