RG: Share with me your feelings on the profound effect that the music of Motown has had on your life.
AW: There are a lot of eras that produced great music, great performers and great people. I think Motown is so profound for me because it was a part of the Civil Rights Movement. Motown turned out 100-plus hit songs right from the onset at a time when Blacks were virtually invisible on the radio. We had what they called 'race records.' We could be played in certain areas. Our films could be shown in certain theatres. Performers can perform in certain theatres where Whites did not perform or did not go, and that all led up to what Motown laid down. If Motown had not come, there's a possibility that Alyson Williams would not be where I am today. I am so thankful, and I'm glad that I came up in that era. I don't have anything against the 1970s and the 1980s....My records came out in the late 80s - early 90s, but thank God that I was born in the 1960s, and I was able to reap the benefits of having the music of Motown in my DNA!
RG: What are your thoughts on the current state of R&B/Soul music compared to years past?
AW: I don't know if we have enough music now that is going to stay with us the way the music of Motown has stayed. I personally think that if I knew that there was a group of people that thought to make it possible for me to be able to be heard on the radio, I'd be more careful of what I put on the radio. Right now, it's almost like I will turn on the radio one day and hear somebody just straight cussing! (Both laugh) I'm sure it's going to get to that point because we're so close to alluding to profanity as verbs, adverbs and nouns until it's only a matter of time before that's just going to be how we speak as a nation, and it's sad because there are a group of people that work hard to raise the standard in a positive and respectful manner, so that we would not be looked upon as 'savages,' 'niggers' and things with that negative conotation.
What we don't seem to realize is that because we're so busy 'keeping it real,' that when we open our mouths and those are the things that come out all the time, then we are 'low' and 'savage-like.' People who have an education of any kind - and I'm not saying you have to go get a whole bunch of Degrees - but people who have a certain decorum about themselves don't speak like that. We all cuss from time to time, and don't get me wrong, I do too (Both laugh), but we don't use it as my every other word. That is where I see a lot of today's R&B music going to, in my opinion. We just take so many chances, like 'We've got to have both an explicit version and a clean version; We've got to have someone on the record.' It's like everything fits where it fits. There's an audience who wants that, but it doesn't have to be everywhere just for you to sell some records. I think a lot of times that people say 'Oh I gotta have somebody who's doing that type of music or presentation because that's what is going to sell.' Your music should stand on it's own!
VN: VICKIE NATALE the brand is about being honest, soulful, being yourself and turning the hardships and painful situations in life into something positive like a song. The music comes from a real lady going through real situations and being able to express who I am through it all.
RG: What was that defining moment that prompted you to decide that the music business was something you wanted to pursue as a career thing?
VN: Picture this: I'm sitting down in my first grade English class, and the teacher asked us to write a short story about anything we wanted. I started writing a story about a young girl who wanted to be a singer and sing to the world. I realized I was writing my own story, and that this was ME! I knew I'd be writing songs and singing them from that point on. Now how I knew it in first grade at such a young age - I have no idea! I must have been listening to all of the Motown music my mom played when I was growing up, and when I heard it, it allowed me to escape!
RG: You've had the honor of being mentored early in your career by two talented and legendary music icons in the late Nick Ashford and his beautiful wife Valerie Simpson. How gratifying and enlightening was that experience, learning from the both of them?
VN: Having the legendary Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson as mentors is probably one of the msot amazing blessings I've ever had to date. To tell you the truth, when I first met them at their music club - the Sugar Bar in New York City - I was so intimidated and frightented! To me, they were and still are musical gods. Like I mentioned before, my mom always palyed Motown classics when I was growing up, so they were already a part of my family at home when we would sing along to all of the songs they wrote. To be invited into their Sugar Bar Open Mic family and always have access to them when I had a musical or music industry-related question to ask was priceless! They have been so giving to growing artists like myself by creating a space every Thursday night where a beginner or a professional can hone their craft. They didn't only provide the space, but also were actually there to listen and give feedback. It's still a shock to me that Nick is no longer here anymore in flesh and blood. He was a musical inspiration to me. Valerie is such a strong woman, and watching her do her thing and moving forward after her husband's passing is so inspiring. She writes, plays piano and handles business. Just being in her presence, you learn. I love them both!
RG: You are also a teacher of music. Which college did you attend to obtain your certification, and how fun is it to share the knowledge with young, aspiring artists?
VN: I received a Bachelors Degree of Vocal Performance from the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. I love music, songwriting and turning life into a song!....Sharing the art of songwriting, singing and creating fills my soul. It is also my way of giving back and keeping the music alive. It's amazing because it all comes full circle....My students have become my biggest supporters and fans, and in return, I've become their biggest fans! I've had so many students come to my shows, and I do my best to support them and spread the word about them!
RG: For a musically-talented young lady who has dreams of becoming a successful recording artist in the future, what's the best advice you can give?
VN: I have learned that you really have to believe in yourself and have a vision. Write it down and get ready to make it happen with hard work, persistence and tenacity! In addition to that, you have to be passionate about it and do the work to make that vision a reality. It's easy for me to say 'Be yourself; Keep working,' but sometimes you don't know where to start. You have this raw talent, and you are looking at every opportunity to make it happen for yourself, so I would definitely say to just create the opportunitites for yourself! Record labels are no longer looking to develop artists. They want you to come to their doorstep with fans, MP3 sales, talent, looks, et cetera. Do as much as you can on your own as possible and surround yourself with people who have the same vision as you, and want to help bring your dreams to reality. Whether it be as a producer, songwriter, music supporter or a vocal coach - surround yourself with people you can learn from and collaborate with.
RG: With you being a talented songwriter as well to complement your stellar vocal ability, what is the difference between a good song and a great song, in your opinion?
VN: Aside from all the obvious things like tone, pitch, groove, feel and lyrics, I think the difference between a good song and a great song is HONESTY! A song can be so simple, but if it's honest and coming from a real place, it will stand the test of time. An artist who writes and sings from their own experience tells the story in a different way.
RG: Of the young, up-and-coming talent that you are presently cultivating, which names should we look and listen out for in the near future?
VN: Right now I have a few artists doing great things! Most recently my protege Alessandra Guercio made it to Team Adam and Team Christina on NBC's THE VOICE. She's definitely one to watch out for! Also look out for Arianna Hanson and Veronika Jokel as well. I have been writing with Arianna for a while now and she has an amazing voice! Veronika is a fantastic songwriter who just recently released her EP. Gosh, there are so many to watch out for!
RG: What new projects can we anticipate from you in 2K13?
VN: 2K13 will be the year when my producer/director David Veslocki (www.davidveslocki.com) and I release our full-length album and music video DVD titled TIME MACHINE. In the meantime, people can stay tuned to the process and watch us create TIME MACHINE in real-time via my YouTube channel. TIME MACHINE is a concept album about a girl named 'Victoria Lynn' who travels through time to find true love, and she experiences some heartache along the way. TIME MACHINE also allows me to explore all different time periods of music and fashion as well. For the people who know me personally - they know I am a serious 'adventure' girl, and to be able to have an adventure through this music is so exciting for me! I feel like every month with each new song, I get to really develop my character of 'Victoria Lynn' while drawing upon my real-life experiences and telling my story of heartbreak and love. Let's call 'Victoria Lynn' my alter-ego! (Laughs)....You guys are in for a ride, that's all that I can say. Stay tuned!
RG: (Fill-In-The-Blank) In five-to-ten years from now, with God's will, Vickie Natale will be......Making every dream I've ever had come true, and helping others do the same! Oh and have about ten Grammys under my belt with my buddy David Veslocki. GOTTA DREAM BIG!
Most of you might not know that she's written hit songs for the likes of her mentor Chris Brown, Brandy and Alicia Keys over the last couple of years to date. Some of you may know and recognize her from the R&B group RichGirl. The vast majority of you have definitely seen and heard her voice on Chris Brown's smash hit single and video, 'SHE AIN'T YOU.' For what I've heard and witnessed thus far, I think that singer/songwriter Amber "SEVYN" Streeter is primed for big-time success here in 2K13 and beyond, and if her sizzling-hot new club-bangin' single and video for 'I LIKE IT' is a true testament to her incredible talent as a solo artist, then lovers around the world of R&B/Pop music are in for a very special treat from this amazing and stunningly gorgeous lady from Florida!
