We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deni Phoenix. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deni below.

Deni, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I have been a vocalist for over 30 years, nearly 18 of those years being classically trained. One night at a local bar, I met a gentleman who heard me singing on the back porch with random people. He was intrigued by my voice and wanted to meet me. Interestingly, he had already heard my name mentioned by members of his band, Mayhayley’s Grave, and that night was his chance to meet me.

We started chatting about music, and suddenly, he made me an offer to join the band. Little did I know that he was the frontman. With all the training I had received during my undergraduate studies and my upcoming graduate studies at the University of West Georgia, I was sincerely perplexed. In other words, I thought, “Really? Me?” I had no experience singing anything other than operatic music, so I could not understand what had drawn his attention to me. He invited me to a rehearsal to check out the band, and despite my nerves, I was more than willing to go.

At that rehearsal, I became even more confused. The music was not a typical style you would hear on the radio; it was quite unusual. The gentleman explained that it was a Southern Gothic swing band, named in honor of a well-known Coweta County lawyer who was also a witch. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but the other band members were welcoming and encouraging. That same day, I decided to accept his offer.

The challenge now was to adapt and transform my operatic voice to fit this new style of music. It was extremely challenging, and I faced difficulties that I had never anticipated. Everything I had been taught suddenly felt inapplicable to an extent. Before I knew it, my entire music career had shifted. I performed with the band for five years, befriended many different people, worked with some of the greatest musicians in the area both in and outside the band, and met an amazing guitarist who is now my fiancé. Most importantly, my voice evolved into a versatile, strong sultry sound. The transition from an operatic vocalist to this style still baffles me, but it has made me appreciate the life and career I have now. And it didn’t stop there.

I always dreaming of performing on grand stages. However, my negative thoughts and anxiety often held me back. One day, I saw a talent agency ad on Facebook and decided to inquire, not realizing it would change my career. I received an invitation to audition for the New York Chamber Players at Carnegie Hall.

At first, I hesitated. I worried about how I would sound and whether I would embarrass myself in front of professional musicians. Thankfully, my family and friends encouraged me to take the leap. I auditioned via livestream, and the experience was exhilarating. After a month of anxiously waiting, I learned I had been selected to perform!

Performing at Carnegie Hall was a dream come true. After months of preparation, my performance was incredible. That moment made me realize everything had come full circle. I’m proud to say that I can sing anything and everything that comes my way.

Deni, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the youth chorus director at the Carrollton Center for the Arts (CCA) and a private voice instructor at Pippin Music Academy and CCA. In 2014, I earned my bachelor’s degrees in music education and mass communications, and I obtained a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of West Georgia in 2020. Music has been a significant part of my life since I was born. My mother served as the minister of music at our church in Detroit during my childhood. I am also the granddaughter of the late R&B musician Andre Williams, one of the attributes of Motown Records and co-writer of the hit song, “Shake a Tailfeather,” an original tune of for The Five Du-Tones, recorded by Ike and Tina Turner, and notably performed by Ray Charles in the movie “The Blues Brothers.” Growing up in a musically inclined family naturally led me to a career in music, both as a performer and an educator.

In 2022, I emerged as a solo artist as Deni Phoenix. Shortly after that, my band, Deni Phoenix and The Fervor, was formed. It began as a three-piece band that held weekly open jam sessions at a coffee shop in Carrollton. The band quickly gained popularity after we opened for Marc Broussard at a benefit concert at the Carrollton AMP. Today, we are a five-piece soul/funk and rock band.

I take pride in teaching and performing, as it allows me to enhance my experience as a performer while empowering young men and women. My goal is to inspire them to pursue music not only as a hobby but also as a potential long-term career.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goals are to continue to perform professionally, work in arts education, and share my passion and love for music through creativity, building confidence, and nurturing a love for the arts. I believe that engaging students in the arts not only enhances their imagination but also equips them with essential life skills. I hope to establish community connections through the arts. By involving parents and local artists in our projects, we can create a network of support and encouragement.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Several years ago, my struggles with mental health and personal issues led to serious consequences that could have jeopardized my entire career. People make mistakes, and learning from them is important; otherwise, the result can be a downward spiral. At one point, I believed my life had hit rock bottom, but I eventually had a reality check and realized that I could rise above it. Although I would like to share all the details of that challenging time, it would take a novel to fully explain what happened.

Thankfully, I was able to leverage what I had left to rebuild both my personal and professional life, ultimately emerging stronger and in a better position. Throughout this journey, I relied on my faith and support system to help me navigate my trials and tribulations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.deniphoenixmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deniphoenixmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deniphoenixmusic
• Other: https://www.dpfervor.com

Image Credits

Credits:
Cheyenne Rose Photography
V. Hurd (Villa Rica High School Chorus) / University of West Georgia
City of Senoia (PorchFest 2024)
Ivey Makes Art