Tamia's Beautiful Surprise concert at McGlohon Theatre in Charlotte on Wednesday June 12th, brought throngs of fans who have waited a long time to see the Canadian-born bombshell on tour again. Tamia did not disappoint.
At the age of six, she knew she wanted to sing. As blessings would have it, she was gifted with a powerful voice. Maybe she knew at six that her voice would take her to places many have dreamed of for all their lives.
View slideshow: Tamia performs at McGlohon Theatre
After the show and greeting fans, Tamia gave an exclusive interview to Examiner.com.
Tamia took the stage and her music took life.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of G Will Photo
The Show
In an intimate setting, Tamia was fully in charge. Delivering songs in the same form a writer uses to pen a heartwarming love story, Tamia takes the audience from the beginning of love to the climax.
Her show began with Can't Get Enough and Almost, from her "Between Friends" album. It speaks of a love that could have been. She then hits high notes with Officially Missing You, Missing You and a snippet of Sweet Thang.
An awe inspiring acapella version of Smile stirs the crowd. It speaks to the hidden troubles a person might go through that pride won't allow them to reveal. Her background singers, Sheri Hauk and Kim Mont, rise to the occasion adding harmonious complement to Tamia's soulful delivery.
At one point in the show an engaged couple rose to dance as though no one else were in the room. They were lost in each other as Tamia serenaded them from the stage.
Of course the show would not be what it was without songs from Tamia's latest album, "Beautiful Surprise", the second release on her Plus One Music Group label. One lucky fan, received a beautiful surprise of his own, as Tamia pulled him on stage to become part of her act.
Talking with Examiner
Not only is Tamia gifted in voice, she has also garnered some wisdom when it comes to life, love and family over time. Her music is only a testament to living through trials and triumphs. She discussed with Examiner how she has maintained her marriage to recently retired NBA player and Duke University alum, Grant Hill, and how they raise their daughters to become whomever and whatever they desire.
Examiner: What I wanted to ask you about was how you have managed to have a career that is close to twenty years long, and a marriage for fifteen years to a husband who has also had a twenty year career, who is also in the spotlight.
Tamia: It's definitely is a juggling act. I think it all comes down to communication and understanding of each other. When you've been with each other for so long that you accept each other obviously for who you are. And you have a lot of things that you both like, and you grow with each other.
I'm sure my husband will tell you that I'm not the same girl that I was at 25-26 now and he's not the same guy. We both have grown, but we've kept each other as a part of our growth.
I just think that when we committed to each other, we committed for the long haul as well. We've certainly seen some ups and downs in our lives, separately and together.
It's just important that you have an understanding and that you communicate, and you ride with each other.
Examiner: I notice you have started your own record label and you released "Beautiful Surprise" on Plus One Music Group, how does Grant work with you in your music, now that he's retired from the NBA?
Tamia: This is my second album that I've released independently. He's always been supportive. I listen to the music a lot before I choose which songs are going to go on the project. We talk a lot about why I like this song.
He'll be in the car and I'll have the music on and he'll say, 'You know I listened to that song that you did the other day. Oh my God it is amazing, you should definitely use it.' And we'll talk about it.
He's a part of the process in terms of creatively in just bouncing ideas off of him.
Examiner: You have two little girls. Are they going to be athlete, or will they be in the music industry?
Tamia: You know, I just want them to be happy little girls in whatever they want to do. My husband I don't believe in pushing them into whatever we want them to be. We want them to be well adjusted goodhearted human beings.
Certainly, they have passions that they like...sports, music and all of those things. When I'm not singing, I'm just their chauffeur. That's what my job is, their chauffeur. They're the stars in the house.
Examiner: What advice would you give someone who is starting out in marriage, and they have big career plans as well. How do they balance both of them?
Tamia: Certainly you can have both. You don't have to sacrifice one for the other. I certainly think it's important though, that you have a spouse that understands what your passions are.
There isn't anything worse than being in a relationship and not feeling fulfilled in what you're doing. Especially when you're with someone that has such a big light. If you're with another person who is doing amazing things.
You never really want your light to dim. You have passions and you have things that you want to accomplish in life. You can still be a great mom and a great wife, and still accomplish the goals that you set out for yourself as well. As long as you have a spouse that understands that and that encourages you to do that as well.
Examiner: One final question. What is next in the life of Tamia?
Tamia: Just sort of doing the shows and getting back out there. I promise I won't wait another five years to do another project. Just sort of getting back into the swing of things, and performing.
That's the best part. Making music is great, and doing albums is amazing. But it's really about connecting with people through music, so this is the part that I love.
Tamia's tour continues this summer and she will perform at Essence Festival in New Orleans on July 7th.
Special thanks to Tamia's PR, Michelle Huff, and manager, Ray Hammond, for facilitating this interview.