To say the last two years have been a whirlwind would be an understatement for Roma Waterman. However, with all the accolades aside, it’s her story that is far more intriguing.
Considering she was told 8 years ago she may never sing again after being diagnosed with a possible life long illness, it’s nothing short of a miracle to see her back on the stage again and literally touring the world. “I still find it hard to believe that I am here, and I am completely well. It makes me appreciate what I do much more – I am so grateful for the second chance”, she says.
After being ill for several years, Roma surprisingly found herself in the limelight. After signing a publishing deal with Warner music, she independently released two albums, Fearless Courage in 2001, and People Change in 2003. She has gone on to win several prestigious international songwriting awards for many of her songs. Her single “lifting me up” released in 2003, was the most played song on community radio around the country. She is most well known however for her hit song “More than Ice-cream”, which catapulted her into the wide and wonderful world of the Christian Music industry. “I never expected that song to be a hit. I was happy to sing my songs no matter where that took me.” She exclaims. Little did she realise that radio would embrace her and her music the way that it has. “I am still overwhelmed by the emails I get from people who are touched by my songs. It means a lot because I know what its like to have tough times. I also know how much it means to have someone understand what you’re going through”, she says.
Her popularity and ability to connect with an audience means she is touring extensively doing many shows as a solo artist on a grand piano, which has been well received. It has also meant that she has performed at major festivals and as a support artist for artists such as Rebecca St James, Jars of Clay, Margaret Becker, DC Talk and the Newsboys, just to name a few. This has led her all over Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the USA, often to capacity crowds.
But her experience in the music industry goes much further than that. In the early days she worked as a session singer on TV and in the studio for artists such as Vanessa Amorossi, Jay La’Gaia, Debra Byrne, Marina Prior. She is also the founder and director of the Melbourne Gospel Choir, and has performed on shows such as GTV 9 Carols By Candlelight, GTV 10 Good Morning Australia, Ch 7’s Good Friday Appeal as well as many others.
Her wide experiences as a vocalist led her to write a book on vocal technique. “The Working Singers handbook”, is now published and released in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada via Music Sales Pty Ltd world wide. It has fast become a best seller, with other parts of the world also negotiating a release for 2005. “The book was never something I expected to do” she muses. “But I saw a need and thought it might help people who were learning to sing, or needed advice if they were already singing”. Little did she realise that it was a much needed resource for a world wide market.
Who knows what the future will bring. All we know for now is that this Italian immigrant’s daughter certainly has a story to tell. So sit back, relax, listen and enjoy!
Source: http://www.romawaterman.com/
