“Singin’
Lisa”:
Using her voice
to spread
THE WORD!
By Kimmie Tubre
It can take a lifetime to discover your purpose, talent or destiny.
While many struggle with their own purpose, some can recognize
that talent early. This was the case with WYLD radio personality and
award-winning show producer “Singin’ Lisa.”
Born Lisa Carolyn Phillips, Singin’ Lisa knew what her talents were
from an early age and she used them. “As early as grade school I sang
my way through every grade, enjoying every play, musical, dance,
drama, speech, piano and voice lessons,” she recounted.
The youngest of three, Lisa’s mother, the late Emma Skipper
Phillips, wanted a daughter to complete her family of men. After
much prayer, her calls were answered in 1965 when the immensely
talented Lisa was born. A gospel pioneer in her own right, Emma was
destined to give birth to a vocally talented child, and that’s exactly
what happened. As the story goes, Lisa was already “singing from
the womb.”
“I’m a carbon copy of my mother,” Lisa said. And, like her mother,
Lisa’s first public audience was the church congregation. She started
out performing at Branch Bell Baptist Church in the historic Lower
9th Ward neighborhood of New Orleans. Lisa was a musical child and
her family fully supported her abilities. “I’ve played several instruments
including the piano, drums, recorder and guitar,” she said.
Growing up in the Lower Nine, Lisa attended Joseph A. Hardin
Elementary, F.W. Gregory Junior High School and McDonogh #35
High School. During those years, she auditioned and was offered the
opportunity to train at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for the Creative
10 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
/breakthrumediamagazine.com
