Angie Fisher was so good at her second job that the supervisor at her full-time job threatened to fire her. Fisher, who earned a Grammy nomination for her 2014 song “I.R.S,” was working at Bank of America in the early 2000s when she decided to participate in an employee talent show by singing a gospel song. The performance impressed Fisher’s boss so much that he told her to pursue a music career, or he’d make a career change mandatory.
By that time, Fisher was a polished vocalist who had been singing since pre-school. By 14, Fisher was singing professionally and touring with a gospel choir. Eventually, Fisher became an in-demand session vocalist for jazz, pop and R&B stars. The “I.R.S.” song is a classic soul/blues hybrid song where Fisher employs her gospel training to sing about the federal agency that sends shivers down every American’s spine.
Fisher has remained active since “I.R.S.” put her on Grammy voters’ radar. She’s regularly releasing singles, including “Grateful,” a gospel duet with Kurt Lykes that is featured in this First Listen. Lykes rangy and gravelly baritone serves as a nice complement to Fisher’s equally rangy vocals.
The arrangement is catchy as it takes the elements of contemporary R&B and merges them with lyrics where Lykes and Fisher express gratitude for God’s unmerited favor. Check out Angie Fisher and Kurt Lykes on the gospel banger “Grateful” here.
By Howard Dukes
