TRIUMPH to hold birthday concert

Musical artist, TRIUMPH, will host her birthday concert and perform her latest album, “Girl Next Door,” Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Greenville Theater Arts Center.

Terri Campbell-Payton, also known by her stage name, TRIUMPH, is the executive director for the non-profit organization, Greenville Theater Arts Center (GTAC). GTAC was established to “educate, elevate and expand the souls of aspiring artists and creative individuals,” according to GTAC website.

Campbell-Payton said she has always had an interest in music while watching her dad work in the entertainment business during her childhood and that it had become a significant influence in her life.

“He (dad) taught me a lot,” Campbell-Payton said. “But it was also just being around and seeing a lot and just going through the experiences, especially young, taught me a lot.”

Campbell-Payton created the Girl Next Door Concert Experience as a way to celebrate her birthday with her loyal supporters and perform her original songs off the album.

“Girl Next Door” tells a story of a girl going through a phase of learning how to love herself, all while a guy is urging to fall in love with her. To do so, he has to fall in love with the girl on both the outside and inside, according to Campbell-Payton.

“He has to fall in love with me and all my colors because that’s what I love,” Campbell-Payton said. “If you can’t love me for that then there’s no reason for you to be here.”

Campbell-Payton said she does not like to use genres on her music and describes it as a mash-up of jazz, classical, hip-hop and R&B.

Caleb Kelly, the owner of Media Majorz and music associate of Campbell-Payton, describes Campbell-Payton’s music as “a vibe” and that she is unapologetically her in a world full of followers.

“Knowing that she produces, writes and often records herself, I feel like it gives her the ability to capture her essence and not let her message be tampered with,” Kelly said.

Kelly said the concert will be “an experience unlike any other” and a “breath of fresh air” especially around Uptown Greenville where the options for entertainment are limited.

Robert Mayfield said he has been good friends with Campbell-Payton since 2011 and enjoys the style of music she makes and how different and original the sound is.

“I have been to her show and I’ve heard good reactions from the audience,” Mayfield said. “She’s a great performer and I know she will go far with her music.”

Campbell-Payton said the goal of the concert is to be able to give back to the Greenville community and give the proceeds of the concert towards the renovation of the Old Roxy theater on Albemarle Ave where GTAC is located.

“I think I do see myself making music professionally, but I mostly want to be creative and try to create as much as possible,” Campbell-Payton said. “Either with music or film or anything in the entertainment industry where I can try to be in a creative space where I can still create.”

The Girl Next Door Live Concert Experience will feature a surprise special guest artist with doors opening at 7 p.m. Admission is free of charge with an age requirement of 21 and up. More information can be found on the Greenville Theater Art Centers website at www.gtacnc.org.