Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Mann.
Rachael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started singing at the age of seven. I never asked for the gift, but I remember, one day I just started singing. Singing does not run in my family, so I knew it was something that was special and God given. My first solo was at the age of seven, and my first solo at church was at the age of ten. I loved singing so much, that I literally spent all my free time practicing in my room with my karaoke machine for hours and hours. I would make songs and found a way to create harmonies on each track I made. Later on, in life, this would help tremendously when I started to record in recording studios.
I was never forced to sing for events and churches, and I never had a stage mom. My family always encouraged me to follow the dreams I believe God placed on my heart to follow. As I grew, I began singing at more churches, plays and events. When I graduated from high school, I started working on my cd “Unbelievable Love” in which every song was written or co-written by me (I had never written a song before, so I knew this was truly a God ordained project). Shortly after that, I opened for Kirk Franklin, John P. Kee and Hezekiah Walker at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham. Alabama in front of a crowd over 18,000. I was also receiving radio airplay at one of the largest Christian radio stations in the South, 93.7 WDJC. Around this time, I also began opening up for musical acts such as Jars of Clay, Big Daddy Weave, Lincoln Brewster, Salvador, J. Moss, Marvin Sapp and more.
In 2010, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where I began a new musical journey. In Nashville, I started working on a new project “Proud Of Me”. I also was able to sing on a TBN Telethon (Local Nashville station), and I was also featured on several television shows including the CTN Network’s “Bridges” which airs in stations all over the Country. At this time, I also began doing more acting gigs. I was featured on ABC’s “Nashville” as a VIP musical guest in an episode, and I was also asked to be a production assistant for the GMA Dove Awards and American Idol. Along with acting gigs, jingle and voice over opportunities opened for places like McDonalds and Williamson Medical Center out of Franklin, Tennessee.
I also began to tour a lot. This included States such as Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Texas and more. I also was able to travel the World on several mission trips where I had the opportunity to sing in front of crowds of over 10,000 in places like Cambodia, Thailand and Nepal. That same year, I was able to sing at a very historical church in Israel.
A few years later, I moved to the Atlanta area. I was able to act on several movie sets including “A Question Of Faith” where I was featured as a singer and “Heartstrings” with Dolly Parton just to name a few. I also have been featured and interviewed several times on WATC TV’s Channel 57 Atlanta Live and was featured on Atlanta And Company for Christmas as a singer in 2019. My new song “Control” was released in April of 2020 and is distributed by United Alliance Music Group based out of Nashville. This song was produced by Nathan Walters who was previously in the Christian boy band group “Plus One”. This song has also received radio airplay all over the Country and World including stations like Tygerberg 104.3 – South Africa, 90.1FM Hope FM – United Kingdom and Rhema 99.9FM – Australia to name a few.
The sky is the limit as far as opportunities go. Though 2020 is definitely a year for the history books, I am excited to see what God will do continually going forward. My dream is to follow God wherever He leads and be faithful to the doors He opens.
Great, 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?
No dream or opportunity that you have to work hard for is a smooth road. Though for the most part, it’s been an incredible ride, there are always obstacles that come your way. I am a go getter, and I never like to give up on things especially when I love doing them so much. There have been times I’ve worked very hard for things, and for whatever reason, the door never opened. I would pray and pray for them to, but they didn’t. But, down the line, I was able to see why. It just would not have been the best path for me to take.
For the most part, the road has been smooth, but you can never truly grow as a person or in character unless there are some trials that come your way where you can learn.
Please tell us about your work.
I am a singer/songwriter and worship leader. I am known for my soul and R&B but also the fact that I play piano completely by ear. I am not able to read music, but I am able to catch on very quickly as far as harmonies and learning songs go.
I write and co-write a lot of my songs. What sets me apart I believe from a lot of people is I believe I am able to bridge gaps between different denominations and races. I truly believe this is part of my calling, but also the way God has made me to be.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I grew up close to Gulf Shores, Alabama. My grandmother was full Swedish, and I remember as a child going to visit their home right on the water. I remember every time I showed up there, even as I became an adult, my grandmother would always have a gift for me. I also remember her fixing the most amazing homemade bread. She was an amazing woman! I truly miss that house on the water and my grandmother!
Contact Info:
- Website: Rachaelmann.org
- Email: Rachaelmannmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Rachaelmannmusic
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Rachaelmannofficial
- Twitter: Twitter.com/Rachaelmann
- Other: Reverbnation.com/Rachaelmann
Image Credit:
Stephanie Peery
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