Saundra D

Saundra D. Norfleet was born Sandra Diane in Memphis, TN on January 15th to a hard working mother of five daughters, Willie E. and father, Willie C. Butts, a gospel singer who sang with such groups as The Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Oris Mays Singers and the El Supremes.  Young Saundra was raised in a home full of music.  She was reared in a strong Christian home and began singing in the church choir at the age of five where she discovered that music would be her passion. Outside of her church life she began to sing in the choirs of the various schools she attended and became active as a cheerleader captain and a majorette. Long before this rising star began to write and arrange songs, she sang in the Overton High School Gospel choir in Memphis and performed in school drama club plays. After graduating from high school, Saundra moved to the state of Washington where she briefly attended Washington State University with the hopes of obtaining an accounting degree. When she became pregnant with a son, Marquael, she decided to relocate back to her roots in Memphis. Shortly after, Saundra was encouraged by her oldest sister Marilyn to sing in night clubs. Having been rooted in a religious household, singing in a club was ruled as taboo to her parents and grandparents. The idea was intriguing to Saundra so Marilyn began to book her gigs appearing as a special guest for several Memphis groups. After astounding the clubs audiences, Saundra knew that singing and performing was her passion and began singing as a jazz artist performing on the infamous Beale Street in some of Memphis most prominent Clubs such as the Royale, Willie Mitchells, The New Daisy, The Family Affair, This is It and the Four Seasons.

Sandra remarried in 1986 and left the music scene for 11 years. During that time period she gave birth to her a daughter, Erika, and three years later to a second son Brandon. Once her children grew older, Saundra returned to the scene in full form. She established her own production company, Midnight Blue Productions and produced a female trio called Midnight Blue later changing the groups name to IImage. The trio quickly became one of the hottest groups throughout the south and well on their way to the top. Saundra soon took the group in the studio to record their first album. Her song writing talents along with the music production of Bobby G. Summers produced several hits such as Late at Night, Could have been You, and I Can Make a Living (Nine to Five). The trio began performing all over the country opening and performing on shows with such artists as Lattimore,  Ollie Nightingale, David Brinston, OB Buchanan, Bobby Rush and many more. Unfortunately, as in most cases, one of the members was unable to handle the fame and the group separated due to personal conflict. Saundra lost her life savings in this investment and soon after she divorced and left the music scene once again in a deep state of depression. 

Returning to the music scene after being away for more than seven years, Saundra began singing background for blues artists Denise LaSalle, Bill Coday, Barbara Carr and J. Blackfoot. Growing tired of the blues scene, she began performing on Beale Street with house bands as their main attraction in Club 152 and Isaac Hayes, in addition to the Boss Club in Smokey City. Saundra found her home with one of the hottest bands in Memphis, Tayolang, with whom she wrote lyrics for what should have been their first single Its All About Loving You. Soon becoming the house band for the Gipson Guitar Factory and performing in several big ticket shows and being inducted as the only band assigned to the Millington Naval Base, conflict arose at the height of their career. As common with most talented musicians, egos began to flare; and unable put aside their differences the band soon separated.  

Saundra finally found the love of her life and soul mate when she married Charles Norfleet. He encouraged her to pursue her dream, and has given his full support. And, after years in the making, with much determination, the dream has finally become a reality. Saundra D is recording her first solo album entitled, Itz My Tyme with Fleet Entertainment ABAC and SWISH! Music Group, a Division of KIASHA Entertainment LLC. Featuring songs written and arranged by the artist herself, Saundra D felt it would be of great importance to express in her song lyrics the pain and struggles she incurred in life and the road back into the spot light of the rising star herself, Saundra D.

 Saundra Ds Aspiration:

        Saundra D has a vision to promote Stop The Violence Concerts in an effort to reduce violent crime in the Memphis area and nationwide

Keeping Positive Reactions In a Challenging World, Saundra Ds Motto