We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leme Nolan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leme below.
Leme, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
If I recall correctly, I believe my first paid event I did was March 2017 at a venue in Wilmington, NC. Prior to that in 2016, I was determined to be more active and to request live event gigs. So I would go and walk downtown or call around and see if the venues were looking to book any local Artists. A few called me back and I was so excited. At this particular event at the Sour Barn venue, I was able to get Kyle Anderson to play the keyboard for me. In addition the sound guy/photographer/videographer for me was Gary Collins. Eric Bolding took some photos as well. Everyone did an amazing job and the audience loved it.
A few of my coworkers came out and supported as well. That feeling was great as I’d look back at some of the videos that were shared and posted online. Wonderful feedback as well. I knew that this was my purpose in life which was to spread love, joy, and so much more through music. My greatest reward is knowing that I can bring smiles to peoples faces and that’s the greatest feeling in the world.
Leme, 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 from Beaufort (Merrimon), NC and come from a talented group of singers to include my Mom, Aunts, Uncles, and more. I started singing in the church choir at the age of 8 years old. Music was always my dream to sing full time professionally and still is. I started performing locally on the weekends in 2017 at various venues in Wilmington, NC and other surrounding areas. I became a crowd favorite at a local lounge called Tails Piano Bar. It was an upscale piano lounge with a diverse crowd and we all had a great time. I would perform songs from Artists like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Jill Scott, The Gap Band, Mary J. Blige, India Arie, Beyoncé, Prince, and so many more. Providing a mix flavor of songs was always my goal but no matter what, I’ve always kept it Soulful. That is where the multi-talented producer/singer/songwriter Carmichael Musiclover heard me in 2018 and we’ve worked together on some original music projects ever since. One of them is called Love With a Ring Attached and so be sure to check out the music video on YouTube and share/purchase. In 2019 and as an Independent Recording Artist, I was able to share the stage with Carmichael Musiclover in London and it was a great VIP experience. The people in London are amazing and we had a great time. I still performed at other local venues in Wilmington and eventually Tails Piano Bar had to shut down in 2020 I believe due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After that, I performed online a few times for church events and others. As time progressed in 2022, I eventually started to perform in person again at venues and did community outreach performances for various organizations that assist Veterans, Homeless, Domestic Violence Survivors, and more. In 2023, my plans are to increase my live event performances and details are being worked out with that in the coming weeks. In addition, I plan to do more advocacy community outreach, release new original music, and more. For updates, please checkout my website at www.LemeNolan.com and any of my other music platforms. I’m grateful for my current supporters, the talented people I’ve worked with so far and many more to come.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Things can change on a daily basis but as of today, my mission is to create the best music that I can with the resources that I have as an Independent Recording Artist. I enjoy uplifting people through music no matter the genre. The driving force of my creative journey are my children though. To let them know that no matter what age, you can still fulfill your dreams while also serving your purpose in this life. The journey may have highs and lows but know in the end, your goals will be accomplished in God’s timing. Just keep going and do your best with the best intentions in your heart and you will succeed.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Yes I’ve had to pivot on a few matters in my life but one in particualar I wasn’t expecting at all to have such a long lasting negative effect but I keep going anyway. I know that what went wrong in the past will be made right in 2023 and so that’s all that matters. I am a ray of light and great positive music brings healing, love, peace, and more to not only myself but it can be for others as well. We are the change needed for a better future and so let’s do better now for ourselves and families.
Image Credits
Gary J. Collins II Jamie Hansen Carmichael Musiclover Derrick Jones