From school plays to singer, CEO

Lyvotte Hall always wanted to be a star. But growing up, he wasn't sure he would make it.

Now, all his dreams are coming true.

"It was like a 180-degree turnaround," Hall said. "Maybe it's my destiny." In only a few years he went from shy kid to school plays to recording his own album, scheduled for release in early 2007.

Hall, a second-year media arts student, said his interest in music started in church.

"I never had the courage to join the choir," he said, but he became inspired by watching them sing.

His family was a big influence on him, also.

"I came from a family of singers," he said. "Their main stage was the church choir."

R&B classics such as Al Greene had an influence on him too.

"My father used to play old-school R&B. I used to hate it," Hall said. "But as I grew up, I couldn't stop listening to it."

His big break came in the 12th grade when he was chosen star in a high school play, "If the Preacher Ain't Right." After the play, his career took off. He appeared on "Showtime at the Apollo" and sang the Billy Paul hit "Me and Mrs. Jones." He also began singing hooks for local rappers in Charleston and appeared in talent shows, where he met the person who told him he should record an album.

Hall said his album would be "diverse, eclectic and universal. I give a wide range of my vocal skills. We have jazz, crunk, everything on this CD."

Hall wrote all the songs and said he gets ideas by watching others.

"I live vicariously through others, so basically stuff I see through others, I write about. It's new stuff every day that you can use," he said. "That's really why I visit the clubs, to see what the people are feeling, and I go back and write about it." He said he's still thinking of the perfect title for the CD.

On top of promoting his music, Hall still finds time to be a successful student.

"I just follow my schedule daily," he said. He has a personal assistant who helps to keep him on task.

Hall is also CEO of Urban Vision Productions, a small company that promotes various local artists. Hall took interest in this because he felt like he had so much help promoting himself, that he wanted to help others get their names out there also.

"My personal philosophy is, if one person makes it, we all make it," he said.

Hall will be in an artist showcase in July in Atlanta. He said as far as he knows he will be the only artist representing South Carolina. Until then, Hall encourages people to visit his Web site, www.Lyvotte.com.

"I love to hear feedback," he said.

After school, Hall said he wants to be "like a regular recording artist." He plans to tour and promote his new CD and perhaps break into some acting. He also wants to try his hand at photography and movie making.

"Maybe about 15 years down the line I want to retire and start my own record label," he said. "I just stay full of inspiration, dedication and motivation. Those are my secrets to success."