DeVonn
Toledo, Ohio, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Devonn Lewis is older than most debut musical artists. But with age comes life experiences that can be tapped for vivid songwriting, instrumental mastery and production expertise. Mr. Lewis - singer, keyboardist, guitarist and bassist - is releasing "Word Is Bond," a 13 track disc that will be available at Allied Records and Sound Asylum beginning Nov.14 of 2007 for promotion. A rhythm and blues CD with "a splash of hip-hop.
"Word" uses updated R&B sounds as the songs touch on all aspects of relationships-the joy of love ("Steppin Out"), commitment ("My Love Don't Change") and loss ("Baby Don't Go"). It's especially introspective on love-gone-wrong on the final cut ("Wake Up"). "A lot of times we don't realize how much we abuse each other in relationships," he said about "Wake Up." "That's the reason I'm definitely talking about it." Throughout the 46-minute Cd, vibrant backup singing interlaces with accomplised musicianship for a full, rich sound vibrating off the thump-thump of the bass. "I want to get to a new music, like they did in the Motown era except put a new spin on it," Mr. Lewis said.
"A lot of the youth don't hear the instrumentation enough. I want to kind of bring that back." The artist is 36, old enough to have honed his musical skills but young enough to appreciate-and write- good rap.
The "splash" of hip-hop comes across strongest on "Diggin On U" and "Get Yo Party On," tunes that start out R&B veer once and again into rap, then return to their roots.
The human emotion that has catapulted R&B songs into the charts over the decades - sexual desire - comes across powerfully in Mr. Lewis "Let Me Drive U Crazy" and "Freak N You." The accelerated beat of "Drive U" makes a listener almost feel she's in the cadillac in the song. Mr. Lewis, a Toledo, Ohio native, has drawn upon personal experiences to create his CD, including eight years of living in Los Angeles, Except for the 10th cut, "Happy," all are his own lyrical and musical compositions.
"I try to put a message behind everything I do," he said. Mr. Lewis, like many men, has experienced love, marriage, father-hood and divorce. His "Freak N You" reassures the listener that desire always returns after loss and heartache. "there's a market for adult music now, demographics for 25 and up," Mr. Lewis said. "That's the market I'm really trying to reach." Mr. Lewis has been invited to audition at the Apollo Theatre in New York on Dec.3, 2006. In the meantime, he plans to begin touring of local establishments, beginning Nov.4 at the Peacock Cafe' on Monroe Street, with showtime set for 9 p.m. - By Toledo Journal Staff
Brandi Brown had this to say concerning the event: "Toledo definitely has talent and the response has been overwhelming and it's a great opportunity for any aspiring artist." The twelve finalist:
Tonya Issac, Mona Bills, Tracy, Leigh Ashley, Shanda Gordon, DeVonn, Tymara Spears, Charles Johnson, Water, Adriant Gardner, Katrina Hill. - The Sojourner's Truth story by Michael Hayes
Discography
Currently added to Clear Channel Broadcasting New Artist Online radio IHeartradio stations. www.iheartradio.com/new2/artists/i/277419?psid=388450
Currently added to Jango Music Network Radio. http://www.jango.com/music/DeVonn
Beautiful Blessed Woman rated in top ten singles from RROnline Direct to Radio Programmers. www.rradiomusic.com/artistsrap/devonn.htm
Maxi - Single "Beautiful Blessed Woman." also includes "Somebody Like You" and "Nothings Impossible." Cuts taken from the forthcoming CD "Take It 2 The Bridge."
New full length CD "Take It 2 The Bridge" coming October 2010. Available for download @ Itunes, Rhapsody, Amazon.com, Napster, Emusic and more... Physical CD's will be available in selected cities and locations, which will be announced.
Promotional EP-"Word Is Bond" 13 songs 2006/2007. Third Place contestant @ The World Famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY.
Opening Act for national recording artist: Tyrese, Donnell Jones, Urban Mystic, Keith Washington, Al Hudson & One Way,
Ty Tribbett & GA, and Zapp.
Photos
Bio
In 1985, Devonn started out on his journey to become a professional recording artist and producer. Devonn's first production deal was in Detroit at a studio called The Disc. This is where he learned the tricks of the trade from a ground floor level. He went on to produce his first hit single that did very well in Europe entitled "Let Me Drive You Crazy." The song played about two and half years, where he did receive foreign royalties. By 1988, Devonn moved to Los Angeles where he signed on as a independent through Solar Records.
The album was never released because the Solar studios and company was sold out to Suge Knight for Death Row Records. Now after relocating back to Ohio in 1996, Devonn has been a force in the Northwestern Ohio region. He has helped on production with such artist as: Lyfe Jennings, Jay Rush, Ray Stone, CJ Mack, NDemand, Trumptight, Shayla and more... Also in 2007, Devonn won third place at the World Famous Apollo Theatre in New York and released a promotional album entitled "Word Is Bond. Finalist performer of Urban Broadcast station Mix 95.7 to be opening act @ "Mistletoe Jam Concert Series" December 17, 2008 in Toledo, Ohio. Tenor singer for New Season (Adult Choir) @ Family Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio directed by Pastor Terri McBee and music director Pastor George Bostic Jr.
Now in 2010 look for the new maxi-single entitled "Beautiful Blessed Woman" with bonus tracks available. DeVonn was also voted one of Toledo, Ohio's best local talents by The Toledo Journal. DeVonn continues to grow and moves forward in his career, despite trials and tribulations he is on the road to major success as a solo artist and producer.
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