It's Time Child Records

Ann Nesby
Growing up in Joliet Illinois, Ann Nesby was influenced by her parents who both sang Gospel music for church and in within various gospel groups all of which proved to be contributing factors to Ann’s passionate gift of song. “My mother would teach me about performance, vocal inflexions, and how to express what a song was about. She told me as a child that God was going to use me to bless people with my voice,” states Nesby reflecting back on her humble beginnings. Throughout Ann’s early childhood into her adolescence gospel greats, The Reverend James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson, Andrae Crouch, The Edwin Hawkins Singers, & Shirley Caesar were her constant favorite musical influences.

With a career spanning nearly 20 years in the industry Nesby first gained recognition as thunder voiced lead singer of the world renowned Sounds of Blackness, not forgoing her equally impressive gift of the pen Nesby contributed as a songwriter, lead vocalist, or held both titles on several of the group’s top 10 R&B hits ("The Pressure," "I'm Going All The Way," "I Believe," and "Optimistic"). With Nesby at the helm the Sounds of Blackness garnered two highly coveted Grammy Awards in 1991 for Best Gospel Album by a choir and again in 1992 for “Handel’s Messiah.” Nesby also contributed to several soundtracks, including "Batman," "Mo Money" and "Demolition Man" as well as on tribute albums for Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and John Lennon. Platinum, Gold, along with other prestigious musical awards ensued shortly thereafter further propelling the group to world renowned recognition.

Riding atop the wave of the Sounds of Blackness success, Nesby embarked on spring boarding her solo career, by penning the hit single, "The Right Kind of Lover," which was a top 10 hit on the R&B Billboard Chart in 1994 for fellow diva and friend, Patti Labelle. Nesby also penned a soul stirring ballad for music legend Gladys Knight, "Home Alone," for Knight's 1994 "Just For You" album. With the direction of super producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Nesby struck out in 1996 as a solo artist on Jam & Lewis' Perspective/A&M label to release her critically acclaimed solo debut, "I'm Here For You." The album impressively spent sixty weeks on the R&B best-selling lists with a series of singles, ("I'll Do Anything, "I'm Still Wearing Your Name," & "This Weekend") that garnered substantial airplay & etched Nesby regularly atop Billboard R&B Charts.

While promoting her debut album and appearing in various popular stage plays/musicals such as Tyler Perry’s “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” Nesby continued to build a platform for her new status as a solo artist. Undergoing a lengthy merger between Perspective/A&M and Interscope Records, nearly four years would pass before Nesby's triumphant voice would be heard from again. Ushering in the new millennium Nesby once again found herself atop the Billboard Dance Charts with two dance smashes in 2000 & 2001 ("Love Is What We Need" & "Lovin' Is Really My Game"). On her new label home (Interscope Records) her highly anticipated sophomore set then titled, "Love Is What We Need," was initially slated for release in 2000. With the usual industry politics and lack of creative direction and support from her label, Nesby found herself without a deal despite her impressive showing on Billboard's Charts. Disappointed but not devastated, with the backing of her manager/husband Tim Lee, Nesby launched her own indie label in 2001, "It's Time Child Records."

Regrouping her thoughts and career options with manager/husband Tim Lee, Ann worked diligently revamping her sophomore album while fervently shopping for a distribution deal to release her sophomore set. Relying on her faith in God, the support of family & close friends Nesby prayers and patience paid off when Universal Records picked up Nesby's sophomore project which was renamed, "Put It On Paper, for the spring of 2002. The lead single which was also the album’s title track featured legendary soul/gospel singer, Reverend Al Green. "Put It On Paper" was released to A/C radio and once again stormed to the top of Billboard’s R&B Charts for multiple weeks, again proving that Nesby had not lost her midas touch despite her lengthy & involuntary hiatus from the music scene. Ironically despite her success of her hit single, "Put It On Paper," Universal Records decided to no longer support the efforts of making "Put It On Paper" a greater success. Amicably Nesby and Universal Records parted ways in the late 2002. Far from dismay Nesby continued on a successful US tour promoting her album "Put It On Paper.” It was more than appropriate that Mrs. Nesby garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Vocal Performance at the 45th annual Grammy Awards for “Put it On Paper.”

Ann has dealt with the good and bad in which life and the “industry” dealt her; Ann has weathered the storm of life and career proving that there is always a rainbow after the rain. In her prime Ann Nesby is an artist of many facets and is continuously sought after by many of the industries elite and renowned talent today. Working a vast spectrum of musical projects from rap, jazz, and gospel all with inspiration being the music’s catalyst Nesby has worked with an array of artists such as: Famed hip-hop artist Jadakiss (of LOX fame), lending her beyond stellar vocals to Gospel music heavyweight, Donald Lawrence's latest album, (Go Get Your Life Back), with an appearance on the revered Minister T.D. Jakes’ (Leading Ladies of Gospel), on the ballad “You Always Cared,” A soulful collaboration with Grammy award winning jazz artist Tom Scott for his latest studio project, (New Found Freedom), Nesby co-penned and sings lead on the beautiful love inspired ballad, "You Are My Everything," appearing on the stellar power voiced filled album Church (Songs of Soul & Inspiration), Nesby’s vocal jewel shines bright among other treasures found on the rewarding set; (Dr. Maya Angelou, Jennifer Holiday, Chaka Khan, Shirley Caesar) Nesby covers the seventies classic “A Song For You” vocally capturing each song lyric with an emotional sincerity that touches the soul.

Standing firm at the helm of her career Ann now has 100% creative control over her music and her label, IT’S TIME CHILD RECORDS, "When one door shuts God will open another for you, he has been so faithful to me & I owe it all to him.” states Nesby with conviction. With the release of Nesby’s third solo effort, “Make Me Better,” (a remarkable blend of gospel induced soul, hip-hop, and dance). Nesby triumphs vocally and lyrically on songs such as the emotionally charged ballad with “Open Arms” to the album’s title track, “Make Me Better,” will definitely make you move with captivating inspiriting lyrics layered with dance infectious rhythm.

Elevating her artistry to the next level, Nesby landed a role in the upcoming Paramount Picture film release of "The Fighting Temptations," slated for a 2003 summer or autumn release, the film stars Oscar Winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr, Beyonce of Destiny Child fame, Faith Evans, and Angie Stone. Further honing her artistry in music, theatre, and now film; Ann Nesby personifies true reflections of resilience, proving to her fans and critics alike that image does not determined her success… Making It Better, listen, wait, & see