Bridget Shield treats her audiences like guests in her home. She walks around, making sure everybody is comfortable and enjoying themselves.

“It’s a grown-folk vibe,” said Shield, a Blues and R&B singer from Prentiss, Mississippi. “Especially when you’ve had a long week. People just want to unwind.”

Professionally, Shield knows how important it is to relax. An undergraduate of Tougaloo College and a graduate of Jackson State University, she works in the mental health field by day, as a Case Manager Supervisor with a community action agency, helping people process their different situations. By night, she entertains people by giving them an outlet from their busy schedules to live in the moment. Shield’s set is full of light-hearted jokes, birthday wishes, and sensual serenades.

Shield is hospitable to the crowd, but her ensemble always says, “It’s party time.” She is known to wear five-inch thigh-high boots and a form-fitting outfit to compliment them. Shield’s single covers, including I Like It Like That, It’s You, Closed Mouth Don’t Get Fed, and Let Me See It, have some of her favorite looks.

“I just love to have fun,” Shield said. “As long as everybody has a smile on their face, I’m good.”

Blues and R&B are her favorite genres of music to listen to and perform, but no particular artist is her favorite. She has a fondness for all the greats. Shield selects her musical lineup based on how she is feeling at the time.

“Whatever mood I’m in, that’ll be my favorite at that time,” Shield said. “If I’m going through something, let me listen to somebody telling me it’s going to be alright.”

Shield recalls her first big break, winning an American Idol-like singing competition at the former Rhythm and Blues Festival at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson. That victory led to Shields joining a band, booking more gigs, and taking her music career more seriously.

Her positive demeanor and soulful voice have worked well in Shield’s performances over the years, winning her more accolades. The Soul Music Awards recently nominated her for Female Entertainer of the Year in Biloxi. She’s also won Female Artist of the Year at the Jackson Music Awards.

Shield describes herself as a country girl from a small town of less than 1,000 people, sitting in Jefferson-Davis county with just over 10,000, but her hometown support will travel the distance and stand the tests of time to see their star shine in her element. Shield has been residing in the Jackson metro area for decades, but her Prentiss fans never let her down.

“They come to support me and show love,” said Shield. “I love it.”