From Music Box to City of Evil, from bluegrass to heavy metal, from The Velvet Rope to The Moment, my life has been a soundtrack of memories, concerts, and the songs that shaped my heart. 🎵💖 This is my story—told through the albums, artists, and faith that keep me singing.
My love affair with music began at age 4 with Mariah Carey’s album Music Box. I can still remember it perfectly—sitting in the loft of my Aunt’s South New Berlin home, where she lived with my Uncle Richie and my favorite cousin, Kyle. The Aiwa stereo was playing Dreamlover, and the moment I heard that high note, I was hooked for life.
Mariah quickly became (and still remains) my all-time favorite artist. This year, she’s blessing us with her 16th studio album, Here for It All, and her latest single from the album, Sugar Sweet, has already earned a spot on constant repeat on my iPhone. Her voice, her songwriting, her presence—she’s the standard I measure all music against.
Around the same time, I received my first CD: Hootie & the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View (1994). That warm, feel-good rock sound remains one of my favorites to this day.
My first country album was Clint Black’s The Greatest Hits. I loved him so much that he became one of my country idols. Then came Tim McGraw—though not in the way I expected. I told my parents I wanted a Lee Ann Womack CD because it had a song I absolutely loved (The Fool), but instead they came home with Tim McGraw’s 1999 album A Place in the Sun. And honestly? I absolutely loved it.
My mom also had Reba McEntire’s Read My Mind CD, which she played in the house before we moved to Route 7 in ’96. That album became a staple of my childhood and still holds a special place in my heart.
Growing up, I couldn’t stand bluegrass—until I gave it a real chance. The turning point was Patty Loveless’s Mountain Soul. From the first listen, I was hooked. Yeehaw indeed!
Fast forward to just before the pandemic in 2020—my sister-from-another-mister, Cynthia, introduced me to Alexandra Kay. She sent me a link to AK singing Tim McGraw’s If You’re Reading This, and I was instantly drawn to her voice. I followed her all through the pandemic when she became known as “The Coffee Girl,” and when she announced her debut album, I was all in. I bought it, saw her in concert, and even met her—and she was the sweetest ever. Now I’m counting down the days until her new album Second Wind drops on 10.24.25!
🎸 Rock & Metal Beginnings
My intro into rock began at a young age too—ironically, also thanks to my Aunt Daniela, who introduced me to Bon Jovi (or as my dad jokingly calls him, Bon Juvenile 😂). The album was Cross Road (1994), a greatest hits collection, and I loved every track.
From there, things got heavier. My cousin Kyle introduced me to Metallica, and my very first heavy metal album was their 2003 St. Anger. I had to get the edited version because I was too young for swear words, but that didn’t stop me from playing it non-stop.
That album opened the floodgates—I got into Evanescence, Daughtry, Korn, and more. My ultimate favorite metal band? Avenged Sevenfold (again, thanks Kyle!). Their City of Evil album is still one of my all-time top records—pure, unfiltered brilliance. 🤘
🕺 From Hating to Loving Michael & Janet
Just like with bluegrass, there was a time I couldn’t stand Michael Jackson. That changed in 2003 when my sister did a dance to his duet with Janet, Scream. That performance flipped a switch for me, and suddenly I was hooked on MJ’s music.
Around the same time, I was already falling for Janet Jackson. I was the ripe old age of 8 (way too young for VH1, but who cared?) when I saw her Together Again video from her iconic The Velvet Rope album. I loved the song so much, I had to get the album.
A week later, Janet’s The Velvet Rope Tour Live from Madison Square Garden aired on HBO. My parents taped it for me, though I wasn’t allowed to watch certain songs because of the language, content, and… well… Janet’s moves. But that didn’t stop me—I went on to collect all of Janet’s and Michael’s albums.
Like with Alexandra Kay, I eventually got to see Janet in concert—2023, Madison Square Garden. Finally. It was hands down the best concert I’ve ever been to. And yes… I’ve seen Mariah a ton of times by that point, and for me to say Janet topped Mariah is saying something! 😂
Kenny G was a different kind of musical discovery for me. My mom had his album The Moment, and I loved it from the first listen. That smooth, romantic saxophone became my go-to for moments when I needed to unwind. I didn’t collect as many of his albums, but The Moment remains a favorite—and when I’m in the mood for something relaxing, it’s still one I turn to.
My faith in Jesus and God is very important to me. I even have a “Follow Jesus” playlist in my iTunes library that I often turn to, filled with some of my all-time favorite faith-based songs.
One song that’s been with me since childhood is Kirk Franklin’s Revolution. My former dance teacher used it in her 2003 recital finale for A Decade of Dance, and I’ve loved it ever since.
Some of my other favorites include:
I Will Walk with You by Della Reese (Touched by an Angel theme)
Love Can Move Mountains by Celine Dion
Jesus Loves Me — traditional hymn, but I especially love Whitney Houston’s version
There’s Only One by Sara Evans
As you can tell, there are countless songs that draw me closer to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’d like to end with the opening words of Mariah Carey’s beautiful ballad Fly Like a Bird:
“Weeping may endure for a night ~ but joy comes in the morning” – Psalms 30:5
