All Photos: Alan Mercer Hair & Make-Up: Shade DuBois
Photo Assistants: Simon Flippin & Richard Levi
Sonia Langham stems from Texas, a state that has a history for producing some of the biggest country music icons. She also comes from a family whose roots are the very definitions of country. Inspired by classic icons Tanya Tucker, Dolly Parton and Pat Benatar, this talented entertainer began honing her craft in the living room performing for her parents and siblings.
Sonia spent most of her childhood living in the outskirts of Houston, Texas; a small town with big hospitality named Splendora. The small town characteristics that everyone in a small community knows your business taught Langham the importance of kindness and integrity.
As an adolescent, Sonia and her family moved around a lot before settling in to Splendora. Being forced to meet and befriend new people on a frequent basis turned her into a social butterfly. This quality set her up for success when it came to stepping in to the spotlight.
In high school, Sonia took advantage of the spotlight opportunities by getting involved with choir and drama. This began to shape her ability to control her vocals, perform a variety of genres and evolve a stage presence that fans love about her today.
Not knowing where her passion for music might take her, after high school, Sonia began working on a secondary career path by becoming a licensed cosmetologist. Oddly enough, working as a cosmetologist and later opening her own salon shaped her for the long, hard hours required in the music industry and forwarded her an opportunity to continue entertaining & living out her passion for music.
Sonia’s musical influences showed her the importance of drawing in a crowd and capturing their attention. Her high-energy & bubbly personality commands attention when she steps on to the stage night after night. From the moment the lights come up, her fans know they’re in for a fun, party atmosphere performance that they won’t soon forget.
Sonia Langham’s debut single, “I’m Sorry”, which recently hit country radio across the country, showcases the extraordinary production talents of veteran Nashville musician and Grammy nominated producer Kent Wells. “I am really excited to be a part of Sonia’s team. I truly believe that her Bonnie Raitt meets Pat Benatar sound combined with her country roots is going to fill a void in country music”, says Go Time Records President, Kent Wells.
While Sonia very much enjoys making music that stems from her country music roots; her music also caters to the new generation of contemporary country music fans as well as the fans of southern rock.
Her 10-song CD expected to be released in 2017 features tracks (such as “I’m Sorry,” “Fly,” and “Who Knew”) that touch on unexpected friendships, perseverance, hope, love and determination. An “artistic project of truth,” the compilation is a reflection of personal experiences and obstacles and was created as a reminder that you can overcome and accomplish anything you set out to do.
AM: Sonia, where are you from?
Sonia: I am from Sheppard, Texas although I was born in Houston.
AM: Have you always wanted to be a singer?
Sonia: Always, ever since I was a child.
AM: Did people make comments about your voice being good?
Sonia: Yes, all my life. My whole family is extremely musical. They are all amazingly talented. We were born into this and we don’t know anything else to do.
AM: So you started taking a career in music more seriously over the last couple of years?
Sonia: Yes, a little more serious because I have been able to slow down a bit. I own a hair salon and I’ve been doing that for many years. Now I have a little more time and freedom. This is my passion. My husband told me I was really good so I had to do something NOW! So here I am!
AM: So you’re like Tammy Wynette. Are you going to keep your hairdresser license forever?
Sonia: Oh yes I am! (Laughter) I get discounts on hair products. Are you kidding me?
AM: What is the first step to being a recording artist?
Sonia: We found a music producer first. My husband found my producer and we got blessed because he is the best of the best. He’s also Dolly Parton’s producer, Kent Wells. He has produced a lot for people but he’s most famous for working with Dolly.
AM: So you really like him?
Sonia: Yes, he is amazing and generous and so helpful. He helped find the songwriters.
AM: You wrote some of the songs too didn’t you?
Sonia: Yes, I co-wrote nine of the ten songs. Kent got me the best writers in Nashville. We came up with some really amazing songs.
AM: So you didn’t have to listen to a bunch of songs?
Sonia: No, I only listened to one song and I liked it. I co-wrote the other nine.
AM: What was the inspiration for your songwriting?
Sonia: Life experience! (Laughter) Life experience if that tells you anything.
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AM: Had you written any lyrics or music before this?
Sonia: Never wrote a song in my life before. The writers I co-wrote with were so amazing that it was like riding a bike. It was no big deal.
AM: So you naturally vibed with your co-writers?
Sonia: Every single one. They were all incredible.
AM: Let’s talk about your new single, ‘I’m Sorry,’ I love it! How does it feel to have it released now?
SL: I’m excited! This is a long time coming. We’ve been working on it a year now. It’s like waiting for a baby to be born! (Laughter)
AM: It turned out sensational. You should be so proud.
SL: Thank you, it’s a true story that hit home real good for me. I really feel that one when I perform it live. That’s why I’m partial to that song, It’s pretty special.
AM: When are you going to have your first album out?
Sonia: I think we’re trying for this year, real soon.
AM: I heard you were working on your second album already. Is this true?
Sonia: Yes, we are already working on it. We didn’t realize this first album was going to be so amazing. Usually you only get about three songs on any album that you really love but this album has all good songs. We originally had a six song record deal but I wrote twenty songs and we cut them back. We liked ten of them so we decided to make a ten song record instead of six.
AM: Are you interested in touring?
Sonia: Absolutely!
AM: You’re a mom to an almost 2 year old girl aren’t you?
Sonia: Yes I am, but I’m a traveling mom. She’s a little singer already.
AM: I am so excited you are opening for one of your idols soon, Miss Tanya Tucker.
Sonia: I prayed that I would open for Tanya Tucker one day. Now I want to open for Dolly Parton. They are both my favorites. Tanya and Dolly are the best. I met them both last summer and I haven’t slept since. I don’t get star struck, but Dolly is an Angel and Tanya is like your best friend who lives next door who you can just say anything to. She is just the coolest.
AM: So you are liking everyone you work with.
Sonia: My producer and his wife are amazing. Everyone in Nashville was so wonderful.
AM: Are you looking forward to writing more songs?
Sonia: Yes, there were at least a couple songwriters who are like sisters to me since they understand and feel me.
AM: How do you describe your music?
Sonia: It’s a little on the sassy side. It’s kind of a Country Rock style. It’s not so traditional. I like the traditional Country music but my voice is raw and edgy and so a little rock music suits it better.
