Meet Donna Frost | Independent Recording Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Donna Frost and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donna, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was born in a musical family. My grandparents on both sides were gospel singers. My parents were as well. They traveled with their group up until 2 weeks before I was born and took me with them to Detroit, Michigan 2 weeks after I was born! I was singing as soon as I could talk. I took piano lessons at age 9 and moved on to guitar at age 11. My whole life has been dedicated to playing, writing, creating music. There was never another option career wise. This was in my heart from the very start.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart? I just do what I do. My songs come from my heart and are based on my life experiences. I am 66 now so there’s a lot of material. I use my music to help and encourage others. What I am proudest of are my CDs. I have released 10 since 1998, 5 of those since 2020. Each one is different, and is about my life’s journey to this point. To get recognized for my work in recent years has been such a great blessing,  especially winning the Mississippi Music Foundation Award for Best Americana Artist last year. How I got to where I am today? I have worked hard at this for over 50 years, full time since 1993. I have played many shows and traveled many miles. I never stopped. I never gave up. I just keep on going and I will until the day I die. I have learned a lot through the years. The main thing is to never take anyone or anything for granted because everything can change in the blink of an eye. I live in the moment, day by day, with a heart filled with gratitude always.
What do I want the world to know about me? What you see is what you get with me and my music. It comes from my heart to you. I love what I do. I may be old but age is just a number. I still have a lot to say.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As far as Nashville goes, I am not into the tourist trap bars on Broadway. I would take that person to some of our songwriter nights around the city. There are some going on every night. That’s the real Nashville. I would definitely take my friend to see The Time Jumpers show at 3rd and Lindsley, best show in town. If there was a good concert at the Ryman, we would definitely go there. We would make a trip to Music Valley Drive and go to some spots there for music and vintage shopping. Tours at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame are a must

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, Don and Barbara Frost, for encouraging me to follow my dream, every step of the way. It was my choice. They gave me the best life. Mama got out of performing except singing in church after my brothers and I came along. Dad kept on singing, recording and traveling in his groups. I traveled and played with him through the years. He has had his own gospel music tv shows for 25 years. I must also mention the band rehearsals through the years at our house. My parents helped me in so many ways . Mama passed away almost 3 years ago. Dad is still here and still in music too.

My aunt Mary Lynch Jarvis was another person who did so much to help me. She paid for my music lessons as a child and then to study music at Belmont when I was older. She bought a van and equipment trailer for our rock band in the 1980s. She paid for demo sessions for me. She was always giving to others. She passed away in 1995.

And I must pay tribute to my dear friend, the late, great, Skeeter Davis, who made my childhood wish come true. In 1963, when The End of the World was a big hit record. Aunt Mary was working at RCA for Chet Atkins. She and Skeeter were the best of friends. Skeeter was my hero. We spent some good times together in those years. I was 6 years old. I sang along with all of her records, dreaming of singing harmony with her onstage one day. I told her that a lot. In 1996, when she was diagnosed with the cancer that took her from us in 2004, she called me up and said it was time for us to sing together! I sang with her the last 8 years of her life, performing not only in the US but Barbados and St. Lucia, also I was with her on the Grand Ole Opry some through those years. I opened some of her shows. She came to support me several times at my CD parties. We shared so many great times together. I had the honor of singing with the Grand Ladies of the Opry at her funeral ( it was Skeeter’s request). And when she was inducted posthumously at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2013, I was invited to perform The End of the World at her induction.

Website: www.donnafrost.com

Instagram: @donnafrost12strings

Twitter: Donnafrost12

Facebook: www.facebook.com/donnafrostsongs

Youtube: @donnafrost12strings

Other: www.reverbnation.com/donnafrostmusic Personal Facebook www.facebook.com/donna.frost

Image Credit:

Photo 2 by Rick Murray, Photo 5 and 6 by Di Kulka Piteo