Lena Byrd Miles is a Bay Area gospel singer, and she was present for the 37th annual Stellar Awards which aired on Aug. 7. Miles spoke with rolling out at the awards show to talk about her experience, and what inspired her to create her upcoming project.
How was your experience at this year’s Stellar Awards?
I just can’t even put it into words. I think because my album is coming in September it’s different this time than the other two times that I came and I had singles that were released. Now I’m anxious to get my music out with a full body of work. I’m very excited, encouraged, and inspired by those who won, and just kind of seeing how they handle themselves. Not that we do it for the awards, but it is encouraging for some to keep going when you see those in the industry excel and be so great at what they do in their presentation.
What was the inspiration for your upcoming project?
There were several things, and it started from my childhood. In one of the songs, we’re talking about how I started singing as a young kid in Church of God in Christ and you know, doing things with the Sunshine Band in my grandfather’s church, so I have inspiration [from] there up to adulthood. I pulled stuff from my years of experience, as far as things that have happened in my life, and even my journey with using my social media to get where I’ve gotten because that’s been a big tool. There are so many things that I can’t even list them all.
Who inspires your music?
I grew up listening to so many people. You can start with The Winans, The Clark Sisters, and The Hawkins Family. James Moore was a big staple in our house because my mom is a minister of music. Then you think of your choir masters like O’Landa Draper, Ricky Dillard, and even when Kirk Franklin came on the scene. I also listened to Andraé Crouch and The Rance Allen Group. So that’s why I say you can go from each side of the spectrum with me and gospel because as a kid growing up, we had to sneak to listen to secular music.
