Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nona Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nona, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
I’ve just completed something I NEVER imagined myself doing!
I’m a Recording Artist, Composer, Musician, Producer and Mentor from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Music and inspiring others has always been my passion and I’ve just found a great way and cause to sync the two.
Eight years ago I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. Throughout my journey music became more powerful than it had ever been before and was my special tool I used to build the strength I needed!
Fast forward – I am healthy, happy, loved and have accomplished so much over the last 8 years include new music!
My latest single, “it takes a Miracle” was originally the vision of co-writer Cindy Paulos, who contacted me for the collaboration. Although the song was written in honor of breast cancer survivors, anyone who perseveres through difficult or devastating circumstances is a “survivor” and will enjoy this uplifting song”.
Back in August, I met with my team to discuss the marketing of the single and a possible music video. After listening to the final version of the song, the team was quite overwhelmed and felt the message and inspiration in the song was much more than just your typical music video. It was suggested that I do a documentary. Documentary? What? Tell your story Nona! It was in that moment that something within me said, “yes, I need to tell my story”!
Here’s what happened next:
August 15th – I began googling how to make a documentary and envisioned how to tell the story. I wanted to focus on other women in music who survived breast cancer. I though of 3 friends, contacted them, told them my vision and all 3 agreed to participate.
August 16th – I googled how to prepare a treatment. I started with writing the synopsis then moved on to laying out the story.
August 17th – 19th – I spent a few hours a day writing the treatment.
August 20th – Treatment completed and music for scenes selected.
August 20th – Schedule date to film survivors.
August 21st – 22nd – Collected performance footage and photos from survivors.
August 23rd – Booked filming location.
September 1st – Collected appearance and music releases from survivors.
During the process of collecting the releases, I realized the performance videos submitted by each survivor, which was to be played during their segment, included music owned by someone else which meant, I needed to get sync licenses – OH GOD! I was really thrown off by this because everything was going so smoothly. After mentioning this to my daughter, she suggested that I take a different approach. I had each survivor submit an original song for us to play right before their segment. We’ll display a beautiful picture of each of them while their music plays – problem solved and with a better outcome!
Moving on – the treatment is done! The players are in place! All releases have been executed! The location has been secured! Now, who is going to film? After receiving a few estimates from videographers (which were out of the budget I didn’t even have) and taking another look at the treatment, I realized we only needed to film the 4 interviews. So, using an iphone and GoPro, my manager would be task with filming!
September 4th – 8th – Research and purchase stock footage to edit into the film.
September 11th – Secure editor.
September 12th – Set up dropbox folders to keep content organized.
September 13th – Pre-production begins.
September 16th – Day of filming.
September 18th – Preparing all files and footage for lead editor.
September 19th – Sent everything to the editor.
September 26th – Received 1st draft from editor.
September 28th – Received 2nd draft from editor.
September 30th – Received 3rd draft from editor.
October 1st – Released documentary theme song – it takes a Miracle.
We anticipate receiving the final version before October 7th. The screening will be on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Bethel Church, 3095 Richmond Parkway, #208, San Pablo, CA – ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
So, in 60 days I was able to accomplish something I’ve never done before with the help of google, courage to share my story, other courageous women in music willing to share their stories and my AMAZING team that believed I could do this!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
The smooth and unconventional sound of San Francisco Bay Area native Nona Brown is “a breath of fresh air” according to her fans. From the sweet and silky sound of her voice to her piano playing, songwriting and producing, the Nona Brown impression is sure to be lasting.
Nona recorded her first CD in 1997 entitled, I’ll Sing My Song. In 2019, after writing music for years, she emerged with her sophomore release, Songs from my Journal Volume 1, ranking #14 and #21 on Billboard Gospel chart in weeks one and two!
Nona’s gospel music roots led to many wonderful collaborations, such as working with Josh Groban as choir coordinator for his Northern California tour; guest vocalist and composer on three national recordings of the Gospel Music Workshop of America; guest vocalist at Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball and group member of gospel music legend, the late Edwin Hawkins and the New Edwin Hawkins Singers.
With the success of Songs from my Journal Volume 1, Nona released Songs from my Journal Volume 2 in 2022. The project features some of the Bay Area’s finest vocalists and musicians performing songs all written by Nona.
It’s been a busy and exciting musical year for Nona, who will release new music and a documentary film. The first single – “it takes a Miracle”, scheduled for release October 1st, was originally the vision of co-writer Cindy Paulos, who contacted Nona for the collaboration. Although the song was written in honor of breast cancer survivors, Nona says that “anyone who perseveres through difficult or devastating circumstances is a “survivor” and will enjoy this uplifting song”. A breast cancer survivor herself, Nona shares her journey through the documentary film “it takes a Miracle (Sound of Survivors)”. Scheduled for release in October, this story of four women who share four common threads: music, resilience, breast cancer and survivor, is powerful and inspiring! This is a film to add to your watch list.
The second single “Born A King” (scheduled for release in November) is just in time for the holidays and features a duet with Sammie “Honey” Brown, Nona’s daughter. This Christmas tune is quite catchy and is sure to leave you singing, clapping, and celebrating!
Nona’s music career includes some additional amazing accomplishments – international performances at Umbria Jazz Festival, Porretta Soul Festival, Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival; arranger and background vocalist on the 2022 GRAMMY Award winning Best Children’s Album by Falu A Colorful World and 2022 Telly Award Winner for her “Black Lives Matter” music video co-written with Tony Saunders.
As an active member of the music community, Nona previously served as Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Board Governor; Vice President, and Black Music Collective (BMC) Ambassador before becoming the first black woman to be elected President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy.
Nona Brown is a name to remember and a life to be inspired by.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I’m a Recording Artist, Composer, Musician, Producer and Mentor from the San Francisco Bay Area. Music and inspiring others has always been my passion .
Eight years ago I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. Throughout my journey music became more powerful than it had ever been before and was my special tool I used to build the strength I needed!
Fast forward – I am healthy, happy, loved and have accomplished so much over the last 8 years including new music!
My latest single, “it takes a Miracle” was originally the vision of co-writer Cindy Paulos, who contacted me for the collaboration. Although the song was written in honor of breast cancer survivors, anyone who perseveres through difficult or devastating circumstances is a “survivor” and will enjoy this uplifting song”.
It is with great excitement and gratitude that I am able to release this song on the first day of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The music never stopped playing in my life and I’m now on the other side of it and have dedicated my life to inspiring others:)
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Integrity, humility, reliability and transparency is who I am – that is my reputation!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nonabrown.org
- Instagram: officialnonalisabrown
- Facebook: nonalisabrown
- Linkedin: nonabrown
- Twitter: nonalisabrown
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4M5j7HwtFVTF_0O0EXIBNg
Image Credits
MooD-ology (Curtis Jermany) TownFuturist (Korise Jubert)