BETTY, IT'S SHOWTIME!!

Who is Betty?

Betty Marie Stone is an enthusiastic overweight young singer with the desire to one day - see her name in lights. Although she was always complimented as a child because her voice was strong and adult like in church, No one ever said anything to her regarding her looks, smarts, or personality. For some reason, they only focused on her voice. The elder women would say, "Chile you got a gift from God just like your mother," or they would say, "If you don't do anything else, you ought to sing." Raised by a strong, Southern Baptist Grandmother in the middle

of one of the largest Northern Cities was a struggle all in itself. The city lights called to her in a way much different than her counterparts because they had never experienced the darkness of the south. Betty remembered seeing miles and miles of darkness when she was a child. Although they moved to Michigan when she was twelve, she still remembered the dark roads and fields. For some reason, she always felt that the lights made her feel safe and looked after. She thought as long as there were lights, she would never feel the sadness of darkness, nor would she feel alone. Those long dark southern roads seem to escalate the long suffering she endured being alone and forced to care for her mother when she needed care and attention herself.

After years had passed and the city started to quiet down a bit, Betty really started to focus on her future. She was sure that singing would make her happy, but unsure if her desired path was even possible. The pains she endured while trying to pursue her dream as a NON-Gospel singer begins almost immediately. Southern gospel was the ONLY music permitted in Grandma's house. Grandma seemed to only care about her church and her relationship with her Bible. After the death of her Mother; Betty thought she'd never sing again. Somehow, after those feelings died a bit, the fire and desire to perform still burned brightly in her soul.

Now that she is in her early twenties, she reflects on her feelings as a child, and it still saddens her to admit that she really did feel alone even in the lights. Betty now feels that God's love is enough to help her through any rough patch. After all the ups and downs she endured, Betty finally found someone worth singing for, herself. NOW nothing can stop her, not even fear or loneliness.

Now it's time to get the game face on. Betty, It's Showtime.