Local musician eager to continue her push and evolution in 2019

Houma native and Georgia resident Keierica Howard’s doesn’t know where God’s plan will take her in her journey throughout adulthood.

But she knows that wherever it is that she’s meant to go, she’s going to sing, sing and sing some more to get there.

The Houma native and graduate of Terrebonne High School lives in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently pursuing a career in the world of show business — owning 20 original songs as a studio recording artist, while also doubling as an actress when opportunities present themselves.

Keierica said the past year has brought great growth, but she hopes that the next 365 days will be even better as she continues to grow her notoriety around the Southeast as a budding musician.

“It’s going great,” Keierica said of her career. “I’m enjoying the journey that I am on. Everything is a process and I know that my time is coming.”

For Keierica, singing is her biggest love and she’s done it her whole life.

She said she never remembers a time in life when she wasn’t singing. As a kid, Keierica said she’d always pick different songs, sing them at school, at home or around friends — often while adding her own little variations and wrinkles along the way.

It became a passion. Keierica sung as church events growing up, but then got even more serious about pursing the hobby as a career path when she went to Clark Atlanta out of Terrebonne High School on a volleyball scholarship.

While in Georgia, Keierica has been able to rub elbows with producers, musicians and other contacts in the music industry and her name has grown — especially in the past several months.

On social media, Keierica has thousands of followers and her website www.keierica.com is a showcase of some of her latest work, including her single titled ’S.A.T.B.,’ which is garnering attention on iTunes and Spotify.

She’s performed at music festivals, concerts and other events, using both her original tracks and covers of famous songs to showcase her voice to growing audiences.

Keierica said being on the stage is her calling, adding that while she’s a carefree personality, there is no place in the world where she is more at home than on a stage performing before an audience that’s into her music.

“Every time I’m on stage, I’m reminded of why,” Keierica said. “Why do I fight so hard? Why do I rehearse so long? Why do I breathe? Why did I pick this path and not a regular 9-to-5 job? The stage is my home. It’s my safe haven. All is right in the world when I step onto the stage. People’s reactions let me know that’s where I belong. And to be able to touch people and make sure they have a good time is a blessing because you never know what someone is going through and to be a piece of joy for them is one of the best feelings in the world.”

But Keierica isn’t just a talented musician. She’s also an aspiring actress, as well.

Keierica said her whole life, she’s loved acting, adding that she’s had a natural talent to play roles outside of her own carefree personality.

This summer, Keierica starred one of the lead roles in “Daddy’s Home, but my Husband Ain’t” — a gospel stage play that pulled large audiences in the Atlanta area.

“Yes, I’ve always been an actress,” Keierica said when asked if it was a surprise to do acting in the middle of her music career. “It was expected and it was something I sought after for a while and it finally manifested for me.”

But when asked if she preferred acting or singing, Keierica laughed and gave a quick, decisive answer.

“I love both, but of course, singing is my first love,” she said with a laugh. “If someone tole me I couldn’t act anymore, I’d be able to deal with that. But if someone told me I would never be able to sing again, well, honestly, I don’t know what I’d do. I couldn’t even begin to imagine it.”

So with a busy 2018 filled with dozens of appearances, countless time in the studio and a growing reputation as a promising upstart musician, Keierica said she’s grateful for how 2018 went, but added that she’s hopeful that 2019 goes in the same path.

She said she works hard because she never wants to be complacent, adding that she learned as an athlete in her past that if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.

And especially in the world of show business, Keierica said she’s learned that if you’re not grinding, someone else probably is and they’re going to get the opportunity that you desire.

“My goals are to keep pushing and keep evolving,” Keierica said. “I want to not get complacent and to get better each and every day.”

Keierica

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