A star is born: Reservist's daughter opening act for Macy Gray

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  On a crisp October night 19 years ago, at the Dover Air Force Base hospital, Tech. Sgt. Wayne Pennington's arms wrapped tightly around the tiny frame of his newly-born baby girl, whom doctors weren't sure would live through the night due to a heart defect.

Perhaps through sheer tenacity, Nadjah Nicole Pennington made it through the night. It might be that same determination the reservist's daughter would call upon while on the road to success.

The 512th Airlift Control Flight command post operator's first daughter, Nadjah Nicole -- as she goes by professionally -- is blazing her trail to become a professional songstress. From singing hymns with her church choir to belting out tunes on a major metropolitan-area stage, she has come a long way from the infant who could barely utter a whimper.

The opening song:
"I was always singing," said Nadjah Nicole. "But, it wasn't until I was around 12-years-old that I realized I really had something going here."

That something became obvious during a humble beginning with her church choir seven years ago.

"When it was Nadjah's part in the song, she blew everyone away," said Sergeant Pennington, a singer and former choir director. "I had heard her singing here and there before, but when I heard her at church, I realized what a command she had of her voice. It was then that her mother and I realized, we should nurture this musical gift. She never wanted to play an instrument, but she could sing like crazy."

So, she started on the journey to training her talent through voice lessons and began regarding her singing as more than a hobby.

As word of Nadjah Nicole's talent spread around their New Castle, Del. home, requests to book the young songster began to pick up: Church organizations called looking for a gospel singer, brides phoned in their need for an acappella vocalist, musicians prodded for a portion of the new artist's skill.

With the help of her father, she made it a point to sing as many gigs as possible.

Sergeant Pennington pushed back the desire to shield his daughter from the world and took on the role as manager.

"It's hard to not be the dad and have to be tough on her," said the Delaware-native. "I have to do a lot of talking to folks and a lot of weeding out. I go to the venue that she's supposed to sing at beforehand to check it out. Trust me, there're a lot of places that she won't be performing at. I also have to be her toughest critic at times and that can be hard."

Cultivating Nadjah Nicole's talent took perseverance from both her and her father but, it's not just the managerial duties that can be trying for Sergeant Pennington. While his daughter's talent was free, honing that talent comes at a cost.

He said the fee involved in voice lessons, studio time and travel to and from singing engagements adds up, but it's worth any cost to help his daughter reach her potential.

Ascending scales:
As Nadjah Nicole matured, so did the quality of the venues offered to her. Within a few years, the songstress had graduated from crooning at weddings and church outings to singing more prestigious events.

At seventeen, she found herself competing at one of the most famous music halls in the United States.

"When I went to Apollo (Theater) and won the first round, it was one of the most memorable experiences I've had in my career so far," said the Widener University student. "And no one really knows this: In the very first part I sang the wrong lyrics, but I just kept going. I've learned that when you mess up, you just keep going no matter what."

Although she got eliminated in the last round, that didn't daunt Sergeant Pennington's resilient offspring.

"I think my dad's military background influenced me when it comes to my discipline," she said. "I'm not perfect, but I try to do things orderly, and I respect people. The effect it's had has been all positive."

Nadjah Nicole, a Delaware Military Academy graduate, said discipline is something she tries to carry over to all parts of her life.

As she dug in her heels and continued developing musically, the hard-working vocalist generated more opportunities to show the music world her capabilities.

In September, she was the opening act for two-time Grammy Award winner Macy Gray at the 21st Annual Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood Street Festival in Philadelphia.

The event, which spanned three city blocks, was the largest event in which the young songbird had ever participated.

"Last year, she was asked to sing at his event by opening up with the National Anthem and singing one other song," said the 19-year-old's manager and father. "But, a few months ago, we got the call and instead of having her sing the National Anthem, they wanted her to open for the headliners and sing three songs. This year, not only did she get to showcase her talent, but she also got paid. She really felt good about that."

After the headline artist was finished, Nadjah Nicole was awarded the opportunity to meet Macy Gray.

"It was honestly the best time ever," she exclaimed.

With a career that is excelling on the open stage, Nadjah Nicole now finds herself toiling within the walls of a recording studio.

The melody continues:
The father-daughter team has been pulling long hours inside the recording booth preparing Nadjah Nicole's first album.

"You want to have about 20 songs and then cut them down by half to the best of the best," said Sergeant Pennington. "Right now we have seven that are fully mastered. We're just going to keep at it and try to add to her library of songs."

Sergeant Pennington said the studio hours can be long and taxing.

"We've had days where we arrive at the studio early in the morning and we're there until very late in the day," he said. "Those days can be a little tough. But, we've seen results from those demanding days."

And although things are starting to fall into place for the young singer, she is not letting up on her commitment to working hard for her goals, whatever they may be.

"If I really stick to it, if I really do what I'm supposed to do I think that this whole experience will prove that you have to work hard for what you want," said Nadjah Nicole, who would like to be a broadcast journalist or radio disk jockey, if not a professional singer. "I don't know what I'll be doing later in my life, whether I'm a broadcaster or a singer, but I know I'm going to have to work hard to become whatever I want to be."

Growing from a little songbird in her church choir to a songstress who croons for a sea of thousands, Nadjah Nicole has had her share of accomplishments, but it may be just an overture of things to come.