Three-time Grammy-nominated singer and actress Melba Moore chatted about her latest album “Imagine,” future plans, and her music career.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
A woman that embodies this wise quote is Melba Moore, an artist whose songs span such diverse musical genres as R&B/soul, pop, rock, gospel, adult contemporary and disco music.
Throughout her respected career in the entertainment industry, Ms. Moore has starred on Broadway, in film, and television. Her music was in heavy rotation in the ’70s and the ’80s.
Moore on recording the song ‘Imagine’
“Imagine” is a fresh new song that has the potential to become the premiere anthem of hope for our time.
It was written by Rahni Song (music) and Chantel Hampton (lyrics), and it is the title track to her latest (and 28th overall) album. The song offers an optimistic vision of global love and unity during a particularly fraught social and political era.
On her decision to record “Imagine,” she remarked, “It was first brought to me by my daughter, Charli Huggins, who is also co-executive producer of the entire album and it was actually initially an instrumental featuring a guitarist by the name of Eric Leone. I thought it was beautiful.”
“I think she and her uncle, Beau Huggins who is also an executive producer on the album, were thinking of releasing it as a jazz recording on my daughter’s label, The Gallery Entertainment,” Moore said.
“During one of the many times she played it, she said “Ma, I think you should sing this.” It was suggested by someone on my team that we get a writer to put lyrics to it and we can see how it comes out,” she explained.
Moore continued, “Beau reached out to two young talented songwriters, Chantel Hampton and Max Barjona. I’ve worked with Chantel before and have a long work history with Max’s father, Rahni Song, who produced and arranged the song, so I knew I was in good hands.”
“One thing we were all adamant about was that it should not be a typical love song. We wanted the lyrics to spread the message of love and peace. Chantel and Max absolutely delivered and once I recorded it, it came out better than we expected,” she elaborated.
“In these times of so much uncertainty, we knew that the song was needed and collectively decided to title the entire album ‘Imagine’,” she acknowledged.
The song’s lyrics are timely and relevant as ever, especially in these trying times that the world is going through these days.
Music and songwriting inspirations
On her music and songwriting inspirations, she shared, “I have had the privilege of working with strong, accomplished songwriters in the past and was invited to collaborate with really great songwriters like Philly International’s Gene McFadden and John Whitehead and some others because of a unique opportunity created by my then management, Hush Productions, who thought I should explore the possibilities of songwriting and see if I had any talent for it.”
“I did co-write several songs on a couple of my albums and I think I could be a very good songwriter, but songwriting is a particular skill that you either naturally have or have to develop and I just never had the time to develop that skill. But, maybe in the future. I will never say never,” she underscored.
Key to longevity in music
Regarding the key to longevity in the music industry, she said, “I attribute my longevity in the music industry to my good technical training as a pianist, vocalist and as a public school music teacher.”
She continued, “My mother, Bonnie Davis, was a professional singer both as a soloist signed to Decca and Savoy Records and as a member of the group The Piccadilly Pipers to which my step father, Clem Moorman, the man that raised me, was the pianist.”
“My natural father, Teddy Hill, was a big band leader and also managed the famed Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem and played with the likes of Thelonius Monk and Dizzy Gillespie. Actually, Minton’s Playhouse still stands today. So, I guess to some degree, music is in my DNA,” she elaborated.
“With all of this, I think the most important key to my longevity is my willingness to be flexible and diverse regarding musical styles. I’m willing to make adjustments to how music and the industry keeps changing,” she added.
Moore reflects on her career Grammy nominations
On earning three Grammy nominations, Moore remarked, “To receive a Grammy nomination feels incredible. But I think this question relates a lot to your previous question about my longevity in this industry. I think this is a perfect example of my ability to be flexible.”
“Recently, I realized that my three nominations were all in different genres,” Moore noted. “My first nomination for Best New Artist in 1971, I was up against Elton John, Anne Murray, The Partridge Family, and The Carpenters. That would’ve been considered pop.”
“In 1976, I was nominated in the ‘Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female’ category for ‘Lean On Me,’ and in 1986, for ‘Best Female Rock Vocal Performance’ for ‘Read My Lips.’ I think that shows I’m pretty versatile,” she admitted.
Future plans
Regarding her future plans, she shared, “My plans for the future include continuing to tour and a return to Broadway. I also plan to tour my own production ‘Melba Moore, From Broadway With Love’ which is a one woman play with music and is currently in pre-production.”
Success
On her definition of the word success, Moore, said, “To me, success means that your peers respect your accomplishments as a professional, you are acknowledged as a good citizen because you give back to your community, and that you live life with respect for yourself and for others.”
The digital age
On being an artist in the digital age, Moore said, “The digital age is very exciting and very interesting.”
“On one hand, it’s great to be able to instantly engage with people on a global scale and have the ability to somewhat make it a personal experience by being able to instantly interact with people you may or may not know,” she elaborated.
“On the other hand, with the use of AI for example, it’s quite concerning for anyone, especially those of us that are public figures, for people to have open access to your name and likeness and they can do whatever they want with it and we’re not protected,” she explained.
“When it’s used to spread misinformation is when it becomes very dangerous. Technological advancements are nothing knew and I’m for it, as long as it’s done responsibly,” she added.
Advice for young and aspiring artists
For young and emerging artists, Moore said, “My advice to emerging young artists is to study your craft, stay open minded, and always have a great entertainment attorney.”
To learn more about Melba Moore, follow her on Instagram.
