Cover Artist: Shonda

FALL IN LOVE AGAIN WITH OKLAHOMA’S FAVORITE SONGSTRESS

My name is Shalonda aka Shonda. I’m a country girl who was raised in a small town called Boynton Oklahoma. I grew up in a large family full of talented singers on both my mom and dad’s side of the family. I remember as a little girl how my father would make me get up in church and sing, and I’d cry because I was not only afraid, but I hated to sing. From there I would perform in school talent shows, and I’d also get invited to sing at church programs, banquets and weddings. When I became a teen, myself and some of my cousins started a gospel group called “Cousins In Christ”. We traveled all over the world singing and performing on many stages, and churches and even had the opportunity to perform at the famous Apollo Theater where we shared the stage with celebrities, and other great talented artists. Our group continued for over 20 years. As we grew older, got married, and started our own families the group sort of fell apart. The gift of singing never stopped with me, I continued to write music and sing on and off social media just for entertainment and also blessed to touch someone who may have been going through a tough time, and by them hearing my music it would help them along their way! Many didn’t know that all while trying to encourage the next person, I too had faced many hard times, and battles myself. I was in an abusive marriage, that stripped me down in every way anyone could possibly think. Imagine being in love with someone whom you thought was supposed to love you back, but instead you were not only physically abused, but verbally, mentally and emotionally as well. Walking around day to day, and getting up to minister in song while trying to hide your bruises, pain and scars behind a smile. Having your confidence torn down so bad that you started to believe the ugly things the man you loved so much would say to you. And also during this marriage I lost a child and this took me to a place I never ever wanted to be mentally! While in that storm, I was also dealing with a diagnosis of kidney failure, but one day it all became TOO MUCH! I attempted to take my life, but GOD SAID NO! When that didn’t work I had to make a choice to save me and my children, or stay and allow him to end my life for me. I filed for divorce and after 2 years of healing I found myself in another situation that I promised myself I would never go through again… I had another child from this relationship and during my pregnancy my kidney disease took a turn for the worst! When I was about 4 months pregnant my kidney function had gotten so bad that I had to begin dialysis. My unborn child began to also have issues from my sickness and the treatments which caused her to be born at only 24 weeks. The drs gave the worst prognosis about her outcome, yes I had to watch my child be brought back to life BUT GOD said different, after several months in the NICU shes alive and healthy today (but that’s another story ill tell you about one day) I still had to do dialysis after her birth, and after those long, dreadful, three days a week sickening treatments, God blessed me to receive a kidney in July 2019! It was a long recovery but because of his everlasting grace and mercy, I am alive and feeling great! Here I was recovering, getting my mental health back on track and back single again. But this time, I told myself I would die a single woman, cause honey you couldn’t pay me to go through anymore heartache NO MAM! They say God has a sense of humor and I can actually agree, because he sent this man my way, I ignored him at first, but this one was very persistent. We began conversing, which lead to hours and hours of phone conversations, to finally having our first date. I still had my guards up and all the while praying for guidance. God knew I couldn’t stand another failed relationship! This man was different, he prays with me and for me, he caters to every single need and want! I had never experienced this in a relationship. I thought WOW, someone actually reciprocates the same love back to me as I show him! Well after a year and a half he proposed and we are soon to become One! Im telling you all of that to say this, Sometimes we give up before God is done writing our story! Had I stayed in my marriage, or my other relationship, or if the suicide attempt had worked, I wouldn’t have been able to witness “Falling In Love Again”. My song was inspired by bad relationships, giving up, and then finding TRUE LOVE! Its ok to start over as many times as it takes, but be patient and God will send you that special person that was created just for you! I pray this song touches you in some way. Some will find that you can relate, but some you may find that its just good ol’ rnb that will speak to your soul! If you will please subscribe to my youtube under the name Shonda… and my single ‘Falling In Love Again” is available on all digital outlets. Thank you in advance and May God bless each and everyone of you!