Home	Getting Started	His Success
		Usher was born Usher Raymond IV on October 14th,  1979. He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Even when Usher was a baby, everyone knew he would be famous. His nickname as a baby was "Big Time." Usher didn't have the easiest childhood, though. His father was into drugs and also abusive. Usher's mother, Jonnetta Patton, couldn't take it, so she left Usher's dad, Usher Raymond III, when Usher was only one year old. Usher's mom took him to live with her at his grandparents, and that was where he lived for most of his childhood. His grandparents lived in a nice house in a middle class neighborhood. As a young boy, everyone noticed Usher had talent. He loved to sing, and everybody noticed his voice. At nine, Usher began to sing in St. Elmo's Baptist Missionary Choir. Other then his singing talents, Usher was a normal kid. At twelve, he attended Daleswood Middle School. He was a trouble maker there. He would listen to his headphones during class, and other things bad kids would do. He also liked girls, alot. Sometimes, he would even cry if the girl he liked wouldn't kiss him. Outside of school, singing was what he focused on. His mother entered him in a talent competition when he was in high school. He won the competition, but that's not all he won. A band called "Nu Beginning" was watching the competition and they saw what talent Usher had. They asked him if he wanted to be in the group. His mom agreed to let him be in the group. "Nu Beginning" was a group that toured around town. They sang and danced. Usher, however, was not the lead singer. He shared this part with another member of the group. His mother didn't enjoy this. She knew Usher had potential, so she pulled him out of the band. Usher was devastated. He told his mother that she ruined his life. Usher's mom didn't care, though.  They both moved to Atlanta to help Usher with singing , and that is where his career started.