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Last time I shared with you all, I talked about the audacity to dream. The thing about dreams is that they keep hope in front of you. I needed to do that for myself in the midst of nightly fights, and abuse of various kinds. I needed something to cling to. It’s so comical, as a child I had my career all mapped out, down to what I was going to wear on the Arsenio Hall Show. I was going to wear a green leather skirt and jacket. Like who wears that? In my young imagination it was going to be fire, or fresh as we said back then.
I remember singing in the talent show in the sixth grade at Harriet Tubman Middle school. The song that helped deliver my standing “O” performance was, “You Bring Out The Best In Me”, by the great gospel artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong. I don’t even remember if I won. I was so elated by all the applause, and great jobs that I received. It brought joy to my heart, and had me on cloud nine for a couple of days. Only to slide down from cloud nine, all the way back to the reality of middle school hell.
Well, I thought I could bet on the success of my sixth grade performance when I proceeded to try out again in my 7th or 8th grade year. I don’t know what happened, but my vocals failed me. Looking back, I probably should have gone out on my sixth grade high note. I can only imagine the things that were affecting my performance. It really is all good in the end, at least I had my sixth grade memory.
As years went by, I found myself in the musical background of life, although I went on to attend a performing arts high school called Thomas Jefferson High in the heart of Northeast Portland. I didn’t have the courage to try out for musicals and plays. I kept it safe, and only took dance, as far as the arts go. I kept my musical performances reserved for the shower, and the bathroom mirror. I know, I know I'm hilarious, I’m making myself laugh too. I’m actually rolling on the floor while typing this! Just kidding. Anyway, I enjoyed the shows, and the many talented folks that fearlessly took to the stage at Jefferson. I sincerely applaud them.
Watching along from the sidelines was enough for me, so I quietly tucked my dream away and kept it to myself. It was protected. That way no one could steal it, because they wouldn't know it was there.That’s until I moved away from Portland to attend college in Georgia, and then transferred to another campus in Los Angeles. LA is where my appetite for music, and fame was much larger than my stomach could take. More on that later…
I spent time at home in Portland during the college breaks, and I found myself linked up with Jus Family Records. I recorded a song “What You Do”, and led to other songs under my maiden name Cason. Another song featured E-40 on it. One of my older sisters used to date a guy that was a part of the company. For the ones reading this that are aware of Jus Family, no it is not the notoriously known Terrance Scott, aka Cool Nutz. Moreover, my point is I believe that’s how I ended up writing, recording songs, and hooks for songs for that label. One of my most favorite songs is called “Pain”. Nope, I wasn’t an artist on the label just featured at times. Linking up with Jus Family meant that someone believed in my talent, and I’m grateful for that. Well, until next time…thanks for reading!
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