By Jim “Grand Dad” Nunnelly.
Debra Lunn, better known as Lady D, spends all of her time,
in three places….at home, at work or “on stage” up and down Eighteenth street.
However, she is three different people, all depending on where she is, at the
time. All are important to this richly-smooth song stylist and at any hour, one
may exceed the other. But inside she is all three and each has a “separate but
equal” spot in her life. Let’s dig deeper into the mystique and mystery, behind
this ever-promising, Kansas City celebrity. After a few basic facts, we will
delve into home, work, and stage life. Most important, we will see how her parents play
a part in all three.
Lady D is a product of the Kansas City Public Schools,
graduating with honors from Southeast High School, graduating with honors back
in the eighties. She was part of the National Honor Society and was a
four-year, Varsity cheerleader for both varsity basketball and football teams.
And she was heavily involved in her love of music. Modestly, she shares a
little-known fact about her leadership i.e. she was President of her entire
School, her last year there. She grew up in a modest neighborhood near the
school and attended local colleges after graduation. Both parents were and are
ever-present and in her life. In fact,
her parents, Julia and Arthur Wheeler, are the source of both her musical and
spiritual inspiration. Mother Julia assisted Lady D with her public confidence,
requiring participation in both church and community activities. As a child,
her parents would take her to the Foster’s Record Shop on Brooklyn and
Garrett’s on Prospect to buy records. Then, they would return home and in
karaoke-style, sing, dance and perform to the recently-acquired music. These
childhood events actually became the “alpha and omega” of Lady D, when she is
on- and off-stage. They definitely set the tone for her family life.
Lady D will quickly tell you her home-life is most important
to her. She has a grown son, Brent Harris, known as a gentleman, an
accomplished graphic artist and a former panelist on Hot 103’s Generation Rap. Always at home, Debra is vigilant about her
teenage daughter, Nia, who is an outstanding athlete. Applying old school parenting methods, Lady D’s greatest concern for all children is that social media has
literally disrupted the natural flow of such an important time in their lives. While they wrestle with the ways of the world,
Lady D and her daughter are close and have worked out a method of
communications that generally works. Make no mistake, this is where Lady D’s
heart is….right with her daughter, as she grows up. Just like her parents, Lady
D strives to be an active participant in her daughter’s interest. Except for work and her rapidly-rising music
career, Lady D is one hundred per cent family-focused Lady D proudly expresses
her love of her entire family. Because of this special bond, she feels “blessed
and fortunate”.
Speaking of work, Lady D spends most of her daylight hours,
as an executive assistant to the Division President at an internationally-known
company, with home offices here in the metropolitan area. Most of her week is spent,
interacting with people and companies from all over the world. This position
requires exactness, cordiality, and most of all, a knowledge of international and
domestic business etiquette. As she does with her family and music, she is
always striving for a sense of excellence and purpose. She gives a lot and
speaks well of her company and most of all, is focused on doing an excellent job, Just as
she does, each week while performing at various venues in the metropolitan
area.. It is from this vantage point that most of us know her. And it is here
that she “brings it”, nearly every weekend. Here, her style, grace and on-stage
presence emerges and illuminates.
Starting out at eight years old, she began her career in
church choirs and various gospel groups. As a teenager, she even appeared on
the prestigious Bobby Jones Gospel show. Further, she has always been involved
in national projects that allowed her to interact with the likes of Roger
Troutman and Zapp, Brian McKnight, Najee and Peabo Bryson. Her musical style is
an eclectic mix of jazz, blues and R& B. Her contagious smile, coupled with
her ability to be surrounded by very capable musicians, always elevates and
sets Lady D apart. Her accompanying band, known as Round Midnite, includes
Anthony Harvey, Eric Taylor, Travis Johnson, Kevin Johnson and Heather Jarrett.
Her music director and band founder, Wes Blackman, has been a constant friend
and business partner.
Specializing in songs from “in the day”, Lady D sings “to
the men” and “for the women”. Her conversational style gives the audience the
impression that she is singing to each of them individually. Lightly and
politely, she sings songs like “Play Me Some Down-Home Blues” and “Baby, Can I
Change My Mind”. Most of her songs remind her of the days when her parents
bought those kind of albums, up at Foster’s. Except, she adds an endless class
and a personal touch that makes them all sound brand new, to both the old and
the young. She sings like she is
actively resurrecting the sounds that we used to hear at the old Jazz Festivals
and at the clubs, way back in the sixties and seventies.
Always mindful of her supporters, she always recognizes her friends
and family, from on-stage.. In fact, she sends a weekly text to them, letting
them know her schedule and where she will be singing next As a performing
musical historian, she is dedicated to keeping alive the greatest period of
musical accomplishment. However, one tends to forget the original artists as
she sings. For she superimposes her delightfully soft style and the listeners
are forced to concentrate on her unique interpretation of the original song. Her eyes dance while her voice soothes. It
makes her listeners feel like they are actually living in those times.
Heroically, she captivates her audience… by reminiscing and being in the
present, at the very same time.
Finally, no one is sure exactly what Lady D has in mind, for
her future in music. We do know, however, that her family comes first. And her
work comes first, too. And so does her matchless music. She has a full life. A
pleasant life. One that is truly based on a healthy upbringing, paying
attention to work and family, at all times. But, most of all, allowing each of
us to re-visit the wonderful music of music, made and sung in years gone by.
She brings that mystique and mystery, back from “in the
day”.
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