“It’s my vision to produce shows. It doesn’t always have to be my shows,” explained the classically trained Pryor who cut her musical teeth as a little girl in church gospel music. “I hope I’m inspirational to other artists here in Pittsburgh. It’s a tight circle here and everyone wants to break out but then you don’t know where to go. I try to be strategic and I hope other artists are trying to do so too.”
“O Holy Night” showcased Pryor’s dynamic vocal growth and love for the Lord and the holiday season.
The night opened with “The Meaning of Christmas,” a story performed by SPIRIT with a guest appearance by Destiny Kirby. That was followed by Pryor in a glittery purple dress seated at the piano.one of the many highlights of the act was a jazzy version of “The Christmas Waltz,” performed by vocalist Roxanne Harris and Eric Toft on guitar.
Following a raffle and giveaway segment, Pryor’s grandmother, Dora Pryor, performed her original song, “It’s All About Jesus.” She was accompanied on piano by Derek Schofield.
Pryor returned dressed in a blue gown and performed classic Christmas songs like “Christmas Time is Here,” on which she was accompanied by Praise, Worship & Deliverance.
“The show was wonderful!,” said audience member and St. Paul congregation member, Rhonda Green. “J’Aira’s voice is amazing!”
Although the show was a hit with attendees, Pryor almost didn’t have it.
“Two and a half months ago I had chronic laryngitis and I went to the doctor and I had two nodules on my vocal chords and severe GERD, which can burn the esophagus. I’ve been in therapy and I’ve changed my diet,” she said. “I wasn’t going to do the show, but it was on my subconscious to do it. I put the show together in four months. My faith has helped me tremendously. There are several times when I’ve been at rock bottom. God is the only thing that keeps me. I am at peace that I haven’t become a household name yet. I know that it’s going to happen.”
Maybe the talented Miss Pryor will have her big break in 2015.
She will be traveling to Connecticut in the early part of the year to compete in the “Your Time to Shine singing competition. She was turned on to the show after she sent in a video to Amateur Night at the Apollo earlier this year. She was chosen to compete in the show, won second place, went back twice to perform and didn’t place after that. But God works in mysterious ways. Someone at the Apollo told her about “Your Time to Shine.”
She plans on performing Aretha Franklin’s “Dr. Feel Good” on the talent show.
“The guy who asked me to come to the show does production for big people in the music business. I don’t know what Connecticut is going to hold for me, but I believe I can do it all as long as it’s pure,” she said.
In the meantime, Pryor is focusing on her health, raising her three-year-old son and preparing songs for a new CD she plans to release later in the year.
She is also thinking of what she wants to put in her 2015 Christmas show.
“People can look forward to seeing Christmas productions each year,” she said.
(To learn more about J’Aira Pryor or Key 88 Productions, visit www.jairapryor.com)
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