Life & Work with Danielle Hutchins of Augusta, GA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Hutchins

Hi Danielle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started singing and writing at 11 years old. I was inspired to sing and write by my mom ,Henrietta Hutchins. There were many times that I’ve watched her sing in the choir.

I’ve always been amazed by how she was a powerful soprano. She has even inspired me to sing write. I use to look through her notebooks. In her notebooks were nothing but songs. Songs she had written & was still writing.

Even though I was her daughter, I wasn’t expecting to inherit such a powerful gift that would change my life and others around me.

My family and I attended attended Friendly Church of God In Christ. My dad forced us to be in the young adult choir. I honestly didn’t want to do it. Mainly because I’ve always felt different. And my voice was different, looking back on it now it was a blessing in disguise.

Joining the young adult choir allowed me to receive vocal training. I would’ve never thought it would’ve benefited my life as much as it has.

When I was 17 I got my first gig to perform at a youth church event. At this time I didn’t have any original music. So I decided to sing Tye Tribbetts sings. I performed Let us worship & so Amazing. I had an entire live band. My two sisters were my background singers and dancers.

After realizing my potential I decided to take music serious. I decided that night I wanted to do music for the rest of my life.

When I graduated from high school in 2010 I was unsure about my path to music. My parents pushed me to attend Georgia Military College in Augusta. I was not interested in attending that community school. I wanted to actually leave the state and enjoy the college life.

I applied for LA Recording school of Arts in Los Angeles, California. I declined the offer because they didn’t have dorms. I couldn’t afford paying rent and tuition. So I applied to McNally Smith College of Music in Saint Paul, MN. And accepted the offer to attend in the fall of 2011.

I attended in the fall and was withdrawn from school in January 2012 because I couldn’t afford to pay my tuition. I honestly had the choice of leaving Minnesota and going back home. Instead of going back home I pushed through. I didn’t have any place to stay and I didn’t have a job. I was homeless at the time. My college friend Chrissy allowed me sleep on her couch.

As the year 2012 was flying by . I ended up working at The Mall of America as a custodian. Within six months of that job I became a custodian lead. At the time I really wasn’t concerned about music. Even though it was my life and passion. I was more worried about my living situation and attending church every Sunday.

The church I joined was called Overcomer’s Victory church. I only joined the church because I felt love inside of the church. When I left Georgia I wasn’t interested in attending church anymore. But majority of my college friends attended OVC.

Chrissy wanted me to join the praise team, I had to audition in order to join the praise team. Overcomer’s Victory Church praise team sung at a lot of church’s in Saint Paul & Minneapolis.

My dream of becoming a singer never left my heart or mind even though I wasn’t really pursuing it. At the time I was helping OVC ( Overcomer’s Victory Church) build up their ministry.

In January 2015 I moved into my 1st apartment, I honestly will never forget it. I stayed at 401 4th street Apt. 8 Minneapolis, MN 55401. My hard work kept paying off. Three years had went by since I was withdrawn from college.

I regained my focus back told myself I wanted to release a song. My friend D-Ray suggested working with Corey Stampley. He produced my 1st song ever called “ He is before all things”

I was so hyped about releasing my new song. I was really unaware of the marketing aspect & just all around cost of promoting my song.

In 2017 I released two singles “ Let me breathe & Shooting Star” then in the summer of 2017 I released my first EP entitled “ Perception “ I had an EP release party at the venue Honey I’m Southeast Minneapolis, Minnesota. I had an entire band , plus two background singers.
That night I performed every song off my project live.

For my first EP release party I did well. I had about ten people there. The rest of 2017 I put all of my focus into performing for the rest of the year. When I released the perception project I literally spent about $5,000 out of my own pocket. No investors, no help , no nothing.

I had so much faith in my project, so much to the point that I fell behind on my rent. And I had to either pay all the money up front or go to eviction court. My brother helped me out with the money.

Unfortunately that wouldn’t be the last time that I’ve had to deal with eviction court. Why because when you’re chasing a dream it’s very very expensive. I’ve had the same dream since I was 17 years old. I’ve been investing into my dream for over a decade.

This is one of the reasons why in 2020 durning the pandemic I released “ Good Things Comes To Those That Wait” that song was not only for people during the pandemic. But it was also for creatives / people like me who hasn’t given up yet.

On Friday, February 2nd, 2024 I released “ Answer My Call “ produced by Farro & written by me. I feel like my latest single “ Answer My Call “ is probably one of my biggest songs right now.

Everyday I’m striving trying to make it. My dream is not only to be able to do music. But it’s also to be able to tour around the work. I would also love to get my music into TV/ Film, advertising, commercials, and games.

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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Finically it’s been tough, even though I work two jobs, at times it’s still not enough when you’re investing into your dreams. Sometimes you definitely feel alone, because people really don’t know, nor understand why creatives/ artist do what they do.

And why they invest so much money, time and energy into this. So at times it’s definitely hard to try to explain and express what you feel, people definitely don’t understand why you take risks. I’m in a place of my life we’re I don’t even explain why I do what I do.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter. Because of my upbringing in church. All I heard about was how to live a saved life. I’ve always felt like the church never talked enough about people reaching their dreams or following their dreams.

I’ve always felt that the church was a place for people to grow, mature and go out into the world to Share their gifts with people.

This is one of the main reasons why I classify myself as an inspirational artist. Because I’m always singing & writing about people reaching their dreams. I’m going to always inspire people to reach their dreams and aspirations, no matter what.

I’m always proud when people tell me they my songs have really helped them through life. Because life is really really hard. We all need some inspiration & motivation every now and then.

What matters most to you?
Seeing people doing what they were born/ created to do. This is what matters the most to me. Because I know firsthand how hard it is to do what you love, to do what you’re passionate about & to do wjay brings you the most joy.

I feel like if people were able to do what brings them joy everyday. The world would be a happier place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Iamdaniellehutchins
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdaniellehutchins6?igsh=aW02aWFiNDhuYzBr&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielle.t.hutchins?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@daniellethutchins?si=qYuY_a0Z0srfdvNl

Image Credits
Jay Gibson

IG: gibson_media_group