New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 29, 2024

Jones-Blocker transforms Charles City experiences into singing career relaunch

By Andre Jones | June 12, 2015 2:34 pm

Lisa Jones-Blocker, who performs under the stage name Lisay, has turned experiences living in Charles City into music to relaunch her career.

In certain situations, it may take time for a person to discover and develop a special talent. For one former Charles City resident, patience and perseverance has translated into a success music career.

Lisa Jones-Blocker blossomed from a young age into a 51-year old mainstream performer. The result of hard work has translated into 700 recorded and written songs.

After moving from New Jersey at a young age to escape hardships and struggles, Jones-Blocker moved to Charles City with relatives. Often reserved, she kept to herself while taking in her surroundings from the city life to the country. Spending nearly 10 years in the county, she moved with her aunt and uncle to nearby Williamsburg to complete her high school education. Often singing only in private for family members, an event began to start the gears in motion for her current career.

“I got involved in a charm pageant and that was the first time for me singing in front of people,” she said. “As with most of the stories you heard with how singers are discovered, I was heard by a music manager and asked to join the local band.”

Jones-Blocker began performing with a group composed of high school students, often touring in the summer. After entering Hampton University, she started receiving bigger events to play at that included military bases and private functions. It was in the mid-1980s when taking up singing as a profession made its first appearance in her life.

“I received a couple of deals from major labels,” she said. “But I turned them down because I wanted to finish my education and I didn’t think I was ready for it.”

Jones-Blocker continued to sing in the Washington D.C. and northern Virginia area after graduation, performing under her stage name Lisay. In 1994 she became more serious about a singing career, creating a homemade studio and composing her own music and lyrics. Her efforts paid dividends, resulting in opportunities and interactions with famous artists including Jennifer Lopez, rhythm and blues group Total, and Virginia Beach rappers Timbaland and Magoo.

But the former Charles City resident said she had a tough time adjusting to the business, often resulting in downfalls, rejections, and starting over.

“You have to be prepared for anything because this is a cutthroat business,” Jones-Blocker commented. “I have learned many lessons that I have taken to heart, including that the music industry isn’t about just doing music, but also preparation, exposure, and getting your name out there.”

Jones-Blocker decided to take a break from music in 2004 and move to Connecticut with her husband. After a 10-year hiatus, she took to heart what she learned and applied it to starting her own music business. Now in 2015, she has returned to the limelight, commenting on how experiences learned while living in Charles City inspired her to write and return to her natural calling.

“As a country girl, I used my experiences in song-writing as I matured,” she expressed, mentioning growing up in the county. “My music is laid-back, consistent of beautiful melodies.

“I’m proud of Charles City,” she continued. “A saying I use is that ‘It’s just the country girl at it again’ and it has caught on with a lot of people.”

One of the interesting experiences Jones-Blocker had was working with Governor Washington, another Charles City native who professionally sings for a living.

“We had a chance meeting in 2000 in New York where we were recording in the same session,” Jones-Blocker recollected. “As we sat there and talked, we got to a history and we found out we were both from Virginia and he inquired where I was from and I told him it was Charles City.

“I told him that he probably never heard of it but he responded and said that he was from there as well,” she continued. “It just shows that no matter where you’re from, you can do anything you want if you work hard at it.”

Jones-Blocker deemed her return to music “The Rebirth”, releasing a single entitled “Mr. Wonderful” that helped her back into the industry. Recently, Jones-Blocker has went on tour to open for some well-known performers. On May 15, she opened up for rappers Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick and most recently, showcased her talents in a tour featuring R&B singers Carl Thomas, R.L. (from the group Next), and rapper Biz Markie.

Now, Jones-Blocker has focused her career into making it an all-around business. Among the things she has started to do include creating her own music videos, video editing, and preparing for a possible tour.

“I’ve been in the business for 30 years but it took 20 years to build relationships,” she said, noting the people she hopes to join her on a tour. “I appreciate the love and support from my Charles City family and I am wanted to orchestrate something and bring it to them.”
Jones-Blocker is in the midst of creating a tour, targeting an August or September date near Charles City.

“I want everybody to see how far I got with their support,” she said. “I would like to see this help launch a nationwide and worldwide tour. I want my music to be heard by as many people as possible.”

To sample Jones-Blocker music, visit www.lisaylj.com or search Lisay on www.youtube.com. Information on tour dates can be found on her Facebook Page Lisa Jones-Blocker or on twitter under the handle @LisayLJ.

Jones-Blocker is shown on stage opening up for Doug E. Fresh at a May 15 concert in New Jersey.

Jones-Blocker is shown on stage opening up for Doug E. Fresh at a May 15 concert in New Jersey.