Misty Love
MISTY LOVE BELIEVES IN MIRACLES

One of the unique things about Misty Love is her ability to vocally adapt to practically any music, from Gospel to pop; from R & B to jazz and even Rap. Misty sings it all. That's what appealed to rap artist “Kid Rock”.

For years, Misty has been doing gigs with the rapper and supplying the gutsy vocals that punctuated his songs. She was with him when they were working $25.00 gigs, and she's with him now at a much healthier salary and with a platinum album to boot! Kid Rock's smash hit CD entitled, “Devil Without A Cause“ features Misty Love on all the lead vocals. This Atlantic Recording release has been certified platinum eight times. That means it's sold more than eight million copies.

Songstress Misty Love poses with her Platinum Records. It was her vocal contributions that helped make Kid Rock's recording a smash hit. Continue reading to meet Misty Love, the featured voice and the woman behind Detroit rapper, Kid Rock.



MISTY LOVE BELIEVES IN MIRACLES

An Article By: Dee Dee McNeil

Misty Love believes in miracles. At the tender age of two years old, she fell into the Huron River in Pontiac, Michigan. When a Good Samaritan pulled the child's limp body from the water, he was certain she was lifeless. But Misty Love is a survivor! She beat all odds, even after paramedics pronounced her dead. Somehow the little girl found the strength and the power-of-spirit to come back to life. Misty says, to this day, she has bronchial problems because of that near-drowning experience.

“I've always had a breathing problem, so I never thought I'd be a singer. ...But then I saw Mavis Staples and she breathes crazy. So I said, Oh - I can do that! So I was inspired by her, ... and by Gladys Knight, Tina Turner and Nancy Wilson.”

Misty's mother, Mrs. Essie Spain, is also a singer. She spotted the talent in her miracle child at a very young age. Certain that her daughter was a diamond in the raw, Mrs. Spain insisted Misty take ballet lessons, baton lessons, tap lessons, and escorted her to all kinds of musical events. Whenever friends dropped by their house, Misty was always encouraged to entertain them by singing. She became an active vocalist at “The Church of the Living God”, where she learned how intoxicating and happy sanctified music could make people.

Strange as it sounds, although music was always a major influence in her life, Misty Love was determined to attain a law degree. Back in those early days, the young girl's dream was to become an attorney. She wanted an alligator briefcase and the penthouse office, along with the status that a successful lawyer commands. When she graduated from King High School, once again it was music that blessed Misty with a scholarship to attend Okalona Junior College in Mississippi. The excited teen tucked her dreams into a suitcase and headed South.

Two years later, she returned to Detroit triumphant and ready to enter the Law program at Wayne State University. As fate would have it, a friend and fellow singer, Ortheia Barnes, kept sticking a microphone in her face. Consequently, Misty Love credits Ortheia Barnes with being her mentor. It was Ortheia who believed in Misty's talent and saw her potential as a serious singer. Before she could enroll in college, Misty was singing in nightclubs and much to her surprise, loving it!

Almost over night, she was working as both a front line vocalist and a background singer. She performed with the group “Brainstorm” featuring her good friend Belita Woods. She toured with Motown Recording artist, “Bohannon”; sang back-up and toured with movie director, writer and producer, Melvin Van Peebles, and was opening act for the Isley Brothers, Tina Turner and Smokey Robinson. In 1989 she joined her brother, Dr.Rudy Spain in Los Angeles, where he had opened his own recording studio. Her brother and writer -producer Trey Stone cut Misty's premiere record release. It was a song called “Baby, Don't Take Your Love”. They followed this recording with a re-make of “Run Away Child”. Both were moderately successful releases.

Returning to Detroit, Misty put together an all-star aggregation of musicians including Rudy Robinson, keyboardist and band director; drummer, David Brandon; her brother Delbert Nelson on lead vocals; vocalist, Tonya Hood; lead guitarist, Ron Smith; Lynn Roundtree on trumpet and saxophonist, Lonzo Williams. Dressed to impress in tuxedos and cocktail gowns, they make up the “Misty Love Motown Sounds”. You will find this unique group working in and around the Detroit area and on the downtown Casino scene.

One of the unique things about Misty Love is her ability to vocally adapt to practically any music, from Gospel to pop; from R & B to jazz and even Rap. Misty sings it all. That's what appealed to rap artist “Kid Rock”. For years, Misty has been doing gigs with the rapper and supplying the gutsy vocals that punctuated his songs. She was with him when they were working $25.00 gigs, and she's with him now at a much healthier salary and with a platinum album to boot! Kid Rock's smash hit CD entitled, “Devil Without A Cause“ features Misty Love on all the lead vocals. This Atlantic Recording release has been certified platinum eight times. That means it's sold more than eight million copies. Misty is scheduled to go on-tour with Kid Rock this summer.

Currently in the studio, Misty Love is working on her own CD release. The project is being produced by Lonnie Motley and arranged by Rudy Robinson. For this recording session, Misty has written all of her own original material. The inspiration for many of her songs has come from a ministry and participation at the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, Inc., where she currently sings in the choir. Misty believes that a higher power has blessed her voice and her talent. She is quick to give praise to God.

As our interview wound to a close, Misty summed up how she feels about the music and gave advice to young people who may aspire to be successful in the arts.

“Be conscious, irregardless of how good you are, that it's the power within or ‘the father' that's doing it!” Misty spoke with conviction.

You can catch Misty Love every Tuesday at the MGM Grand Casino in downtown Detroit with Ralph Armstrong‘s group; at Gracie's Lounge on Houston-Whitter Street every Wednesday or at the Excaliber Room every Saturday night in Southfield, Michigan.

When you hear her beautiful vocals, you too will feel the power and the spirit that Detroit's Misty Love is radiating to the world. She will make you believe in miracles!

 
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