Sharay Patrice Staton was born on October 4 to parents Charles Jr. and Sonja Staton. She was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. As a child she was a busy bee, always moving, dancing, and singing around the house and anywhere else she could be heard; Family reunions, gatherings around the holidays, and around her friends at school. At a young age she started writing songs and would record them as well as other people’s songs on tapes along with her background vocals and play them for family members. A true star was emerging before her family’s eyes.At the age of fourteen she was given the opportunity to sing in her mother’s best friend’s wedding. This would be her first time singing in front of a big crowd, but she was up to the challenge. The church was packed, seating around 300 people, she was more excited than nervous. After she sang she received a standing ovation.From then on she went to high school at Hazelwood East. Even though she was a scholar athlete in track and field her first passion was still singing. To showcase her talent around the school she began singing the National Anthem at basketball games. Her senior year in high school she sang in the choir she also performed in a Pop Concert her school had that year.Sharay went on to attend college at Tennessee State University. There she focused on running track and getting her degree in Information Systems. Track took up a lot of her time but she still wanted to find a way to let her voice be heard throughout Nashville, so she started with Tennessee State. She began singing the National Anthem at all the home track meets and singing at different functions around Tennessee State. In the spring of 2005 Sharay decided to focus more on her studies and did not complete her last year in track. Having that extra free time allowed her to sing more. She continued to sing the National Anthem at every home track meet but aside from that she sang at home basketball games as well as showcases around Nashville. Now not just Tennessee State was recognizing her for her voice, but all of Nashville. After she graduated college she began writing and focusing more on her music. She has opened up for Lil’ Wayne, Yung Joc, Lloyd, as well as The Dream.Among her other influences, Sharay lists artists like Aaliyah, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera. She respects each artist for what they have done and studies the best then makes it her own.Although music is her first love Sharay has other aspirations. “I’ve always wanted to do action movies. I want to be on the good side fighting all the bad guys, like Tomb Raider.†She chuckles.Sharay Patrice Staton is an entertainer, a dancer, a song writer, and an exceptional vocalist. More importantly she is ready to share her many talents with the world.
