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Baltimore's Own Maysa Gets GRAMMY Nod For Best Traditional R&B Performance

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—She was born and raised here in Baltimore, and she's been in the music business for more than 20 years. Maysa Leaks has done it all.

Now Ron Matz reports she's basking in the glow of her first GRAMMY nomination.

It took 22 years, but now Baltimore's own Maysa has her first GRAMMY nomination.

She was hosting a birthday party for her son when she got the call.

"The executive director of the GRAMMY chapter in D.C. called me. I was having my son's 14th birthday party. The phone rang, and I saw her name. She said 'Hey, Maysa. I just wanted to tell you you're nominated for a GRAMMY.' I just went off. I was so excited. I was crying. I could barely speak. I couldn't believe it," said Maysa, GRAMMY nominee.

She got her start while attending Morgan State University. A friend told her Stevie Wonder was looking for a backup singer.

"I met Stevie Wonder at Morgan. My best friend was already singing background for him. She wanted me to move to L.A. with her. Stevie was looking for an alto voice. He came to Morgan when the late Dr. Nathan Carter was directing the choir for a Martin Luther King Day celebration. Stevie came to sing. I auditioned that day and passed the audition. I asked him if I could finish my school year, so I finished Morgan first."

Maysa has traveled all over the world. She's appeared on "Oprah" and the "Tonight Show," but she still calls Baltimore home.

"I was born and raised in Baltimore. I went to Milford Mill High School. I graduated from Morgan State University. I lived in London. I lived in L.A., but I came back home to be around my family and friends," Maysa said.

Old friends Don Scott and Marty Bass welcomed her back for a "Coffee With" taping. Next: a trip to Los Angeles and the GRAMMYs.

"It's a beautiful experience, a beautiful feeling," Maysa said. "I want everybody to feel this kind of thing. It's really great."

Maysa graduated Morgan State University with a degree in classical performance. She's nominated for best traditional R&B performance.

You can see the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards on WJZ Sunday at 8 p.m.

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