Lauri-Anne a rising star

Lauri-Anne Morris first stepped on stage at the age of nine.

A graduate of the St Leonard’s Girls’ School and Lester Vaughan Secondary, she went on to the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, where she successfully pursued studies in fashion design.

That love of fashion propelled her to enter the Miss St Michael Pageant in which she finished a runner-up.

She was selected to represent Barbados in St Kitts in the Miss Caribbean Talent Contest, where she made the top 5, and returned to the island to make it into the finals of the COURTS/Cable & Wireless Star Search.

In a recent interview with Weekend Buzz, Morris talked about her passion for singing.

When did you begin singing?

I began performing at the age of nine in the St Leonard’s Anglican Church Easter programme. I sang Jesus Has Risen and got a standing ovation. My mother and sisters were there with me from the start, and they are still with me to this day in my corner and I love and adore them so much.

What do you consider your biggest achievement?

Outside of my career as a singer, I consider the birth of my son Michael to be my greatest achievement. However, as a performer, winning the Teen Talent Contest in 2002, along with my BMA nomination, 2006 Party Monarch finalist and National Independence Festival of the Creative Arts awards are all very special to me, but the release of my debut album is definitely my greatest achievement in music to date.

How was the album launch at Divi Southwinds Sunday?

I truly was moved by all the support shown. People came, purchased the album, I signed autographs. It was really a dream come true for me, and I was grateful to have gifted supporting acts – Ronnie Morris and Jahir. I enjoyed it completely.

What are the initial singles from the album?

We released Believe as the first single from the album, and we have released the music video which is doing really well and is being shown all over the Caribbean on CMC as we speak and has been launched on CBC as well. The video for Bad Mind, which we are gearing for international release will be shot and recorded very soon, and will premiere on YouTube in December and CMC, CBC and numerous international networks as well.

What has been completed so far?

Being signed to Gold Coast Records and having my husband Christopher Morris who is my executive producer and co-manager in my corner enabled me to move very quickly over the past four weeks to make things happen. We shot and released the video Believe. We created and uploaded the Facebook page and YouTube channel along with my Twitter account. We organised the launch.

Several radio interviews were held, and a live performance on CBC TV’s Mid Morning Mix was done . . . so much it baffles me how we got it all completed in less than a month. Truly a whirlwind!

What plans do you have for the near future?

My manager has connected me to several key persons in the United States and Guyana, and we are working on making strides in those initial markets along with Barbados, and, of course Trinidad where I now live. I have confirmed performances for the Barbados Music Awards in January, and Ronnie is in discussions to have me perform at Guyana Fashion Week as well. Through my US booking agent dates are currently being confirmed for several performances in Las Vegas in the new year. (NS/PR)