January 14, 2004…. it’s more than a date in history for me. I will never forget it. It was the day I spoke my vision to a musician whose opinion valued greatly to me.

I remember my friend A.J. Wright  encouraging me to play full out with my dream of singing professionally. I confided to him that I felt too much time had passed.. that I had no formal musical training and was too old to venture out in this direction. I went on and on.

A.J. interrupted me and told me to stop talking that way. He emphatically told me that I’d not lost time.. that all my years as a broadcast journalist had prepared me for just this moment in time.

What’s more, A.J. said he could see my face light up when I talked about my vision of somehow combining my passions for singing and advcocating for the well-being of children.

A.J. is a musician and he is now a minister in South Florida. He’s incredibly creative and in the short amount of time we spoke.. this man had plotted out ideas for me. Unbelieveable!

Here are just some of the things that just popped out of his head for me: An eight song CD that would include songs that are already out… songs that I would write and maybe some he’d write.. throw in some poetry.. and narration about children I’ve known and helped. A.J. says in his head.. he saw only beauty around the project.

This part is funny to me.. A.J. said, “Pam you’re going to mess with some people’s heads.”
I’m not sure what that means, but I like it!

Finally, after encouraging me to work tirelessly on strenthening my vocals.. doing the homework exercises and to never hold back, A.J. told me he’d be ready, when I was ready.

Whatever happens along this musical journey of mine…I’ll always owe a debt to A.J. He was the first person who made me believe I could make it happen.