Rising Stars: Meet Raven Hooker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Hooker.

Raven, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been singing since I was four years old. Started performing in school talent shows, church choirs, different radio competitions. I kind of lost sight as I got into my teen years becoming a teen mother, mom going to prison, and being homeless. Focused on my education and making better for myself. I remember being on the city bus and singing and the bus driver was like hey you got a beautiful voice. Invited me to one of his band rehearsals and later joined “The Blue Sand Band”. One night we had did open mic night at Boston’s House of Jazz in Greensboro NC, and that night is what really begin the journey for me as “The SongBird Raven”. The open mic host Johnnie Hudson pulled me to the side and told me he thinks I would do great being a solo singer away from that band. 18 years old then and that night really made me realize I need to follow my dreams. I started by going to open mics weekly to work on my craft, joining competitions, and building supporters. Now I am an Independent Artist from the Triad area (Greensboro, NC). I go by the name The SongBird Raven. I have shows (gigs/sing) anywhere I can be booked, also sing with a band from Winston Salem (The OSP Band), and have my own original music on Spotify, iTunes, Google, any streaming site. I am a mother of three children who inspires me to keep chasing my dream. Ultimately I wish to run The SongBird Raven, LLC full-time; meaning be able to provide for me and my family off my earnings without working a normal 9-5 job. The SongBird Raven is available for any event you may need a singer. I am also in the working of The SongBird Raven merch for sale.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been the easiest road to get where I am at. From teen mom, mom incarceration, homeless while being a new teen mother, still graduating from High school going through that to going to college at 17 years old, going through domestic relationship, I can say I am very blessed and know that God makes no mistakes. So everything that I have been through or that I am going to go through is just a part of my testimony. It’s preparing me for something in life. With music and my music, it’s the only thing that keeps me going besides my kids and my mom. It gives me a sense of living, I am able to express myself in ways that I can’t do verbally. Music is my passion and I feel it is my true love. It’s the one thing I know that I am good at and have purpose in this life for.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am your young with an old soul singer. I go by the name The SongBird Raven. I got my name SongBird from my big cousin Tisha, and Raven is my real name. I am a singer/songwriter/ performer. I am from Greensboro, NC. What set me aside from most artists is that I am very soulful, and it’s heartfelt when I sing. I am a solo artist and also sing with a band from Winston Salem; The OSP Band (Old Skool Players).

How do you define success?
Success is when you succeed in your ultimate goal. Whatever that may be.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: The SongBird Raven
• Facebook: Raven SongBird
• Twitter: @SongBirdRaven1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYaq_888IbYwZiIwxOtIkcg

Image Credits
OneClickPhotography (red and White out fits) LevannaJ Photography (Blue shirt photos)