Back Up Does Not Mean Cover Up!

Sometimes I wonder why you don't see many groups anymore.....I'm not saying that they don't exist because they do! I just wonder why there aren't as many...For example name some groups of the 90s.........(I bet you were able to name at least three!)   

Now, name a group of today!

(Want me to give you more time?)

It seems that everyone is only out for themselves now! I'm not saying that you shouldn't look out for yourself but I think that everyone always wants to be out front (ALONE!)

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that! But what I learned happened with this is: we stopped appreciating the value and harmonies that more than one vocalist can bring! I've seen and meet alot of great solo vocalists but can you name one that can sing harmonies simultaneously? ME NEITHER!!!! So although some people have great voices, their voice is at it's essence's peak when accompanied with other vocals.....That doesn't discredit them in any way!

I said that to say that I believe that's how we got to not understanding and appreciating the value of the background singer. Well I wouldn't say this is true for most "singers" and "artist" because I would hope that they understand the dimensions that great backup vocals can bring to a song or performance. I think is more so, non musical people that I'm referring to....I've heard so many people say stuff like..."She just sings background" or "The should put him in the background cause he can't sing"............ WHEN DID "BACKGROUND" START BEING "WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU NOT THAT GOOD OF A SINGER"?


.......With this in mind, I keep trying to think of how I could do my part to change that perception, so I started thinking about a few people that I've seen singing backup vocals on the regular that I know can "SANG!"....... Then I thought of one person I could talk to......... Crissy Collins!

I had no idea how I would get Crissy Collins to join me on When We Speak. I had never met her, I had only been to her shows and we had been in a few of the same places at the same time. So I just added her name in my prayer journal and went on.

Why did I want to speak with Crissy so badly? Well, she has been singing backup for a long time with artists like Kelly Price and Beyonce. Not only that she sang with B. Chase Williams and Shabach for many years too! Who better to speak with?

TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT....... God opened the door for me to finally meet Crissy one on one, and she accepted the interview!
NOW YOU TELL ME IF YOU STILL THINK THE BACKGROUND IS FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN'T SING!

Crissy Collins of "The Mamas" on When We Speak

I have been an admirer of Crissy Collins ever since I saw her in Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail (the play), in which she sang one of the best renditions of Jesus Loves Me that I’ve ever heard…..

…One day, I was sitting at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, at the Beyonce, I AM Tour and when Beyonce introduced her background singers, to my surprise she says….”and Atlanta’s own Crissy Collins”.  I was like, “what?”!  I didn’t know that she sing background for Beyonce!

Then to my surprise, in 2010, I was singing in a choir for a Christmas celebration and Crissy Collins was one of the featured vocalists….. I was so amazed to see her but was too afraid to speak!  Then, once again to my surprise, the group I sing with was invited to sing at a program for guess who?  Crissy’s mom!  Once again, I saw Crissy but was afraid to speak to her! 

…To make a long story short, I ran into Crissy a few more times, as well as, attended some of her shows.  Each time I was too afraid to speak.

Then one day, I decided that I wanted to attend a show that Crissy Collins was having at Acoustix Jazz Lounge and Restaurant in Atlanta, but the only problem was I had an interview scheduled with Gareth Asher on the same day (around the same time).  That didn’t stop me….I decided I would do the interview at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur and then go to Crissy’s show even if I have to arrive late.   Well, to my surprise I made it on time and to my benefit I was seated right in front. 

That night, Crissy did an amazing performance and she also did something else that I didn’t expect….I was aware that Crissy loves audience participation and loves to put the microphone in your mouth for you to sing….well gues who she spotted out!  Yep! Me!  I was so nervous that I didn’t sing…… (but that’s ok, the next show that she did it, I was ready!)

Fast Forward…….

One day I was online and I received a message from someone on my Facebook wall and guess what it said……something like this……”Jermaine, inbox me, I want to give you my number so we can talk!”

Do I need to tell you that I was extremely excited?  You already know who it was…Crissy!

I am such a fan of Crissy and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to speak with her on When We Speak!  I wanted to share that story just to encourage you that sometimes things don’t happen the way you want them to but if it’s God’s will, It will be done!  Have a great day!

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