NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Yaubryon Chambers grew up in a very musical household, so much so that her dad, Byron Chambers, even owns his own production company and brand, Mr. Talkbox LLC.
Indeed, music has always been a part of Chambers’ life.
Vanderbilt fans know Chambers, an incoming women’s basketball freshman and Murfreesboro, Tennessee native, for her skills on the court. But that same woman also uses her voice to make a difference off the court.
“My dad has been involved with music his whole life,” said Chambers. “He started out singing with my grandparents in a travelling group that was called The Chambers. Then he just developed into doing his own thing. He’s worked with Bruno Mars, Toby Mac, Kendrick Lamar, Kardi B, NSYNC, that’s just a few. My brother, who goes by Lil Byron, is also doing music himself and following in my dad’s footsteps.”
Chambers’ mother, Tamara, while not a singer, is still involved in the music business. She is the CEO of Mr. Talkbox and runs the business side of the company. She also writes music for Chambers’ father, who goes by Mr. Talkbox.
While Yaubryon Chambers sings weekly for her school’s chapel, leads worship and has participated in musicals such as “Little Shop of Horrors” and “High School Musical”, she has also used her voice for something much bigger – to bring hope to peers in need.
In August 2017, white supremacy groups descended upon Charlottesville, Virginia, in riots that turned deadly. Chambers and her peers knew they wanted to help, so they turned to the recording booth.
“We wanted to connect with them – ‘Two Villes (Nashville, Charlottesville), One Love,'” Chambers said.
The group called itself “Fab 5 for Peace” and recorded a song to instill hope in their peers at Charlottesville High School. The five students then went to Charlottesville to perform for the school.
"We reached out to them with a song and then we got to record it with their orchestra. They're really talented," Chambers said. "It was a great and amazing experience. A bunch of people came together for one thing."Yaubryon Chambers
Six months later, a gunman opened fire at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people.
This time, the kids from Charlottesville High wanted to pay it forward. They traveled to Nashville, joined the “Fab 5″and recorded a version of the song “Shine”, written by students at Stoneman Douglas, to send to the school.
“When bad things happen it’s easy for there to be division,” said Chambers. “We wanted these peace projects to make a difference and promote unity instead.”
Music is clearly something that Chambers holds close to her heart, and she also takes it into the sport she loves. That’s one reason why she is excited to join Vanderbilt’s seven-member freshman class next season: she plans to make music on the court with the Commodores.
“Basketball is all rhythmic,” she said. “Dribbling is rhythmic. The steps up to your layup are rhythmic. It’s all rhythmic to me and reminds me of music. I think that perspective could only be seen by someone who holds music in an important part of their lives.”
