Latest / The Rosanne Callens Podcast / E07: Follow Your Dream Without Quitting Your Day Job (A Real Story with Ericka Davis)
Transcript
- Ericka Davis & Rosanne Callens: Hi friends! ⁓ I'm so excited because I talking with someone that I've literally known since junior high, or if we want to sound more cool, we'll say middle school. We grew up together Woodland, and I honestly say that I have witnessed singing her whole life, from singing national anthems when we were in school to building her ⁓ own high energy band called Kiss and Tell, have watched her not just talk about her dream, but it. ⁓ And Ericka's determination confidence has always, inspired me. ⁓ And what I love about Ericka is she didn't just wait for the perfect ⁓ She didn't until everything was lined up. She didn't quit her day job. And she didn't hope for best. She built her dream alongside her real life. ⁓ She works full time in the food science and technology department at University of California, Davis. She runs a professional band. mean, really, what doesn't she do? She directs entertainment for a massive fair. like I said, what doesn't she do? So today we're talking about following your dream in real life, what it takes, what people don't see and what it feels like behind the scenes because Ericka does not mess around. And that's one of the many I love about her. So Ericka, Thanks for being here today. Oh my goodness I'm blushing I was like, I don't even think about it like that half the time, you know? It's amazing. She's very humble as well. And I told her, I really want to have you on a podcast. But then Ericka actually said, I want to be on one of your lives where I was walking because I was just ripping off the band-aid. And so we had scheduled this to be an actual walk. Oh, I didn't even realize that. I just wanted to go on a walk with you. Well, wait. Oh, she wanted to go on a walk with me. But I was like, oh, well, I. out with her. was like, I have you. I want to ask you a whole bunch of questions. So it ended up being this. I'm so excited. And I'm also as I share with my community about ripping off the bandaid, I've never recorded with someone right by me. So that's why we look like we're working in a telecom together. I think I think we would make it an office space. Somebody hasn't paid their bills. We're have to call them. Yeah. us and we will do this for you. Ericka, as said, you know, I've known you since middle school, but when did you first know that music wasn't just a hobby for you? I even know if you know my story or not, cause you know, we weren't, we were more acquaintances than, you know, we didn't hang out in high school and junior high but I always saw Rosanne and I was like, I love her, she's such sunshine and I always felt like I just love her. And I wish I would have gotten to know you more, but we were just so, I don't know why. I think we were like a Venn diagram where we had all of these same interests but in different areas. You were just so cool to me too. I just really thought you were so cool. So I was born with birth defects that I didn't think I'd ever be able to do this. when I was five years old, like what did you want to do when you grew up? That's the question. I always wanted to sing and do hair. And I always wanted to sing and do hair. And I didn't know how I was going to do that. I didn't know, but I always wanted to sing and do hair. And I had this, I have the elephant man disease. So I don't know if you know, remember who it is? Proteus syndrome. And I have one side that's bigger than the other. hands are like, just kind of a show. It's just one thing, but with disease comes with ⁓ a bad scoliosis because one side of my body is bigger than the other. your spine, it ⁓ goes this and like that. And, and with disease has connective tissue issues. So my really flexible joints, nobody can do that. ⁓ But so that's my feet. how all these tons of joints that flatten my feet made me not be able to wear really I could barely fit into any shoes growing up it was horrible and so I never thought any of this would be possible because I could barely walk from this around school I could barely walk it hurt every single step my whole life until I was in my 20s I was in a wheelchair for a year to get them narrowed and joints fused so that I could maybe fit into shoes because there wasn't a shoe that fit me anymore. Wow. And it was really horrible. I don't even know if I've ever told you this. for a year. I a wheelchair for a year. This is amazing that I've like we've never known this whole story. Okay, keep going. Yeah. And so I I gained a hundred pounds ⁓ I, know, my day job because I had, I had a job. because I had to be in a wheelchair, I never, ever thought I would be able to sing on a stage and, you know, ever. after school, I was the school choir president. And that was like I was so excited to be in just loved it so much. ⁓ But then after high school, like, what do you do? I just sang for weddings. then. I've always wanted to go to beauty school, but I couldn't even like walk from the mall parking lot to the mall and at least ⁓ get around the mall. It like, how am going to ever do that? So I never thought I could do hair or sing other than weddings, you every once in a while. so I, when I got my feet fixed, I encouraged my sister to go to beauty school because, know, I'm like, you should go to beauty school. ⁓ And so she halfway done with beauty school ⁓ when I was with my feet had healed, been a few years, I I could wear shoes again, ⁓ or at all, ⁓ and I was so excited, like, okay, what am I do now? And My best friend at the time, she was like, I'm gonna go to beauty school and you're coming with me. Because Natasha was in beauty school and she was having so much fun and we were her guinea pigs, you know? was a program that you could go at night and on weekends. And so ⁓ we went full time, like I worked full time, went beauty school at 5.30, got there and worked till nine every night. And then Saturdays all day for a year and a half. And then the very day I graduated from beauty school, maybe that same within a day or two, this guy who I'd sang for his wedding called me, hey, would you by any chance want to front my band? like, what? me? Are you, ⁓ like, even you. ⁓ Wow. ⁓ So then I started singing in this band. It was a classic rock band called Four Barrel. all my dreams came true at the very same week. And I was doing it all. so wait, let me get this straight So you had your full-time job then you had beauty school that you had just graduated and you're like, okay now I'm doing this and then now the dream also comes true of fronting a band So now you have three jobs. I know in no time did I ever think I was gonna be a singer. didn't think about that ever. I the universe when I was a little girl that I wanted to sing and do hair. but the key to happiness, is do what excites you. And the minute I heard this, you do what excites you. And if you're not doing what excites you, stop doing that and go do what excites you. And you have to say out loud what you want, because then the universe can give it to you. They can't give it to you if you don't know what you want and tell it what you want and say it out loud. So the doors will open. You don't worry about how it's going to happen. It just will. I say this to people the time as well. You have to put it out there what you want your dream to be. everybody said I couldn't do it because I said I couldn't do it. How am I going to do it with these feet? How am I going to do it? So I was just like, okay, well... I was just going to be the best payroll specialist ever. you found a way. You found a way. the is open. And I through them. ⁓ And my said, You can't sing classic rock. can't sing Led Zeppelin. You can't sing Barracuda. No. I didn't even know who Led Zeppelin was when I started singing Led Zeppelin. I was so excited because I'd never heard this music because my dad's a Mexican and I've only heard like Earth, Wind & Fire and you know that wasn't that wasn't playing at my house. And I was like, I don't know, but I'm going to figure it out. And he my friend said, you can't sing Led Zeppelin. I'm like, oh, watch me. Watch me. I'm going to and I'm going to show you. I did. right. that says a lot about Ericka because, I just have so much respect for Ericka taking steps toward her dream and making even bigger things come true. So this is just so exciting that we're talking about this today. So speaking about being in a high powered position with running your band now and you have the job with the fair, you have your other job, right? What does discipline look like for you behind the scenes? Because I all the time people say, Rosanne how do you do everything you're doing? how you do this? But just to me, they lack a lot of discipline. pull the curtain what the discipline looks like for you? Gosh, I wish I had more time to do everything. I wish I could clone myself. That is not possible, What do you think sets you apart from people that you see having this? having a dream, whether it's like yours and then not being able to execute versus you, even if you feel you are disorganized. What do Well, I wish I could do better at that, but also I do try to do something every day, like a little, ⁓ you really hard. It's really hard though. And I you know I just I make deadlines and it's like OK I have you know what I do. Tell us Ericka. I put notes I put my husband writes me little love notes and stuff on my mirror. shout out to Bill. I know I couldn't do any of that without him though. he puts little notes in like you know erasable markers in the bathroom. and my mirror and I have to do what I need to do that day or that week to make sure at least do these things and that helps me so much. It helps me so much to keep on track what I need visual visual cues. Yeah, and I also heard one step every day at least one step. Just try to have something you can do. I wish I could do more. Yeah, I really do. But you know what? I have to love myself and I have to forgive myself and well, we can't do it all. I love that you're saying that because I want to go to the question that I think about when I, when I was thinking about what I want to ask Ericka I have like a million, but what did you have to give up people don't talk about? kids. couldn't really, I couldn't really shouldn't have kids anyway with my disease. I didn't really know what would that would look like, ⁓ find a supportive or a support system ⁓ to help you. Or forgive yourself for not being able to do everything. That's the thing. You you can't do You have to love yourself forgive all the time. Let's talk about a supportive partner. So I just adore Bill because of course he's married to Ericka and he's amazing and he's from Michigan. So of course I have to love that about him as well. What is it like having a partner in crime and in life who is so supportive and I would say equally determined. He is very tenacious and determined. Well, what he wanted to do when he was five was and play the drums. So He was like when I met him, we sat for hours just talking about. knew who was in two seconds, you know, like it we both had passions and I love that about him That was so attractive that he had a passion and he was a golf course superintendent that just moved to woodland when I met him ⁓ and so ⁓ my salon I was singing I was singing with acoustic with my guitar player and ⁓ My grand opening the salon I was working at just started and so we had this and we invited him because he was getting his hair cut was going to fix him up with all my girlfriends and so hence why we call our band kiss and tell because I'm matchmaker because what I want to do is help people and that's the first thing I you we're here to serve ⁓ and if I can help people and sing it's even better ⁓ That's what I try to focus on. worry about ⁓ you want. As as you're helping people and you're shining light you're being the light ⁓ and you're... you can help so many people and then you get to do what you love to be, that you were born to do. It's a win-win. So everything will always work out. So walking your walk, finding people that are equally matching you. No, you weren't. I'm just, I'm just summarizing cause it's so good. ⁓ finding people that equally match, ⁓ you know, energy. you don't always have to be bubbles, right? Are you bubbles? ⁓ Or at least these few co-workers and he was doing it in a mean way. He was making fun of me calling me bubbles But I took it as a compliment. know what our light is shining and you what I met him I saw him for the first time in like 20 25 years and he was such a meanie and he to my show ⁓ and he was like ⁓ You did it! You achieved your goals. You achieved your dreams. This is all you ever, all I ever heard you talk about. You wanted to sing. And I was in a wheelchair when I knew him. I you're right. And I started crying he goes, I always called you bubbles because you were just all this bubbles and sunshine. It was annoying. it's like, ⁓ I, that was the That's full circle moment. It was the best. It was such a great moment. That just happened a few in the spring. what I like to say is you don't have to always be, bubbles to bubbles, right? It's just as long as someone knows that you're sincere and you're taking steps towards your dream that's very attractive. It's attractive to the whole world. It's attractive to friends. It's attractive to partners. It's attractive at work and in a respectful work way. It makes people smile. It makes people happy. If you're yourself 100 % of the time, not worry about what people think ever. I never worry what people think. I could care less. I worry about what I think. that's all that matters. All matters. Because you know what? They're going to forgive you. They're going get ⁓ over it. who cares what they think? Who cares? ⁓ I do care. Because if I cared... Believe me, I thought every single time I got on a stage, feet, they're gonna see my feet and they're gonna see, I had a from here to here on the back. The whole side of my back was this very large tumor that went that far out. I had liposuction like, I don't even know how many times, over five times. ⁓ just to get normal looking. So I thought, OK, I don't ever want to turn around or they're going to notice all of my defects. And then I was like, you know what? Who cares? I don't care because no one was noticing. Now I don't think about it at this is packed with powerful punches. could I could clip this out and it's going to be gems forever But if I wasn't born with all those problems and if I wasn't going, didn't go through any of that stuff, I wouldn't be who I am and I wouldn't be confident and strong ⁓ invincible. That's true. I be able to help other people. Cause thank God I had those issues. It wasn't easy. I want to go back to not caring about what people think because ⁓ a that really helped me because I to explain myself to people. love to just say, Hey, here's where I was thinking. You know, here's what I was thinking about that. ⁓ If the, they're, they don't like me they're not agreeing, but someone just put their ⁓ hand on my shoulder and said, Hey, explain yourself to anyone because the person that loves you doesn't need it. And the person that doesn't like you won't believe it that helped me so much ⁓ I just thought, you know what? I'm going to just be me. And that's all there is to it. Right. Because there is no other person but you. you're the only one of you I wanted to ask you if you ever had an embarrassing moment on stage. Now, I know that you're going to tell a story and you're going to be able to bounce back from it. I know. ⁓ sometimes when I watch bands and musicians and everything, I always wonder if something just totally bonkers happen that we in the audience might not never know ⁓ Yes, I had like like all isn't all my hair. Okay people I the positive that's what I've always learned and if ⁓ you're not or something. Well do something about it and I was was wearing these clip-in ones though ⁓ and When I started singing I didn't like I didn't really I just took pictures in these I didn't bounce around ⁓ so you had them clipped in for like a still shot. ⁓ god. They were falling out Nobody noticed, I don't think, but I was grabbing hair as it fell and I was right, I'm like, ⁓ I'll be right I took them all out and I was like, my God, this is not gonna happen. It was so embarrassing. ⁓ No, but I don't know if anybody really knew it, Dolly Parton and Cher are very much my, and Fran Drescher are my idols. my gosh. I feel like it's my personality. We're volume personalities, I think so. I love color, I love pink, love big hair. OK, Have you ever ⁓ secretly wondered that you're not good enough? Because I think what people see a confident person, they just think, so easy for They're Ericka. that's people say that to me all the time. I just wanted to ask you, because I feel like people would say that to you, I'm not. I mean. I'm not the best singer. I'm a good singer. fine singer. And makes better. Because I I remember I couldn't sing I Will I never thought could sing that song. Are you kidding me? But all of a I did. ⁓ I just tried it. I'm a better live performer ⁓ than I feel like, ⁓ a ⁓ recording, but I could pull it off. And who cares? Who cares? I'm gonna ⁓ do because that's what I was to do and it matter if you're best whatever is. ⁓ everyone We can always be a better communicator. We can always be a better singer. We can always be a better podcast person. But what I hear you saying is I practice, I try my absolute best. I give it my absolute and I look back and say, well, I could do X, Y, Z better next time. Right. The key is, is that you're putting yourself out there. Yeah. I'm going to fake it till I it. I'll tell you that. And if, even if I didn't feel like that was the greatest thing, you know what? Most people can't do that. Most people don't have the. guts to get on a stage and try. Or they keep thinking, I'm going to read another book on how to be a better singer. I'm going to watch another YouTube on someone, teaching me how to get on stage or whatever. And, and honestly, us recording this together is me stepping into something that I was super fearful of because I don't know how to do that technology. I was telling myself all these negative things and I'm like, wait a minute, just do it. Just do it because one of my superpowers is not being afraid You're going to learn. You're going to, OK, let's do this that better next time and this next time. Just try it. Just try. What role has having the right partner played in your success? first husband could not handle it and he It really cramped his style because he did not want, he felt like he had to go with me because all these men were wanting me. And it's like, I don't do insecure. You can't be insecure with me because I'm going to go and flirt and sing with my microphone all over the place and I'm going to sit on a lap. I'm going to mess with somebody's hair. gonna play and I'm gonna have fun cuz that's you know, fun ⁓ and Bill was not by me Bill knew exactly what he was gonna get into he knew exactly what he you know He'd seen me sing my very you know, first time I'm not first time I met him but second time I met him ⁓ he knew what he was for and Can't have an insecure person. That's just not it's not attractive either Love yourself at all times and he he he was he marinated a long time. So he was ready for me I can't do any of it without him. He I ⁓ is so supportive ⁓ he's drummer my band I said we're we're do what we want to and you're gonna be the drummer he's like I hadn't ⁓ he hadn't played since high school and he's 35 and And I'm like, well, let's go buy a, let's go get a drum set and let's figure it out. And he's like, okay. you know, he's down for any challenge. is down for the challenge, but he's a Gemini. He fuels my fire. we don't like a direction we're going, ⁓ let's go another direction. Let's figure something else, a plan B. And let's just have fun. ⁓ the thing, we have so much fun. Because we do what excites us. he me. And ⁓ I love him. ⁓ I learned how to golf. He was coming to all my gigs. At least I could do is learn his things. And so I learned how to golf. He taught me it was so much fun and I love it and I wish we did it more, but that's like our goal this coming year. you're the entertainment director the Yolo County Fair. what piece of advice would you give a young musician? also I think people remember mistakes or what not to do. So what mistake do you see some people making ⁓ just a little background that's how I came into this role at the Yolo County Fair I I was recording original music and it really wasn't fair for me to be in the contest anymore because that was the thing I waited for every year because that's all I had. every year I was so excited and I never won. I never won anything and it didn't matter because I didn't care. I just got, it was opportunity to get on stage and if, for people who want to do something special, like they have their goals, opportunities to do it, take every opportunity you can to get on the stage. That's what I tell people, the people who want to, kids, adults, every age a part of my contest. It's not limited to kids. that's goal in life is to help kids, people. ⁓ When I tell people like, okay, sing it loud, just let it go. You tell them, you just, what's the lyrics? Feel the lyrics, feel what the words are saying, ⁓ Don't back, and ⁓ if you feel like an idiot, you're doing it right. I was president of the choir and we went to Disneyland and at Disneyland they showed us how to audition to be in a Disney character, ⁓ any job at Disneyland, right? And said, sing Zippity Doo Dah. Zippity doo dah, zippity, it's fine, it's great. But if you really want the job, zippity doo dah, you overemphasize and you tell them and you get it. And it's like, you feel stupid. You feel so stupid. But that means you're doing it right because you're getting noticed, you're getting it out there. It's amazing how it feels different when you do that. So putting yourself out there, I tell people comfortably uncomfortable too. You know, it's so uncomfortable. You're doing it right? Yeah, you do and you have to say that you have to talk yourself off the ledge because it does feel Awkward, but it's imperative. It's imperative. and don't worry about what people are thinking We don't want the world to miss your magic. We don't want that. I'm gonna hit him in the face. listen, even about competition, sure, there's competition out there, you making your best effort and putting yourself out there and listening to a mentor and listening to people who've been there is imperative for you to take that step, for sure. What would you say to the person who feels like it's too late to follow their dream? Well, I didn't become singer until I was 28. Yes, I wish I would have been a singer a lot earlier than that, but that's just not my journey. ⁓ And ⁓ I ⁓ to and myself for it. Who cares? you know, and it's just, who There's rules. Who cares? You have to. ⁓ Take your opportunities when they come and if it's not till later, it's not till later. ⁓ and I'm gonna follow my dreams cause when I was on that stage, was exactly what I was born to do and I knew it. Had no doubt and I don't care what I had what... fear. everything's gonna work out. Everything's gonna work out supposed to I was not gonna fear how How I would divide everything who cares it's not working you Change it. So you're doing excites you doing that and go do what excites you it's just you have let go you have surrender let go just let go let go surrender it's never too late your dreams are important that's what I hear it's work out how it's supposed to you have to step into your excellence Okay, I'm bringing this home guys. I'm bringing this home. one's going to tell me what to do. one is going to tell her what to do. And I love that. That's another reason why we get along so well because we're fiercely independent women. If could go back and talk to your middle school, junior high self It gets better. everything is going to better. ⁓ know, growing up is so ⁓ you know, I always, I always love myself. You have to love yourself. Because if you don't love yourself, how can you be, give love to anybody else? ⁓ And just knew everything was going to work out. And once I could be on my own, ⁓ I ⁓ make happen. And it doesn't matter. practice. Carol said the other day, Make your own opportunities. didn't have any opportunities created a show. I ⁓ didn't want to do classic rock anymore. I wanted to more than just classic rock and I wanted to in charge of my voice. because I got vocal chord ⁓ from having somebody else dictate the And I was like, no, no, no, no. gonna do our own band and we're gonna do the songs we wanna sing. ⁓ And we're gonna play every other weekend because I'm take care of my voice, ⁓ because if I don't have voice, I don't get my dream. ⁓ So I stopped that other band and I and they were very upset. I don't care. ⁓ I had to care of me I wanted to ⁓ create original music ⁓ and it was not sounding right the Pro ⁓ there's damages right there because I'm singing too much and I'm take my power and ⁓ say no, I'm gonna sing I sing ⁓ I did not let somebody else. dictate direction. there's very many ⁓ who create bands on own because you have to have lot of equipment. And usually guitar players do that. And they have all this equipment. They have all this stuff. ⁓ So Bill's like, OK, let's do it then. that's like I to have that. We'll figure it out. we got to do it how we want to. And I don't have to sing and hurt my voice. I sing ⁓ once or twice a month, and that's it. ⁓ Because ⁓ it's intense, four hours each night. So I have another singer with me so I don't carry the whole load by myself. And I support somebody else's dreams. She was my Idol contest winner. ⁓ Allie was my first winner. She won. I'm like, ooh, let's have her be in the band. Because I want to empower women. There's room for all of us. People are like, aren't you going to be jealous? no, not at all. Because she's a great singer, and so am I. She has strengths, and I have strengths. And it works so well together. You need like-minded people. And my musicians, we have to keep something exciting for each of them. What songs excite them? Even if it's not my favorite song, we got to do it. We got to do it because, oh my gosh, they would be so happy if we sing this song for them. Ericka helps make people feel seen, and I will also say heard. if everybody's excited doing our thing together, ⁓ everybody's excited going towards the goal. I want to keep people engaged ⁓ and because it's a team effort, I have seven people. the band. The sound guy too. So everybody has to be nurtured and everybody has to be heard and everybody has to feel respected and everybody has to feel part of the goal. last question Ericka. If your life had a soundtrack right now what song would be playing? Well besides Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. ⁓ that's you know I'm telling you and the new Chappel Roan newer album. Seriously it's like that's ⁓ I just want to have fun. If happy, ⁓ raises everybody. My song Daydreams, I collaborated with these ⁓ writers to my song Daydreams. There's this awesome from... from Denmark, came over, ⁓ he had this great song it's about chasing your dreams ⁓ that's my song Daydreams, ⁓ that's all about. My journey and I think that really captured it really well I'm going to link it in the show notes It's just the whole thing is beautiful It just makes me happy and it just makes me think about all of the ⁓ people that it took to get that song made and and How it was just an effort of love. ⁓ we had so much fun doing it, too. I was so proud Ericka. I'm so glad you're here It's so different for me to even record like this who knows where I'm looking this whole thing We've got a camera within the camera here So Thank you. Thank you, and you inspire me to you gave me you put it in words like my have your little cards ⁓ my affirmation cards. Yeah, and it's like ⁓ you just put it ⁓ We inspire each other. I sing to lyrics for a reason. can't think of any of words. ⁓ just said so many words right now that are so inspiring. how you put it into perspective and you me. I literally really enjoy ⁓ being friend. She is a light everyone. Well, I've known Ericka since junior high, as I said, and I've watched you sing your whole life. To the national anthem, to building your own band, to directing entertainment And what stands out to me, really, it's not just how amazing you are, it's the consistency. I think, when I think about what I truly love in the people that I surround myself with, it's consistency, it's ambition, it's intelligence. I always learn something new when I'm around Ericka. You know, she doesn't wait for the perfect timing. She didn't quit her life. She built her dream alongside have my job. need health insurance. And I love my job. I love helping people in my job. I can do that as well. Doing amazing things. And I hope everyone watching or listening hears this. You don't have to blow up your world to follow your dream. just have to decide, like Ericka says, to put it out in the universe and that it matters enough to take one small step. And I'm so proud of Ericka and us Woodland girls. We don't mess around. That's right. ⁓ Like we don't know what we're doing with this podcast thing and with his headphones, but we just did it. And so if you're watching and thinking there's something inside of you that keeps saying someday, here's a quote I really like. It says, there are seven days in a week and someday is not one of them. S-O-M-E-D-A-Y. That's it friends. Thanks for being with us today. Next time you'll see us together, we'll be walking and really doing a live, because maybe we'll know more what we're doing there. But thank you everyone. We'll do a heart together, ready? Amy Grant gave me a heart one time on stage. Bye!