Asia Craft

I am the daughter of a Jazz Musican Father (inducted into the Collegiate Encyclopedia of Jazz in 1980) and a Jazz Singer Mother. I guess you could say that Music...Is in my DNA! I have literally performed in EVERY genre of music! (Except Polka)...but I'll give it a try!

I have been singing since I was 3 yrs old, and I was classically trained as a Concert Violinist. I started acting in grade school when I got the leading role of "Annie" in my 4th grade play and have loved musicals ever since.

I began singing with R&B groups in high school and was a session singer before I graduated. I just kind of fell into R&B...I sang back up with several bands...but always wanted to use my talent to a higher degree.

Even while serving my Country in the Armed Forces...I sang! I recorded "She's My Home" with the 118 Army band at Ft. Devens for Delta company and performed the National Anthem for every graduation on base. I also called marching cadence for HUNDREDS of troops!

When I got married and started having children...I put my career on hold...while I never totally gave up singing...I knew spending my nights in smoke filled bars, instead of with my children was NOT going to work for me. I couldn't find my motivation.

Then one day while folding clothes and flipping through the channels...I happened across this beautiful woman; singing a beautiful song, dressed in silk, on a horse, in front of the pyramids of Egypt! "What kind of music is THIS?" I said to myself. "THIS IS THE KIND OF MUSIC I WANT TO SING!" I had inadvertently flipped on to CMT (Country Music Television) and was watching Miss Shania Twain sing "Woman in Me." I was enamored!
I probably watched CMT for the next 8 hours straight after that.

The music told stories...some sad, some funny, some silly...but they each evoked an emotion. It was wholesome music...the kind you don't have to cover your children's ears when you listen. Don't get me wrong...I was raised in Houston, TX! I have listened to Country music all of my life! I learned to call a square dance in 3rd grade! I remember there was a fight at Mickey Gilley's club just about every night! Country music had always meant rough, raucous, rabble rousing! But this music was NOT the music I had grown up to...this was music that spoke to me. I found my motivation and I was ready to get to work!

While living on base at Ft. Knox, I called a few record labels in Nashville. I knew NOTHING about the record business, but I boldly left messages asking A&R reps, if there was any room for an African-American Female Country Music singer in Nashville, TN!

Most labels didn't return my calls, but a few did and they asked me to send in a demo. I got right to work...recording the songs right in my very own bathroom...(keep in mind I told you I knew NOTHING about the record business!) After singing R&B for so many years...I think I sounded more like Toni Braxton, then Shania Twain...so many encouraged me to study the craft of Country music and if I was really serious...move to Nashville!

I listened to NOTHING but Country music for almost 3 years...No R&B, No Gospel, No Alternative...PURE COUNTRY! When I divorced...I moved to Louisville, KY made a 'little' name for myself. the highlight at the time was when I was asked to perform on the WAMZ Stage for Strassenfest! I didn't have any backing musicians at the time...so they actually helped me get put together my FIRST band!

Shortly after that, I was ready to move to the big city...I packed up my family (which now as a single mother...was a VERY scary experience) and set out on my mission to be the FIRST Black Woman to sign with a Major Country Label!

Let me first say that although I'm sure there are snakes and weasels in every aspect of the entertainment business... Country Music seems to be at the forefront! In a town where everyone wants to be a star...there are a lot of people that ONLY want to take advantage of that dream! I won't tell you any sad..sob stories...but let's just say that although I was in love with Country music... Country music was NOT in love with ME!

After some VERY HARD TIMES...I could finally see my hard work paying off!! I can tell you that my "people" were in the early stages of a VERY HARD FOUGHT FOR negotiation with a MAJOR Country Music Label in 2001...When the musical "tsunami" hit Music Row in Nashville. It WIPED OUT almost all of the Independent Country labels...and most of the Major Country labels seemingly Over Night! Including the label we were in negotiations with only weeks before. I tried to quickly turn to the few labels left afloat...but they were too scared to take a chance on me! It was over... all of those years...all of the sacrifice... over!

With my head held high, and my heart broken...I had a decision to make.. did I want to continue to try to be a great singer? or did I want to dedicate myself to being a great Mother? It was really a "No Brainer