DELAYED BUT NOT DENIED…

By Shuana Covington

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Tonya Lewis Taylor is no rookie in this music industry.  She is a multi-talented singer, song writer and producer that has taken her journey full circle from artist, to publicist, to executive and back to artist.  Her long-awaited album, “DELAYED BUT NOT DENIED“, is here.  Its first single, “THANK YOU“, continues a steady climb up the BillBoard Gospel Charts, currently at number 16!     


Early on when her singing career did not work out the way she’d hoped, Tonya made the transition to celebrity publicist.  Her work at Roc-A-Fella Records helped catapult the careers of artists such as Jay Z and Kanye West.  Before long, Tonya’s talent for publicity and marketing earned her an executive position.  


While she enjoyed the exciting life of a celebrity publicist, something in her spirit was calling her back to the music.  “Writing and singing are my passion.  It’s organic for me.”  After 15 years in the music industry, she realized her dream of being an artist would not die.  She decided to ignore the negative voices in her head that said her time had passed and she wasn’t good enough.  Then she received her confirmation, it was a sermon by  T.D. Jakes.  “When I listened to him speak on the power of stepping out on faith and not allowing fear to stop you, I knew I could do it!  And once I got past the fear, doors began to open for me.”


Tonya was immediately blessed with an opportunity unheard of for an emerging artist.  She was asked by legendary gospel singer Fred Hammond to be the opening act on his blockbuster 2014 Festival of Praise Tour, featuring himself and Donnie McClurkin!  “I was elated and honored to be asked to tour with these gospel giants! It was an awesome experience.  The things I learned from these two mentors is priceless.  Donnie is an encourager, he gave me pointers after every show.  Fred told me to never allow the fans to go home the same way they came, give them your all!  This experience was a huge blessing to me.”


Once the tour ended she was able to finish working on her album.  Tonya wrote and co-produced all 10 tracks on this amazing album, a perfect mix of upbeat, finger-snapping and deep, soulful praise and worship songs that will minister to your spirit.  “I am very proud of this project!  I want the fans to enjoy the message as much as they do the music.  I love sharing my story to encourage others not to give up on their dreams.  It feels great to inspire others to push through their fears and watch destiny make room for them!”  


As if being an artist, publicist, executive, wife and mother weren’t enough, Tonya and her husband co-founded the “ENTERTAINERS 4 EDUCATION ALLIANCE/I WILL GRADUATE PROGRAM“.  For the past eight years their organization has worked to keep our teens in high school and decrease the drop-out rate.  Born and raised in Brooklyn, she knows the importance of giving back to the community.  “There are too many of our youth who give up on school, drop-out and get involved in negative life styles.  We are committed to helping them stay in school and pursue higher education.”  She receives plenty of celebrity support from rappers Jim Jones and Busta Rhymes, singer Tyrese and countless other celebrities who acknowledge the importance of keeping our youth educated and focused on school.  At the end of each school year she hosts a huge celebration for the students as a token of appreciation for staying on a positive path.     


Tonya Lewis Taylor is proof-positive that you can accomplish anything when you persevere and keep the faith.  A dream deferred, is NOT a dream denied.  Please check out her fantastic show in a city near you this spring/summer as she promotes her album,                           “DELAYED BUT NOT DENIED“, now available for purchase on Itunes. 


Social Media Outlets @tonyalewistaylor / www.tonyalewistaylor.com