Stephanie D. Sanders ~ "One More Day"

When this article was first published a year ago, Stephanie was working on a new CD and making her rounds with Casting Directors and Producers, Concert Performances and Award shows.

It is always a great joy to come back to see how far emerging artists like Stephanie have come in a years time.

"One More Day" is her new CD that is a contemporary R&B/Gospel project that is earning her many accolades and nominations, even some cross-over appeal. It is her way for all of us to thank God for giving us one more day to live and use our talents.

Hailing from Central Florida, Stephanie D. Sanders is a driven, passionate, and charismatic artist with a unique approach to her music.

Stephanie has honed her skills as a performing artist over the years with a dream of being a working professional artist in the performance arts industry.

When I first heard one of Stephanie's singles, I Am Who I Am, I was immediately reminded of some the great female R&B singers like, Karen White, Cherelle, and Miki Howard, to name a few.

Stephanie's music is rhythmic with positive lyrics, and her leanings musically are based in Gospel and Inspirational songs.

With such musical influences as Beyoncé, Mary Mary, Taylor Swift, Mary J Blige and Gladys Knight, Stephanie has set out to develop her own inspirational and personal blend of sound.

A great example is the Pharrell remix version of the smash hit song, Happy, called, Let it Go.

Stephanie did that music video with Atlanta based gospel rap artists, 13th Disciple, and it exemplifies who she is as a solo artist.

Her music is all about connecting with the listeners through high-energy release, uplifting melodies, and heartfelt vocal performances that will find a way into your soul.

Stephanie's single, I Am Who I Am, was selected to be the theme song for the Leading Through Living Today TV Show in Atlanta, GA and she has been selected as the 2016/2017 Ms. Newsome Awards USA and nominated in multiple categories for The Newsome Awards, a gospel award show hosted in Baltimore, MD by Mr. Fred Newsome.

This year she brought home two awards for The All Florida Awards Show 2016, and she began shooting the feature film Locked In by Marquis Harris as well as a webseries entitled Polk Choices by Demetrius Haynes.

When not busy with her music career, Stephanie can be found using her talent as an actress, TV Host, and Voice-over Artist. She just finished an independent film entitled, Child Services, and she shows her comedic side in a film called, NUTZ, by Tony Stinyard (2015).

Stephanie can be seen in seven independent films with Kelly Weaver, Charles Doubleday - Potts, Nicholas Graves, Tony Stinyard, Frank Burns, Bobby Washington and Keith Williams of the Blaze Media Group, with two major independent film shorts The Bench by Anjani Pandey and Hement Pandya, and Child Services directed by Kristen Edgerton hitting the film festival circuit in 2016.

Stephanie appeared in the new TV Show Big Sky, by Executive Producer/Creator, Julie Bumgarner, as Juanita Hodges, the wife of a preacher played by Chicago actor Harrold Dennis. "It's a sure opportunity for me to use my gifts for acting as well as singing", says Stephanie.

Stephanie has also signed on as a spokes model for beamobrown.com, by Mike Campbell, and College Bedroom Shoes by Reginald Jones Sr. as well as House of Stone by Coco via Mrs. Tomika Prouty.

It is hard to deny Stephanie D. Sanders God-given gifts, beauty and professionalism. A true A Lister in the making.

One More Day is about God giving us all one more day use our talents and blessings as He would have us to do.

What people are saying about Stephanie's new release:

" 'Keep Steppin' is a song with a profound message of excitement. Of Stephanie D. Sanders overcoming and victorious journey in Christ and the Music World that proves if you keep Steppin' you will end up where you need to be in Victory. This CD to be a timely welcome expression of encouraging to the listener in today's crazy world This will bless.your soul." ~ Apostle Hollis Rhodes WWAB 1330 am Radio

"Stephanie D. Sander's sophomore album is a beautifully rich inspirational piece of art that one can jam on the way to work, or on a road trip with equal enjoyment." ~ Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell - of BOLD FAVOR MAGAZINE

"As a Publicist in the entertainment industry, I have contemplated many times about one more day until the end. What Stephanie D. Sanders has accomplished with this record is to give people inspiration for one more day until God makes things a new. New Hope, New Possibilities, Favor, Increase...Victory. That's a record we should all have for our lives." ~ Robert Walker / Professional Publicist

Q: Stephanie, you have such a varied professional life as a singer, actress, voice talent, and model. Which came first for you, and is there one that you have more passion for?

A: Actually the modeling came first as I use to do fashion shows and I aspired to be a petite model. The voice overs came next while working as a On Air Personality on radio in Florida and Seattle. It was part of my job to do liners, commercial and PSA spots for the stations. Singing and acting came about while working at the radio station in Seattle. I met a lady by the name of Kibi Monie and she took me under her wing and allowed me to step into the acting realm with Nu Black Arts West. My deepest passions are for singing and acting but like a tree planted by the water the other talents will grow in the form of the branches as they stem from base that is rooted and grounded.

Q: Your voice and singing style reminds me a lot of that 80s explosion of female solo artists like, Karen White, Mikki Howard, Vanessa Williams, Vesta Williams, and so many other great R&B Soul Singers. How would you describe your music style, and who were some of your influences in music coming up?

A: I would describe my musical style as Message Music (lyrically) that is soulful, passionate, uplifting and melodic with an edge. It should leave you inspired to live and be the best you can be and know that I truly care about the people.
Some of my influences range from Gladys Knight to Kirk Franklin, Bruno Mars, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Deitrick Haddon, Mary Mary, Beyonce', Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Pharrell Williams, Canton Jones, Usher, Kanye West, Kem, Musiq Soulchild.......(Just to name a few)

Q: Do you write your own songs?

A: I do write the majority of the songs I sing but I would certainly be open to working with someone else from time to time who can help to expand on an idea for a song or album.(Pharrell Williams, Beyonce', John Ledgend, Musiq Soulchild, Bruno Mars, NeYo, Detrick Haddon, Kirk Franklin...)

Q: There is an inspirational vibe to the remix music video, "Let It Go", with Rap duo, 13th Desciple. The music of course is to Pharrel's Happy song. How did that collaboration come about?

A: I really wanted to do something fun and upbeat for everybody but I wanted to keep in in the same vane as the Happy song. I approached Calvin McCoy in Atlanta for a reference of someone to collaborate with and he suggest 13th. I contacted him on FB, we got the track I laid down the concept of the song through my vocal lyrics, 13th responded with his lyrics, it was mixed and mastered then I went to Atlanta where we made a music video and the people loved it.

Q: Who is one of your favorite singers now and why?

A: I tend to listen to pieces or individual songs at times but I really like Mary Mary (total package from the look, the voice to the messages), Pharrell Williams (no limits in what he decides to do he just goes for it), Beyonce' (talented beyond measure - no fluff, very consistent, cranking the music out, being relavent), Bruno Mars (out the box style, no limits in the type of music he delivers)...

Q: You have been pursuing acting professionally. How is that coming along for you, and what are some of your acting goals?

A: The acting is coming along nicely. I have recently finished an indie film entitled Child Services (an awesome project I utterly enjoyed doing and being a part of), NUTZ by Tony Stinyard coming out this fall (this movie just makes me laugh thinking about it and the role I was given is totally out the box and I can't wait to see it), The Wallace Jordan Film by Frank Burns (a very deep and passionate project of a real life situation that has never been solved) and praise God I have been cast as the preachers wife Juanita in a new TV Show coming out next called Big Sky with Executive Producer Julie Bumgarner.
My goal for the rest of the year is to land two major film productions (in a lead role for God is able and I am too), spokes person for a major company such as T-Mobile, Publix, M.A.C. ...., pitched and solidified a deal as the creator/producer of 2-4 tv shows (initially) in which I appear in two of them (other television and film ideas to be developed shortly thereafter).

Q: Who is one of your favorite male actors and why, and who is one of your favorite female actors and why?

A: Male actor(s) would be Will Smith (he has grown and developed into such a gifted actor it's really second nature and I just love it when it's so genuine). He is selective in his roles and there is such a class about him. I would so love to work with him Kevin Hart (taking it all the way to the other end of the spectrum with nothing but laughs.)
Female actress would be Taraji P. Henson (she is so genuine in her delivery and such a comfort in what she does (Kerry Washington, Kimberly Elise exude these same qualities).

Q: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now with your career?

A: In acting I see myself starring in two major films per year, two indie films, in one television show, spokesperson for two companies and creator/executive producer of 4-5 television shows and 1 film per year.
In singing I see myself delivering a platinum double cd per year (performing one to two times a month).
Speaking to youth, women, girls, couples and singles six times a year.


Q: If you had to give any advice to young people seeking a career in the entertainment business, what would you say to them?

A: Believe in yourself! At times you may be the only one who does but none the less Believe in yourself. Pray much, move quickly on any solid ideas you have and network with others. Initially when you have discovered your gift for something learn what you can about it, get a mentor, hone your skills, find ways to gradually get your name, face and gift out to the public. Use all your social media resources and be ready to put in the work. Stay focused and put people to the side that do not lift you up. You can still love from a distance but you have to achieve the goal and let nothing stand in your way. They may not believe in you right now but you make it so that they will never be able to ignore your gifts.