BM:  Hello Antwaun…

AS: Hello!

BM:  You are a remarkable young man…a busy one at that.  Not only are you a recording gospel artist, but you are a college scholar as well.  Tell me more about Antwaun Stanley.

AS:  Well, Antwaun is a 21 year old guy from Flint, MI who loves God, loves family and enjoys traveling, spreading the Good News through music ministry.  That just about sums me up in short.

BM:  It warms my heart to hear of young people on fire for the Lord!  So how did your music career get started?

AS:  It all started when I was three years old.  One night, I was sitting at a little kids table while my mom was preparing dinner in the kitchen.  She'd always hum a tune here and there, but this night, in particular, was unique because it was this day she'd discovered my "advanced" singing ability.  She sang a bit of the tune, "Amazing Grace Shall Always Be (my song of praise)."  After she pauses for a moment, I finish the song and the rest is history! ha-ha...it was this benchmarking moment that would play a major factor in the course of my life.

My first singing gig was at one my great grandmother's birthday parties.  And I made my first national appearance on BET.  There was a talent search that was held and out of 25,000 aspirants, I was one of ten finalists to make it on the show, which ultimately led to a demo contract with Motown Records.

BM:  And you’ve been in the music industry for how long now?

AS:  I've been involved in the music industry for about 13 yrs now.

BM: With such a busy schedule, you must have an awesome support group. Consisting of whom?

AS:  Besides having an awesome mom, I also have a great team of people who help me:  Bishop Andrew and Pastor Viveca Merritt (Bajada Records, Straight Gate Int'l Church in Detroit, MI., Jonathan Merritt, Veda Brown (Black gospel promo), Tina Stephens and April Washington (radio servicing) and Bill Carpenter (my publicist).  They are truly wonderful people of God.

BM:  So music has been your passion since your childhood?

AS: Oh yes!  I've always been inspired by some of the experiences and musical abilities of people such as Darryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, the Winans Family, Helen Baylor, Celine Dion, Brian McKnight, and Luther Vandross, just to name a few.  I pull what I want from others to help build myself as an artist.

BM:  If you weren’t in the music industry what would you be doing?

AS:  I'd probably be teaching.  I enjoying education and helping others, especially young people, think about life as it relates to them and solutions to problems we all face.  I also like making music with others.  Sometimes, I'll get together with friends to have a jam session or whatnot...its fun!

BM:  Do you think you would take on that as well sometime in the near future?

AS:  Possibly.  If I do, it'll probably be the latter part of my life, after I've felt that I lived through a few good experiences and have run the whole gamut of life enough to teach full time.

BM:  What do you do for fun when you’re not working or studying?

AS:  In my down time, I like to just chill…go see a movie, bowl, swim, grab a bite to eat with a few peeps, write, or maybe even go out on a limb and try something new…it depends on the mood that I’m in…

BM:  Who inspires you both spiritually and musically?

AS: Really, I'm inspired by God, my family, other Christian artists and all those who earnestly seek God with an open, pure heart. 

BM:  How do you keep the momentum going with all the projects you have?

AS:  One, I believe having a solid relationship with God is most important.  With a good relationship with Him, everything else lines up.  I also sit and prioritize things and think of what works at what particular time and what doesn't.  I also have to credit those who help and always give me words of encouragement.

BM:  Tell me about your current CD “I Can Do Anything!”

AS:  Aside from being a wonderful CD project, its also my first! I Can Do Anything,” says that I can do all things, but it’s only through Christ who gives us the strength Philippians 4:13- one of my favorite scriptures.

After growing up in a single-parent home, making it though high school to completing my sophomore year in college, being signed to three major record deals, which all folded under various circumstances, to releasing my first national CD project, I really feel as though I can do anything!  God is so good!  He’s been with me every step of the way and hasn’t failed me yet! 

BM:  Did you write and produce any tracks on this project?

AS: I didn't write or produce on this project, but I did get to work with big name artists and producers like PAJAM, Noel Hall, Marcus Cole, and Percy Bady.  I am in the mode of writing for other projects down the road.  So make you all stay tuned!

BM:  Do you have any plans for a tour with this CD or collaborating with any artists?

AS:  Since the release of this project, I've been traveling the country and look forward to even more opportunities to spread the word about the project.  I do look forward to some major collaborations for the next CD, but you'll have to keep a good ear out for it...top secret! Ha-ha…

BM:  As a new artist your fan base is continually growing and you are looked at as a mentor/role model.  How do you or do you accept this responsibility?

AS:  If anything, I try to be me.  Nobody but me.  God has blessed me with a wonderful gift and I am going to do all that I can for His glory.  I take this job seriously, and as a result, I am always checking myself to make sure that I am representing Him in the best way possible. 

BM:  What advice would you give inspiring artists or anyone wanting to go into the music industry?

AS:  Have a ministry, have a message, network and make connections, know your purpose and remember to always keep God at the center!

BM:  Where do you see Antwaun Stanley in the next five years?

AS:  Extremely busy serving Jesus Christ!

BM:  Any last words for our readers?

AS:  I've already started working on my sophomore album, so lookout for that!  In the meantime, be sure to pick up your copy of ‘I Can Do Anything’ your nearest major retailer or at www.antwaunstanley.com .  You can also visit me at www.myspace.com/antwaunstanley. Please check out those sites and feel free to send me words of encouragement, and hopefully, I’ll get to a city near you!

BM:  Say hello to your beautiful mom for me and thank you for sharing your time with me and God’s Blessings to you!

AS: Thank you so much, Barakah!  Peace and blessing to you and yours.

Booking/Management: KAK Entertainment / Khadija Stanley - 810-789-6286 /khadija67@sbcglobal.net

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