Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
By PATTY JENKINS, The Virginian-Pilot © January 11, 2007 R&B artist Alisa released a three-song demo disc last year called “The Alisa Project” and is working on her full-lengh debut album --"Undeniable" -– to be released this year. Born Alicia Moreland, the 15-year-old is in her sophomore year at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, where she is on the honor roll.
So, what’s up with this name spelling change? “I wanted to set myself apart from the other artists that are out now like Alicia Keys and Pink – whose real name is Alecia Moore. I also did it to have an alter ego. Besides, my mom likes me to be Alicia when I’m at home.”
In the past year she’s opened for many big-name acts across the nation, including Chris Brown, Boyz II Men, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Skyy, Heatwave and Ann Nesby. Alisa has also performed for BET’s Blaze the Stage in New York, which will be aired at a lat er date, and at Bobby Jones Gospel in Las Vegas. On Feb . 28 she’ll perform on BET’s “106 & Park” and its “Wild-Out Wednesday,” a competition for unsigned artists. Viewers can vote for her at www.bet.com.
What is your earliest musical memory? When I was in the third grade at Northern Shores in Suffolk and I had to perform a solo and act like Diana Ross. That’s when I knew I loved performing.
What inspires you? Everything inspires me, especially my family, friends and church – Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk. It is inspiring to write a song, and when people listen to it, tell you how it impacts or changes their lives. I have so much love and support in Hampton Roads. That ultimately inspires me.
What was the best live show you ever saw? Chris Brown. I have to give a shout-out to VA’s own.
What’s one thing people should know about you? I am unpredictable, funny and I love to eat. My family calls me “fatty” because I eat everything.
If you could write your own headline, what would it be? VA’s Own R&B Sensation Alisa album tops Billboard - The Virginian Pilot
Discography
Hands Up
Don't Wanna
Sick wit it
Swagga
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Hampton Roads, Va. – R&B artist ALISA has taken her surprisingly mature and naturally talented voice to the stage opening for many national acts.
Her fan-base will be on the look out for her when she performs on BET’s “106 & Park” and its “Wild-Out Wednesday” on Feb. 28. She’ll also be hitting the Atlanta Underground on March 24.
Born Alicia Moreland, the now 16-year-old, began performing at the age of five. She was quoted in The Virginian-Pilot feature about her as saying, “When I was in the third grade at Northern Shores in Suffolk and I had to perform a solo and act like Diana Ross. That’s when I knew I loved performing” – a reference to her earliest musical memory.
At the age of 12, Alisa was invited to perform at the Bobby Jones Gospel in Las Vegas. About that same time, her attention to secular music was becoming her focus.
Singing isn’t her only talent. Add songwriting credits to her repertoire. Last year the artist released a three-song demo disc called, “The Alisa Project” and is currently working on a full-length debut album, “Undeniable” that has fans waiting for its release.
As proof of her songwriting chops, “Don’t Wanna,” a track off her demo, which was co-written and produced by Cherish Shepard AKA Starchild was awarded second place in the 14th annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest in the R&B/Blues category. With thousands of entries in her category, this showcases what a powerhouse of an artist Alisa has become. http://www.billboardsongcontest.com
Last year was a big year for Alisa. In 2006, she found herself opening for Virginia’s recording artist Chris Brown after winning local radio station Z104’s contest. She was also named the Hampton Roads Star and Search for a Superstar winner by that same station. She traveled to New York to perform on BET’s Blaze the Stage.
During the year she has opened for Boyz II Men, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Heatwave and Skyy. Throughout 2005 and 2006, she’s been hitting the stage performing at numerous area festivals – Soul Music Beach Festival, Af’ram Fest, Umoja Festival, Virginia Beach Earth Day, Norfolk State University Step Show and at Fort Eustis Military Appreciation Day.
Alisa knows how to keep it real. The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy sophomore is an honor student. She was quoted in the same Pilot Q+A feature as saying “…my mom likes me to be Alicia when I’m at home.” With a motto like: “Diva’s are born not made” – Alisa has a growing fan-base that keeps her humble and “likeable,” but with serious star power that commands attention. www.myspace.com/alisamusicrb
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