Becca Solodon: Making It Through The Rain (Jan 20)
Joe
Becca Solodon
For over a year, teenager Becca Solodon experienced complications with
her foot. After numerous doctor visits, x-rays and physical therapy
treatments, a tumor was discovered. Becca underwent surgery to have
the tumor removed but final test results showed a malignant remainder.
Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as sarcoma, Becca underwent
several chemotherapy sessions before having her leg amputated at
mid-calf on October 31, after doctors determined the operation was the
only way to stop the potentially lethal tumor.
Throughout the entire process, music – Becca’s saving
grace – kept her inspired and hopeful; and after hearing about
her dreams of becoming a professional singer, entertainment
heavyweights Sam Frankel and Jerry Heller of HQZ Management organized
a fourteen-hour studio session with producer Damion
“Damizza” Young.
When Damizza, the mastermind behind a handful of Mariah songs
including “Pure Imagination,” “Crybaby,”
“If We” and “Irresistible,” told Mariah about
the aspiring singer, Mariah appointed her as the opening act for a
December 15th concert in Santa Barbara.
MariahDaily.com spoke candidly with Becca about her amazing journey
– from cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy sessions, to meeting
Mariah and performing live in front of thousands of people.
Mariah Daily: Upon the initial diagnosis of cancer, what was your
immediate feeling or action?
Becca Solodon: When the doctors told me I had cancer, I didn’t
believe it. My foot had been hurting for a year, but I thought it was
just a small tumor that could be removed with a simple operation. I
never thought that it would be malignant and when I found out it was I
was shocked.
MD: What was your first reaction to the news that your leg had to be
amputated in order to stop the spread of cancer?
Becca: My parents told me that I may have to have my leg amputated
because the cancer I had was very aggressive and it may have to be a
step that I would have to take in order to save my life. Still, there
was the possibility that I wouldn’t have to have the operation
done, so I hoped for the best. It was hard to listen to my parents
tell me that the operation was really going to take place because just
the day before I felt like any other teen just going to school and
worrying about getting an A on my math test the next day. I knew that
my life was going to change.
MD: Throughout this entire journey, what was the most difficult
activity or choice you had to participate in?
Becca: I think that probably the hardest thing to accept throughout
this whole time was going into the operating room knowing that I was
going to come out of it differently. Of course I was scared as would
anybody be, but I knew it was the right choice in order to save my
life, so I had a sort of peace about it.
MD: How would you describe your personal experiences as a chemotherapy
patient?
Becca: The kind of chemotherapy I had to go through was pretty
intense. I was admitted into the hospital for a week at a time with a
two week break in-between. Each day I had an hour break where I would
be able to be off my medicine and go outside. The hardest part,
besides being in the hospital for that long was coming home and having
four days of my body trying to adjust to being off the medicine.
Luckily I only had to be in the hospital for three weeks, but believe
me, it seemed like an eternity.
MD: How has being diagnosed with cancer and having part of your leg
amputated directly affected your life?
Becca: Having all these things happen to me has really opened my eyes
to the real world. When I think about everything I’m going
through, it seems like nothing compared to what other people have gone
through or are still going through. It has also showed me how I have
been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life. My friends and
family were there right by my side every step of the way. I
couldn’t have asked for anything better. They knew what I needed
exactly when I needed it and were willing to give up their time to
help me feel better about things. It amazes me still that people I
have never even met before have sent me cards, gifts, and have kept me
in their prayers. These people are what keep the world a beautiful
place.
MD: It has been reported that you hope to become a famous singer. Who
are some of your musical influences?
Becca: Musical influences…there are so many. I have a very wide
variety of music I listen to. To name a few…First of all, of
course Mariah. She has one of the most amazing voices I have ever
heard in my life. Dredg, Cave In, Coldplay, Radiohead, Norah Jones,
Rufus Wainwright, Journey, Pink Floyd, Damien Rice, Justin
Timberlake…anything by the Neptunes, Outkast, Living Legends,
Talib Kweli, Bjork, John Mayer…the list goes on and on and on.
MD: A studio session for you with producer Damion
“Damizza” Young and a group of professional musicians was
set up. What was it like working in the studio with such renowned
industry people?
Becca: Oh my gosh. Being in the studios was probably the most amazing
experience I have ever had. It has always been my dream to record in a
professional studio and I never once thought it would become a
reality. When I walked through the halls of Westlake Studios, I
couldn’t believe all the pictures and signed records that were
hanging on the walls of the people who have recorded there. I can
never thank these people enough for what they did for me. It still
feels like a dream.
MD: How and when did you first learn that Mariah Carey wanted you as
her opening act?
Becca: I first found out that Mariah wanted me as her opening act when
we were mixing my song at Soundcastle Studios. Damion and Sam had me
sit down first, then when they told me, I was more than shocked. I had
known that she invited me to come to her show, but I never even
thought she would invite me to be the opening act. I think I just sat
in my chair speechless for probably ten minutes. When I told my
friends, they couldn’t believe it either. My school received a
call saying that I was opening for Mariah Carey and they thought it
was a prank.
MD: Had you been a fan of Mariah’s music? If so, what are your
favorite Mariah songs?
Becca: Yes, some of my favorite Mariah songs are “One Sweet
Day”, “Always Be My Baby”,
“Heartbreaker”, and “When You Believe”.
MD: Why did you decide on “Simon” by Lifehouse as the song
you would perform and record?
Becca: I think the message “Simon” gives, everyone can
relate to. Everyone has been put down by someone, in order to make the
other person feel better about themselves. The song just gives people
hope and lets them know that at one point in everyone’s life, we
have all felt like that.
MD: As a member of your high school's jazz choir, you’ve
performed live before. But were you nervous about performing by
yourself in front of thousands of people at the Arlington Theatre?
Becca: I was nervous, but also very excited. I had performed by myself
before, but I had always played the piano or the guitar as well as
sang. This was a completely new experience for me, not having an
instrument. Being out on stage gives me such a rush. It was probably
one of the most exciting things I have ever done.
MD: News of your performance made headlines across the nation and
across the world, appearing in South American, European and Asian
publications. You were also featured in Rolling Stone, People Weekly
and Star magazines. Do you feel like a celebrity now with all of the
media attention?
Becca: I still can’t believe my story went world wide. I would
have never thought anything like this could have happened. Even though
there was so much bad going on in my life, it seemed like it was
completely taken over by all the good. Who wouldn’t feel like a
celebrity!
Becca's Opening Act and Working Pass
MD: After the show was over, you had the opportunity to briefly meet
Mariah herself. What was that experience like?
Becca: Meeting Mariah was really fun. She is one of the biggest pop
stars in the world, and there I was meeting her. She is a really sweet
person. She thanked me for opening her show and she was happy to meet
me. I thanked her for the invite and said that I was happy to meet her
as well. It was a really nice experience and I’m glad I was able
to share it with my family.
MD: What are your hopes for the future? Where do you see yourself in
10 years?
Becca: My hopes for the future are ones of happiness. In ten years I
hope I will still be involved in music some way or another. Hopefully
one day I can make a cd and go on tour. I’ve had a taste of the
music industry and now I dream of making a living recording and
performing.
MD: What do you want the world to know about Becca Solodon?
Becca: I would like to be known as a voice that rises up out of
adversity to inspire and encourage other people who are struggling
with everyday life and the challenges it presents. I hope to become an
example of how determination and a positive attitude can open a new
world of opportunity to anyone who dares to dream.
Source: Mariah Daily