Tamyra Gray a Dreamer? 'The Dreamer' album

Ever since her mesmerizing voice and infectious personality were embraced by viewers of "American Idol" - as the original season's fourth runner-up whom many felt should have risen higher - Georgia homegirl Tamyra Gray has not disappointed her growing legions of fans nor herself.

Nearly immediately after taking her final bow on "AI," series creator and producer Simon Fuller signed her to a global management deal with his 19 Entertainment. With her concurrent ascent as an actress, Tamyra has, in fact, more than realized a dream nurtured for a decade.

It should be no surprise that her first album, to be released May 25th, is called The Dreamer. Co-written by Tamyra and various collaborators, the album reflects "all the things I've gone through in 24 years" and the title track, with its gospel choir and heartfelt lyrics, represents "my prayer song." Its first single, "Raindrops Will Fall" (which returned her to the "AI" stage on April 7 to debut), offers an emotional counterpart as a soulful ballad, revealing her vocal and emotional range in a song about the bittersweet nature of persistence.

Infusing other musical styles throughout its thirteen tracks, from R&B to jazz to rock, The Dreamer is largely driven by upbeat funk, a modern tribute to Tamyra's love of old-school classics. The energetic "Star," a paean to Prince, touts both the generic value of self-confidence as well as her own "AI" experience. "You've Only Got One" resonates as an anthem for overcoming adversity, while "Legend" offers a slow-tempo love story about "finding somebody who's everything to you." That appreciative spirit also drives Tamyra's relationship with Simon Fuller and the 19 brand. "He's been just wonderful and the company really supports my musical desires," she says. "They're not just about creating hits, but about developing artists over the long term."

Tamyra has stayed in the public eye through myriad live and televised performances - as a member of the Pop Tarts Presents American Idols Live! tour, a guest vocalist on Kelly Clarkson's U.S. tour and a "family" member of "An American Idol Christmas" - yet it is her acting work that may be opening a few eyes. Her first part, a recurring role on the Fox drama "Boston Public," came after show creator David E. Kelly saw her on "AI" and, despite her lack of experience, saw acting prowess in her performances. Kelly cast her as Aisha Clemens, an insecure girl in an abusive relationship who learns to believe in herself, bolstered by her starring role in the school musical.

That "incredible" dramatic part led to a very different one, playing a lesbian club singer on the UPN sitcom "Half & Half." Most recently, Tamyra guest starred on the new Fox science fiction series "Tru Calling," portraying a woman who plans to fake her own death to spend more time with her secret daughter.

A middle child amid eleven brothers and sisters, Tamyra Gray spent her childhood listening to R&B, funk and rock (especially Prince), yet didn't know if her own singing voice was special or just average. Before moving to Georgia at age thirteen, the Maryland native joined the fourth-grade choir in elementary school where her sisters already sang. Her choral teacher identified her talent and helped develop her voice, earning her the rare opportunity to sing for Harry Belafonte at the Kennedy Center and also for the President.

Always in the shadow of her older sisters, their musical dreams nonetheless led to her inclusion in a family troupe. ?"It's a running joke now," she recalls. "We would put on shows for my family at home, but being the smallest, I was usually used as the beanbag prop - the one they'd throw up in the air at the finale! I never considered myself to have the best voice." But as far as not knowing whether her voice was special or average, that changed in seventh grade when she sang En Vogue's "Just Can't Stay Away" in the school talent show and won a massive ovation. That same year she also began to play the piano, guitar, flute and, her favorite, the recorder.

Now firmly pursuing a musical career, Tamyra saw many paths to the top of the mountain, including several beauty/talent pageants such as Miss Georgia and Miss America (becoming Miss Atlanta 1998). She stayed in her adopted city and studied business law and sound recording technology at Georgia State University. She got a talent agent, landed her first commercial work (including ongoing projects with Coca Cola) and traveled to Los Angeles for the first time to perform background vocals for a DMX album. She also earned the nickname "Joy Bug" from her first manager, a moniker that reflected her natural enthusiasm and the inspirational affect her singing had on audiences.

In April 2002 Tamyra heard about "American Idol" and checked it out on the Web. ?A week later she found herself auditioning before being asked back again and again, making it through every round to the Top Ten, and finally leaving the show at #4 (just behind Nikki McKibbin, Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson). But instead of her musical dream withering, a door opened that led to a contract with 19 Entertainment, a six-week tour of the U.S. with her fellow idols performing to thousands of fans, and acting work in seven episodes of "Boston Public." Her commitment "to take risks, to trust myself and to learn" had indeed paid off.

While enjoying reading, watching movies and writing poetry in her downtime, Tamyra remains focused on music. Her own personal tastes tend toward the melodic classics of oldies stations, and she hopes to revive the spirit of the 1960s and 70s when artists and songs weren't so rigidly categorized. "Back then a great song could be heard on a variety of radio stations. Good music transcended genre and was just appreciated for what it was," she explains. "If I can create some new songs with staying power, while helping younger people rediscover the classics, then I will have truly achieved something worthwhile."

Do you also would like to share your opinion? If so, please register or login here.

Tags

Details

Tamyra Gray a Dreamer? - The Dreamer