The Yes Lord Praise

The Yes Lord Praise is my favorite song to play. There is something about that song that makes you just wanna cry and weep before the Lord. Sis. Smith taught me how to play that song first. I bugged her all the time to play that song, so she taught me how to play it. I can play the song exactly like she could. I played it so much like she did that she had to tell me to make the song mine. She told me to feel the song when I played it. At the age of 6, I made the song mine. Mother Briggs was singing the song during testimonial service. Sis. Smith let me play the song. Mother Briggs sung it for a while. At one point, Mother Briggs said, "Play the song for me baby!" I began to play "Yes Lord" like I had never played it before. My fingers were hitting keys I didn't even know I could reach. Behind me I heard Sis. Smith yell, "You better play girl!" I heard my father's voice say, "Play it, baby!" After awhile, people began dancing. I couldn't play the shouting music, so Sis. Smith slid in beside me and began playing the shouting music. I don't remember much after that, but my mother told me that I danced up a storm that night.

Words of Encouragement

I attended a workshop given by DM Adkins at age 11. That was fun. She was hard on me though. After the workshop, she told me that I had the potential to be a great musician, that's why she was so hard on me. I didn't think twice about it, because everyone always told me that, plus I was only 11 years old. I didn't realize how important that moment was in my life until three years later, when DM Adkins picked me to be the main musician for a youth music conference that she and some others were doing.

The Music

I can play classical, jazz, swing, and most importantly all styles of gospel music. I took lessons at the Hathaway Conservatory. I first had some say in my music lesson, when I turned seven. Up until then, I had only been taught how to play gospel music. I heard one of my music teacher's other students playing a piano solo by the Youngstown Orchestra. I asked my teacher if I could learn to play that classical piece. She said that I would have to talk to my parents. I went into the room where the person was playing the song and listened for a few minutes. It was a girl named Charmaine Reginay. She was 14. I asked her could I watch her play. She said I could. I watched her play. After awhile, I asked her could she show me how to play what she was playing. She laughed and said yea. She showed me. I asked could I play. She laughed again and said yea. I played it. She smiled at me and then told me to move so she could practice. After that, Charmaine gave me music lessons, unbeknownst to my music teacher or parents. I took lessons from Charmaine for a month. My music teacher caught us and told us both off, then told our parents. Charmaine's parents didn't care, but my parents were livid. I got in trouble. My mother didn't want me to go back to the conservatory. She wanted me to go to a Christian music teacher. I told my parents that I liked playing classical music and that there wasn't anything wrong with it. I almost got grounded forever. My father told me that sanctified folk didn't listen to or play anything but gospel. I told him that what he said was stupid and that God wouldn't have created classical music if we couldn't play it. My mother wanted to snatch me up right then. My father stopped her and sent me to my room. I don't know what transpired between my parents, but I was able to learn to play and listen to almost any type of music I wanted to play. There are still some forms of music that are off limits, but that's okay.

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.

These Are They

There are some folk who help to make me the person that I am today. Mother - Adrian Marion Father - Eld. David Marion Pastor - Bishop Fifty N. Handsome First Lady - Sis. Cynthia Handsome Church Mother - Mother Hattie Briggs Musical Teacher/Torturer - Sis. Amelia Crawford My Girl Forever - LaDawnya Adams

Harmon Street COGIC

I grew up in Harmon Street COGIC. Every since I can remember, I have been a member of Harmon Street. I guess I never really thought about leaving because I am the musician for the youth choir. I like playing for the youth choir, although at times, I can't stand Sis. Amelia Crawford. She is the president of the youth choir. It's not that she is a bad person or anything, but sometimes she forgets that we are just kids and want to have fun.

I'm Here

I began my life as a church baby on 10/12/1982. Born to Eld. David Marion and Sis. Adrian Marion. I was five days early from what I understand, but I am here. My destiny was predestined while I was in my mother's womb.