Pamela's Story:
Little Rock, Arkansas native, Pamela Hopkins, is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She is a Dueling Piano Player by trade and also leads her own band.
Pamela started her music career back in the 90's and took time away from the music scene to pursue other careers and to raise her children. She started part time as a dueling piano player in 2013, and eventually went full-time in the summer of 2014. Around 2018, she decided to find her own sound and began to write and record her own music in Arkansas. Pamela released an EP in 2018 and her first CD in 2019. Pamela decided to search for a new studio close to her flavor of music in the spring of 2020. She became one of Off the Row Recording Studio's "Break Out Artists" and recorded 4 singles that were released throughout 2020. She had decided to continue writing and recorded 7 more songs. Four of those songs were release in 2021 and the other three are scheduled to release in 2022. Pamela continues to co-write with several Nashville writers, including number 1 hit writer, Billy Lee (The One by Gary Allen), Scott Barrier (former band member for Gretchen Wilson) and Dave Lenahan (former radio personality and current podcast personality).
In 2021, Pamela released 4 new songs throughout the year. She co-wrote each song with various Nashville writers and was excited to release her first co-written duet featuring Matt Dame (singer for The SteelDrivers), on February 5, 2021 titled "Little Things." (Currently the 2021 "Country Song of the Year" for a Duo/Group with the Josie Music Awards--the largest independent music awards show). She ended 2021 with a duet she co-wrote with Dave Lenahan and Melissa Leigh. Pamela found the perfect male voice to accompany her in her latest single, "One More Last Kiss," by enlisting Jason Lee Campbell to collaborate with her on the recording... you can now hear that song on her newly released album or by streaming the single on all major streaming outlets.
Her song, "Givin' a Damn (Don't Go With My Outfit)," is also the title of her new 8-song album which became available for sale on December 21, 2021. She has some great custom logo merch to go with this song/album release. Check it out on her merch page and be sure to order before she runs out! She has more music being released throughout 2022 and she can't wait for her fans to hear her new co-written music, she said, "I am so excited to put out new music that will hopefully make people connect with me and with their inner-selves. I have worked hard to put my whole heart into my writing and vocal performances on each song."
Where has she been and where can you find her now?
In October, 2013, she began as a Dueling Piano Player for Ernie Biggs in the River Market District of Little Rock. In January of 2017, Pamela transitioned to Willy D's Rock & Roll Dueling Piano Bar, a larger venue, in the River Market District in Little Rock. In addition to Willy D's, she can be seen in other venues, Norwegian Cruise Ships and clubs across the US. She continues to grow her craft, repertoire, and network of fellow musicians in what is a very unique niche in the music industry - Piano bars!
Pamela spends a few weeks a year entertaining the troops overseas with ProTour Productions and Armed Forces Entertainment. She has a passion for this because her husband, Jason, is a disabled veteran who served in Iraq in 2004-2005. She wrote a song of her experience as a wife/mother of 3 small children during this difficult time, as well as describing how soldiers come back home, changed forever. You can listen to this song, "Give Him Back to Us," on all major digital streaming outlets.
Pamela also has a band that plays her original music as well as many of the tunes you love to hear, from country to classic rock, her 4 piece band is comprised of some of the best musicians around. You can book her band to play for all occasions...just reach out to her and/or check out her schedule to catch them playing a public event.
In her own words, Pamela says, “I’ve had a passion for music since I was a young girl, singing, playing cello and piano. I’ve been successful in music, as a wife, in raising a family and have held two successful careers in law enforcement and then as English Teacher for the middle and elementary school level. I am now in the midst of this next chapter of my life, dedicating it to my music career and couldn’t be more excited about achieving what’s been a long-term dream of mine - a full-time music career.”
Stay tuned to Pamela’s performance dates and monthly newsletters. Join her mailing list here.
EARLY CAREER & BACKGROUND:
Pamela has always had a love for music. She started playing cello in the 5th grade and was asked by her orchestra teacher to apply to attend a fine arts and science magnet jr. high school. Once she began school there, she took a required Piano Theory class and fell in love with the sound of the piano. Shortly thereafter, she began developing her vocal range, clarity, tone, and her love for singing.
Pamela continued to go to school in the arts and science magnet school system, attending Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School. While there she stayed in the orchestra earning first chair as a cello player. She also joined the Lab Singers Choir which mostly focused on a more soulful sound verses the standard choral repertoire. Moving forward after high school she attended the University of Central Arkansas on a choir and orchestra scholarship.
Pamela was in the UCA Concert Choir as well at the UCA Orchestra and the Conway Civic Orchestra simultaneously.
Pamela graduated from UCA after four years with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. While in college, Pamela was produced by Seymour Sounds Recording in Nashville and released her all original self-titled album.
Shortly after graduating with her Bachelor's degree Pamela married her college sweetheart, Jason Hopkins. She decided to go into law enforcement and continued that path for 13 years, ending her career in the rank of Sergeant. During her last 6 months as an officer she decided to go back to school and obtain her Master's of Art in Teaching degree and became a teacher while attending those classes. Pamela stepped away from music during these years but as her children were getting older, she decided to get back into music!
Under the guidance of fellow dueling piano player mentors, David Rasico and Frisbee (Robert Coleman), she began training and learning the craft and art as a Dueling Piano Player. She’s since devoted herself to a full-time music career learning the massive repertoire required and developing her stage skills in these venues.
Pamela started her solo career 4 years after going into the piano bar niche. She continues to write and record continuously, releasing new songs on a regular basis. You can follow and support her on her PamFan page.