Album Notes

First and foremost, I thank God for providing me with this talent and the ability to use it to speak to folks like me, a nation of dreamers who won’t be denied… To my son, Julian – you are my inspiration, and I hope you know just how much I really do love you. To my parents, Rev. and Mrs. Ennis Gaddis, Jr. - thank you for being who you are… To my siblings - John, Thomas, and Judith – thank you for loving me, for supporting me, for being there, for loving me unconditionally… To my Aunts Jeffromenia Rand and Gwendolyn Lucius– thank you for, irregardless of the situations at hand, being cheerleaders and supporters of my dream, and for encouraging me to keep running after the dream even when it seemed to be just beyond my grasp…y’all kept me going. To my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, my sounding board, Mark – I love you more than I ever could have imagined… I’m so glad that God saved you for me… To the “water” in my life (because sometimes the water helps you float about the messes your blood take you through) – Arthur & Cathy Johnson, Toi & Deno Anders, Tamaria & Tyrone Madison, Anitra & Chris Anderson, James & Alethia Hall, Bethany & Anthony Redeaux, Javarra & Dale Hendricks, Taunya & Corey Miles, Alicia, Moesia, Millicent, Regina, Patrick, RayShon, Adrienne, Trece, Alexis, Mark O., Kim, Kelsey, Terri, Audria, Matt, Tamika, Michele, Wade, LaDonna, Loretta, Vette, Alaina, Clifton, Ericka J., Tracy, Greg B., Tara, Kamisha, Lisa, Byron Thomas & Groove/ahh/logy, Fifth Element Nation, Anthony “Star Time” McNeal & Prodigy… To my Church families – Dr. T.L. Lewis & Bethel Baptist Church of Pratt City, Pastor Cedric Hrabowski and Galilee Missionary Baptist Church of Fairfield, Pastor Ernest Hood & St. Joseph Baptist Church of Yerkwood, and last but not least The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Zion City… thanks for supporting me through thick and thin… To all of my “Mamas” – Beverly Lee, Cora Glasper, Marian Daniel, Donnetta Bell, Brenda Reynolds, Janice Nixon, Deborah Camel, Debra King, Delisa Lee, Sarah King, Sharon Taylor, Cynthia White, Deborah Means, Patricia Berry, Susan Washington, Shirley Prince, Celeste Howze, Wanda Myree, and Verna Sneed – thanks for being who I needed and what I needed you to be – “available”… Marvin & Charles and the PLUM Bar- thanks for always opening your doors to me… To Brian “B-Flat Trax” Cook and Will aka Slick and Dboi of www.soforealproductions.com – thanks for giving me the hottest, most slamming, bangin’est tracks (IKR!) to work with… I’m looking forward to our future… To Mr. James “JL Jamz” Lewis – thanks for starting all the commotion about Dei, and for getting me noticed! To Kori White and the Cox Broadcasting Radio Network – thanks for giving me the opportunity to have my music played on your stations. And to James Bratton and Baron Harris of the BLG Music Group and 111 East Records – thanks for allowing the world to hear about what goes on in “Life in the Key of Dei”… Thanks for taking a chance on an unknown “star –in–making”, and allowing her the opportunity to shine as bright as she possibly can… this is dedicated to the memory of another dreamer – My Granddaddy – Mr. Ennis Gaddis, Sr. I see ya smilin’ every time the sun shines…