Retta Brings Originality to Performing

Normally when we listen to a new (to us) artist it's for an original performance. We don't always want to hear someone like someone else. Retta is a songwriter and performer who sticks to a path for her, even if that is different from others. Perhaps especially if it's different from others!

She recalls early times around the entertainment business, growing up around entertainers at a restaurant frequented by celebrities. "My family ran a pretty famous restaurant in Southern California. A lot of industry talent would eat there after concerts or when they had business meetings with their management, publicists, agents etc."

Retta continues "I was swayed to the music industry by Chris Lemmon (son of Jack Lemmon). He would come to the restaurant (Tip's) while he was attending Cal Arts (California Institute of Arts). He'd play the piano in the dining area & sing, "Sentimental Journey" to me. I remember feeling so special & thinking that I wanted to make people feel that way too."

Today as an entertainer she can make that step to make people feel special. Life hasn't always been bright and cheery.

She tells of a low point. "Unfortunately we (my husband & I) have suffered the loss of babies, to miscarriage and to stillbirth." She mentions three songs in particular that helped in those low times - "Glory Baby" (Watermark), "Homesick" (Mercy Me) and "Held" (Natalie Grant) - and has through that felt and seen the difference music can make on a personal life.

What songs would she like to cover as a performer? Several come to mind there too. "I think I'd do a mix of different artists; Kenny Chesney's "Baby You Save Me", Shania Twain's "You've Got A Way", Little Big Town's "I'm With The Band", Ray Bolts "The Anchor Holds", "You've Got A Friend" by Carole King, "Ode To Billy Joe" by Bobbie Gentry/Janis Joplin (either version) & "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner."

With her own songwriting she has captured life in songs like "Grandma's Bag of Tricks."

A life/career memory goes back to childhood as the memory of a lifetime. "Sitting with Bette Midler as a child, hearing about her career as well as the ins & outs of the industry as far as she was concerned."

The listening to stories from experience is invaluable in any industry but perhaps more so in the entertainment business. Be it as a performer or a writer there are many wanting to steal the dream.

Retta holds the course to her future. With a clear view of where she wants to be it's through the windshield not the rear view mirror that her sights are set.

"In 3 years I'd like to be living closer to the industry and be more active in industry events. In 5 years I'd love to have at least a dozen songs that have hit high on the charts with me as the artist, a handful of songs written for bigger, "labeled" artists and be rated one of the top 10 Indie artists."

Retta has a solid footing and moving forward with advice to others chasing the music dream. "Don't ever give up!!! No matter what happens, keep reaching for your dreams. Measure your success by how many hearts you touch, not by how many albums you sell."