VALLEJO, Calif. — On Sunday night, H.E.R. took home two Grammy awards, including best R&B album and best R&B Performance.
Long before H.E.R. was winning Grammy Awards, she was an aspiring singer growing up in Vallejo. Born Gabriella Wilson, she honed her skills singing in various music festivals around Northern California.
Mel Orpilla, the current entertainment director of Vallejo Pista Sa Nayon (Vallejo's largest free outdoor music festival), knew that Wilson was a great talent from an early age.
"She performed twice (for us). Once in 2007, and because she was so good we booked her again in 2008. And it's funny, back in 2007 we only paid her $100, but by 2008 her price went up double to $200," stated Orpilla.
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After H.E.R. won multiple Grammy Awards on Sunday, none of those in Vallejo were shocked with her success.
"For a lot of us in Vallejo who saw her grow up and knew her talent early on, it's not that big of a surprise."
It's actually no shock that a musician of this magnitude has come out of Vallejo. The town can claim many stars who got their origin there. Orpilla reflects on the musical acts that have come out of the city.
"We had Sly and the Family Stone coming out of Vallejo in the 60's. We had Con Fun Shun coming out of the 70's. We have E-40 coming out of Vallejo more recently. And now we have the great H.E.R. or Gabi Wilson."
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Not one, but two former Lincoln High School football stars will be playing on Super Bowl Sunday this weekend in Atlanta. LA Rams players Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver, and Justin Davis, Running Back, will be suiting up on Sunday, hoping to bring home some hardware.