Sonya Isaacs: Aiming For The Big Sky
Sonya Isaacs: Aiming For The Big Sky
Sonya Isaacs, 2007 Inspirational Country Music Award’s Female Vocalist of the Year, has enjoyed success in her life and her music. Her outstanding vocals have landed her on numerous
charts including Billboard’s Country chart. She has recorded with legends in Country music such as Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Steve Warner, Jason Sellers, Chely Wright, Joe Diffie and has enjoyed working with Vince Gill in the studio. Sonya knows the feeling of being signed to a major label, Lyric Street, and recording in the studio with the best producers in the industry.
Sonya made an appearance in the IMAX film titled “Our Country”, a film about the history of Country music. She has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and was also a guest on the show “A December To Remember” that aired on GAC with Aaron Tippin & Family.
Having been born into the talented and award winning singing family “The Isaacs,” it is no surprise that Sonya has also conquered the art of playing the mandolin. In 2005, she was presented a new signature Sonya Isaacs Gibson F5 Mandolin designed to her specifications, and has consistently been nominated for musician of the year in various award shows. One of her most treasured moments was when she received Jesus Christ as Savior at the age of six.
Some may wonder with all her success in Bluegrass and Gospel why Sonya would want crossover into Country music. The simple answer is Sonya knows Country music is an open door that can take her music to a wider audience. Her “doorman” was a man who had made a similar musical journey from Bluegrass to Country years earlier — her producer, Vince Gill.
Artist manager and publisher Mark Ketchem heard her voice on the radio while he was driving through Nashville. She was singing a Gospel hit called “I Have A Father Who Can,” and the power and purity of her A cappella vocal delivery grabbed Ketchem’s attention. “It was the best thing I had ever heard, and I just had to find out who she was. I had to talk to her,” says Ketchem.
Ketchem called Sonya and convinced her to come to Nashville by asking her to sing some Country demos for his publishing company. “I was thrilled,” says Sonya, “I’d never sung Country. I always liked it and listened to it, but never had sung it professionally.” Once Ketchem got her in the studio, her vocals sounded like she had been singing Country all of her life. When Ketchem pitched the demos with Sonya’s beautiful voice to A & R departments, all they wanted to know was, “Who’s the singer?!” Sonya was excited but reluctant as her role in the family band was crucial. “I never planned a solo career. I always dreamed that I would one day, but I never knew how.”
In 1997, Sonya Isaacs began talks with several record companies while she continued to tour 200 days a year with The Isaacs. The Isaacs made several appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. It was there that another dream was realized — Sonya met Vince Gill. “I can remember saying two years before, ‘I’m going to sing with Vince Gill one of these days.‘ I met him first and then he met the family,” Isaacs recalls. “Vince likes Bluegrass and we bonded.” Vince would call her out on the Opry stage to sing with him on “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “Real Ladies’ Man.” She didn’t know it at the time, but Sonya Isaacs had just met the producer of her first Country album.
Gill asked Sonya to return the favor and sing on his new album. He honored her by asking her to sing on “The Key,” the title song, which he’d written in tribute to his late father. They collaborated on writing a song called “Live To Tell It All,” that ended up on his album as well. Isaacs felt so comfortable with Gill that she brought up the idea of having him produce her debut album. “Vince called me at home to thank me for singing on his record, and I asked him what he thought about the idea of producing me.” To her delight, Gill agreed to do it. The result of the collaboration is a remarkably strong, consistent, and unique-sounding collection of songs that immediately established Isaacs’ own Country personality.
During the summer of 1998, Gill invited Sonya to become part of his concert tour and Country fans got their first look at this confident, experienced artist. She added acoustic guitar and mandolin to the show, and her background harmonies were perfect as she joined in on Gill classics like “When I Call Your Name” or “I Will Always Love You.” Her performance was riveting when she stepped up front for a solo spot.
Sonya Isaacs is a complete creative experience from an artist to a fulfilled human being.
Her ultimate reason for wanting to break into the Country market is to reach a broader audience. It comes down to her outlook on life. “I realize life is short,” she says. “That’s why I sometimes wear a little hourglass on a chain around my neck. It reminds me that life is short and you can only have an impact on so many people each day. I must take every opportunity to reach many people with my music. I feel when opportunity knocks on my door, I must prayerfully open it.”
The industry has the utmost respect and admiration for her music. It is wonderful and incredibly refreshing to hear not only great vocals from a woman but songs with inspiration and lyrical content relevant to your life. You can actually appreciate the amazing singing.
You will still find her writing and singing songs of Faith, Family, and Country, and watching for every door of opportunity in her path. She is currently focusing on The Isaacs recording and touring schedule and will be appearing with them at their concerts. To hear a sampling of their newest release, “Big Sky”, visit their website at www.theisaacs.com.
At a very young age, Sonya still has the world to conquer, and may she do so with the blessing of God.
This article has been reprinted by permission from Powersource Magazine.