Rising Stars: Meet Joy Dame

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Dame.

Joy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The love of singing started as a kid when my sisters and I would sit at my dad’s feet while he played guitar and sang with us. Even as a five year old kid, singing was what I dreamed to do all my life. The love grew into competitions, choirs, productions as an actor and soloist in NYC,East coast cities and several countries. When my husband and I moved to France, Our group recorded a project and shared music in Paris, Brittany region and Southern France. I started songwriting in order to reach people and share messages of hope through songs and that continued state-side with books, studies, events, and courses from NCS, Berklee, TSA, and now Seth Mosley’s Songchasers with Full Circle Music… always trying to grow at the craft.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While in France, I got an auto-immune disease that brought so much pain I often couldn’t even sleep well. I’d sit at my piano while up at night and pour out my heart into songs for others. Fibromyalgia has changed my life, but I do so much better with it now and I’m thankful for God’s healing. In France, I had three miscarriages and struggled with depression during a couple periods of time. God uses different things I’ve walked through.. to help others tell their stories. Lately, the biggest challenges have been financial as is the challenge of most artists. I am super grateful for those walking this journey with me and supporting the journey and ministry.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Singing, songwriting and Supporting Artists are three passions in my heart. Lake City Lights is an organization with the purpose of sharing music in schools, prisons, and conferences. I’ve been grateful to have seen God do amazing things in the past through these opportunities. Music is a powerful ministry and musicians need encouragement in order to share hope and light in our world! This summer, LCL is hosting a Songwriter Retreat/Conference in Michigan and then next February in Florida to encourage other artists to use their passions to reach others.

It’s been great commuting to co-write in Nashville to get to know up-and-coming artists and help them tell their stories. My friends pictured will be releasing several of these songs this fall and winter . Some of these songs being released about betrayal, abuse, racial tension, and injustice, are what I desire to be known for… the artist and songwriter who writes what people are afraid to talk about (abuse, depression, and suicide).

Writing and singing worship songs is one of my heart beats because God deserves all the praise(in every song)! For the projects God has for me on the horizon- an EDM style worship single is scheduled to release in September, a collaboration on a worship song is scheduled this fall with Cornel Grace from Cameroon, and a Christian hip hop song scheduled in January 2023 along with another Christian hip hop collaboration. The 3rd and 4th singles will be more in the vein of what has been my influence musically while growing up… more like Toby Mac meets Sam Tinnesz/Maverick City/Lecrae in production and lyric style.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I have had glitter high tops hiding in my room since 18 months ago, and pink hair dye has been on my bucket list since 8 yrs ago so I guess that’s coming! Also, hip hop and R&B style lyrics and music have been hiding in my heart for years, but I’ve never shared them until this year! I’ve not always had the confidence to be myself, but have always hope people will understand the intentions behind the music are to spread the fame of Jesus and help others meet Him. The most important thing in my life is my relationship with Jesus and my husband and three boys. Writing worship music for the church and teen summer camps motivates me, but the biggest reason I started writing back in France was to reach people that feel hopeless with the hope of Jesus. That’s why I still write and I’m so thankful to get to do it everyday!

Pricing:

• Lake City Lights all-inclusive retreat $450-$650
• Song Critique $30
• Concert Booking (cover costs. TBD $300-900)
• Speaking (cover costs TBD $100-$500
• Personalized Song Commission $300+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/joydame

Image Credits
Jackie Renee Wilson, Libby Danforth, Rob Dixon, Kalil Abu-jamous, 1st September Studios, David Carlucci, Miaphotography, Sami Saunders Studio, Joy Dame, Mary Ruth Williams, and Kayla Tolly