shari a. addison- gospel’s wild card

A couple of years ago, Shari Addison was content with life as a wife and proud mother of four, working a regular nine-to-five job. Enter BET’s gospel talent competition. Inspired by the show, the Chicago native with the voice of an angel decided it was time to take a shot at her true dream. Addison, the oldest competitor, managed to place second on the show and landed a recording deal with Zomba Music label. After performing with everyone from Kirk Franklin to Yolanda Adams, Addison is ready to showcase her own solo talents on her recently released self-titled debut. –g.p.g.

On why she made the jump into a reality TV competition.
My route to BET was one of those things that I knew was God-ordained. One Sunday morning I’m getting ready for church, I’m taking a shower and I just had a thought, ‘OK, God. When are they going to have something for people that just want to sing gospel music?’ You know like ‘American Idol,’ but you don’t have to be 12 years old, because I’m [way] past that stage.

How do you balance motherhood and new-found stardom?
I’m having fun because I’m finally enjoying something that I’ve always wanted to do. I would sit at home and watch the award shows and feel like I know I’m supposed to be there. But yes, I’m still a wife and mother. When I come home … my children are still saying, ‘Momma what we gon’ eat?’ None of that has changed, it doesn’t happen overnight.

For people hearing you for the first time, describe your sound.
Whatever you’re feeling at that time in your day, you’re going to find something [in my music] that’s going to suit you. That was one thing I wanted for my CD — I wanted them to question what category to put me in. Nobody just sits down and eats the same meal every day, so it’s OK to be versatile; you want some variety.