Daily Inspiration: Meet Lisa Thee’ Oracle Hightower

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Thee’ Oracle Hightower

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was raised in a church environment where I learned to use music as a powerful way to touch, move, and inspire people. This place of soul connection grew inside me, and I became known as the “little girl with the big voice.” I performed my first gig, so to speak, at a funeral and wedding when I was around five years old. I would sing in such a spiritual way that I would go into a type of trance and take the people with me. Music was a staple in my family; my mother made sure that we were surrounded with the tools needed to do music effectively. Our gifts consisted of organ, piano, drums, tambourine, and such, fueling our music appetite. My mother sang around the house constantly; we sang as a family constantly along with all our musical friends right in our home. My father was a pastor and pushed me and helped me to develop vocally as well as soulfully, his mantra to me: “If you’re going to sing, do it from love with power.”

Fast forward to how I became a professional singer: I met a powerful spiritual mentor who saw my gift as something that the world should hear. She began booking me in mainstream venues and eventually became my manager, but so much more – I call her my mama/sista/friend and manager. This relationship has spawned my career and life into so many beautiful opportunities, places, and stages. I presently reside in Arizona, where we grew my brand from a newcomer at a small venue with barely anyone attending to a standing-room-only weekly event, also helping to put that venue on the map as a desired performance spot, now attracting other great artists. We have moved on from that venue to pursue shows, touring, original music, etc. I am currently working on my signature show that will position me to tour my original music locally, nationally, and internationally.

One of the highlights of my musical journey is something that happened in 2021: I was in a near-death car accident that left me progressing from wheelchair to walker to cane to back on stage. The love that I received from my fan/fam and music community was amazing. They literally took care of me for over a year with fundraisers, random gifts, and more. It was a true gift of LOVE that allowed me to focus on healing, not bills. I have so much more to say…

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been an extremely difficult road at times, wanting to, even trying to quit at times, but the music always calls me back. I have been homeless, sleeping in my truck for days at a time in Walmart parking lots and showering with guest passes from Planet Fitness to maintain a decent appearance, and enduring a number of financial struggles. I can remember one day specifically, when someone had gifted a hotel room to me and I was on my last day. I reached out to family and folks I had helped in the past, and no one would help me. It was the dead of winter, and the hotel manager allowed me to stay way past the check-out time. I ended up going to a Starbucks with my luggage and just staying there until I could figure out some way that would help me get to the next step. And as she has on a number of occasions, my manager showed up to help me! I have stayed in places in the roughest side of inner-city LA, filth-ridden places in Atlanta, hotel lobbies, and courtyards pursuing this dream, and so many more occurrences… too many to name.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a singer/songwriter/producer, but I call myself an ACTIVATOR. When I sing, I am intentionally igniting the greatness inside of people; it may go through the process of tears, laughter, reflection, and at the end, their essence is awakened. I call my genre of music “Organic Soul” with an intention to sing my soul and touch your soul. I have a powerful gift to impact the listener. I am able to do something that many people can’t – sing and create in the moment. I can literally look at someone, catch their energy, and create a song in the moment. I have done this with the comedian Mo’Nique in her dressing room, and it was documented by one of her team members. I also specialize in engaging the audience; we go on a journey together. This is my intention and my self-proclaimed genre: SOUL 2 SOUL Music, and a non-profit in the works called Water 2 Wine Lyrics – helping folks who are in need by being an alchemist, turning their bitter life experiences into something GOOD!

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Sitting around the piano with my family and friends, singing with my mother on the side, cheesing from ear to ear. I was also a basketball star, so winning games and seeing my mother, family, and friends happy along with me was like we all won.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lisahightowermusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheeoraclehightower/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisatheeoracle.hightower/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisatheeoraclehightower
• Other: https://lisahightowerexperience.com/

Image Credits
Diane Banyai photo # 1 only