We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tammy Vice a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tammy, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The Breaking The Chains Autism Benefit, held at the Bluebird Cafe’, celebrated it’s 20th year this past April. This is dear to my heart because our daughter was diagnosed with autism at age 3 1/2. She’ll be 30 years old this November. In 1997, when Morgan was diagnosed, there was very little understanding of autism. This lack of understanding pushed us further into isolation. When it came to church, school, family and friends gatherings, our family struggled to fit in our community.. Our search for services and support lead us to Tennessee where Vanderbilt was recruiting families for autism research. Autism Tennessee became a major source of support, connecting us to other families and resources.

We started the benefit as a way to thank Autism Tennessee. While it has raised some modest funds over the years, our main goal has always been to educate community, creating awareness and acceptance.

The Arts are healing. As a songwriter, music is my mom therapy. It’s been my way of journaling our family’s experience, and a wonderful way to encourage other families. I’ve co-written several songs with my daughter to develop her language. When we started the benefit, it was a few years before Morgan was able to handle being there with “too many friends”. Now she joins me to share some awareness first hand, as well as sing some of our co-writes.

We now have found our place in a wonderfully inclusive and active community,

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.

I am a performing singer/songwriter, author and speaker. Our family formed Know The Hope, Inc. To provide education and disability awareness through the Arts. Our mission is to help communities see Ability, and help Parents see Possibility.

As an artist and songwriter, I’ve had 4 number ones in the independent market. My music is available on Spotify, iTunes, and most digital platforms. It’s positive message family music. In partnership with Borderless Arts Tennessee, I offer songwriting workshops for students with intellectual disabilities in schools. I share our family’s journey in a monthly blog on WordPress.

My daughter. Morgan and I share life, story time, and art activities through social media. We co—authored a book called 52 Blue Mondays. Morgan has a unique way of saying things. What comes up comes out. The book is a light hearted look of her unfiltered point of view.

It’s all about bringing community together, recognizing that everyone, regardless of whether or not they have a disability, has something to offer.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Knowing that what I’m doing matters, that it will hopefully lift up others and encourage them to create something that only they can. I wear a puzzle piece to remind me that we were each created uniquely on purpose for a purpose. And we each have a spot to fill that no one else can.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Success is not always measured in numbers and dollars. Sometimes it’s that “audience of one” that pauses to really listen. A genuine connection is made. It benefits the performer and the listener. There’s a common joy and appreciation for a moment we each had a part in creating. It’s a collaboration, not a competition.  

Contact Info:

• Website: https://knowthehope.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbvice
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAd9MT5sG0rFvIuQ-luW9iw
• Other: Youtube family channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TammyVice