Bringing It Home: LaKisha Jones' repertoire expands beyond ballads; She's performing Saturday in Flint

by Timothy Flynn | The Flint Journal

Thursday July 10, 2008, 11:50 PM

FLINT, Michigan -- Longtime fans of Flint native and "American Idol" finalist LaKisha Jones can expect a few surprises when the vocalist returns home this weekend.

Jones, who considers herself a ballad singer first and foremost, has kept busy in the recording studio this year, expanding her sound when not busy with live shows and Broadway engagements. She'll showcase her new direction at Perani Arena on Saturday, as part of the fourth annual "Bringing It Home" festival.

Jones' set will feature tunes from her forthcoming full-length album, an as-yet-untitled opus she hopes to release at the end of August.

"You're definitely going to see a different side of LaKisha," she said, "one that you didn't see on 'Idol.'

"You'll hear some R&B during the show, soul, uptempo, midtempo, it's not all ballads," she said. "I still love my ballads, and I wanted to do more, but my producers said, 'You need more uptempo numbers.'"

Jones began work on the new album earlier this year, despite the fact she was immersed in a Broadway production of "The Color Purple." Producer Tony Nicholas, known for his work with Patti LaBelle, was among those behind the board for the recording, while Jones chipped in with musical arrangements.

"We started at the beginning of this year," the singer said of the album's gestation. "People started submitting ideas, and the producers submitted material to me. I didn't do a whole lot of songwriting, but I changed a few things here and there.

"It's been a long process, because of 'The Color Purple,'" she said. "We were doing eight shows a week. But we did some recording in Houston, and then we went to Los Angeles."

With recording finally wrapped, Jones, now a Houston resident, said she couldn't be happier with the results.

"I can't wait until we have the finished album," she said. "It's been a dream I've had a long time."

She's still living the dream on the road, too. Jones said she'll join other "American Idol" finalists for a revue in Branson, Mo., immediately following her Flint gig.

But her busy live schedule has felt more of a strain lately, as she battles fatigue and reserves time for daughter Brionne.

"That would be the hardest part of all of this," Jones said of her travel itinerary. "The weird thing is, being on tour for two or three months, at the beginning I get tired, but I just get used to it. But I love being on the road.

"I have my daughter, she's 5 years old now," she added. "I explain that mommy is working. I just wish there was a different way to do things concerning your family and career."

Jones had a few words of thanks for her loyal, local fans as she geared up for her latest Michigan appearance.

"Flint is always here for me, no matter where I live," she said. "I'm just glad I have a great support system. I was touched they asked me to come back and do this.

"I can't say thank you enough. These people in Flint, they keep your career going. Just keep praying for me, because greater and greater things are on the way."