Two West Rowan students join forces to record album

Tony Parker, center, head of Parker Productions LLC, shares a laugh with Darius Rucker, left, and Tommie Estes, both 17, who have been working on an album at the Statesville recording studio. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post

Darius Rucker, 17, sings a song from his and fellow singer Tommie Estes, album, Chaosity. The duo hope to finish their album this year. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post

Tommie Estes, 17, of Salisbury, sings a song from his and fellow singer Darius Rucker's album entitled "Chaosity" while at Parker Productions LLC, a Statesville recording studio. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

In late 2008, Tommie Estes was acting in a Piedmont Players Theatre production and Darius Rucker was singing with his high school chorus.

Pursuing separate dreams, they didn't know each other.

Fast forward to February 2010 and the pair, both West Rowan High School students, are not only friends, but working on an album together.

Even before teaming up, Tommie and Darius kept hearing about the other. After meeting, they learned they had some things in common, including their love for music.

"We did a talent show together, and that's when we officially knew we were a group," Tommie said.

Together, Tommie and Darius have formed a group, Chaos, and are recording their first album.

Darius said the two didn't really promote themselves until May 2009. In the beginning, they worked on their look and sound.

They've been actively recording music since the summer of 2009, he said. The duo has performed at several open mic nights in Charlotte.

They would like to branch out and perform in various types of venues, Tommie said.

The two write their own lyrics, taking inspiration from things that have happened to them and those around them.

Sometimes the words come organically by way of a mood or a beat, Darius said.

"We start freestyling, then we go back and we fix it. We write as much as possible," Tommie said.

"Half the things we talk about are from personal experiences. We want people to listen and be able to relate to it," Darius said.

The two say they don't fit into any one genre, but feel their sound is a bit of pop, urban, techno, rock, hip hop and R&B.

Like many other recording artists, the two tap into another persona when they are in the moment and performing onstage. Darius has taken on the name "D-Rock" and Tommie, "Young T."

The two are trying to fulfill their dream of performing and are taking their support team along for the ride. Their "team" consists of their mothers, manager, music producer and the like.

Priscilla Watson, Darius' mother, sees the talent. The two often practice at her home. She also drives them to the studio and pays for their sessions.

"I thought it was good. I could hear the potential. They were good together," Watson said of their performances.

Watson also pushes the duo to practice, encouraging them to practice as if they were performing, she said.

"They can't answer their cell phones. If they mess up, they start over. And the most important is they respect each other," Watson said.

Tommie and Darius are expected to follow those rules.

"It's a good feeling because there's a lot out there two draw them out into the streets. I don't mind paying for studio time because it's for their benefit," Watson said.

The teens practice at least three hours two to three times a week.

"We try new things ..." Darius said. They are able to express themselves through music and their performances, he said.

Tommie said practicing is fun, then added, "But if we don't get it right the first time, we keep striving until we get it right."

The two also receive help from Tommie's mother, Maria Steele. They perform for her and she lets them know where they need to improve.

"She used to sing when she was little," Tommie said.

The teens found another supporter when they heard about a recording studio and scheduled a meeting.

That's where Tony Parker, head of Parkers Productions, came into the picture. Parkers Productions has been located in Statesville for more than a decade. The company does sound, video and production throughout the Southeast.

Parker, who has been in the music industry for 30 years, has been working with Tommie and Darius for about six months.

He said the outcome of their album depends on how professional the guys want it. The two say they want to go all the way to the top.

It's that determination that will get them there, said Liz Tennent, program director of the Times 2 Mentoring Program.

Times 2 Mentoring is one of the programs offered through the Rowan County Youth Services Bureau. Tennent knows Darius and Tommie, who are actively involved in mentoring."Our agency inspired and supported Tommie to get involved in drama," she said.

She said Tommie took his talent to the next level, and Darius did the same.

"It's one thing to have passion, but another thing to put that passion into action," Tennent said.

She said the two are able to accomplish so much because of their support system.

"They discovered a community that loves them and they love the community. They are on a very positive path. I hope they continue to be smart in their decisions and not let anything get in the way of their dreams," she said.

Tennent said she's known Darius and Tommie long enough to know they haven't let their quest to fulfill their dreams get in the way of their schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

She's watched them grow, develop and succeed, she said.

"They really inspire me because I don't care what your age, all of us have a passion. They've had great support," Tennent said.

Their determination to achieve their goals is something Tennent said she wished for in all young people.

Tony Wilson is manager, vocal coach and financier for Tommie and Darius. He has known the two for a number of years and, when he heard about what they were trying to accomplish, he said, "I wanted to help them."

Wilson is no stranger to performing. His family's group, Smith & Wilson Express, performed at the Apollo Theater. The group opened for various jazz and R&B acts.

"I've always had an interest in music," he said. And he is trying to guide Tommie and Darius through that business.

"I'm doing my best to steer them to music," Wilson said.

Wilson said he knows the teens are serious and doesn't mind investing in their future.

"You only get one shot at life. Whatever it takes to get them going," Wilson said.

The goal is to be done with the first few songs by March and have the entire CD completed by summer. It will have 12 songs, but the duo are working to refine four songs. Even though the album isn't complete, the team is always working to promote their work.

Tommie and Darius have already performed at a few local events, including the Martin Luther King Day celebration in January.

Wilson's goal for the duo is to be working with a record label within three years.

"They are the confidence we need and that's a good thing," Tommie said of the team.