*“I walked away after 30 years,” said veteran vocalist/songwriter Lynn Blythe Davis about her career in the music business which she discusses in her book “Above Circumstances” (edited by Cynthia Williams). “Dealing with people, music was changing, with no need for backup vocalists.”
Lynn is a celebrity backup singer, backing such iconic acts as Mick Jagger, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, and Barbara Streisand. Davis is also a producer. The “Above Circumstances” nonfiction book is her testimony about her experiences in the music business, her transformation throughout the years, and her insight to help others steer through the industry.
“It’s a testimony about my journey,” she told me when I asked. “It gives the real deal… It is not the glamour life. The biggest challenge comes not within the business, it’s about who you are and what the business requires from you.”
As a vocalist Davis worked with the George Duke Band in 1977 on their “Master of the Game” album, appearing on the singles “I Want You for Myself,” “Party Down” and “Thief in the Night.” She is fluent in R&B, Pop, Gospel, Soul, Disco and Funk. Lynn toured with “Live in Tokyo Japan” in 1983 and again in 2003. Aside from being a vocalist, Lynn Davis is a pianist and voice-over actress.
“There were no women producers except me and Tina Marie,” Lynn told me as she reflected.
Davis said that the industry norm is to lock you into 360 deals where they own your likeness and intellectual property. Artists on all levels are still suffering from 360 deals faster than attorneys can educate their clients on the warning signs. Davis said she was tempted to go back to school and get a law degree because of it. More artists, than Lynn, are thinking of walking away from the music industry. Actually, from what I am hearing coming from the music industry, all the best are being muffled and what remains is more technologically changing sounds. Those 360 deals are based on greed and because of it those that are locking artists in these contracts are morally corrupting the industry. Especially for black artists, who seem to be the target.
“I talk about all that in my book,” Davis emphasized.
The Jamestown, California native has been signed to several major record labels in her career, Elektra Records is one, along with Epic Records. While signed to Epic Records she wrote songs for or worked as background vocalist for Tracie Spencer, LaToya Jackson, Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. She also toured with Greek keyboardist Yanni. Her latest solo release is titled “Beautiful You.” www.LynnDavisMusic.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com EVENTS: “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 25th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom Saturday April 20, 2024, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom Saturday, November 9, 2024. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $19,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.comor to RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com or email [email protected].
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