One of Kansas City's favorite daughters Oleta Adams was back in town recently for a performance on 18th and Vine.
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The singer and songwriter grew up in the Pacific Northwest. She was the daughter of a minister, and a piano prodigy who was directing choirs by the age of eleven.
Many Kansas Citians have fond memories of Oleta Adam's early days in our city, when she performed to standing-room-only crowds at the former Alameda Plaza Hotel and the Sign Board at the Hyatt. She got her big break there in 1989 when she was "discovered" by Tears for Fears front-men Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.
Oleta Adams went on to record seven albums that span gospel, jazz and pop genres. She's sold more than two and a half million. Her latest is called Let's Stay Here and will be released this month.
KCUR's Susan B. Wilson caught up with Oleta Adams a couple of weeks ago at the Gem Theatre, right after a sound check. Adams explained that, even after two decades as a solo recording artist, she still finds inspiration in her gospel upbringing.
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