Avery Wilson can’t help it. He’s got talent oozing from every pore. A professionally trained dancer, instrumentalist, pop and R&B crooner, he’s been singing ballads since the age of eight. Avery debuted on the music scene as a celebrated member of Cee Lo Green’s team during season three of the “The Voice.â€
Newly signed to Bet I Penned It/RCA Records, this Sean “The Pen†Garrett and Clive Davis protégé has been wooing audiences young and old with his smooth, buttery vocals. While others reach for autotune, Avery simply reaches for a microphone. With his latest single, “If I Have To,†which just debuted on NBC’s “The Voice,” he’s giving his fans the music they have been asking for.
BlackEnterprise.com caught up with this native Hampton, CT crooner to discuss the catalyst for pursuing his dreams and how he is leading the way in the music industry.
BlackEnterprise.com: You’ve shared widely that your father was an early supporter and inspired you to pursue a career in entertainment since childhood. What words of encouragement do you remember the most?
Avery Wilson: I remember singing along with a song on the car radio when I was 8 years old while my dad was driving. He immediately turned the radio off. He said, “Avery you’re going to have to stop all the other pursuits to nurture this talent … a talent you don’t quite know that you have.†Although he had always been supportive of my dancing and other extracurricular activities, it was clear that he wanted to push me to pursue my options as a vocalist. He taught me that hard work and confidence would be the catalysts for my success. And because my dad always showed so much enthusiasm for everything that I did, I always felt comfortable in my own skin.
It’s great that you received support from your family from the very beginning. Even still, you must have had some challenges along the way. What would you say that your greatest challenges have been?
Learning to be open, vulnerable and take risks. Also, gaining the confidence that my dad taught me about as a child. I had to learn how to hold a room with my presence and become a compelling vocalist. That was a process. Although I had a lot of practice singing for family friends, I could not fully appreciate what was required until I was exposed to environments that challenged me completely.
You sing various genres of music. What are your favorites?
I love pop, rock, gospel, R&B and so much more. They each have a unique mechanism that helps me to tap into specific emotions, believe and deliver the core messages embedded within each song.
Check out Avery Wilson’s experience working with Clive Davis on the next page …
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.