Page 14 - BiTS_09_SEPTEMBER_2022

LL: You’ve grown up surrounded by musicians. What kind of music did they expose you
to, and who became your influences?

DT: I was exposed to all kinds of music
from funk, jazz, R&B, and soul, to classical
music, musical theater, blues and
everything in between. My influences are
Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, James
Brown, Ray Charles, Little Milton, and so
many more.

LL: Did you get to study music or are
you all ears?

DT: I did study music! Learned how to
read sheet music in 6th grade, I was in
lots of ensembles in high school, all state
festivals, all district festivals, things that
you had to audition for to be a part of.
Music education was my focus in college,

so I did learn how to master reading sheet
music and playing piano scores. There are
times where my ear is stronger, and it
also does come into play! I started off just learning by ear.

LL: You started singing at age 9 and performing at age 15. What was that like for you
starting out?

DT: It was a lot of research! My step
dad would have me watch live videos
and different renditions of the songs
I’d do, and I’d watch to see how the
artist performed, or how the music
was played. I studied live bands
around me to understand how to work
and what works at a professional level.
St. Louis is perfect for that simply
because it’s the toughest audience to
reach normally. It takes a lot for them
to gather and support! You really have
to be on top of your music. I had a lot
of older people doubting my abilities

because of age as well.
LL: Traditionally your generation
hasn’t shown much interest in the
blues genre. What has drawn you to