U of M student to be featured on local TV show
By: Elliott Wardlow
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
When University of Memphis senior John Thomas sang his original song "I'm Ready" at the Bar & Grill 240 earlier this month, he didn't know he was auditioning for a spot on a local television show.
Brinkly "Young Brink" Wilson, the host of "City Beats," asked the local R & B singer and recording technology major if he wanted to perform on the show.
"When I first saw him, I knew I had to get him on our show," Wilson said. "He's a really good singer. He's one of the best I've seen in Memphis."
Thomas, whose performance will be shown on channel 17 on Nov. 25, said he never knows whom he'll be singing for.
"That's why I treat every time I perform like I'm singing in front of someone who can help me out," he added.
Thomas said his love for music began when he was young, and he credits his family for helping him develop his talent.
"Ever since I can remember, I have been singing," Thomas said. "I have amazing, talented people in my family. When my family gets together, you just know someone is going to bust out singing."
Gwendolyn Thomas, John's mother, said singing was a tradition in her family.
"It started when the power went out in our house," she said. "We were sitting in the dark with nothing to do, so we just started singing. And once John started singing, he never stopped."
Thomas said that when times get rough, music is what holds his family together.
"People can get mad or whatever," he said, "but music can usually resolve our problems."
Thomas said his inspiration comes from his family, who encouraged him to get into the music business.
"I take bits and pieces from them," Thomas said. "I look at the way they write lyrics, the way they sing and the confidence they have. They are very emotional, raw and real."
Thomas said the most important advice his family has given him is to be versatile.
"I'm mainly an R & B singer," Thomas said. "But I want to touch on many different genres. I don't want to be stuck in a box. I want to step out of the box."
Brinkly "Young Brink" Wilson, the host of "City Beats," asked the local R & B singer and recording technology major if he wanted to perform on the show.
"When I first saw him, I knew I had to get him on our show," Wilson said. "He's a really good singer. He's one of the best I've seen in Memphis."
Thomas, whose performance will be shown on channel 17 on Nov. 25, said he never knows whom he'll be singing for.
"That's why I treat every time I perform like I'm singing in front of someone who can help me out," he added.
Thomas said his love for music began when he was young, and he credits his family for helping him develop his talent.
"Ever since I can remember, I have been singing," Thomas said. "I have amazing, talented people in my family. When my family gets together, you just know someone is going to bust out singing."
Gwendolyn Thomas, John's mother, said singing was a tradition in her family.
"It started when the power went out in our house," she said. "We were sitting in the dark with nothing to do, so we just started singing. And once John started singing, he never stopped."
Thomas said that when times get rough, music is what holds his family together.
"People can get mad or whatever," he said, "but music can usually resolve our problems."
Thomas said his inspiration comes from his family, who encouraged him to get into the music business.
"I take bits and pieces from them," Thomas said. "I look at the way they write lyrics, the way they sing and the confidence they have. They are very emotional, raw and real."
Thomas said the most important advice his family has given him is to be versatile.
"I'm mainly an R & B singer," Thomas said. "But I want to touch on many different genres. I don't want to be stuck in a box. I want to step out of the box."