Who is Liv Warfield? How life on the road with Prince molded 'AGT' Season 19 contestant
PEORIA, ILLINOIS: Liv Warfield, 'America's Got Talent' Season 19 participant is an American singer from Peoria, Illinois. After self-releasing her debut album 'Embrace Me' in 2006, she was hired as a back-up vocalist for the New Power Generation (NPG) and then toured with Prince from 2009 to 2012.
A video of Liv playing The Rolling Stones' 'Gimme Shelter' was sent, and two months later, Prince took an interest in it. She auditioned for him and was chosen as the newest member of his New Power Generation.
This led to Liv's breakout musical career in 2009. Prince served as a mentor to her, assisting her in refining both her studio arrangements and stage appearance.
She spent five years on the road with the band. He has Liv on his album 'Lotusflow3r'.
Prince served as executive producer on her second solo album, 'The Unexpected', which was released in early 2014. The New Power Generation contributed horns to the record, and Prince also composed a single of the same name.
Liv had a performance at Celebration 2017, a multi-day celebration of Prince's life and legacy that took place in Paisley Park a year after his passing.
"I, personally, have a hard time dealing with loss," she remarked.
"But this time, for me, I felt at peace. I felt peaceful. That was my hope. That was my intention— please let us see the light, despite all this other stuff going on."
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Liv Warfield dropped out of school and slept in her car to pursue a music career
Liv was raised in a conservative household where she was only allowed to listen to gospel music and was the daughter of a Pentecostal deacon. Whenever her parents were not home, she would sing Whitney Houston songs to herself. In 1997, she received her diploma from Peoria Notre Dame High School.
Later, Liv relocated from Peoria to attend Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, where she was awarded a track scholarship. At a karaoke bar, she first became interested in public singing, but her first attempt was so nerve-wracking that she sang with her back to the crowd.
She eventually developed an obsession with acting, going to shows everyday, and eventually dressing up in costumes and wigs. Once more, out of fear, Liv sang with her back to the audience when she took the stage with Linda Hornbuckle at another restaurant.
She left school to seek a career in singing, spending the night in her vehicle. When Liv's mother realized she was singing, she was initially unhappy and wanted to take her back home.
However, she later had second thoughts and started to encourage Liv. Self-releasing her debut album 'Embrace Me' in 2006, Liv showcased a number of powerful ballads.
At a nearby market, she performed and offered her CDs for sale.
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Liv Warfield joined forces with Nancy Wilson to form 'Roadcase Royale'
After Nancy Wilson saw Liv on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and was blown away by her rendition of 'Why Do You Lie?', Liv was selected to open for Heart's Hollywood Bowl concert in 2015. Liv was thrilled to meet the band since she liked their music, and she met Nancy after the concert.
After Nancy showed interest in Liv's music, the two ladies became closer over a variety of songs they performed together. In 2016, the two joined forces to start a new band named 'Roadcase Royale'.
Its rock, R&B, and ballad styles are a reflection of the sounds of the two bands involved. The band is made up of lead guitarist Ryan Waters (a Prince protégé and musical director for Liv's solo work), keyboardist Chris Joyner of Heart, bassist Dan Rothchild, and drummer Ben Smith.
They signed with Loud and Proud Records in July 2017 after releasing their debut single, 'Get Loud', in January. Released on September 22, 2017, 'First Things First' is their debut full-length album.
The band had some dates booked as Bob Seger's opening act for his 2017 Runaway Train tour; however, the initial tour was canceled because of Bob's health problems. On some days of the rescheduled performances, 'Roadcase Royale' will once again open.
The Mayor of Peoria declared May 10 to be 'Liv Warfield Day'
In early 2014, VH1 Soul promoted Liv as a Soul You Oughta Know performer. Liv was nominated for Best New Artist at the Soul Train Music Awards in 2014, and she won in the Best Contemporary Jazz Performance category with 'Stay' - 'Soul Lifted' from 'The Unexpected'.
In 2014, her hometown of Peoria hosted a fundraiser dinner event and meet-and-greet with Liv in collaboration with the Living to Serve Foundation, Inc and The XFactor Agency to promote women's health, and the George Washington Carver Center for Youth. Mayor Jim Ardis named May 10 "Liv Warfield Day".
New episodes of 'America's Got Talent' Season 19 air on NBC every Tuesday night at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.