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Michelle Williams Biography
There's much to be respected about those
"trial by fire" personalities who seize opportunities placed
in front of them by the Creator without buckling under the pressure,
those who steadfastly hold on to a focused vision and ultimately allow
faith to guide them. Vocalist/songwriter/performer
Michelle Williams is one of those people. With a steely determination
and willingness to learn, she joined Destiny's Child, one of the
best-selling female groups of all time, during a frantic period of
breakthrough mainstream success and worldwide touring. That same
fearless, faith-driven quality came in handy while jump-starting a solo
career as an inspirational/gospel recording artist with her 2002
release, Heart To Yours, much in the same way her tireless work ethic
motivated her to conquer a starring role on the Broadway stage.
Michelle Williams now utilizes those very same attributes--propelled by
her angelic, songbird-like vocals--to enter the next phase of her solo
music-making with her sophomore release, Do You Know.
Indeed, since joining the multi-platinum-selling group, the truly
blessed Michelle has shared in a staggering level of success and
exposure. She has been part of smash hit singles that set radio airplay
records. She's traveled the world over on sold-out headlining tours, won
countless awards including multiple Grammys, and performed for everyone
from the President of the USA to the King of Pop, not to mention
millions of fans. That momentum continued for Michelle after the release
of Heart To Yours, a #1 album on the gospel chart, when she landed a
stint co-hosting the Stellar Awards, recorded a duet ("Steal Away
To Jesus") with gospel legend Shirley Caesar and embarked on a
national tour with Luther Vandross and Angie Stone.
Then, while fellow group members Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland
enjoyed their own forays into successful music and film ventures,
Michelle again followed God's vision for her, challenging herself to
cross the boundaries of the contemporary music industry into the
starring role in Elton John and Tim Rice's hit Broadway musical,
"Aida." In preparation for the role of the love-crossed Nubian
princess, Michelle temporarily exited the somewhat pampered existence of
a pop music star for the musical theater grind of intense rehearsals,
vocal coaching and a schedule of nightly performances. "You know, I
only had four weeks to learn everything," Michelle says. "I
had so much to digest. If they weren't teaching me one thing, they were
teaching me something else. It's been truly awesome. I never dreamed of
this, coming this far with a Broadway show under my belt, especially a
major one. 'Aida' is a major show."
It is with that same positive outlook and unwavering vision that
Michelle conquered the role, a process she readily likens to the daring
move to join current R&B/pop's most popular girl group. "It was
similar to what I had to go through when I joined Destiny's Child,"
acknowledges Michelle. "That's why I didn't give up. When I get in
a situation like that, I think of where I am and where God has brought
me. I figure that if I stick with this situation, I could only go
higher. Now that I've done 'Aida,' it's like I should be able to do
anything."
Obviously re-invigorated and matured by the experience, Michelle
excitedly delivers Do You Know, a melodious excursion through
inspirational and contemporary urban-gospel styles, set to everyday
life-based testimonials that run the gamut from self-doubt and questions
of faith to bad relationships. Produced by Tommy Sims (CeCe Winans, Eric
Clapton, Kelly Clarkson), Anson & Eric Dawkins (Tyrese, Ruben
Studdard), Erron Williams, Cedric & Victor Caldwell, PAJAM (Paul
Allen & J. Moss), Solange Knowles, and Beyoncé Knowles with Soul
Diggaz, Do You Know features songs, five of which she either wrote or
co-wrote, Michelle feels are close to her own life and experiences.
"For this album--after going through so much in 2003--it was a
perfect time to do another record, because I was able to write about how
I was feeling," she explains. "There were also producers who
already had songs written, and I felt like they were written about my
life. God placed these producers in my life for this record. There isn't
one song on this record that I can't identify with."
From the brassy, uplifting rhythm of "Purpose In Your Storm"
(the set's opener) to the acoustic-textured R&B/gospel groove
balladry of "I Know" (recorded with Destiny's Child members
Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland), listeners will quickly notice that
the overall serene, mellowed feel of Heart To Yours has been replaced by
a generally brighter, uptempo vibe. Michelle reveals that the difference
has much to do with corresponding with her listening audience, as well
as feeling liberated from the perceived confines of a particular genre.
"Some of my fans from the last record were saying that there
weren't a lot of uptempo type of happy, feel-good songs," says
Michelle. "With Heart To Yours, it was like I didn't want it to be
so gospel because I was fearful of coming into gospel, coming out of
R&B. I know that the gospel crowd is very protective of that genre
of music. With any kind of music, they have to accept you. So, I felt
like I wouldn't be accepted. I thought, 'Maybe I won't do gospel, but
I'll do something similar.' But it worked out. After the first song I
did with Shirley Caesar for her record, she changed people's minds. She
said, 'You know what? I love Michelle, so you all have to love her--and
that's the bottom line.' And people like Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams
and Kirk Franklin were saying the same thing. So, I'm like, 'Well, I've
got some of the major gospel acts in my corner.' So, I'm okay with
everything."
Hence, Do You Know is comprised of contemporary-minded inspirational
selections that range from groove-laced uptempos and lush midtempos to
stunningly beautiful ballads. Sure to win the favor of her Destiny's
Child fan base are "My Only Love Is You," with its the sultry
'n' smooth R&B/dance feel; "Never Be The Same," with its
chilled, urban-styled bounce; the melodic, head-noddin' groove of
"The Incident;" and "Didn't Know," a catchy, light-bumpin'
song Michelle was inspired to write after a day out boating in Texas
with her manager, Music World Music label head Mathew Knowles and Tina
Knowles (Destiny's Child stylist).
"It was beautiful out on that boat with Mathew and Tina,"
recalls Michelle. "I said to myself, 'This is how life is supposed
to be. I'm not supposed to be around people that don't mean me any good,
who make me depressed and stressed out.' That next morning, I just wrote
about what I was going through. I was smiling, I felt God's love and I
didn't have people around me to bring me down. The song basically says
that, 'I didn't know that I would be so happy. I didn't know I would
feel so free. I didn't know your love would change me. I live in total
victory.'"
Michelle's sophomore solo set also features her soulful voice stretching
out amidst moving ballads like the poignant, dramatic "15
Minutes"; a tranquil, heavenly "Rescue My Heart"; the
tenderly harmonious "The Way Of Love"; and the climactic,
emotion-charged title track. "One day, I was at my house washing
dishes and that song just came into my head," Michelle recalls of
the truly inspired "Do You Know." "It was like God was
talking to me," she confesses. "Basically, God was asking me,
'Girl, do you know who I am? Do you know that I will heal your heart?' I
had just gone through a break-up that had just torn me up. But I'm glad
it happened, because I was able to write about it. And the song turned
out to be healing for me. So, I took it to my brother (producer, Erron
Williams), he did his thing on the music and that's how 'Do You Know'
was born."
Ultimately, through life's examples and the musical messages throughout
Do You Know, Michelle Williams has hopes of inspiring and encouraging
with the gospel, which she'll be the first to point out as simply
meaning "good news."
For her, more than the material success, it's about communicating a
relevant message to today's generation. "I just really want to
reach out to the young people and let them know who God is," she
relays, "and how God can be there for you--and you can still be
cool. You can be cool and Christian. You can be cool and saved. You can
be cool and still express your love for Christ to the world and it's
okay."
Michelle Williams is signed to Music World Gospel alongside labelmates
Ramiyah.
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