Mary Joy

The Texas born r&b hip-hop soul singer/songwriter Amaris Vonnae, is someone the world should know. She began singing at the tender age of 4 in church. She would sing old gospel hymns with her sister. She even sang a few solos in her childhood, while being coached by her mother who was a choir director at the time. Amaris always loved being on stage and in front of groups of people. As audience members recall, when she sang she would always shine. She was always drawn to music. Her father would play records of the Winans, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Sade, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Isaac Hayes, Al Green, Neil Diamond, and many more gospel, soul, r&b and soft rock artists. Amaris would be right there to catch every sound coming from the speakers as she mimicked every note. Amaris' first formal training in music started at age 10 with the saxophone. Soon after, she began jotting down lyrics that would mark the beginning of her career as both a singer and songwriter. Although she was a military brat growing up she managed to stay connected to her musical roots each time her family relocated. In high school she competed in vocal competitions at a number of talent events. She also performed during school and community functions. At age 16 Amaris recorded her first song that received regular rotation at clubs in Mississippi. Her family later relocated to Washington D.C. where she attended a local university. There, she not only performed with several local bands but also sang the National Anthem at a number of military and sports events. Amaris still resides in Washington D.C. where she is now working on her debut album. She hopes to showcase her strong voice and lyrics expressing her outlook on love, relationships, and various things in our everyday lives in her music. She is inspired by artists such as Whitney Houston, Sade, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion,Tamia, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle

Subsequent to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act was inacted by congress and a national radio campaign was launched using America's #1 vocal group, The Supremes. Time were changing and changing rapidly for some and too slowly for others. Sound familiar? Early Motown performers found their audiences segregated in most of the south until the above two congressional acts were sucessfully passed. President Kennedy's legacy was able to be pushed by president Johnson mostly due to overwhelming shock and grief over the loss of a beloved president. If you haven't heard them like this, N-Joy. Listen to Florence Ballard on top, Mary Wilson, bottom, packing 21-year old Diana Ross' vocals to achieve gorgeous 3-part harmonies from heaven!