Sultry Singer Sy Smith doesn’t sing, she gives of herself through her music. Sy’s the kind of artist that mere singers in the entertainment industry hear and say, “that woman can sang!” Millions of American Idol fans  recognize her voice (and the other singers’) singing backup to contestants as the key element that makes the show palatable.  She has entertained across the world singing with the likes of Me’shell N’degeocello and Chris Botti, and has one of the most sought after voices in the entertainment industry.

I sat down with Sy (virtually) for a Relevant Q & A about what moves her.  As you will learn, working in LA LA Land (Hollywood) has not gilded this Washington, DC native. She remains as raw and free-spirited as they come.

 Here we go.

 Basic info:

Full Name: Sy Smith
Hometown: Born in NYC, Raised in Washington, DC/PG County, MD
Last school attended: The Old School, Nu-School. (Just kidding).  Howard University (BS in Psychology), UCLA Extension
What you consider your career to be:  Entertainment

…getting started..

What (when) was your first break in the business? Who was the person who took a shot on you? My mom was the first person who took a shot on me by investing in a private piano instructor.  I begged for private instruction (didn’t really know how to articulate that, but I knew that lessons with “a bunch of other kids” didn’t work for me).  This foundation was my first break in the business.

What was the “aha” moment like when you said, “What the hell, I’m going to give it a shot (follow my dream)!”?

As far as deciding to “give it a shot”, I don’t really know when my “aha” moment was.  I do remember a life-changing moment for me though.   When I went to see “Your Arms To Short To Box With God” (in front row seats, no less) and Pattie Labelle came up and sang to me during the finale, I decided right then and there that I wanted to do something that involved performing!

Describe that first moment when you were doing what you love and you felt like you made the right decision.

Once again, I don’t know when this moment occurred.  I’ve always enjoyed making music, whether by myself or in front of audiences.  I’ve always been kind of solitary, so my rewards tend to come from within.  There have been certain key performances when I thought to myself “Wow, I love my life” (Oddly enough, these moments usually happen for me in rehearsal rather than during the actual performance.  I think this is because performing can be so “out-of-body” for me…)

At this very moment, are you passionate about what you are doing?

Very much so.  (Repeat that 5x).

…inspiring to you..

What (who) inspires you?

Kids laughing, dogs and cats playing together, being tickled by something witty, good food.  I’m inspired by truth, I’m also inspired by consequence.  I’m turned on and intrigued by anyone who’s REALLY good at what they do.  It doesn’t matter if they’re musicians or bakers or poets or engineers… Inspiration is contagious if you allow yourself to become infected and I like to expose myself to those elements daily.  I’m really inspired by great authors!  Reading is my favorite thing to do.

What’s the most surreal experience you’ve had in the business?

Haha!  When I first moved to L.A., I got a phone call from what sounded like a really sexy guy.  I was like “Who’s this?”  He said “Christopher Williams” (‘memba him from New Jack City and such?)…  I laughed hysterically and repeated “Nah, really.  Who’s this?”… LOL!  I don’t know why this was so funny to me but it was.  He was calling me to do some gigs with him and I was still so green that I didn’t think artists actually made their own calls sometimes!  Ha ha! 

I also had a (way more) surreal experience with Lauryn Hill.  It also involves her calling me and then coming to my place in L.A.  But it’s too long of a story to type.  If I ever see you in person, maybe you can coax that one out of me.  Or even better, maybe one day I’ll write a memoir of all my experiences.

Who is your favorite colleague to work with?

Hmmmm…  Tough question.  I love working with other great singers - Kenya Hathaway and Sharlotte Gibson who sing with me on American Idol are my favorites.  When it comes to stage/theatre, I love working with my girl Chante Carmel (a brilliant actress and singer in her own right).  I adore the band on American Idol and my Music Director on the show (Rickey Minor - MD, Teddy Campbell - drums, Herman Jackson III - keys, Dave Delhomme - keys, Kevin Ricard - perc, Paul Jackson Jr - guitar).  I also LOVED working with Me’shell N’degeocello and her other musicians.  I really dig working with the Chris Botti band too (Mark Whitfield, Billy Kilson, Billy Childs, Bob Hurst).  As producers go, I adore Ali Shaheed and Dre King, especially.

If you could pick one person to work with who you have not, who would that be?

I wish I could work with Michael Jackson (pre-”Bad” album, MJ though).  Love Sting too.  And Prince if he doesn’t creep me out with the religious talk…

Who do you admire? (No mom or dad allowed)

Mother and Father.  Okay, after reading Nina Simone’s autobiography, I really came to admire her journey in music.  She was way out and way in (in an internal kinda way) and I love that.  I also admire and love and adore and respect Diana Ross to no end.

I must also say that after visiting the Hitsville Museum (MOTOWN) in Detroit, I have a new found respect for Berry Gordy.  His whole family was so enterprising!

Gadget(s) of choice?

MacBook, iPod, LG Voyager, Facial Sauna, Apple Corer/Slicer, Vegetable Slicer, Microwave, Tea steeper, The wheel.

…so disappointing…

What’s one thing you’ve done to disappoint yourself?

Doubted myself and acted on fear.  Anytime I do this, I disappoint myself.  I try not to ever do this anymore.  But most of us would be surprised at the number of times we act on fear… Fear’s the new black.

What do others do that disappoints you?

I like to see my friends operate at their full potential so I’m disappointed when I see people that I know half-assing it.  It saddens me more than anything.

How is the economic recession impacting you?

I don’t know that it is just yet.  I haven’t done anything financially differently.  I’ve always tried to be reasonable with my dough and keep my overhead low.

Which part of the professioin could you give up in an instant?

Administrative work.  Hate it.

…leave ‘em with this..

 How do you deal with adversity?

I think I deal with adversity by never attempting to become palatable.  Meaning, I don’t try to make others comfortable with me by playing myself down.  If anything, I make myself bigger and force whoever has a problem with it to face their problem.  In the end, people who cause adversity are the ones with the problems, not the people who face adversity.

What quote/saying are you best known for?

“Hell to the naw”?… No, I really don’t know.  That question is better posed to the people who know me.

What do you do when you are not on the grind/road?

I don’t know.  When I’m not on the road, I’m on the grind.  When I’m not on the grind, I’m on the road.  I am known to treat myself to this little Korean day spa every once in a while.  No clothing is allowed.  This ensures that I won’t have my cell phone on me, so I won’t be trying to sneak  in  work.  I’ve also taken a vacation before.

What’s next for you?

The next question.

Where can we find you online?

Myspace (or SySpace) - www.myspace.com/sysmith

Website - www.sysmith.com

Music is at iTunes, CDbaby.com, Amazon.com, MobileUnderground.com, FilmBaby, DustyGroove, AllMusic, Youtube, and all over Google.

If you had one last song to sing, line to deliver, or speech to give to a waiting audience of millions, what would you leave them with?

I’d hope to leave them with laughter…then maybe I could hit a really long/high note and die right there on stage while everybody’s laughing…Drama queen that I am. (not!)

View Sy’s new video “Conflict”