Terence recalls criminal past, finds a better path

Soonie Savage walks confidently on stage to perform a mix of original and cover songs. The 24-year-old from Millsboro wowed judges during a hip hop contest in Dover last month.

In August he will travel to Las Vegas to represent Delaware in an even larger hip hop and R&B contest. If he wins he gets a record deal, airtime on regional radio stations and more.

That's if he can raise enough money to get to Vegas.

The road for Soonie Savage, or Terence as his friends know him, was not always slated for glory. As a youth in the Cape Henlopen School District, Terence ended up on the wrong side of the law.

A robbery at the age of 14 landed him at Stevenson House, a juvenile detention center in Milford. While there, Terence met others like himself. He also learned more about music, but he wasn't ready to tred the straight and narrow.

After a short time at Stevenson House, Terence was back on the streets, where another brush with the law soon landed him back at the detention center.

His mother, Angel Snead, decided to let him stay there and think about his actions for awhile.

"My friends kept telling me that I wasn't helping him by bailing him out all the time," Angel said. "I decided to let him sit there."

Her decision worked. Terence, who had dropped out of Cape Henlopen High School, decided to work toward a career in music. As his music improved, he became more confident. He is now enrolled in night school at Sussex Technical High School and working toward graduation.

Terence still thinks about those days in Stevenson House, and in an effort to help other youth like himself, he is returning to the detention center Monday, July 16, to speak to the kids.

"I just felt like I needed to give back," Terence said.

Terence said he could see he was heading down the wrong path. He decided during those weeks at Stevenson House that he needed to make a change. A long-time friend, Ashley Cook, was a musician under the name Princess Cash, as well as a music promoter with Tyreef Entertainment Promotion and Marketing.

Cook listened to some of Terence's beats and songs. She knew he had talent.

"I have been promoting artists and events since I was 16," Cook said. "I helped Terence out with networking and helped keep him on track."

When Terence is asked who helped him get where he is today, he immediately mentions Cook.

"His first performance was at one of my events at The Dugout in Laurel," Cook said. "I liked his music, and I saw his talent."

Having Cook and his mother behind him were the extra drive Terence needed to be confident enough to sign up for the music contest in Dover.

"We leave for Las Vegas Aug. 22," said Terence. "It's going to be a big deal. I will be performing for music executives and celebrities."

While Terence is excited, he has a lot of work to do before he is ready for Las Vegas. Much of his time is spent meeting with other local musicians to find new original songs.

"Everything out there has to be original," Terence said. "So I am always looking for new beats."

One of Terence's original songs, "This Your Song," speaks to time with friends, having fun and enjoying life, he said. Another, "Tomorrow," is about his past and finding a path to a better future.

Much of Cook's time now is spent working with Angel to set up fundraising events where Terence can perform. The money will help get the trio to Vegas for what could be Terence's big break.

Upcoming events:

• 9 p.m., Friday, July 13 at Millsboro VFW

• 9 p.m., Tuesday, July 17 at Timothy's on Route 1 southbound outside Rehoboth Beach

• 9 p.m., Friday, July 27 at Millsboro VFW

For more information, visit Soonie Savage on Facebook, @Soonie302 on Twitter or email sooniesavage@gmail.com.