Interview: The COPA Palm Springs Rings in the Holidays in Style with a Vocal Superstar, 12/20! A Conversation with Nita Whitaker!

Stage, television and film chaunteuse Nita Whitaker brings a very special holiday show to the COPA Palm Springs for one night only - December 20 at 8:00 pm. The former Miss Louisiana and Hall of Fame Star Search Grand Champion Winner has shared the stage with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bolton, Patti Austin, Broadway legend Ben Vereen, Josh Groban, Michael Buble' and Chris Botti, to name a few. She recently penned her first award winning memoir titled, "Finding My Voice: My Journey through Grief to Grace" and produced her newest CD release just in time for the holidays. I had the chance to chat with Ms. Whitaker as she was preparing for her holiday concert at The Copa. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

DG: You have had so many lovely superlatives describing you over the years. How would you describe yourself?

NW: I think that ... myself as a person, or as a performer?

DG: Let's start with you as a person.

NW: Ahh, let's see ... If I were to choose some adjectives I would say energetic, friendly and kind.

DG: I love that. And, how about as a performer?

NW: Oh, gosh, that's so tough because I think it's hard for a performer to say anything about their performance because it is really how it's received, so I usually reserve that for the audience to determine. What I try to give in my shows is not just a performance, but I share ... I call it a share show. I really think that when I perform my goal is to be able to reach people and play to their hearts. I try to make it a share show. I share my heart and they give it back and it becomes a place where we intermingle --- people meeting people. I like to make my show connected. I endeavor to give my best performance every time so I give 150 percent. I never - I don't know how to do fifty five - I say that all the time. I always try to give 150 percent. The last thing I have to say is that I do songs that move me in hopes that in my being able to sing the songs from an authentic place that I can lift my audience, elevate them, make them laugh - open their hearts. That's my endeavor.

DG: Do you remember the first time you ever sang in front of an audience?

NW: Oh yes, very clearly. Let's see. I have vague memories of the very first time when I was three that my father describes. I don't remember that. The time I remember is - I sang for a lot of church audiences, but I remember my first big performance in a church in Dallas, Texas that my cousin was the organist for ... he invited six year old Nita to perform. I knew two songs from memory and I sang - and I remember them lowering the mic to fit my height, because everyone else who sang was an adult -- but I'd been doing this since I was three - I was always in front of people singing - it was like breathing to me - and I remember singing my song and there was this explosion of holy ghost spirit that shocked me, because I had never seen people shout like that. (she laughs) And I do remember I was a little overwhelmed by that moment, but I remember thinking when everything clamed down that "gosh, maybe there is something there. Maybe God gave me a gift because those people really felt something". I remember thinking that. That was the first time that I really recall a big performance. That was pretty cool.

DG: When did you decide that this was going to be your life and your career?

NW: I think I knew that in college. But I came from an environment - not my family, because my Dad was always saying "Go do it" - But I just didn't know anybody who was making a living singing. My Dad sang. But it was his side gig. It wasn't his main gig. So I didn't know if I could sustain myself by singing. But all the while that I was in college I knew - singing was the thing that I did when I woke up in the morning. It was the thing that was most present in my every day existence. I sang. In the mall I broke into song and dance. It was always a part of me. And in my second year in college I knew that's what I wanted to do, but I was midway to a degree and I wanted to get that so I could eat and take care of myself on my way to being able to sing for myself - so probably about my sophomore year. For me it was when I was eighteen.

DG: What singers do you like to listen to?

NW: Ahh, Barbra Streisand. Probably the top of my list. Ella Fitzgerald == I'm not a jazz singer, but the way that she could shape a song just holding a note or bending a note in a particular way -- she was beautiful. I like Natalie Cole. I like great singers - I like Frank Sinatra. I like lyrics that tell stories. I like Taylor Swift's songwriting because I think she's very good at that. I like Marilyn and Alan Bergman - I love a great melody and I love a great lyric so I kind of go toward people who give me that. I listen to Beyonce because I like to dance - very danceable and fun - and my girls listen to that so I listen with them because I wanna be that cool Mom. (She laughs)

DG: You have accomplished so many things - what is a special career highlight for you?

NW: A career highlight? There have been many. Umm. I think I wanna say three things. Winning the title of Miss Louisiana. And none of these things came easily to me. Everything for me was something I had to try and try and try again. I won that on my fourth try. (Note: She auditioned and was rejected by Star Search four times - and then went on to be one of the winning-est performers in Star Search history) That was a racial thing, my being in the south ... I didn't know it was a big deal, it was just a goal in my head - but it was historical, I'm told. I just thought "why can't I"? But as an African woman I was able to stand up and say "this is what my state looks like. I represent what my state looks like. I am part of Louisiana too". That felt great to be able to have that as a platform. I would say writing my book " Finding My Voice" - was enormous, it was a journey of my heart - it was a cathartic journey, a healing journey - and I hope something that will help other people as they are going through loss. And that's why I wrote it. Because I thought what I learned on my journey could help someone else. Writing it myself - not having somebody write it for me - I tapped into another creative arm for myself, and I want to write more. And the last thing is I executive produced and co-produced my Christmas record - it was a lot of work. I wore all the hats - except playing all the instruments. I'm really proud of that. It was a real challenge but it was just what I needed to do. And I am grateful that I pushed myself and did it.

DG: What can audiences expect from your performance at The Copa?

NW: It's a holiday show - some things from the record. My daughters will be performing too. It will be some group stuff - it will be a festive time to celebrate the season no matter what your faith is -- music, love and laughter!!

DG: Final question. What advice might you offer to aspiring artists and entertainers?

NW: Hone your craft. Learn as much as you can. If you're a singer you have to sing. And do it correctly. Practice doesn't make you perfect - perfect practice makes you perfect - because if you're going to practice wrong you're going to sing wrong. So you have to get a good technique and use that as a foundation. You have to be proactive - you can't wait for people to hand you things. It is an act of love and passion to be in this business. You have to love it and you have to want it and you have to believe in yourself above all else and know that if this is your calling you cannot take no for an answer - no matter what they say, no matter how many rejections you get - keep going. People are so quick to say "I didn't win ... I didn't win". And,then what? Find another lane! Find a way, If this is what you are meant to do you don't stop. Stay humble and stay proactive and never take no for an answer!!

Nita Whitaker brings her holiday show to The COPA Palm Springs on December 20 at 8:00 pm. For tickets or further information visit www.coparoomps.com.