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5 questions for: Anthony Hamilton
Ebony, Oct, 2006
When Anthony Hamilton appeared on the R&B music scene in 2003 with his first CD, Comin' From Where I'm From, audiences got an intense dose of the finger-popping, neck bone-loving, fedora-wearing (tilted to the side, thank you), God-fearing soul singer who didn't quite fit the industry mold. Still an enigma after releasing Ain't Nobody Worryin', his third album, the 35-year-old Hamilton smacks of old school (think Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers. Sam Cooke) with his gritty, bluesy vocals and down-home lyrics. Hamilton's own sound is pure Southern-bred soul, as evidenced by "Sista Big Bone," a tribute to zaftig women, and "Ain't Nobody Worryin'," the conscious-raising title track. "I really feel honored to be compared to the likes of Bill Withers, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and Al Green ... the greatness of those heroes," Hamilton says. During a conversation with EBONY, the singer/songwriter discusses his music, spirituality, marriage and his trademark hats.
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1. What does this project, your third album, mean to you as a musician?
This particular CD means growth as a man, spiritual growth [and] the desire to be in love and sharing that feeling. It means that people are behind the Hamilton movement!
2. How's married life [to Tarsha McMillian, who can be heard on "Preacher's Daughter"] going?
Being married has always been a dream to me--to share the rest of my life with someone, to grow old and wise together. Tarsha has added so much life to my existence. She's a powerful and supportive woman, wife and mother. I see it all in her; and as each stage infolds, I'll await in such happiness. The desire to better myself deepens with her love.
3. Was successfully incorporating your gospel roots into your music difficult to do? Also, what has been your proudest moment professionally?
My gospel roots are embedded in me, so it's hard to separate it from my music. It's a solid part that will never change. It pulled itself off ... My proudest moment professionally has been to see Comin' From Where I'm From touch so many lives and marriages.
4. You appear to be spiritually grounded. At one time in your life, were you not more into the street life?
I was never known as a drug dealer. I tried it for a very short while. It was a dead-end. A road with no future. Besides, I couldn't stand seeing people weakened by a substance. Thank God I didn't love it. So if you slangin', you will end up hangin' yo' self.
5. You have a distinctive style and hats seem to be an important part of your look. Where do you get your hats? If you were not Anthony Hamilton, soul singer and songwriter, what would we see you doing right now?
My hats come from all around. Isabella Soul, Rod Keenan, Kangol, Block,
Makins and truck stops around the country ... If I wasn't singing, I would be cutting hair and talking about singing to everybody who sat in my chair. Sangin'!
COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
