“King” Steve is a seasoned, Milwaukee-born native who was heavily influenced by James Brown, Michael Jackson, Al Green, Luther Vandross, Rick James and Smoky Robinson.
Growing up without a father in the home, Steve chose James Brown to be his surrogate mentor. He spent countless hours listening to songs like “Super Bad” and “Papa’s got a Brand New Bag” while mastering the art of mimicking James Brown.
“King” Steve impersonated James Brown in July 2016 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The Hansberry-Sands Theatre Company presented “Let’s Party! A Journey through Song…” which was a Duke Ellington Tribute sponsored by the Milwaukee Club Frontiers. “King” Steve has also performed as a James Brown impersonator at festivals such as “Bronzeville Days” in Milwaukee.
“King” Steve has mastered the art of impersonating Michael Jackson as well. “I always wanted the total package that Michael Jackson had,” says Steve. One song that he rehearsed to was the Jackson Five’s “Never Can Say Goodbye” song as he tried to nail down Jackson’s stage persona.
Steve has also performed around Milwaukee at Jean’s Supper Club, Diamond’s Lounge,Jamie’s Club Theatre and Transfer Pizza. Contact: angie@ozaukeetalent.com
One lesson. One song. One event at a time. Ozaukee Talent is a training and networking facility for people of all ages wanting to advance in the arts. Ozaukee Talent was founded by longtime arts leader Angie Mack in 2016. Ozaukee Talent provides private music and acting lessons, contracted event marketing, contracted arts project management, consulting, arts public speaking and performing, hosts musical events, workshops and classes in the arts. Contact: Ozaukee Talent 1701 11th Ave. Grafton WI 53024 angie@ozaukeetalent.com 262.309.4112 Follow @ozaukeetalent on Instagram and Facebook. Tax deductible donations for Ozaukee Talent through Create Wisconsin, Inc. Venmo: @ozaukeetalent PayPal: angie@ozaukeetalent.com
MILWAUKEE, WI Josefa Gonzalez is a long-time resident of Ozaukee County who is close to making a huge win as a top 10 vocalist on the Spanish equivalent of America’s Got Talent.
Tengo Talento Mucho Talento is celebrating their 10th year and has invited the best and most requested performers from the past 10 years to compete in a unique celebration. Gonzalez performed in 2014 and made it into the top 3 that year. She claims that English is her first language and it was her Spanish diction that kept her from winning the number one spot. Gonzalez is also dyslexic and will be looking for assistance to help her with her diction for the next round of competitions occurring in a few weeks.
Josefa Gonzalez is unique in that she is 65 years old and refuses to let her age stop her dreams. For many years, she performed as a lead vocalist in the Milwaukee-based band Tropical Heat. But then she miraculously had a child at the age of 46 and devoted her time toward raising her only son who she calls the “love of her life”. She and Anthony’s father were townhouse managers for many years in Grafton.
“I have struggled for many years to make it in the music industry. Sadly, the Latin musicians in the Milwaukee area have not embraced me.”
Gonzalez is in awe of how much respect and care the producers and staff of the show have given her.
“When I performed in the past, they bought me a beautiful purple dress to perform in, gave me a makeover and did my hair.”
Josefa considers herself a survivor and a strong example to other women. Her life has unfortunately been laced with various forms of abuse. When she was 17, one of her abusers held her captive in a closet and “beat her to a bloody pulp” as she describes. Because of the abuse, Josefa has suffered from depression throughout her lifetime yet her spirit is remarkably strong.
“I stayed with my abuser for 10 years. I believed whatever he would say to me. He would say things like, ‘You’re not going to amount to anything. You’re ugly. Nobody’s going to want to look at you.’ He later ended up committing suicide. If I would not have gotten away from him, he would have surely killed me too.”
She was 17. Josefa recalls her abuser laughing at her when she would try to sing. He would beat her whenever she tried to do things to help her self esteem like getting a haircut. Josefa’s father was an abuser so she didn’t know any different.
Fast forward to now. Josefa has literally reclaimed her own voice and style. She found her own fashion designer and is currently participating with the concept of a future dress to perform in. Angela McDonalds is her designer. One of her future looks will be a long white dress with feathers and a half of a mask on her face symbolizing a bird.
” I want to thank Tengo Talento Mucho Talento for believing in me and showing the world my talents. They have made me feel beautiful and have made me feel like the woman that I really am. I want to thank them so much! If I make it to the Grand Finale, I will sing Cucurrucucu Paloma which is an old Mexican song about a white dove. Music has been my way out.”
One lesson. One song. One event at a time. Ozaukee Talent is a training and networking facility for people of all ages wanting to advance in the arts. Ozaukee Talent was founded by longtime arts leader Angie Mack in 2016. Ozaukee Talent provides private music and acting lessons, contracted event marketing, contracted arts project management, consulting, arts public speaking and performing, hosts musical events, workshops and classes in the arts. Contact: Ozaukee Talent 1701 11th Ave. Grafton WI 53024 angie@ozaukeetalent.com 262.309.4112 Follow @ozaukeetalent on Instagram and Facebook. Tax deductible donations for Ozaukee Talent through Create Wisconsin, Inc. Venmo: @ozaukeetalent PayPal: angie@ozaukeetalent.com
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