LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Elite Music) - Fans who witnessed LAKISHA JONES perform a soul-stirring rendition of 'And I'm Telling You' during the 2007 season of 'American Idol,' saw a young woman clearly in control of her vocal gifts.
With the May 19th release of her debut on Elite Music, LLC, entitled 'SO GLAD I'M ME' the rest of the world will have ample opportunity to relish the full breadth and scope of LAKISHA JONES' thrilling talents. The first single, 'Let's Go Celebrate,' impacted radio on March 23rd.
The debut's 12-tracks are steeped in traditional R&B and showcases LaKisha's roots in gospel music, yet the release also blurs the line with an eclectic overlay which includes the glimmering musical prayer 'Just As I Am' and the resonating 'Nothing,' a nakedly honest summation of a love affair that's gone awry. The album's stand-outs also include an homage to LaKisha's young daughter ('Beautiful Girl'), a sensually-rendered cover of the Whitney Houston classic 'You Give Good Love,' and the Diane Warren-penned 'Same Song.' Notable producers whose presence can be heard on 'SO GLAD I'M ME' include a variety of hit-makers such as Grammy Award winner Tony Nicholas (Patti LaBelle, Gerald Levert, Luther Vandeross); Sauce & Ro (Brandy, Ne-Yo); Greg Curtis (Keyshia Cole, Yolanda Adams); and Chris Black (Yolanda Adams).
LaKisha, a native of Flint, Michigan, was raised by her mother and grandmother, and cites her grandmother as her musical inspiration. Early in her childhood, LaKisha's grandmother encouraged her to 'let her voice shine' by singing in local church choirs and music programs. Upon graduating from high school, LaKisha briefly attended the University of Michigan to study Vocal Performance. After a few career sidesteps, she auditioned for 'American Idol' for a second time where she eventually took the top 4 spot during the sixth season. After 'Idol,' LaKisha made her Broadway debut as Sophia in Oprah Winfrey's Tony Award-nominated 'The Color Purple.'
In the run-up to the release of her debut, LaKisha has been traveling extensively to promote 'SO GLAD I'M ME.' Thus far, she's hit Minneapolis, New Orleans, Fayetteville, NC, and Columbia, SC. She will next make her way to NY for an additional round of press and radio promotion tasks.
After finishing her promo and press tour of NYC which will include a performance at a showcase for urban FM station WBLS and on Fox-TV's GOOD DAY, NEW YORK (May 14th), LaKisha will travel to Los Angeles the week of May 18th to have sit-downs with ACCESS HOLLYWOOD, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, and THE TV GUIDE CHANNEL as well as participate in the KISS-FM party at the Grammy Museum in downtown LA, celebrating the finale of this current season's AMERICAN IDOL.
There's lots to celebrate. As previously reported, this summer LaKisha and her husband, financial planner Larry Davis, will welcome a new addition to their family. 'Family is important to both of us, and so we're really looking forward to our new baby's arrival,' said LaKisha. 'What can I say? With the baby coming and the release of my first album - when I think about all the goodness in my life right now, everyday I think 'I'm so glad I'm me'.'
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