‘The Voice’ Crooner Avery Wilson Talks Following Passion for Music

Do you see yourself as a leader in your profession? How so?

I do. I feel like my generation—Generation Z—is discouraged from pursuing their individuality. I want people to know that it’s okay to be different–and you don’t have to worry about being accepted. Don’t be afraid to express who you are. Now, I wouldn’t be honest if I said that I haven’t been afraid to pursue my own individuality. I have. And I’ve had to fight for my creativity. I’ve struggled almost every time I’ve gone into a new environment because I never know what to expect. But, I strongly believe that you have to ‘trust your creativity’ and not be afraid to be uncomfortable during the process. Your uniqueness will always be a good thing–for someone. Who cares if it’s not a good thing for everyone?

What’s it like to work with Clive Davis?

Man, it’s been incredible to say the least. He is always on his p’s and q’s and he brings the best out of me. He has quite a cadre of musical giants who are part of his living legacy: Aretha Franklin, Whitey Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Santana and countless others. I want to work hard–so that I will one day be mentioned in this long list of greats.

Can you comment on your goals over the next 5 years? Additionally, what are your goals over the course of your career?

I’d definitely like to get a few Grammys under my belt. It’s one thing to work hard, but quite another to have something to show for it I also want to open up a new lane for artists, old and new, to express art with a purpose–to own their creativity and keep their contributions fresh. You never know what’s possible until it happens, so I want to empower artists to keep striving and create a bigger impact.

Your voice is pretty amazing, but, that’s not your only talent. What instruments do you play?

I play the piano and guitar. They each create a different sensation for me. The keys allow me to convey strength and alternatively, subtlety through touch sensation. The guitar allows me to explore a wide range of acoustics through creating unique sounds.

Thank you for sharing the finer points of your journey with us. What’s the one message you want fans to know in anticipation of your album, when they listen to your songs?

My fans (‘Averyators’) will always get the real thing from me. For me, that means genuine passion. I want fans to feel like they can reach out and touch me through my music. If they are having a bad day, I want to uplift them through the message and melodies in my music. I care about my fans, personally and professionally, so I have high expectations myself. I want to deliver a quality musical experience that accurately reflects my brand and creates joy and enthusiasm for fans.

To keep up with Avery and his latest musings, follow him on Twitter: @ImAveryWilson or AveryWilson.com.

Karima Mariama-Arthur, Esq. is the founder and CEO of WordSmithRapport, an international consulting firm specializing in professional development. Follow her on Twitter: @WSRapport or visit her website, WordSmithRapport.com.