The daughter of Reverend James and Mrs. Eula Towns, Rhonda is drawn to the Christian, country and gospel genres. Her creative ambitions and vocal performances are influenced by Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Reba, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride and Vince Gill.
Rhonda made her television debut as a champion contender on “Star Search” (hosted by Ed McMahon); she was also the first black female country recording artist to appear on the “Live From L.A. Show” on the BET Network.
Rhonda formed her own independent label, Dawn Records, in 2006 and released her debut album, I WANNA TO BE LOVED BY YOU, co-produced by Harold Shedd (Reba/Shania Twain/Alabama/Toby Keith) and Norro Wilson (Kenny Chesney/Reba/ Sara Evans/Shania Twain/Tammy Wynette/George Jones) and Jim Cotton (Billy Ray Cyrus/Montgomery Gentry/ Alabama). She followed with a series of single releases to radio including “I Wanna Be Loved By You,” “Somethin’ Better” and “Slow Rain” which met with applause from multiple and various formats.
Rhonda’s professional history includes working as a model and appearing in television commercials for Maxwell House, Toyota, Bounce, Mazda, Arizona Lotto/Arizona Lottery and Arizona Health Department; as well as runway and advertising print work for Dillard’s, K-mart (Jaclyn Smith Line), Reba Wear and fashion designer Lori Weidner (under the direction of Ruth Leighton of the Leighton Agency, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ).
Rhonda also appeared in the national Blue Diamond Almond and Petsmart commercials, and most recently, the regional commercial for Grand Canyon University (GCU) Christian College, Phoenix, AZ.
She will re-launch her radio show and podcast, “Rhonda Towns-’Plenty More Love,’” in the coming months.
Rhonda has supported the non-profit organizations Make-A-Wish Arizona, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Save the Family Foundation of Arizona, and MAM (Military Assistance Mission).
Getting to know Rhonda
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Yes, I do sing in the shower. I like to sing songs that we use to sing in my church choir or congregational songs such as, “This Little Light Of Mine”,” “Jesus Is The Light,” “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus.” When I think about my childhood those inspirational songs come to me most of the time when I am in the shower.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
I would love to write an autobiography. Don’t know the title yet, but the title would translate “faith and courage.”
If you were a car, what would it be and why?
A Maserati. I love fashion. The Maserati is a fashionable car!
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
Baked salmon, sautéed Brussels sprouts, baked potato, salad, Riesling wine, finished with a slice of cheesecake. (Eggless because I’m allergic to eggs!)
What first got you into music?
My Father was a minister; I started singing in the church choir at the age of four years old. As I got older my father would have me to sing his favorite songs before he would deliver his sermon to the congregation.
Who are your musical inspirations and why?
I’m inspired by Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Reba, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride and Vince Gill. They are gifted singers of yesterday and today with signature vocal gifts that cannot be imitated.
Whose career do you most admire and why?
The same list as above. Their successful careers and the impact they have all made on the music industry and their listeners speak volumes!
How would you describe the music that you typically create/write/record?
For me lyrics and music are inspired on a spiritual level and usually come to me when I am sleeping — almost like a dream. I hear the words and the music at the same time, and I have to immediately get up and write or sing the idea into my phone to record it.
Are you melody driven or lyric driven?
I am driven by both the melody and the lyric. A solid melody can make the lyrics dance and the lyrics can move the listener!
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I would love to perform a duet with Dolly Parton.
If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be and why?
Dolly Parton would be my ultimate choice; she’s a personal favorite. I would be honored to open for Reba and Amy Grant as well.
Was the isolation of the pandemic conducive to your writing or did it hinder the experiences you can write about?
The pandemic has heightened my awareness of how fragile we are in this big world that our Heavenly Father spoke into existence. We have to take care of it and take care of one another. We have to take care of our bodies and the earth because we come from the earth and when we pass from here, we will go back into the earth. My father passed in June 2010. The pandemic opened space and time to allow me more frequent conversations with my dad–he was always there for me when I needed him. He would always say the right words to make me think hard about what I needed to do to overcome a challenge or circumstance. Those intimate talks helped me through the challenging experience of the Pandemic.
What is the most important thing you learned from the pandemic?
Life is fragile.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
I want my music to serve as a positive message to those who have the opportunity to hear my voice. And I hope that my music will help listeners to heal and get a closer spiritual connection with our Heavenly Father.
What is your favorite song to perform?
Some cover tunes I enjoy performing are “Jesus Loves Me,” “Never Grow Old” and The National Anthem.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
Dolly Parton
What is the best advice you’ve been given? “
Never Give Up” (advice from my father) and “There’s no such thing as ‘can’t’” (words of wisdom from my mother).
Has your musical journey had a deliberate direction, or did it simply gradually evolve in whatever direction it found?
I started singing in the church as a child. I began pursuing my music career in the country music sector in 1994. My 22-year marriage ended in a horrific divorce in 2015; the experience left me feeling isolated, and emotionally and spiritually distressed. Releasing my current single “Walking In Your Wonderful Light” has brought me back to my “true love” –my music- with a hope to inspire others.
What does your music say about you?
It is who I am truly. My music is a gift from our Heavenly Father.
What are your musical plans for the next 12 months or so?
I hope to release two more singles and go back into the studio to record a couple of songs that I wrote during the pandemic.
Do you have any other plans relating to this release? A video? Online Shows?
I am looking forward to releasing my new music video “Walking In Your Wonderful Light.” We are also working to produce some online shows.
What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?
I hope to release a couple more singles. I’m concentrating on writing, recording and bookings. Just working to get back out there since my 12-year hiatus!
More on Rhonda Towns:
https://www.instagram.com/rhonda_towns/?hl=en
