Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Evans.
Anthony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Although I’ve always loved music, I got a bit of a late start in thinking about it as a career. My parents heard me singing when I was about 16 and wondered, “did we miss something with this child?” They hadn’t done anything musical with me up until that point, but they made up for it by helping me get connected with a university that had a good music program. From there, opportunities opened up—I sang with Kirk Franklin and toured with him; I signed a record deal when I was 24, and have gone on to record 10 albums; I was also given the opportunity to be on “The Voice,” which led to countless doors opening in California. Using the skills I learned, I have been able to expand into production and vocal arranging for TV and film. It’s been great, and I’m very glad to get to do what I do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t look at my career as having traveled down a road or a path, but rather as having blazed a trail for myself. There are rewarding things that happen when you get to make your own way. In making music for the industry, it is important to be “defined” as to your style and genre—to have a specific sound, and that was not me. I did, and still have a sound that crosses genres. I was being true to me, but not fitting in the industry. So, initially, it was very hard for me to find a place. I had to tailor-make (customize) a career that fit me. I did not know at the time that I was blazing a trail, but I had to take the time to find my own way of doing music. It has worked well for me, even though it delayed the gratification. The successes have been very rewarding because figuring it out myself subsequently led to me owning all of my art.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a gospel artist first. That is what I started doing in 2004 when I released my first album. But…I went to LA 10 years ago in response to a call to perform on the TV show, “The Voice.” From that connection, one of the artists from the show asked if I could stay and work on a project for them. That eventually led to a whole new career path…vocal arranging, contracting, and production. Doing this led to the start of my own production company. My team at Sherman James Productions puts on tours and events, as well as developing book projects. We’re actually working on our third book right now, so we can officially add author to my work list. Things just keep moving forward. I adapt, embrace the change, and create as it happens.
I think right now, I’m most proud of the latest project from my production company. It’s a book that I wrote with my family, Divine Disruption. Unfortunately, we lost my mother a couple of years ago and we discuss in the book how to hold on to your faith when life breaks your heart. As I look at the picture on the cover of this book, I think, “What a treasure!” It’s a legacy and a beautiful way to capture our history for the generations of my family to come.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think gratitude, coupled with ambition. Maybe another way to say it is the wherewithal to push in…resilience…being grateful for where you are, but having the foresight to see where you want to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anthony-evans.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyevansjr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthonyevansmusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnthonyEvansJr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/anthonyevansofficial
Image Credits:
Justin Ervin
Pharris Photography
John Rouse
