How A Person Has Impacted Or Influenced My Life

Everyone is affected by certain events or individuals that greatly changes their life. Many people have influenced me in my life. I haven't met him personally but by reading about his struggles in his life and listening to his music he has became a great influence for me. That person is Donell Jones.

When I was younger, I knew I wanted to always do something that involves performing. In 1996, I was introduced to his music over the radio. I never knew who sung those songs at the time but I truly liked it. Then in 1999, Donell's single "Where I Wanna Be" played on the radio and later seeing the music video. I became interested in his music and started to research about his past and how he got to this point in life as a singer. After a large portion of reading I found out that his father was a gospel singer and that as a child he was in gangs in his hometown of Chicago. I knew from that point I wanted to be an R&B singer. Donell was not also a singer but he was also a songwriter and producer. That same year I started to write poetry and my own songs.

By his third album, "Life Goes On" in 2002 he became my influence for my future career in the music business as a singer and songwriter. Many people think it is an obsession but it is not. Donell's lyrics are true to form and I understand every aspect of his lyrics. His music is simply mesmerizing. His music and lyrics come straight from personal experience. He has even stopped smoking and drinking one year ago.

His new album, released June 20, 2006, had an impact because he has gone through being in gangs as a child and being around a dangerous neighborhood in his hometown of Chicago. He makes, writes, and produces his own music while taking care of his four daughters. Like he says, his life has simple been a journey.

My life long dream is to become a singer and songwriter and to be able to meet Donell Jones in person and even singing with him would