Today we’d like to introduce you to Durell Anthony.
Born and raised in Atchison, Kansas, Durell gravitated to music and the arts at an early age and quickly began nurturing those gifts. Whether it was playing piano and drums at church, playing trumpet in the school band, singing in honor choir, leading a cast of his peers in school musicals, participating in competitive acting at the state & national levels, producing music in his home studio, or sifting through his parents extensive record and tape collection, he completely dedicated himself to his passion for music and performing.
Because of this passion, he would eventually be offered a vocal scholarship to Benedictine College, where he would go on to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2008. Shortly after, with no idea of how to launch a music career and only a few hundred dollars to his name, he packed up his car and headed to California.
Now, after several years of professional experience, Durell continues to solidify his reputation as a well-respected, professional vocalist in Southern California. Performing countless gigs and sessions each year, he’s shared the stage with some music industry giants, including gospel legend Yolonda Adams, country music star Carrie Underwood, and many others. He works primarily with San Diego’s premier Top 40 corporate band, The Mighty Untouchables as well as leading his own project performing acoustic Soul, Pop & Jazz in smaller, intimate settings. When he’s not performing live, he’s writing music or in the studio lending his vocals to various recording projects, demos and albums.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not! Growing up in a small town in Kansas, there are tons of talented people, but there’s also an invisible ceiling in regards to opportunity and achievement. I always knew I wanted to sing, but I had no idea I could make a living doing it. I didn’t even think it would be possible without a record deal. So after failed attempts at American Idol, Sundays Best, and local radio station contests, discouragement started to settle in. Then, I was offered the opportunity to interview for a large corporation in my hometown. I wasn’t qualified for the job and it had nothing to do with music, but the position was lucrative and would have provided me some stability, so I interviewed anyway.
I ended up not getting that job, but soon after, I received another unexpected phone call. It turns out that a summer camp I worked for previously was relocating their business to San Diego, and they wanted me to come back for the upcoming summer. I saw it as an opportunity and in June of 2010, I left Kansas and never looked back. The summer job provided a steady paycheck, a room and meals, but it only lasted 10 weeks. After that, it was up to me to find a full-time job and housing if I wanted to stay in California for good. By the end of the summer, I had secured a full-time job, housing, and also discovered that San Diego had a thriving music scene. I joined my first band after responding to a Craigslist advertisement and when I wasn’t working my day job, I’d be practicing, doing gigs in town, driving back and forth to LA, meeting other musicians; doing whatever I could to get my name out as a singer.
Fast forward to 2016, I left my day job completely and have been earning my living as a singer ever since. It’s been an amazing learning experience thus far, but I feel like I’m just getting started!
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
As a freelance, professional vocalist, I sing for all types of events, no matter how big or small. I’ve sung on national television and I’ve sung in smoky, dive bars. I sing at weddings, private parties, corporate events, hotels, restaurants and casinos. I also get called to record vocals for studio sessions. Given my background and influences, I’m typically hired to sing R&B, Soul, Pop, Jazz or Gospel. I perform as a duo, trio or quartet. I also work with larger bands, ranging from a seven-piece all the way up to 13.
I love what I do and am so grateful for how far I’ve come, but I have so much more to learn musically. The hard work never ends, because the harsh reality is that in this profession, there’s always someone younger, with more connections, more talent, better looks… just waiting to take your place. I decided a long time ago not to take this journey for granted and to enjoy each opportunity I get to step behind a microphone.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
In both my personal life and in music, I’ve had some awesome victories as well as tough learning experiences. I’ve gotten some amazing phone calls for gigs, and I’ve been overlooked for quite a few as well. That’s just how it goes. And instead of seeing these as merely strokes of good (or bad) luck, I’d like to think that everything that happens to me is apart of a larger plan. I’m a firm believer that God directs my path, and while I may not understand everything that happens, I believe it’s my job to take the good with the bad and to be prepared for opportunities when they come along.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.durellanthony.com
- Email: durell.anthony@gmail.com
- Instagram: durell_anthony
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/durellanthonymusic
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