Michele Sweesy Lane and friend Sue Tobin perform. Courtesy of Michele Lane

Michele Sweesy Lane, the oldest daughter of Rose Stancil and Jim Sweesy, grew up on Air Force Bases.

Musical Beginnings

Michele sang in middle school, then took a hiatus until she joined the church choir. She occasionally sang solos at birthday parties. Her creativity flourished as she wrote personalized lyrics to familiar tunes for birthdays and events.

Breakthrough Performance

1998 was a banner year as Michele gave her first solo performance at the Ronald Reagan Center in Washington, D.C. She rewrote the words to “I’m the Greatest Star” for MicroStrategy’s friends and family night event.

Red Hot Mamas and Blackhawk Chorus

Michele and two friends performed as the “Red Hot Mamas.” In 2003, Michele joined the Blackhawk Chorus. They traveled to Italy, Austria, England, and Scotland, singing at the Vatican and Whitehall. Michele has continued to sing at charity events as a feature artist with a band or pianist.

Two Over the Limit

Michele and dear friend Sue Tobin formed “Two Over the Limit.” Engagements include the Campbell Theater and California wineries.

Influence of Rose Marie Stancil

Michele was influenced by her mother, Rose Marie Stancil, who had a lovely soprano voice, played the piano, sang in the church choir, and filled the house with music. Rose spent her last few years in a North Carolina nursing home. In memory of her mother, Michele now freely gives performances at assisted living homes. She states, “It is a way to honor the Lord to thank him for giving me the gift of song.”

For more, go to Michele's website.

— Renn Stancil Hinton