Today, we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Linzy. Shawna was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Lumbie Mlambo.
Shawna, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My Mother (Gladys) discovered my gift of singing when I was 3 years old. Both her and my Father (Sam) would have music playing in our home and I began to sing along with the songs that were played. My Mom entered me into my first talent show at the age of 11 and I won first place with Whitney Houston’s, “The Greatest Love of All.” Following this, my Dad began working with me vocally and we as a family would often travel to different locations as I competed and performed as a vocalist.
During this time, I also created my own version of “The Lord’s Prayer” in song which was copyrighted. Those are some of the most wonderful memories with my family that I will cherish forever. I am eternally grateful to my Mother and Father for all of their love and support. It is because of their love, sacrifices, and strong values that I am the woman that I am today.
As a student, I was a member of “All Region” choir, was the sole recipient of the “Outstanding Choir Musician of the Year Award my senior year. Additionally, I won various school and community talent shows and teen pageants as well as winning the notable Miss Congeniality title.
I later received a full vocal tuition scholarship to attend Arkansas Tech University where I received classical vocal training and held various leadership positions. I also competed for and landed a spot as a performer on the university dance team. I was a member of the university choir where I was a featured vocalist and represented my university and the river valley as an official contestant in the Miss Arkansas pageant, a caveat to Miss America.
All of these experiences helped in the shaping and development of my artistic gifts and talents..
Please talk to us about your creative work and career. What should we know?
I am an independent artist (singer/songwriter) and for as long as I can remember, I have been singing and writing songs. I continue to do so to this day. It’s something that I have always enjoyed and that I love to share. I wrote lyrics to and performed the song “Jesus” which reached number #1 on an online global music platform. I once performed as a vocalist at an event attended by Vice President Joe Biden (now President Joe Biden). Most recently, I received a worldwide music distribution deal with G.M.I. R. (Grand Mountain International Records) as the inaugural winner of the JB Dondolo Global Music for Water competition with my song, “Live Love.” I have released multiple songs, all of which are available on major online music platforms. I am also a professionally represented actress and have had the opportunity of performing in commercials, plays, award-winning film and award-winning podcast. I created and performed a theme song for a global award-winning podcast, “The Water Tales” which originally aired this year. I also voiced several characters for this children’s podcast on the importance of drinking water. Most recently, I was an actor, music supervisor, and helped produce for an upcoming film based on a heart-wrenching true story. Film productions that I have been involved in can be found at: imdb.me/shawnalinzy. For more about me and my released music you can visit: https://www.shawnalinzy.com Link to My song “Live Love” (Music for Water) https://snd.click/vnbmbd Proceeds from the sale of my song “Live Love” help the mission of the JB Dondolo organization in supplying clean water and needed supplies to impoverished communities and those in need.
As you know, we’re big fans of Lumbie Mlambo and JB Dondolo, Inc. we know you’ve worked with them quite a bit as well. We’d love to hear about your experience working with Lumbie Mlambo.
I first met Lumbie at the 2019 Equanimity awards where my husband (Tim) and I attended in support of my most endeared friend who received an award during the ceremony. I was greatly inspired by Lumbie and her organization, JB Dondolo, and all that they are doing for others and the remarkable level of compassion that they have for humanity. I absolutely love Lumbie! It is not every day that you meet someone as special as her.
She has the biggest heart with the kindest, most generous spirit;she genuinely wants the best for everyone. She truly desires for all to have access to clean water, sanitation, and other necessities for survival and to be able to thrive. This is evident in the charitable and philanthropic work that she and her esteemed organization, JB Dondolo are doing on a daily basis not only in the local community but in the U. S. nationally and globally. I encourage everyone to check out the JB Dondolo organization and all that they are doing, to get involved, and to donate to this organization.
Lumbie and her organization are saving lives in their mission. It’s estimated globally, (including right here in the U.S.) that over 800,000 people will die each year as a result of unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene. A large majority of those deaths are in children under the age of 5. This is unfathomable. Yet, we have the power to help change this preventable outcome by simply getting involved to address these issues. JB Dondolo is in action making it happen which is truly inspirational and admirable!
During the pandemic the JB Dondolo organization remained vigilant in helping others with needed items and supplies, and also created masks for safety and made them available for everyone.
Experiencing this noble humanitarianism, from the start of meeting Lumbie, left such an impression on me that I will never forget. This helped to inspire my song, “Live Love.” If everyone had that level of love and compassion for others this world would be a much different and better place for everyone. To learn more about this amazing organization and how you can help, visit: https://jbdondolo.org
I encourage all artists, singers, and songwriters to enter their song into this year’s JB Dondolo Music for Water competition. I also encourage them to write to ignite a positive change and meaningful difference in the world.
This year JB Dondolo is raising funds to help Skid Row in Los Angeles. You have the opportunity to help in this mission, to help make a profound impact in the world, and in the lives of people in need. To enter your song and to find out all that’s in store with the music for water competition, visit: https://jbdondolo.org/musicforwater/
Additionally, the winners will receive a sweet music distribution deal with G. M. I. R. (Grand Mountain International Records)! It has truly been an amazing experience and I am excited for all talent that will be participating in 2021 for this wonderful and life changing initiative.
I thank God and all who voted for me and my song “Live Love. Everyone should have access to clean and safe drinking water. I am incredibly honored to collaborate synergistically with Lumbie Mlambo and her esteemed organization, JB Dondolo, in amplifying voices for water to help those in need of this vital resource. It means so much to help in creating a deep awareness and to give back.
I am beyond excited that my song is being shared worldwide with its message as a call to action. I hope that it inspires all to help in the wonderful mission of JB Dondolo and to Live Love everyday.
In addition to my song “Live Love” being shared, I still seek to find creative ways through my interactions with others, social media platforms, and my other artistic projects to inspire Living Love. I also look forward to continued collaboration with JB Dondolo.
It is a continual goal of mine to search beyond myself for a greater cause in helping others and to Live Love!
Website: https://www.shawnalinzy.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/shawnalinzymusic/?ref=bookmarks
Other: Link to my song, “Live Love” https://snd.click/vnbmbd
Music for Water https://jbdondolo.org/musicforwater/
JB Dondolo https://jbdondolo.org/
