First Story Versatile; a description of A.G. Hammond’s ability to swing between musical genres. She was born in Asheville, North Carolina, a city known for its thriving art and music scene. A.G. was first influenced musically by her Mother who played Gospel, Broadway / show tunes, and popular songs on the piano, the two of them singing together. A.G. was surrounded by many genres of music, but her vibration connected to R&B / Soul and funk rock mostly. In her youth, A.G. stayed glued to a local radio station that played various music genres including 60’s and 70’s music. She was swayed by acts / artists such as The Jackson 5, Heart, Marvin Gaye, Mother’s Finest, Parliament & Funkadelic, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, CCR, Earth, Wind & Fire, Journey and Kansas…acts with powerful and unique vocalists she admired. A.G. was always singing and writing poetry and songs. She began violin in 3rd grade and played in orchestras for 9 years. She messed around on the piano creating songs and sang with touring school choirs. She was always a writer. After high school, A.G. moved to Atlanta, Georgia to attend the Art Institute of Atlanta to study commercial art. A.G. states, “It was always a toss-up between art and music, to see which one would be my career choice.”; she decided on music. During the 80s and 90’s, A.G. soaked up the influence and visual of various artists / groups, including Prince and The Revolution, Madonna, George Michaels and Boy George. A.G.’s voice is naturally alto, but with range, so she was drawn to Joyce Kennedy of Mother’s Finest, Tina Turner, Mavis Staples, Sade and Toni Braxton. She was a fan of Sam Cooke and found his influence in one of her favorite vocalists, Steve Perry. A.G. enjoyed the range of Gospel music as well and sang with different church choirs. Also, A.G. fell in love with the honesty of pure Rap when it hit the mainstream in the 80s and with 90s R&B. She says, “Hip Hop beats, especially when mixed with jazz touch my soul.” A.G. says her definitive vocal influences came from Mavis Staples, Toni Braxton, Prince, Ann Wilson of Heart and Teena Marie. The other is Tina Turner who, A.G. states, is not only a vocal influence, but her Heroine because many of A.G.'s experiences concerning domestic violence were very similar to Ms. Turner's. According to A.G., Ms. Turner’s courage gave her courage to not return to an abusive husband of 25 years. A.G., under the moniker of “Ales Gaye”, had her first real introduction to the music industry in the early 90s when a Southeastern regional magazine called “Black Radio Exclusive (BRE)” charted her single “Roses” at #1. It was a surprise to A.G. who says she appreciated this moment so much because TLC (a favorite group of hers) and Boyz II Men were competing on this chart as well. "Roses" also reached #32 on Osaka FM, Japan’s #1 radio station during this time. Another song on the same single, “Part of U” hit radio in the South stateside. A.G. toured around the Southeast gaining more notoriety, opening shows for rappers Too $hort, Craig Mack and R&B artist Tony Terry. After Atlanta, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee. In Memphis, A.G. co-wrote and released her first album “Candy Box”. At this time, the mixture of Alternative Pop, R&B, Rock and Hip Hop vibes was unusual and gained her some attention. It sold over 7,000 units on the Memphis streets “out of the trunk” and she later sold many more undocumented copies at military bases where she toured. The album included a re-make of Al Green’s smash “Simply Beautiful” and the Memphis NARAS Association ("Grammy") nominated A.G. Hammond (Ales Gaye) “Best Female Pop Vocalist”, and “Candy Box” as "Best New Pop Album". A.G. received airplay in the Virgin Islands on Isle 95 Radio with a re-make of The Police’s “Wrapped Around Your Finger” re-titled simply “Wrapped”, featured on “Candy Box”. A.G. spent years moving back and forth between Memphis and Atlanta. She grew frustrated with being an underground entertainer and with her former producer / manager / husband refusing access concerning many music business possibilities with labels and other interested parties. Although A.G. appreciated the grind, creating endless recordings of albums, performing, selling her music on the streets and in parking lots alongside bootleggers and rappers that garnered her notoriety, she desired a better life for her children. A.G. was offered an opportunity to tour military bases. While touring and promoting her album at installations and clubs, A.G. decided to join the U.S. Army and became a Broadcast Journalist. She felt she needed to try a new life direction to make a living for her family. While stationed in New York, she created a soldier’s morning show for morale at the local radio station and became a morning personality. The deejays found out she could sing and asked her for some music and played her songs from time to time. She became well-known and was asked to perform The Star-Spangled Banner at many military events. She performed in support of soldiers during 9/11, at the Statue of Liberty for 9/11 victim family members alongside USO performers, and sang The National Anthem during a special tribute at the now defunct Shae Stadium in New York City for soldiers returning from Afghanistan and for Italian and American soldiers overseas in Kosovo. A.G. continued performed at many functions on and off the military base and for community middle and high schools. She was the opening act for Willa Ford and caused quite a stir when she was interviewed for the underground Hip Hop magazine “Ill Tip” while still enlisted. After leaving the military, A.G. continued performing and recording albums, but struggled in her abusive marriage. A.G. is very vocal about her life and her children’s lives as domestic violence survivors and overcomers. After her marital separation in 2015, she spent almost a year looking for her children after her abusive ex-husband tricked local courts where A.G. lived and absconded with them. A.G. pursued her ex up and down the U.S. East Coast looking for her children. See: https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/justice-services/key-initiatives/still-standing.aspx (The first story, “Allison”) A.G. says, “Music is more than a thing I do…it is what I am made from, the vibrations coming through me, and it saved me from total mental breakdowns so many times; it gave and has always given me strength to persevere and an outlet of expression and release, and I hope my music inspires and entertains and is enjoyed by many.” Because of A.G. Hammond’s military stint, and her experiences with law enforcement, legal research for court appearances and other legal situations concerning her children and ex-husband, A.G. continues to be voraciously focused on researching law and continues to embrace a role as “unofficial advocate” for Domestic Violence, Human and Women’s Rights. A.G. also continues her relentless pursuit of the healing energy of music through production, writing and performance. https://aghammond.bandcamp.com www.soundcloud.com/aghammond https://drooble.com/aghammond https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/justice-services/key-initiatives/still-standing.aspx Mother, Sister, Aunt, Friend, Advocate, Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Lover
Breath of life, therapy, peace, a feeling of accomplishment
To share emotions in reciprocity with the audience, to continue creating audio art, tour with my band, be part of a music community.
One person at a time. Sing for and promote endeavors concerning the betterment of humanity. Continue to promote what it means to be a Survivor of Domestic Violence and continue to advocate for survivors and victims. Do things for justice in my corner of the world.
Too many to remember! Too hard, but here are a few: "Baby Love" - Mother's Finest, "September" - Earth, Wind & Fire, "Africa" - Toto, "In Your Eyes" - Peter Gabriel, "Midnight Train to Georgia" - Gladys Knight & The Pips, "Karma Cameleon" - Culture Club, "Papa Don't Preach" - Madonna, "ABC" - Jackson 5, "Off the Wall" and the whole "Thriller" Album lol Young Adult: TLC, Anything from OutKast!!!! Too many, just too many....
Again...too hard! Too many! But.... Prince, Michael Jackson, OutKast, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner, Def Leppard, Living Colour, Parliament / Funkadelic, Speech & Arrested Development, Mother's Finest, Bon Jovi, Mavis Staples, Depeche Mode, Ludacris, Any old skool Motown.....!!!!!!!! Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, (new) Justin Bieber, Chris Stapleton, Ed Sheeran, Anne-Marie, Tyler, the Creator, Chance The Rapper, Gentry - Jones, Three5Human, Reggie Headen Not enough space here!!!! LOL
Life events, emotion, being creative, world events, stress, therapy, The Creator
Different messages....survival, strength, all emotions......
I feel THEIR energy! It's amazing! Like I'm in another dimension.....
Local musician support from the audience and other musicians by purchase of tickets and merchandise, sharing online; and the never ending BS that happens with big corporate pimping needs to stop. Continuing image change for females or those who identify as, continued support for LGBTQ Alphabet Artists, Education for independent artists
I love it! Great format. But it logs out too quickly for you to save uploaded information.
Lack of local support....lack of musicians helping other muscians...music community clicks...most of us are not in high school anymore I think.
I support my local music scene by doing my best to attend peers' performances, support by purchasing peers' music and merchandise online, spread the word about other peoples' events.
Obviously utilizing sites like these, social media, performing LIVE!!!!
Three5Human, Reggie Headen, Peggy Ratusz, Tim Williams (he's on Drooble), Gentry- Jones, Empire Strikes Brass