Lady Tia making waves

If you are a regular on the South Florida club scene, chances are you have heard singer Lady Tia belting out her version of The Bee Gees classic ‘Words’ during karaoke sessions.

In February, she was encouraged by music producer Richard Grant to record a reggae take of the 1964 song for his Poorman Productions label. She agreed, and it has since become a hit on West Indian radio in South Florida.

It is a major achievement for Lady Tia, considering ‘Words’ is her first released song. Previously, she provided backing vocals at shows for singers Hopeton Lindo and Marcia J. Ball.

The success of ‘Words’ has given her a new profile on the entertainment beat.

“It has opened many doors for me in South Florida and I am ready to walk through those doors. The song is also being played in Sweden, Amsterdam, Germany, Hawaii, Africa and England,” she said.

Born Althea Brown, Lady Tia grew up in Ensom City, a middle-class neighborhood in Spanish Town, Jamaica’s first capital.

She first heard ‘Words’ as a child through her father who had an extensive music collection.

A South Florida resident for over 30 years, Lady Tia has been active in the region’s music scene. She was Ball’s manager for several years and worked as a selector with her brother’s Love Maker Disco sound system.

As for a follow-up to ‘Words’, she does not feel pressured.

“I have several songs lined-up and in the making. Now that I’m following my dreams, the journey for me is going to be different,” she said.