We were lucky to catch up with Karmessa Padgett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Karmessa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.
My life-changing risk happened in 2018. About a week after auditioning, I received the news that I had been chosen to be one of American Idol’s, Ruben Studdard’s background singers for his “Ruben Sings Luther” tour.
My ultimate goal has always been to center my career with music, particularly performing. This was literally a dream come true, a young, black woman from Mobile, AL being able to perform all over the country with an American Idol winner! So you KNOW I immediately typed a 2 week notice, relinquished my job as an Assistant Property Manager and began my full time journey in music.
I took that risk, not knowing all the downfalls I’d encounter, not fully understanding the financial inconsistencies of touring, honestly not even knowing what the next step would be….. I just leaped onto my dreams! I was in awe that I would be getting a taste of the professional touring life. Despite of the obstacles that were thrown in my way, I wholeheartedly believe that was the best career decision I could’ve made. I’m still currently touring with Ruben and I now have two arts centered jobs, that allow me to tour as I please, I’m very blessed.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve been singing my entire life, literally. My first words were sung. not spoken. Sitting in the carseat, in the back of my mom’s car, as Kool Moe Dee’s “Wild Wild West” was playing on the radio, my mother said I began to sing along with the chorus, that’s when she knew I’d most likely grow up to become a singer.
I’ve been in ensembles and school choirs since middle school. Fortunately, that grooming afforded me a University Choir Scholarship to Alabama A&M University. My professional singing career began in 2007, at the tender age of 19, when I was asked to be a singer in a local Mobile band, Emerge. Founder of the band, Vernon Porter, gave me my first chance on stage, as my hometown church’s drummer and close family friend, I’d knew I’d be in the right hands. I performed with them from 2007 – 2009.
After moving to Huntsville in 2009, my time in Alabama A&M’s university choir allowed me to meet one of my current best friends, Andriana Seay. As we became close, I was being introduced to her family and friends, which are all mostly musically talented. In meeting one of her cousin’s, Daryl Lockhart, he mentions that he wants to start this band, Element XI, and wanted Andriana and I to sing. Knowing that he played the trumpet in A&M’s band, I just knew he was musically inclined. Because I was missing my hometown band, I quickly agreed to be a part. Since its inception in 2012, 10 years, 3 singles and a lot of incredible stages and shows later, I’m still rocking with Element XI.
While still being in Element XI, I began my solo career in 2017, which since, I’ve released two singles “Betta” & “Game X”.
My music education career began in February of 2020, when my friend and owner of the Maitland Conservatory in Huntsville, AL asked me to temporarily run his front office. Not knowing the pandemic which began in March of 2020 would permanently keep me at Maitland. Since then, I’ve been promoted to Director of Operations and added an additional job with the Alabama Arts Alliance as their Professional Development Project Manger. You couldn’t have told me 5 years ago that I would be this deep in modern arts education, but here I am and I absolutely love it!
I am most proud of the impact I’m gradually making on the community. Constantly showing up and proving that you can have a full time music career, without settling for that starving artist mentality. There’s definitely money out here to be made, that will offer you the flexibility and freedom to still perform, it’s all about balance.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Unless you already have a lot of money, most local artists can’t survive on solely performing locally. If their main source of income is local performing, they tend to get burned out quickly or will lose their love and passion for the music.
I wish I would’ve known about Teaching Artists when I first pursued music full time. Alabama has the Alabama Arts Council that funds different collaborations and organizations to hire creatives to teach their craft in schools, workshops, conferences and more. I became a teaching artist through Maitland Conservatory and the North Alabama Arts Education Collaborative (NAAEC) in early 2020. It’s part time work, however they value your experience, pay very well and the flexibility allows you to make some extra money, while still maintaining your craft.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Support us! Come to a show and tip! Buy our merch and products. Visit your local record store. Visit your local mueseum. Hire us for events. Stream and purchase our music. Share our brand with friends and on social media.
Cities should create spaces for creatives to thrive. Open up the art gallery to local artists to present their visual art. Open up music venues for local artists to have shows. Value the years, time and effort it took to learn the craft and respect that we constantly have to evolve and maintain the craft as well. Pay artist their worth! Just because we love to do it, doesn’t mean it’s not hard, stressful and taxing…. plus EVERYBODY deserves a livable wage.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Karmessa
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karmessamusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarmessaMusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karmessa-padgett-37029b8b/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyRfAjfe8vAbtcwoA0SQugw/featured?view_as=subscriber
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Dokk Savage Charles Beason Rondarius Spigner