Writes Songs About Life

Rosedale resident Saundra Palmer’s songwriting talents were recently recognized during an international songwriting contest and she is now also working on pursuing other writing projects.
As a child who was born and raised in Harlem, Palmer was constantly writing poetry. She said she used to get in trouble because, when she was supposed to be sleeping, she was under her blanket with a flashlight writing.
“I just always loved to write,” she said. “Most kids like to get toys but I liked to get pens. I just started to…make a big hobby out of it.”
Music was also a constant in her youth. She described herself as an “Apollo Kid,” and had relatives and family friends who worked in the music business.
Palmer writes the lyrics and melody to her songs and knows musicians who assist with writing the rest of the music. Her favorite form is show tunes, but she also writes a lot of blues and R&B songs.
Much of Palmer’s inspiration comes from her past experiences and the people in her life. She said that her songs focus on love, happiness in life and celebrations of life.
Last April, Palmer’s song “Here I Stand” was selected as a finalist in the Song of the Year contest, which is judged by well-known members of the industry. She said that it has given her encouragement, confidence and validation.
Palmer said that she hopes she is getting to a point where her songs will be performed in major venues. Currently her husband Tony and daughter Mechella have sung her music and recorded the demos.
Along with her songwriting, Palmer, who also has two sons, Derek and Sean, is working on writing a couple of books. The first is an inspirational one that she hopes to complete by January or February, and the other is a novel. The works are, in part, influenced by medical problems that Palmer has had.
In the late 1980s, while working as an accountant in what she thought of as the perfect job, Palmer began having severe headaches. In 1991, she passed out while in triage at a hospital, and was eventually diagnosed with lupus. Along with medical problems and side effects, the disease also caused her to have periods of depression where she didn’t even feel like writing.
“To be where I am now is just remarkable,” she said, saying that the support of her family helped her immensely. She continued, “It has certainly given me a lot to write about.”
Aside from her work as an author and songwriter, Palmer also began “The Birthday Project,” which gives supplies for the first day of school and birthday supplies to children who are living in city shelters.
“It’s just something to let them know they’re recognized and they’re loved and just valuable,” Palmer said.
For more information about Palmer and “The Birthday Project,” visit www.kjlordent.com.