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RIMC:
How long have you been in the
business?
Artist:
OMG, since I was 15! I really got paid to
do a gig at the Biltmore Hotel in my first professional band in which
I was a member with John & Vinny Pagano (we grew up together
streets away and went to elementary school together), Mergie Ford (my
first real high school sweetheart), Glen Polce, my
brother David Tavares, and Billy Viera- where in the world is Billy
these days?? Our band name was "Synergy," thanks in part to my brother
Chico Santos!! LOL! He said it was "Synchronized Energy!” Sounded
good to us!! Lol!
RIMC:
Who inspires or influences you
musically?
Artist:
Chaka Khan, no doubt! Brian McKnight,
Maysa & Incognito, Rachelle Farrell, Lalah Hathaway, Angie Stone when
she was with Vertical Hold! Eric Benet, the Brand New Heavies &
Loose Ends- miss them LOTS!
RIMC:
What would your fans be surprised
to know about you?
Artist:
That I am a chicken! I’m afraid of almost
ALL bugs (morel mushrooms, bags blowing in the wind- don't ask)! I’d kill
a bug for my baby daughter but it kills ME to do
it!!! LOL! I am VERY shy, I hate large crowds and I drink LOTS of
wine to get me to even DO a gig! LOL! Also that I am one
of Jehovah's Witnesses baptized on New Years Day in the year 2000 and
studying since I was 13 years old. STOP wishing me happy
birthday already! :)
RIMC:
What CDs are you personally
listening to now?
Artist:
I’m always, ALWAYS listening to Chaka Khan
(especially since I am teaching my 5 year old Chaka's harmony sense
DAILY- and she GETS IT- yahoo!).
I also listen to (and win) a lot of stuff from The Groove Boutique!
RIMC:
What movie would you say could be
your life story?
Artist:
Geesh, did “I” write these questions? I’d
have to say, a lot of, “What’s Love Got to Do With It” unfortunately.
These days I would say any movie classic that’s a “Love Story” because
that is what my life is now, a true Hollywood love story!
RIMC:
Who are your favorite local
artists?
Artist:
I have to say that I have exactly 2 hand fulls
of my favorite local musicians- that would be 10 in all! Here
goes:
My big sis,
Shawnn Monteiro, no doubt! I
still remember my first ‘train case’ she gave me for my make-up and
toiletries as a gift at the old Allery’s (on South Main Street) one
night we sang there when I turned 19 or 20 I think! I also
remember my first bout of the goose bumps when we sang together that
night. I remember her teaching me how to write the lyrics to a
song I was about to sing quickly, and stage outfit making in the
middle of the afternoon. Rehearsing at Berkley School of Music
with Freddie Fox, Alex Bugnon, Michael Faulkner, Jeff Anderson and the rest of
the boys was a blast! Where does the
time go??
Gilda Betancourt-
hands down, just LISTEN to her and there's nothing left to say!
Lisa Couto-
the baddest white girl around! :) She "gets" me, it's
cool!
I don't think I have to say this much anymore but,
Norman "Chucky" Gray
and I have a 'family' type harmony without the same blood which always
gives me goose bumps.
John Vaughan,
I don't call him Bad Boi for NOTHIN'! He's so bad I can't
even EXPLAIN it and his ears are ridiculous!
Mac Odom,
what can I say- he and I have the same DEPTH and there has been NO ONE
that has been able to kick Chaka & Rufus OLD SCHOOL duets with me
better than he!
Michael Vincent Davis,
because he's a DAVIS what the heck else? No, really- Mike has
got one of those vibes (or should I say VYBE) that grabs you and won't
let go. When he gets deep, there's a point of no return and you
always NEED him to be there to give you FOUNDATION! Nothing like
it in the world, to be so grounded- by someone ELSE, in your naked
singing existence!
Greg Hanson-
since the first day I heard him, I KNEW he wasn't from here!
WHAT? Blown away ain't the word no more.
Danny Monteiro-
Other than being a great singer, it's not always about the music.
Danny has got to be one of the most humble people around and truly
wants the best for everyone. He is a friend for live for REAL!
Rachael Valentine-
Besides being my sister in Faith, this girl KILLS me!! One of
the best of the best.
My most 'proud of' local artist would be my cousin
Lorna Jean,
keep up all the good work girl!
I still have a few more favorites, but I figured I'd save them for the
NEXT questionnaire! ;) I love you all for doing your thing!
It's what makes us all different and exciting.
RIMC:
What’s your favorite food?
Artist:
Being a personal chef, I love a lot of food but I'd have to say
"Mexican", for life!
RIMC:
What other talents do you have?
Artist:
Wow, I am a licensed hairdresser TRYING to
retire!! LOL! I am a personal Chef with my own little NevaOva
Catering company, I design and make clothes and drawn clothing designs
and wanted to go to RI School of Design instead of Hairdressing school
and had a tussle choosing at the time, but hairdressing won out
because I needed the license to work a job I was already given!
RIMC:
What do you do or what gets you in
the mood before you perform?
Artist:
WINE! :)
RIMC:
What has been your most
embarrassing moment?
Artist:
I fell off a chair at the CV Club one night
because my heel got caught in my extra long skirt…plus I had LOTS of
wine! Stop laughing CiCi! :)
RIMC:
What has been your proudest moment
in life so far?
Artist:
Marrying the man of my dreams, my husband
Ronnie and having my daughter Renzi Lyn.
RIMC:
If you ever won an American Music
Award or Grammy, who would you thank and why?
Artist:
Jehovah God, my parents for having me and
loving me no matter what especially my Dad for being my number one
fan, my husband for being the biggest support of
my life and my absolute best friend in the world, my daughter for
taking ‘care’ of me and for inspiring me to be the best Mom in the
world. Every musician I had the PLEASURE of working with, especially
NuVybe because it has to be the BEST unit I have EVER sang with, and
most of all, anyone who ever listened to me and ‘got it.’
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