There are few artists that can keep children, teens, and adults entertained and Yancy seems to be one of the few. She has used her God given talents to create her own sound and then poured that sound into a variety of projects that go beyond one niche. She's on a run through the Dallas area doing both preteen and adult events.
How do you describe your signature style?
Over all, I just say pop rock. That is the most simplistic way to put it.
What makes your sound stand out?
I definitely try to just have fun in my music and sometimes make choices based on having fun and not over worrying about if this is the most musically correct thing to do right here. If a guitar part makes me smile, then, okay, let's go with it. I think that's one factor. My voice has got a lot of rawness to it so it's not the most perfectly pop sounding voice. There's some ebb and flow that happens. I think that makes it a little bit unique as well.
Why do you think your sound appeals to both adults and children?
A lot of stuff that gets created for kids is just really cheesy and hokie and basically too childish for wherever they're at, so I try instead, to make sure that lyrically what is happening isn't above their heads, but make the music sound like normal real music, because I've been in the car with a five year old who's singing along to adult music. I go about creating the music I do for kids from a different angle than most people that make music for kids do. And my experience is I've led worship for a lot of years in a church type setting and within that environment I've led worship for every age. At times it was middle school and high schoolers and at times it was young adults and college and at times it was just main adult worship. I think all those experiences combined have given me experience in how to relate and communicate with those different ages and so, even though there's things about the music that don't necessarily change that much from one age to another, I think it's just my presentation and the way I appear to them. I think my ability to go back and forth between age groups is definitely a God thing, because I've talked to some people and there just, "Oh I couldn't do that. I need to focus, zero in and do one thing." I think, overall, what I'm suppose to do and what does make me unique and interesting is the fact that I have this ability to cross back and forth and appeal to the moms and dads, appeal to a high school student, and then also do a lot of stuff for pre-teens and elementary kids too.
Why music?
I've always enjoyed music. My parents tell me I had a Mr. Microphone when I was three years old and would sing and perform on the fireplace. As I got a little bit older I started taking piano lessons, probably when I was about seven years old and about that same time was the first time I sang publicly and started learning special songs to sing at events whenever I could. It kept growing into a bigger and bigger thing. It's not like I remember a specific day or time when I said, "Oh, I want to do music!" It just became such a huge part of who I was and I definitely felt "My name is Yancy. My birthday is July 16th. I'm suppose to do music."
What inspires you?
I love being able to create experiences for other people. And whether that is singing a song about something I've gone through in life or a relationship that I have or whether that's writing a worship song to lead a group of people in. I just love being able to share little thoughts and tidbits or scripture with people through the music that I create, whether that's just to encourage them a certain day or help them take a step closer to God through the music that I'm singing. That's probably something that I've learned more and more in the past few years is a highlight, helping them make that connection to God through the songs I write and sing.
When you have a concert, what is the main idea you want to leave with your audience?
Ultimately there is a fun factor to it. I want them to have a good time. I want them to leave with a smile on their face and have a lighter load than they might have had otherwise. But, mainly, that they walk away knowing that Jesus is relevant to their life today, that it's not just stories from the Bible long ago, but that Jesus knows where they are and what their facing and can meet them where they're at, wherever they may be.
What is your next project?
I have a devotional book that is going to release in March, so that's the thing that's new. I just finished writing it during the holidays. It ties in with one of my last recording projects called Rock-N-Happy Heart. I plan to go back into the studio in May to work on a new cd that will release in early fall. It will be geared towards preteens.
Do you have a cause or an organization you are passionate about?
A really close family friend that has been around my whole life, their son, one year for his birthday asked that instead of presents, people gave money to go to an orphanage in India. And, I love the fact that he was like nine years old at the time and I have a cd that I produced for preschoolers and I give all the profits from Little Praise Party to Gavin for his organization to send over to India and it goes straight to building orphanages over there. It's not something that I talk about at my concerts, but it is something that I was really touched by.
When you are out and about for a gig, what is your favorite thing to do?
Shop, that is definitely my No. 1 hobby and activity. And when I'm in Texas I love Pappasito's, so I always try to squeeze that one in. I was very excited to see their adding one at DFW Terminal A.
What materialistic thing would you not be able to function without?
I would think either my iphone or my computer. One of the two. I'm trying to decide which one. I spend a lot of time on my laptop working, but let's be honest, we all love our cell phones, so I say a hybrid of the two.
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I see myself still making and creating music and traveling. Maybe the traveling will be more clumped into tour type things instead of this nonstop every weekend thing. And, hopefully by then I'll have at least one kid or a couple of kids. I have to figure out that dynamic.
What has been one of the craziest things that has happened to you on stage?
Last fall I was in Ohio at a really big preteen event and I don't know if there weren't enough adult leaders, but the students started coming up on stage from both sides, closer and closer, surrounding me and I was a little scared they were going to smash me.
My very first concert ever I ripped the heel out of my boot. It got caught in a step and nails were coming up into my foot. It took me forever to figure out what was going on. I finally looked down and saw the heel to my boot was spinning. I just tried to not put too much weight on that foot. That was a fun start.
Oh, I fell off of a riser once. We were about to do our closing song and I forgot where I was and backed right off of it. As I was falling I saw the bass player's face and he's reaching for me going, "W-W-W-O-O-O-A-A-A!" It was totally like slow motion. Everyone off stage was super concerned and freaked out, but I got up and laughed hysterically. I hurt my ankle a little bit, but it was just funny. I couldn't believe that just happened. It was one of those things that only about half the people there know what happened because something serious was going on, so it depends on if you were totally focused on that or if you happened to see that my legs flew through the air and I crashed. But, we didn't get it on video, which is kind of good and bad all at the same time. I'd like to see it, but it's probably good that there isn't documentation.
Do you have a favorite venue or concert?
I had a concert last fall where they were so excited. So many people had made Yancy t-shirts and had Yancy signs. It was just one of those moments where you're like, "These people really love me! This is sweet." It was actually in a really small town. It wasn't a big, fancy place, but they were really pumped up about it, so that was fun.
Yancy entertains and ministers all over the country. Click here for her tour schedule. And here to find out how to book her.
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