Honestly, I don’t ever remember not singing in church. My mama says that as soon as I could talk, I was trying to rock a mic. But can I tell y’all about the 2 best pieces of advice I ever took? Let’s go back in time for a minute….

I think the first thing I ever did professionally was play at the Kennedy Center when I was 7 or 8. That same year (I think), my sister and I started competing on Amateur Night at the Apollo and eventually won “ Amateur of the Year”. To this day I give the credit for that to God and...