Tell us about your new single, ‘Woman to Woman.’ What inspired you to write this empowering anthem?
I was inspired to write this song by the experiences that I’ve been through.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, I battled addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine, weighed just 93 pounds, and bore the visible scars of a life consumed by pain. Trust was nearly impossible due to early childhood trauma and being trafficked at 16 years old. But then came Angie Thomas Brown—a woman of integrity, love, and strength—who took me in, nurtured me, and taught me what it meant to truly love oneself. She loved me until I could love myself. She was like a mother, like a big sister. She never backstabbed or gossiped about another woman. She simply led by example.
Years later, in 2004, Polly Pistole became another guiding light, further shaping my understanding of love and self-respect. Through Polly and her husband Dave’s beautiful marriage, I learned what it meant to be cherished by a kind and respectful partner. Polly stood by me through heartbreak, reminding me, “You are worth more than this.” Polly’s unwavering support helped me break free from the cycle of toxic, narcissistic abuse.
This song is a love letter to every woman who has ever lifted another up. In a world that sometimes pits us against each other, ‘Woman to Woman” is about choosing unity over division, love over competition, and strength in solidarity.
As a dedicated advocate for women’s empowerment, how does it feel to release a song that uplifts and encourages women to stand together?
It means so much to me to be able to release this song! We can never have too many reminders that encourage us to be there for one another, to uplift one another, to cheer each other on, to help each other get away from abusive situations, to let us know that we can be so much more than we believe. We have the power to save lives.
This song carries a strong sense of community and female friendship. How have these themes played a role in your own life?
Besides having women that have been very close to me that have helped my life, I have been fortunate enough to have a group of women that have been a beautiful support system. Several years ago, I thawed eggs that I had frozen before having open heart surgery in 2011. Out of 29 eggs 10 thawed, six fertilized three went to blastocyst, and they turned out abnormal. I was absolutely devastated. The women that are in my support group said to me, “You don’t need to be strong right now, let us carry you through this, we love you”. I literally was depressed for a month and the grief slowly dissipated over time. And you know what, they carried me through it all.
What was it like collaborating with Lindy Robbins and Damon Sharpe to bring your vision for the song to life?
Lindy Robbins and Damon Sharpe are musical geniuses! I've been privileged to work with Damon since 2017, and this was my first time working with Lindy. I had to get over my intimidation and share my ideas with them without worrying about what they were thinking about me. They both have a beautiful way of structuring the words and placing the melodies in the pockets. It was as if I was in an intensive songwriting class and a got to be . They heard me and totally message I was trying to convey. Working with Damon is always like that, but when I work with a new songwriter or producer I get super freaked out and get a sort of stage fright. They are both humble and beautiful cheerleaders.
Your close friend, Brandy Ledford, makes a special appearance in the music video. What does her role represent, and how did the idea come about?
Brandy’s role represents a safe and healed woman of strength helping a woman who is completely broken. It was a scene I wanted in the video. Eden, our incredible director had the idea of the bed, but I said let’s do it where I’m on the ground next to the bed. Because, sometimes we’ve been through so much we can’t even get up into the bed. Other times, it’s that horrific things have happened to us on the bed that we don’t wanna be in it. It was so interesting doing that scene because I went back to the darkness that I lived with alcoholism and drug addiction and the pain of being in those type of places and the horrific demoralization that I felt. I wanted Brandy to be that person because she is like the sister I’ve never had, but always wanted. She has always been a safe space for me. The trust we share is sacred and she knows I would never harm her and I know the same about her. Having someone safe in the video so I could get that vulnerable was really important. Then to pass it on to the next hurting woman after I grew into a healthier space was such an important pay it forward moment.
What do you hope listeners take away from this song?
I hope this song will touch people’s hearts. I hope it makes them take a look at where they need to heal, where they may need to reach out, where they can be stronger, encouraging and more loving as women. To be brave enough to try to allow themselves to be loved into healing.
How does ‘Woman to Woman’ align with the mission of your charity, the Red Songbird Foundation?
The Red Songbird Foundation was established to help those less fortunate obtain the care they need for child, abuse, trauma, mental health, and alcoholism or substance abuse.
I went to trauma treatment at six years sober and it changed my life. I wanted other women (and men) to have that freedom. The nightmares that I used to have every single night began to dissipate. I started rejecting the shame that wasn’t mine to carry, that belonged to the perpetrators. I started talking about my dark past that I was never going to share. It took time but I began to see more of my worth and bit by bit I began rejecting narcissistic abusive relationships and friendships. Today I have a safe, loving, respectful and considerate marriage. Red Songbird Foundation has helped many people overcome their intimacy disorders, heal from PTSD, get sober and stay sober. We have given away millions of dollars away in scholarships for trauma, mental health, alcoholism and drug addiction. To watch people heal and realize their worth and discover parts of themselves they never have known and to not just survive, but thrive is such a powerful journey to witness.
Following the release of ‘Woman to Woman,’ what’s next for you?
We are releasing a song for the summer called, ”Never Too Late”, which is an upbeat song written with Grammy songwriter of the year nominee Justin Tranter. It's about making the rest of your life the best of your life! Then, in September for my wedding anniversary, I am releasing a sexy song dedicated to my husband. Other than that, I'm slowly working on my book, which I hope to be released next year. I look forward to spending time with my husband and our fur babies and doing some traveling singing and speaking.
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