Evvie McKinney

Set list

Influences and inspiration

My name is Evvie McKinney, I'm 22 years old, and I'm from Memphis, Tennessee. I've lived in Memphis, Tennessee all of my life, and there I grew up in a very spiritual and musical family. I have six siblings, two sisters and four brother, and the amazing thing about my family is that we all sing. I grew up in the church, which is when I started singing and performing gospel music at a very young age, which eventually lead me to become of the youngest lead singers of the church choir. My musical inspirations are Tina Turner, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, and Lauryn Hill. These four women have had a major influence on my life because they all conquered their times in different ways, which is something that I am learning to do, and will be done when the right people get their eyes on me. My father, Tony McKinney, was a rock, soul, funk, and R&B musician. He died in 2005, and that was one of the greatest tragedies that I've ever had to face in the world. He died when I was 8 years old, as when my brother and best friend, Gedeon Luke McKinney was in American Idol. Gedeon, who is also a rock, soul, funk, pop artist has given me the chance for four years to tour all over the world with his band, Gedeon Luke and The People. We've toured all over the United States, and we were called to perform of BBC's Jools Holland show in London, England. Now, we both have taken on his legacy to continue to spread The Word of Christ Jesus through our music, our personalities, and our hearts. I've done music ever since I was three years old, and I've developed year by year, month by month, and day by day. As a recent graduating senior from The Soulsville Charter School, which is a college prep school, I could have went to almost any college of my choice, for I maintained a 4.3 GPA, however, I took a totally different road from all of my other classmates, counselors, and teachers. In the beginning, I listened, humbly and I went through with the college process, but it was never in my heart to go to college for what I wanted to do. And all I wanted to do was get my Diploma, and move to NYC and start my career the way I wanted to commence my own journey. I've done what people wanted me to do for 12 years, but now, I independently make my own decisions one Jesus name and I follow him in returning that I do. I would describe my musical style as diverse, but as real and fun. What makes me different from so many other young artists is my spirit, my smile, and my wisdom. I've known what I wanted to do all of my life, and God has been guiding me all along.