District 3 Councilwoman Dr. Shirley McKellar records Barbara Cox as she sings a song during her celebratory event in June 2021.

As a little girl growing up in East Texas, Barbara Cox was painfully shy. But she had a gift that she said God wanted her to share with the world.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I would hear songs while sleeping, I would wake up singing the songs that I heard,” she said. “I would sing while on the playground at William B. Travis Elementary (in Marshall)… Later, I sang in a group with my three sisters accompanied by our mother.”

Eventually, she would sing in the St. John Baptist Church Youth Choir in Marshall.

Inspired by what God tells her, Cox has been writing songs since she was 9, singing songs no one taught her. She would wake up early in the morning and write down the songs she hears. But according to her, it may take several days to hear the whole song.

“I do not sit down and write the lyrics to each song,” she said. “I actually hear each part beginning, middle, and end through my dreams. I hear each voice: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass while I am sleeping.”

As she got older, she would sing the songs into a recorder and write down the lyrics. Then she began to record her songs in a studio, particularly with Orlando Williams, her producer of five years.

“I sit in the studio and sing the melody to him as he plays the music to accompany each song,” Cox said. “Then, (when) it’s time to record my lead voice as well as the background voices.”

Once a song is finished, she notifies her graphic designer, Michael Dean from Tyler Pro Video and he takes a professional photo and designs her album cover. Once everything has been finalized it is sent to CD Baby for distribution and to the Library of Congress to copyright the song.

“My passion is to release each song as someone’s soul is attached to each message,” she said. “I am not just a songwriter but a messenger from God. Each song is assigned to someone’s pathway and a light in dark tunnels.”

She has been recording now for 25 years and has released 52 songs on all digital platforms.

“I never take my gift for granted nor do I receive credit as I know this is my purpose to release songs that set the captive free, heals, and restores,” Cox said. “I do not sing for fame or fortune, singing is who I am. I am a songwriter and singer (who) loves releasing songs that encourage and uplift.”

She hopes to collaborate with other independent artists like herself.

“We have a gift and desire to sing but we have to (persevere) through so many obstacles that come with being independent,” she said. “Oftentimes, artists get overlooked when you do not have a certain budget to maintain. I have always remained in my own lane. The music industry can be very competitive, thus I chose not to compete nor compare myself or the gift given to me by God.”

For Cox, singing is an outlet and therapy, and she would rather spend her time in the studio recording than anything else.

“I can honestly say that I am not in the spotlight as I do not need it,” she said. “I just want the light of Christ to shine through me and that is enough for me. I just want the songs that I hear to transform someone’s life the way it changed mine.”

In January, Cox released her 51st song “Color Them Beautiful,” which emphasizes mental health and how often individuals are faced with challenges that may cause their mental stability to be tested.

“This song simply releases a message that we should walk together and hold each other up through these tough times,” Cox said.

“My Fight Song,” her 52nd song, was set to release on Feb. 1, her birthday. Cox said it was written to encourage people to never give up on their dreams, desires and purpose.

“It stresses how sometimes things in life gets one down but one must get back up and fight for their right to be everything that they desire to be,” she said. “It is imperative to fight for a solid peace of mind, making decisions that brings positive energy, and keeping an optimistic outlook which is a choice to be all that you can be.”

Both singles are available on all streaming platforms.

Originally from Marshall, Cox relocated to Tyler in 1989 to further her education by attending UT Tyler, graduating with a Bachelors in Education and Sociology.

“Although music has always been my passion, my mother influenced me to obtain a teaching degree to accompany my dreams and desires,” Cox said.

The best advice she would give to those looking to break into the industry is to be authentic and not allow anyone to discourage you.

“Count your endeavors as footprints for someone else to follow,” Cox said. “You never know who is being inspired by your steps as we all are walking this path together. Pray and ask God to direct your path as someone is always going to need your light so shine bright and be you.”