Beckley singer performs at Tamarack before Obama inauguration

Amelia A. Pridemore

When Doris Fields was only 5 years old, she found herself plopped in front of a Christmas party crowd and told to sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” — without warning.

Now, the Beckley singer, known as “Lady D,” is the headlining act for one of President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural balls.

“I always knew — no doubt in my mind — that I could make it, meaning I could make living in the arts,” she said. “But I never thought I could be singing in front of a president and at an inaugural ball.”

Fields, whose song “Go Higher” won a contest sponsored by the group Obama Music, Arts and Entertainment, will perform with her band Mi$$ion as the headlining act at the Jan. 19 Obama for Change Inaugural Celebration in Washington.

Obama, she said, is expected to attend.

Friday night, Fields and Mi$$ion performed at a release party for “Go Higher” at Tamarack, in part to raise money for the inaugural trip. She explained performers must foot the bill for their own transportation and lodging costs.

“This is a big opportunity — the chance to possibly meet a president and perform for thousands of people,” she said. “I also want to show West Virginia has talent and that West Virginia is diverse. I want to put our state in a positive light in that few minutes I have in Washington.”

In 2004, Fields listened to Obama’s keynote address at the Democratic National Convention and was highly impressed by the then-Illinois state senator and U.S. Senate candidate.

“I thought, ‘He’s going to be president one day,’” Fields said. “There was a hopefulness in his voice. There was nothing negative, even though the country was in a negative situation and still is. He showed what the bright side could be and that we can get out of the way things are — such a positive attitude.”

Later, Fields wrote “Go Higher” after she was inspired by the John Mayer song “Waiting on the World to Change.” She loved the Mayer song, but said people cannot wait for the world to change. Positive change must be made, even if it begins with one person at a time.

When Obama began his presidential run, Fields went on a mission to get a recording of “Go Higher” to him. She later discovered Obama would visit Beckley in March 2008 and recorded the song in a rush. At the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center event, she met two people who said they would give him the recording, but she never heard anything afterward.

In October, Fields discovered the Obama Music, Arts and Entertainment Web site where artists in all mediums inspired by Obama congregated and shared material. She submitted her song, and after site visitors voted, Fields won by six votes.

If she has the chance to meet Obama, though, Fields has not decided what she will say to him.

“It depends on the moment and time,” she said. “I’m not too good at thinking ahead.”

Chris McLaughlin, events director for Tamarack, said Fields embodies Tamarack’s mission of supporting West Virginia artists, noting she is a regular performer there.

McLaughlin said he could not even imagine what it would be like to perform at an inaugural ball.

“I would just have to close my eyes, forget my nerves and hope adrenaline would get me through it,” he said. “We’re so thankful for everything Lady D has ever done for us. Her music brings life to this building.”

— E-mail: apridemore

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