We were lucky to catch up with Donna Frost recently and have shared our conversation below.

Donna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew from the time I was a little girl that I wanted to be an artist. I grew up in a musical family and was singing on stages with my parents ‘ gospel group when I was a child I had a passion for music. It was always in my house and always in my heart. I took piano lessons at the age of 9, guitar lessons when I was 11 and began playing professionally at the age of 13. I started traveling at age 16. I have been doing this for 52 years and never stopped. I have written, recorded and released 10 CDs of original music since 1998, 5 of those in the past 3 years.

Donna, 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?

As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in a musical family and knew from the time I was able to walk and talk that I wanted to be in this business. My family is a great inspiration of course. Like many kids in the 1960s, The Beatles were everything to me. I wanted to play guitar, write my own songs and perform wherever I could. A lot of rock groups influenced me like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, etc. There were lots of singer/songwriters in the 70s who influenced me too: Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carole King, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Cat Stevens. Many more, too many to name. I would spend my afternoons after school playing my guitar and singing along with my albums. That was my training camp.

As far as what I provide with my music: I perform 250 dates a year locally and on the road as an artist. There are also ways I use my music in outreach programs. For the past 7 years I have been a musician partner with Music for Seniors, a wonderful organization that provides live music for seniors communities. I do a lot of work with memory care seniors. I see miracles every day. Through Music for Seniors, I also teach 6 week ukulele courses for beginners and intermediate students who are older. I was awarded Music for Seniors Musician Partner of the Year Award in 2019. I use my music to raise money and adoption awareness for the Humane Society of Sumner County, a wonderful non-profit, no-kill shelter that has been of great service to our community since 1974. I do weekly Facebook Live shows from the shelter, playing music and featuring some of our dogs and cats up for adoption.
Another organization I work with through my music is for Room in The Inn, a fantastic organization that helps our homeless community. I play for them twice a month at their Cafe. The guests enjoy being served a delicious hot meal and have live music as they are dining.
I am proud of my work, especially being able to use my music to help others. I am very proud of my 10 CDs I have written, recorded and released. I am being recognized for my work at this stage in life. Last month I won the Mississippi Music Foundation Award for Best Americana Artist last month! What a thrill it was! My new CD, “The Beautiful Unseen ” is going out to 150 Americana radio stations next month. I am so excited and thrilled to still be productive and busy at this time in my life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Like everyone else in this business, I was affected by Covid 19. It was a very frightening time because everything had shut down, live music was hit the hardest. All my work was canceled like everyone else’s. I was wondering how I would be able to pay the bills and survive. We had no idea how long this would last. There was no guarantee we would ever get back to normal. I noticed people were going live on Facebook from their homes and playing for donations via PayPal and Venmo. So I went for it. For 62 consecutive Monday nights, I went live on Facebook from my house. I had lots of people watching from all over. It kept me connected with my fan base while I was off the road. My family and friends supported me and kept me going, buying my CDs and donating. I wrote, recorded and released 5 CDs of new music the past 3 years. I did some work for hire videos, socially distanced live shows. When everything opened up again, I was back on the road and it was so good to reconnect again with everyone in person.

The worst part of the pandemic was the loss of my precious mother. She was with me through everything all of my life, my best friend, my rock. When the pandemic began I was grateful to be off the road snd have more time with her and my dad. Sadly in December of 2020, Mama got Covid and passed away 5 weeks later, January 12, 2021. She has been my inspiration for a lot of my new music and her love lives on in me.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect? The friendships I have made across the country through my music and my travels. There are many precious people in my life that I would have never met had it not been for being in this business. They are dear to me and I treasure the times I can spend with them when I am performing in their cities. I am truly blessed.

As a songwriter, the most rewarding aspect is when people tell me what certain songs of mine mean to.them, how the songs have touched their hearts, That is the best!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.donnafrost.com
• Instagram: @donnafrost12strings
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/donna.frost (personal) www.facebook.com/donnafrostsongs (music page)
• Twitter: @donnafrost12
• Youtube: @donnafrost12strings