Ametria

Ametria Doss is one of those exceptional young vocalists destined for greatness. It was under this premise that a young teenager originally from the Midwest (now a resident of Atlanta) was signed and recorded to MCA Records - the label's first Gospel artist.

It was also the reason behind Ametria receiving 2 Stellar nominations this year for Best Contemporary Female Vocalist Of The Year & Best Rap/Hip-Hop Performance Of The Year.

Not bad for a young adolescent who found pleasure singing in her father's church every Sunday morning.

After a cursory listen of Ametria's latest CD - It's Not About Me - you're certain to come away feeling very impressed by this novel talent.

With a guest list of songwriters and singers on her album worthy of the next Stevie release (Mary J. Blige, Montell Jordan, Wanya Morris & Jojo Hailey), Ametria has put together a treasure chest of song selections good for the next three albums.

In anticipation of the 16th Annual Stellar Awards, GOSPELCITY.COM pulled aside Ametria for a few minute to talk about her recent rise to acclaim, her collaboration with secular artists and her choice to remain a virtuous woman.

Christopher Heron: For the record Ametria, what is your official age?

AMETRIA: I am 20 years old.

CH: Let's also talk about the fact that you're part of the MCA recording family now, debuting with a great project called It's Not About Me featuring a number a recognizable names, all lending their names and talents to this recording. How did all of this come together?

AMETRIA: How did it all come together? Basically my management team and also my A&R from MCA really helped bring it together so that I could work with all of the artists such as Wanya Morris and Mary J. Blige.

Mary's a label mate, as well as K-Ci and JoJo. Montel basically was a friend of my A&R. So, it just all came together, it was all God's doing basically.

CH: How did you feel about the idea of releasing your first album when the record label (MCA) introduced the idea to you at age 17 or 18 years old?

AMETRIA: It was overwhelming, it was exciting to work with artists that I looked up to, listened to and admired.

I wasn't intimidated at all, I was just eager and excited to be able to meet Mary and learn from her and Montel as well.

CH: At what age did you really feel you had the calling to sing and record and use your talent to the glorification of God?

AMETRIA: I was younger. I was always told that I was anointed to sing and to sing God's praises.

At sixteen I was told that I needed to be in the studio. I just love to sing, so whatever I could do to be on the mike, I wanted to do it.

CH: Were you always singing for your father and church?

AMETRIA: Yeah always. To this day every year he has an Appreciation Service and I always go back to sing.

I have another brother that is 19 who also sings and is trying to get into the business as well and we go and sing for our father every year.

CH: One of the songs that would definitely catch the attention of listeners was the song on abstinence - Wait. What was the inspiration behind that song?

AMETRIA: It was written and produced by my manager Jackie Jones. It was inspired by a conversation that we had one day.

We were sitting around at her house and talking about how I chose to be a virgin, and how important it was to do God's will and abstain from sex because that is something that is very sacred, and something that is really important to me.

I really thought it was a good idea for us to get that out and I wasn't ashamed of it at all. I was excited for us to do that and to just let other male and females know that it is O.K. to be a virgin.

CH: I have to tell you that this album was a pleasant surprise, and I consider it to be one of the best urban contemporary albums of the year.

What particular song do you hold near and dear to your heart, and which song do you wish everybody had a chance to hear if it was one song?

AMETRIA: It has always been Wait and God Is So Good. But recently, I've been listening to the album and I really have been --- Touched By An Angel that's one of my favorites as well. Wait is my ultimate favorite because its what I'm talking about and also who I worked with on it - Wanya Morris - he's my favorite singer; God Is So Good is one that is near and dear to my heart because He has been so good to me and I just want to just tell Him; and Touched by An Angel is such a beautiful song. Those are my three favorite that I want people to hear.

CH: I thought it was a nice touch when you and your mother sang a duet. I thought that the chemistry was special between the two of you.

AMETRIA: Yeah, that was really exciting to work with her. She's my best friend, I love my mother dearly, and she helped me out a lot.

That was one of my favorite songs, and I had a really great time working with her as well.

CH: Was this the first time that she sang and recorded?

AMETRIA: My mother did some work 5 or 6 years ago, back where we are from.

We're from Racine, Wisconsin and she has been in the studio doing a demo, writing her own material. This album wasn't her first time in a recording studio.

CH: When I played this album in front of some of my secular friends, there was this constant comparison (and I'm sure you've heard this time and time again), in voice and in style to Mary J. Blige. Is it fair or accurate?

AMETRIA: I've gotten the same response. Mary was a big influence on my musical career; I listened to Mary a lot as a young child whenever I could listen to R&B music.

The Clark Sisters were a big influence on me growing up, and also Kim Burrell was and still is a big influence in my life…the Clark Sisters too.

Mary to me has a little of their (sound) too, and I know from talking to her she listens to them as well, so it all ties in there together.

CH: Now coming back to the Stellar Awards, did you have any idea that nominations were coming your way?

AMETRIA: No, it was a total surprise to me, I couldn't believe it. I'm really excited to go and be a part of it, it's an amazing thing. These nominations didn't come to mind that I would go the Stellar Awards again and be nominated for two categories. I'm just so thankful and I can't wait to get there.

CH: Which category do you find the most rewarding or the most enjoyable, is it Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Performance Of The Year or Contemporary Female Vocalist of The Year?

AMETRIA: That would be the one, definitely. All the people in the category are incredible - Cece Winans, Kelli Williams and Yolanda Adams.

I remember talking to her last year, being so excited for her to have won the awards she has won, you know, so just being in the same category as her is amazing to me.

CH: With the Stellar Awards taking place in your hometown of Atlanta, are you sure you have enough seats for the whole family?

AMETRIA: We're trying to get them. I mean I have so many people in my corner, and I'm so excited about it, everyone's trying to come out, people coming from everywhere that want to be a part of this because they are so happy and proud of me.

CH: Well, without any doubt, this nomination is definitely an encouragement for you. What are your plans from here?

Are you looking at going back to the studio in the coming year or so to record again; are you going to be featured with some other artist?

AMETRIA: Surely that's in the works, I'm working on another album, and I'm just really excited about that.

I just really want to do it all over again, and do other things acting, writing, producing, all kinds of stuff, I have big dreams for the future, and I'm just praying that God works it out for me.

I know he will, and I'm just excited for what he has for me.

For more info on Ametria, visit her web site at www.ametria.com.