Inspirational Singer, Songwriter, Writer & Actor:
TarsaVena
Music has always been in the spirit of TarsaVena. With a singing and musical family, it is hard not to be musical. Musical memories go back to a little child with her mom singing at their home in Selma, AL and later at their home in Linden, AL. The beauty of her mother’s voice would rock and console her hurting soul. Her mother, Mary Peterson, was in a gospel group with her family, and even had a chance to receive a recording contract, but she deemed her family was more important than traveling.
At an early age, she started playing the piano at church. Her grandfather was so proud of her. He would always sing a song called Only Believe. It was funny to TarsaVena then because he would get so into it. Now, she realizes he was singing to her. He was letting her know her dreams are possible if she would only believe.
Not listening to her parents, TarsaVena got married young and had two beautiful children. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in music at Judson College in Marion, AL. Her marriage of 7 years ended because of mental and physical abuse. She went on to meet her current husband, Cedric Haywood.
The singing duo met Mel Waiters, a Southern Soul Blues singer. They left everything behind to follow their dreams of having a music career in San Antonio, TX. They completed an album on Waiters’ record label, Brittney Records, entitled Soul Time.
With no guidance and no artist development, the project did not do as the group, Hog Pin, had hoped. They came back to Alabama, completed an album entitled End of the Rainbow on their own label (HUM Music), and generated online sales and even toured.
When things began to take off, the couple starting going through marital issues and the group, Hog Pin, broke up. Through her life experiences, she began to realize her purpose. Now, she uses her music and other skills to express her emotions - whether it's love, a need for love, disappointment, tiredness, struggle, faith and more.
From this storm, her current inspirational project, Life is not Gone, was birthed with the musical help of Toney Nixon. This project came from the turmoil that TarsaVena went through in her marriage. She went through days of wondering what was wrong with her as a woman, a wife, and a mother.
Her singles, I’m Calling, Still Listening, Pray On, and This I Do, have landed her many concerts, 6 television news interviews, 2 compilation CDs through First Choice Gospel Records (TN), and gospel award nominations, including 7 nominations from S & M Productions Annual Gospel Indie Awards (VA) in May 2015. Through I’m Calling, she has landed a future performance on Bobby Jones Gospel. Her second project, Loving God, My Family and Myself, is expected to be release September 2015, which will feature Cupid, Mr. Setitoff and more.
Through her crying and pleading with God, she began to find herself singing songs, writing, and acting. You’ve got to make the first step and have faith. Through God, all things are possible if you only believe. Through God, things are happening. She hopes listeners can gain some strength through her music.