Meet Doris Fields

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Doris Fields a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Doris, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

My father worked in the coal mines for fifty years. After he retired, he worked another twenty years as the doorkeeper for the W.Va. State Senate. He loved politics and he was very much involved with politicians and their campaigns. This meant that 98% of the time, he was the only one in the room when he would attend rallies, luncheons and meetings. He would take me along with him many times when I was quite young because he wanted me to know who these people were. Although I was not interested in politics at all, I would watch him navigate those rooms where he was accepted and respected as one of them. I have always tried to remember the way my father moved among people when I have been in those situations. The thought of what would he do? is still something I think about when I’m trying to navigate my own rooms now.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My stage name is Lady D. I have been performing professionally as a singer for 36 years. I’ve always wanted to sing, so everything I’ve done since the age of three years old has been geared toward aspects of the entertainment world. I discovered acting in my early twenties and that eventually led to playwriting and quite a few opportunities to direct some great shows like Black Nativity and A Raisin In the Sun. During the pandemic, I discovered my talent as a visual artist. I have had several shows around southern W.Va. and sold quite a few paintings. I find painting to be very therapeutic and I enjoy it almost as much as singing.

I have also stepped into the film world and I’ve produced a three-part video series called “Those Who Came Before.” This is one of my proudest achievements. I interview many of West Virginia’s black musicians, artists and scholars whose contributions have generally gone unnoticed.

As a singer, my musical genres are Blues, R&B, Reggae and Pop as well as having written many originals that I perform with my band MI$$ION. I wrote a one-woman show twenty years ago called The Lady and the Empress. It is a musical based on the life and music of Bessie Smith “The Empress of the Blues.” This show is backed by my band and I also created a spin-off version called Bessie’s Blues that is a shorter version and I’m accompanied by one musician. We just celebrated the twentieth anniversary of this show by doing a multi-state tour earlier in the year. Another highlight of my career is having my original song, “Go Higher” chosen as the Best Obama Inaugural song in 2008. We were invited to play at the “Obama For Change Inaugural Ball” in Washington, DC

Now, I am working on a spoken word/poetry book that is also a live show that features some of my visual art that captures scenes from my life as a coal miner’s and being a child in the coal camps of West Virginia. Hopefully this piece called “Appalachian BluesSpeak will be ready for the stage in early 2025.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I would have to say that the three qualities, skills or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey are perseverance, creativity and knowing my craft. Because I have wanted to be a singer from the age of 3, and having people, many people suggest to me that I should be a nurse or a teacher instead, has taught me that perseverance is a truly necessary trait to have in this business. Hearing no so many times in a day can almost break your spirit but if there’s something that you really want to do and feel in your heart that you have to do it, then there’s no other choice but to pick yourself up and keep going. Creativity has not only helped me in my journey but has been a crucial part of my life. Being creative in music is one thing but I’ve found my creative side in other areas of the artistic world. I discovered my talent for painting during the pandemic. I have always written plays and poetry, but a couple of years ago, I became interested in film and began a video series project. Lastly, knowing the craft of singing has kept me working and somewhat relevant to the local and regional music scene.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

At the moment, I feel that ageism is the number one obstacle I’m facing. The music business is dominated by the young and after a certain age, or should I say, a certain “look” you’re no longer seen as a performer who can pull in a crowd. I don’t play in bars at all anymore by personal choice, so those venues are not options for work. Most of my engagements are with arts organizations and festivals. These venues are very satisfying to me. The problem is that there are not enough of them to make steady work. This is where creativity comes in a lot. When I don’t have a gig and need one at a certain time, I will create my own event. Music and art is what I do for a living so often I have to be creative in making that living, especially here in Southern West Virginia.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.musicbyladyd.com
• Instagram: @fieldsdoris
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladydwv
• Youtube: LadyD WV
• Other: https://www.cdbaby.com

Image Credits

Melissa Smoot
Michele Copney
Nichole Bryant