June rochelle: Changing placess
Posted: June 2006, BlackGospel.com
Got any heavy lifting that needs tending to…the banishing of unbearable weights from your shoulders, proverbial storm clouds to be chased or blues to be blown away? Look no further than Indianapolis’ own June Rochelle, a singer/songwriter on a purposeful mission to soothe and uplift via the strength of her voice and the commitment of her words. June Rochelle is in possession of a powerful yet well-tempered vocal range that bridges the soprano and alto registers. And she composes songs informed with a God-fearing yet world-wise insight that steers listeners to brightly lit pathways of positivity.
June Rochelle has stood before tens of thousands of people on stages singing with Celine Dion (in French no less) and Diana Ross (who gave June the mic in the middle of her show and told her to, “sing for the people”). June’s demo vocal of the song “Lately” provided the foundation for Arista Records’ short-lived soul-pop trio Divine to reach the top of the Billboard Top 100 Singles chart. She even holds the distinction of singing the hook for rapper Lady J’s infamous novelty “Free Mike Tyson!” But her most profound performances have been at the humble service of people in need – in church pews and behind prison walls encouraging soul-battered folks to strive forward one more day.
June’s gifts are brilliantly apparent in her third and latest album, Changing Places (on Vision Entertainment Media Group, LLC), for “love” is the theme that runs through the CD, radiant in its many shades - from unconditional and universal love to the rollercoaster of romance. At the center of it all are messages about maintaining an uplifting outlook on things as you travel the road of life. And while there is a strong Christian basis to all June does, her artistry is for everybody. My goal is to reach any and everybody that can relate. My songs are about life as I live and see it. I don’t fake at it!
It is just such singularity that has driven June Rochelle all her life. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, the oldest of four sisters and to parents that dabbled in show business, June embraced music early. She grew up listening to her parents’ eclectic record collection that included Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Cash and the Brothers Johnson. And when June was a toddler, she would see her mother on stage singing in groups that opened for superstars passing through town such as the Spinners and LaBelle. Her parents also later started a small local record label (*name*), further exposing their children to the world of music. June was absorbing it all.
Later, June would find vocal inspiration in the voices of Whitey Houston (“perfection”), Patti Labelle (“power”), Mary J. Blige (“realness”) and Barbra Streisand (“grace”). As for songwriting, she garners most of her inspiration from what she observes in the world around her, but appreciates the craft of artists such as Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary and especially Erykah Badu (in tandem with Andre’ Harris). “Erykah kicks a lot of wisdom over the perfect blend of jazz and R&B,” June offers. “As you can see, I am a quilt of music.”
One of her first musical memories would prove to be a prophetic one. “At around 12, my parents sent me to this camp that – now that I think about it – was for hard-headed youth in need of some direction,” she confesses with a chuckle! “Most of the kids came from some pretty dire situations. I remember some of them crying and I’d be telling them, ‘Don’t worry, God loves you and you’re going to make it through.’ They were looking at me like, ‘What are you talking about?! You’re in the same camp we are!’ The first song I remember ‘writing’ was during that time. I called it something like ‘Don’t Let Anybody Take Your Sunshine Away.’” Deeply touched, the camp counselors made up a special acknowledgement for her – a construction paper certificate that they dubbed “The Preacher Award” in honor of June’s selfless encouragement to others.
June’s first major singing outing came at age 16 when she performed “Please Touch Somebody” at the Indiana Convention Center as a featured soloist with the Indiana Mass Youth Choir. She intended to further pursue music right away, but life would teach her that her first priority would be finding herself.
June left Indianapolis at 19 and moved to Oceanside, California with a military man. The relationship, while laced with material trappings, was otherwise treacherous and soon ended. She stayed in California for a few more years, basking in the sunny weather, but after a couple of earthquakes, she grew restless. For a few months she kicked around Washington, D.C., which she called “Little Africa,” marveling at the concentration of pan-cultural Blackness that surrounded her. She then got a culture shock when she moved to more White conservative Boston for a year. “I’ve been a lot of places,” she says, “and studied a lot of people. I’ve developed a very good feel for them.”
Alas, there was no place like home. Upon moving back to Indianapolis, she revisited her musical aspirations in earnest. She recorded two self-produced albums – one R&B/jazz CD and an inspirational CD with hip hop overtones - following in her parents’ footsteps with her own entrepreneurial record label, Pretty Brown Sounds. Among the songs she recorded was “You Can’t Break My Spirit,” which she wrote to comfort her son when he came home one day telling her that someone called had him a “nigger.” As June began selling her CDs to friends and acquaintances, and word began to spread, this song became a favorite among her growing legion of fans. “One man told me he had to pull off the road once when he was listening to it,” she says.
June’s shot at greater exposure and success came when former local 96.3 DJ Liz Dickson started attending her church. Liz’s husband happened to be a rapper who asked June to sing a hook on one of his singles. This led to June meeting producer Robert Tatum, Jr. June was making ends meet as a TV talk show producer at the time, so she shrewdly bartered her skills in video production to have Robert cut some tracks for her.
Tatum sent a CD containing samples of his production work – including June’s – to some industry contacts. He got lots of great feedback, particularly on June’s songs. One of several companies that inquired about her was Vision Entertainment Media Group, LLC, an aggressive up-and-coming record label whose marketing division had worked with established stars such as Dottie Peoples, Brownstone, The Whispers, Anita Baker and Patti LaBelle. They called June and told her they were interested in signing her to a national record deal. After flying in from Tennessee to meet with her in person, a deal was struck, sweetened by the fact that Vision Entertainment Media Group, LLC is distributed by Pryamid/Fontana, a Universal Music Company.
This set the stage for June Rochelle’s third and best album yet, Changing Places, an urban adult contemporary gem. The title track sets the mood perfectly with a sentiment of gratitude to a “lover” who has stuck by her through it all - GOD. June writes, “For all the love that you give to me / And the many times you’ve taken care of everything / For the ups and downs you’ve brought me through / I want to say thank you…I love you.
Other highlights include “Never Give Up,” on which June instructs that the only thing that can keep you from your dreams is you. “Let rejection be the fuel in your engine,” she wails. Also strong is “Life is Too Short.” “Most couples are cool while dating,” she shares, “but sometimes after they’re married, the relationship goes sour. This song is about recognizing when it’s time to move on…`cuz life is too short to waste on something that is going nowhere.” A perfect bookend to that song is the reassuring
“Wherever You Go.” “That song is about contemplating decisions you make in your life, wondering if God will support you,” June states. “The answer is ‘He’s always there.’”
Beyond recording albums, June has played the lead role of “Deena” in a production of Dreamgirls and performed in two other stage works from the pen of playwright Wanda J. Studdard: It Doesn’t Pay and What About the Children (the latter in which she sang the title song made famous by Yolanda Adams). As a member of the Voices of Faith Choir, she is often called upon to lead their most requested number, Kurt Carr’s “For Every Mountain.” June has performed before Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, as well as for the Women’s Aglow Conference which represents women from counties around the world.
In Spring of 2005, June produced The 1st Annual “American Talent Showcase at the House Café of Music,” the winner of which was 7-year-old Kelly Thomas, who is now getting her start singing at events around Indianapolis. “I’m always looking for someone else I can take on this fabulous musical journey with me,” she states. June has also hosted her own TV talk show, “Joy in Our Town” (on WLCJ-TBN - channel 42), putting the spotlight on topics that bring assistance to locals in need – from kids’ disabilities to elder abuse, she’s about anything positive. This is clearly and simply the purpose of June’s life, and she has taken that spirit around the country with her everywhere she goes.
“Overall, though, I intend to be the musical Oprah
Winfrey,” June concludes. “I just love her heart of giving. My purpose on this
road will always be to help Jane Doe and Joe Blow make it through another day.
When you’re weary and feeling like you can’t take it anymore, always know there
is a love that can change you and lift you from that place.”
National Press Representative:
Tom Estey Publicity and Promotion
E-mail: TJE6464@aol.com
Telephone: 508-451-5246
Booking Representative:
Wendy Collins Squirewell
Sable Soul Entertainment, LLC
Telephone: 615-258-1990
Email:
Booking@sablesoul.com
(Fall 2005)
