New Artist Spotlight: Rhonda Towns

New Artist Spotlight: Rhonda Towns

By Peter Cronin

When you listen to Rhonda Towns sing a Country song, you are hearing the gospel truth. That's because, for this Phoenix, Ariz.,-based preacher's daughter, Country and gospel music have gone naturally together.

"If you listen to old hymns and gospel songs and then you listen to an authentic Country song, you realize how closely they are related," Towns said. "A good old Country Music song just takes you back to church."

Growing up in church, Towns was singing in the choir from the time she could walk. Whether it was her choir singing, public speaking, cheerleading or her daily performances at the front of the school bus, it was clear to everyone in her community where this girl was headed.

When she came under the spell of singers including Patsy Cline, Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntire, Towns fell headlong into Country Music. As a college student, she pursued vocal training and joined the gospel choir. Towns also found time to enter the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity's Miss Black Culture Pageant and, between her natural beauty and her pure-Country voice, she walked away the winner.

After college, Towns spent time working as a model, appearing on runways and in television commercials and print ads. She made her professional debut as a Country singer on Ed McMahon's "Star Search" and emerged as a Champion Female Country Artist. These days, Towns divides her time between Phoenix and Nashville, where she has appeared on shows for the Black Country Music Association and signed autographs at the BCMA's booth at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville.

Working with veteran producers Harold Shedd (Alabama, Shania Twain), Norro Wilson (Kenny Chesney, George Jones) and the late Jim Cotton, Towns recorded I Wanna Be Loved by You, her debut album, which was released on Dawn Records on April 25. The album's title song and leadoff single was written by Music Row veterans Bernie Nelson and Shane Teeters.

IN HER OWN WORDS:

Who is your musical hero?

"Reba McEntire."

What do you sing in the shower?

"'The Lord's Prayer.'"

What actress would portray you in a biopic about your life?

"Halle Berry."

What word or phrase do you find yourself saying over and over again?

"No Pain, No Gain."

If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?

"Rhonda Towns, Finally Fulfilled."

When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?