Ashley Tamar Davis is a Grammy nominated Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Educator, Mentor, Entrepreneur and Music Supervisor. Growing up in Houston, Texas, she has been in the entertainment industry since her childhood. An early experience in the People's Choice Awards meant a chance meeting with Beyoncé, which led her into a very early incarnation of Destiny's Child. With her family's support she put her ambitions on pause briefly to go back to school and finish College. She is now a graduate of University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, with a Bachelor in Music Business. She first visited Prince's recording studios Paisley Park in her teens, before becoming part of his entourage as a singer songwriter in her early 20s, during the artist's 3121 era. She recorded and collaborated with Prince, who became a mentor to her - co-writing their Grammy-nominated duet "Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed." Tamar appeared onstage with him at the NAACP Awards, Saturday Night Live and The Brit Awards, before going on tour with him in the US, performing songs from her album Milk and Honey. After parting ways with Prince, she went on to star on Broadway, in “Motown, the Musical”, and has wowed audiences in recent years with jaw-dropping performances on NBC’s “The Voice”...also touring with Tyler Perry productions. She has performed for former Presidents and first Ladies, and also recently launched an interactive iPad, iPhone and Android Music app. In 2010, Tamar initiated and created Syren Music Group, LLC: a music entertainment company that specializes in the advancement of independent music and live entertainment. Through the creation of Syren Music Group, LLC Tamar launched her independent album "My Name is Tamar" (3.24.2011), which has garnered sales and media coverage globally. Tamar is also the co-founder of The Tamar Davis Project: an international, educational and artistic project designed for singers, artists, musicians, writers, painters, composers, choreographers, and dancers to benefit from opportunities that will become a catalyst to successfully launch their careers under the watchful eye of industry professionals turned mentors. She's also become a vibrant presence on social media, is passionate as an educator and is a vocal campaigner for artists rights. Join us in part 2 when we talk about chemistry and spiritual connection, touring the US with Prince as her guitar player. Lost album album Milk & Honey, their enduring friendship and her many exciting plans for 2024 and beyond. "I'm not gonna wait on The Estate..." she tells us.
INTRO
2mins30secs - Tamar's chemistry with Prince
'It was like a student following a teacher...[but] you can't work with that kind of greatness and take mediocre...'
6mins30s - Prince going on tour with Tamar, playing guitar on her U.S. shows
7mins45s - Will we ever get to hear her album 'Milk & Honey'? Her collaborative project with Prince.
8mins30s - "I'm not gonna wait on The Estate..."
9mins30s - Why did Tamar stop working with Prince? "...you're taking my fans... he started to get competitive..."
11mins30s - Mum designing tour costumes, for Tamar and the Twins on Saturday Night Live and other shows. 'I helped choose the fabric!'
12mins30s - Sharing a faith with Prince...and why it was destiny to meet him in that era.
15mins - Keeping in contact, and communications with Prince after they stopped working together. 'We were still the best of friends...'
17mins45s - Ashley remembers where she was when she found out that Prince had passed away. 'I just pulled over, and I cried...'
20mins - New projects coming up in 2024, working with Stewart Copeland from The Police, and the importance of an artist maintaining mystery.
23mins - Hoping that Sting will one day hear her singing 'Every Breath You Take' with a 48-piece orchestra.