Busta’s Person of the Week: Vanessa Ferguson performs on big stage despite the pain

By Busta Brown In 2005, I was the emcee for Triad Idol at the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro. That was the night I heard one of the most beautiful, sweet, yet powerful singers ever. She sang Lauryn Hill’s rendition of Roberta Flack’s classic, “Killing me softly.” Afterward, she received a roaring standing ovation. “Thank you,” she said softly, with gratitude as she bowed to the audience.  I had never been so excited to announce the winner of a talent competition. “The winner of Triad Idol is … Vanessa Ferguson!” I said with pride and excitement as if she was my little sister. If the name sounds familiar, it is. Vanessa became one of the top singers and musicians in North Carolina, both as a solo artist and front woman of her band.  I caught up with Vanessa via Zoom. She had just woken up and looked absolutely gorgeous! “This is how I woke up,” joked Vanessa.  I asked her when she knew singing was her gift. It eventually led her to national fame and a personal and professional relationship with a megastar. “When I was little Nessa, my mother sang with me in her belly. My grandmother is a singer;...