The savvy sound of this California-raised Angel comes from a lineage
of musical endowments. Known as the Songbird, her style is mellow
yet energetic, sweet yet sour, powerful yet subtle. At an early
age, Rion realized she was gifted with perfect pitch along with
a good ear for flawless sounds of music. Singing at various churches
with her other sisters, she stood out among them. Music was in her
mind, body and soul.
At the tender age of 8, she developed a skill on the drums that
seemed to be innate. She toyed with the gift for at least 6 years
and subsequently focused on her singing abilities. During her preteen
to teen years, she directed church choirs around the Dallas metro-plex,
where she also performed in talent shows, local church and school
plays. Her unknown ability to act came as a surprise to everyone.
As she grew older, she began to give voice lessons to adults well
over her age. In her Junior High years, writing poetry came into
play. She documented her trials, struggles, challenges, and experiences
of daily life in her diary, which later turned into a book of songs.
This God given gift, along with her smooth business style, has
opened many doors of opportunity. On different occasions, she was
able to perform/appear with various artists in the gospel and R&B
era such as Kirk Franklin, the late Olando Draper, Ricky Dillard,
and the late Johnnie Taylor, along with many others. After graduation,
she left home to attend Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Her talents afforded her to join one of the most popular and outstanding
groups in Oklahoma, Souls ‘A Fire. Being one of the lead vocalists
for this group, she was one of the 3 chosen to sing backup for the
well-known Michael Bolton in concert at ORU. While still entertaining
her acting skills in various stage plays and documentaries, music
remained in the forefront.
In 1998, Rion recorded her first gospel CD as lead vocalist with
a local Dallas gospel group, BK Douglas & More than Conquerors.
This was just the beginning of her recording career. To broaden
her style and skills, in March of 2000, she joined a local R&B/Old
School band, The Road Crew, as the lead female vocalist. Variety
of songs she performed range from old school artists such as Aretha
Franklin to Chaka Kahn and new school R&B’s Whitney Houston
to Lauren Hill. She then had the opportunity to record and/or present
tracks for major artists as Tony Terry, High Five and En Vogue,
just to name a few. She still performs, from time to time, with
the all-time great, Yarbrough & Peoples. Her most recent project
to date was being hired on as the Music Director for UPN/21 "Gimme
the Mic", in 2004. There she coached all 25 contestants on
stage performance and vocal skills, as well as giving a phenomenal
performance herself on the final show. To yet broaden her musical
repertoire, in Pop/Rock/Top 40's, she continued to performed as
the female lead vocalist in a few more local bands before branching
out on her own. She now rocks with one of the best bands in Dallas,
TOP Entertainment, at the most upscale restaurants, bars and clubs
in town, singing songs that the old and young can appreciate and
enjoy.
Now currently working on her solo project, Rion
is taking no prisoners and aiming for the pinnacle. Rion is writing
and co-producing on the tracks that will be on her freshman CD.
TBA. Through her music, Rion hopes to spread love and inspiration
to those who will follow in her footsteps as she follows in those
before her.