Myesha Chaney: Music is Liberating

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

TBGB caught up with the uber-busy singer-songwriter to talk about her new album and what got her interested in gospel music.

TBGB: What in your early life led you to singing and writing?

MC: I grew up in Long Beach, California. As far back as I can remember, I was singing. I sang so much in the house that my father would ask me to go outside and sing! I would sing in my backyard, have my own concerts. People knew if I wasn’t singing, I wasn’t in a good mood.

I always had a desire to sing because I was around musical people. In high school, however, I took on some insecurities about singing, which delayed my journey. But when I became more passionate about God, it led me to leading worship. Slowly but surely, God validated that my voice was perfect for His ministry.

TBGB: Who have been your inspirations, musically?

MC: Although I attended church, I was also interested in pop culture and secular music, artists such as Brandy. After I decided to devote my life to God, I kicked out the secular and listened to gospel singers like Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, and Kirk Franklin. Mom played Shirley Caesar.

TBGB: Tell us about your church in Long Beach.

MC: Antioch Church of Long Beach, California is the first and only church of which I have been a member. I attended as a young girl and it just stuck with me. I met my husband Wayne there when I was eighteen. He ended up taking over the church; he is now Senior Pastor. It was originally a traditional Baptist church but now it is non-denominational with approximately 3,000 members. People travel from as far away as Corona [California] and the Valley to attend services here.

TBGB: Talk about the new album, Take Him to the World. What is the theme of the album?

MC: Take Him to the World is my debut CD. I never even sang on someone else’s album before.

I want people to know through the album that there is freedom in expression. Music is liberating. It expresses that you can be whoever you want to be. It’s my desire to use music to take God to the world, to those who don’t know Him.

TBGB: How would you describe your brand of gospel music?

MC: Young, fun, passionate, and liberating.

TBGB: How did you secure the Haddons to help write your latest single, “I Came to Lift Him”?

MC: I met Tammi and Gerald Haddon through Holly Carter, a manager. We have a great chemistry together!

TBGB: What has been the response to your single thus far?

TBGB: What do you want the world to know about Myesha Chaney?

For more information on Myesha Chaney, visit http://www.releve-ent.com/.