Let's Talk: Gospel Music Gold

•Elder Roma Wilson & Rev. Leon Pinson are musicians honored on the Mississippi Blues Trail, however they called their music “God’s Music” where they would sing and preach while on the road.  •Roma Wilson was born in 1910 and Leon Pinson in 1919, both in Mississippi.  Roma was the youngest of 10 and taught himself how to play the harmonica (known as “mouth harp” or the harp).  Leon played the g...

• Mack Holland is a singer / songwriter, poet; this creative soul has been penning poetry since his teen years and has a catalog of his poetry in The Library of Congress. In 2017 he wrote “Sweet Inspiration” The Mack Holland book of Inspiration. •Mack has written several songs and in 2018 Mack recorded his first Gospel / Inspirational song entitled “Are You Ready For Your Blessings” which he was a...

•LaVell R. Nero is CEO and Founder of Alternative Management and Marketing Group; an independently owned entertainment management and marketing company specializing in helping independent artists, writers and small businesses gain awareness and maximized exposure through various entertainment and marketing mediums. •LaVell has more than 51 years of experience in the Gospel Music Industry and over...

• Nate Martin & Singing In God’s Name ( S.I.G.N. ) began in 2016 in the “Birthplace of Gospel Music” Chicago, IL and quickly became loved in throughout the city for their youthfulness, energy and passion for God. •In 2017 they released their first single entitled “Nothing Too Hard”, when Nate was only 16 years old. In 2018 they held their first recording at The Powerhouse Chicago (Pastored by...

• Edward & Edgar O’Neal – Known as The O’Neal Twins The twins were born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1938 and at the encouragement of their family Pastor Elder James Ward Senior began singing. Once they began “seriously” singing they were often guests at churches throughout St. Louis, MO and local cities in Illinois. Later encouraged by the late James Cleveland to make a living at singing the O’N...

• Sallie Martin, Kenneth Morris & Martin and Morris Music Studio • Sallie Martin a gospel singer, business woman and Co-Founder of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. She sang and partnered with Thomas A. Dorsey to spread the Gospel songs he’d written and sold sheet music after concerts. • Kenneth Morris songwriter, composer and arranger was a musician at First Church of Del...

• Professor Alex Bradford a musician, composer, director, recording & Gospel music theater artist. He first appeared on a vaudeville stage at the age of 4 and in his teen, years started his own radio show. Alex received the title “Professor” because while in college he assisted in teaching music classes to other students. He started his recording journey in the 1950’s •Alex started a few singi...

• Edwin Hawkins was a musician, songwriter, multi award winning recording artist, composer and arranger. He was one of the originators of the Urban Contemporary Gospel sound. Founder of the Edwin Hawkins Singers & Edwin Hawkins Music & Arts Seminar. •Edwin was one of 8 children born in Oakland, California who as a child the family sang every Sunday at many churches in the area. At the age...

• Brother Joe May, Known as the " THUNDERBOLT OF THE MIDDLE WEST! "He was a vocalist who was compared to have similar vocal prowess as Ms. Mahailia Jackson. He was under the influence of Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith after he and his family relocated from Macon Mississippi to East St. Louis Illinois to work in a chemical plant. •He was noted as “the greatest Gospel singer of all time” which is wher...

• Gwendolyn Rosetta Capps Lightner, was a Gospel pianist, choir director and arranger. She was born in Brookport IL – which is 400 miles South of Chicago. She studied piano with the focus on being a concert pianist. Continuing to be involved in Classical music studies in college following her graduation she moved to Chicago in the early 1940’s. •Gwendolyn began her interest in Gospel music and thr...

Black Nativity , a gospel song-play based on a script by Langston Hughes originally titled, Wasn't That a Mighty Day , with music arranged by the show's stars, Marion Williams and Alex Bradford, was produced by Michael Santangelo and Barbara Griner. The show used two gospel singing groups: The Stars of Faith and the Bradford Singers and also starred Princess Stewart. It was directed by Vinnete Car...

•Nicholas Brandon Miller received an associate’s Degree in Music at El Camino / Compton College in the Spring of 2016. Presently, Nicholas is a Music Education Major at Cal. State Dominguez Hills University and will graduate in the spring of 2022. •He is a Gospel Music recording artist who sings, plays guitar and is an outstanding drummer. He is a BMI songwriter who records and produces music for...

•Tunji “Tj” Dairo was born into one of the most revered musical dynasties in Nigeria, the legendary Dairo family where music has always played an important role in his life. •He is a songwriter, Worship Leader, Music Producer and Recording artist based in UK (the United Kingdom). He started playing at the age of 14 and has had the privilege of working with other recording artists such as Ron Kenol...

•Dr. Guthrie Ramsey, Jr. is a music historian, pianist, composer and Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Pennsylvania. He is co-author of The Transformation of Black Music: The Rhythms, The songs and The Ships of African Diaspora. •Guthrie is a producer, label head and leader of the bane Dr. Guy’s Musiqology. He has released five recording projects and has performed at venues across t...

Rev. Dr. Stefanie Minatee, A native of Newark, New Jersey, Rev. Stef, as she is affectionately called, is the artistic director & founder of the Grammy-Award winning choir, Jubilation; and has built her life and career around music. Rev. Stef formed the acclaimed choir, Jubilation, in 1998 at the request of New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) CEO Larry Goldman and Newark Councilman/Assem...

Dwayne Lightsey, Jr and Ansonia talk about powerful Gospel Male Singers such as Charles May, Claude Timmons, Jerry Bratton, Rev. Milton Brunson, Pastor Macceo Woods Pastor William Boyd and a few others. Dwayne's YouTube Channel is Rowoches - check out the channel where there is music, pioneers and powerhouse choirs sharing their Gospel Music Gold! Duologue (Conversation or chatter between two or m...

• Pastor Daryl Lynn Coley , Pastor, Musician, Songwriter, Solo Artist and given an affection name of “The Prince of Gospel” by his record label. Daryl had a unique quality of presenting Gospel music by incorporating Jazz inflections into his songs. His range was phenomenal and lyrics clear with powerful messages. •Daryl has a litany of music in his Discography which not only includes Gospel music...

•Patricia Knazze (K-Naz-EE) was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and through her educational journey attended Chicago Public Schools. She graduated from college with her Masters in Education and went on to teach for over 35 years in Chicago Public Schools. •Patricia is a community volunteer, activist and a DuSable Museum Trustee. She has served nearly 3 years as chairwoman of the museu...

•Pharis Evans, Jr is a Music Producer who can enhance the resume, bio and discography of artists. He has a plethora of music credits with Grammy, Stellar and Chicago Gospel Award nominated projects; top Gospel Albums ranked on Gospel charts. He is a Recording Artist who prioritizes “Ministry over Industry.” Striving to reach the masses through inspirational music. •Pharis is a Music Clinician invo...

•Rev. Dr. Stefanie Minatee, Associate Minister of Community Baptist Church of Englewood, NJ. Formally serving as a Vocal Music Educator for nearly 30 years in the Plainfield Public School District, retiring in 2012. She is currently a noted Performing Arts Education consultant. •Dr. Minatee is a skilled and accomplished singer, composer, arranger and musician with a passion for excellence in music...

•Linda Greenwood began singing at a very early age, as discovered by her Grandmother. When the Pastor of her home church would go to visiting churches to preach Linda would sing before his sermons. At the age of 14 Linda music under the directorship of James C. Chambers (founder of the Ecclesiastes Community Choir) and Ron Ellerson (founder of Sounds Unlimited). She majored in music at Chicago Voc...

Lavelle Lacy , Musician, Songwriter and Founder of Chicago Musicians Coalition now known as International Musicians Coalition.  Lavelle had been writing Gospel songs since the 1970's in to the 1990's.  He wrote songs for various Gospel Artists and choirs.  Many of his songs were recorded by choirs such as the late  Fr. Charles G. Hayes and the Cosmopolitan Church Choir ("The Wa...

•Bishop Andre Sonny Woods born in Detroit, MI and at a young age it was evident that music would play a major role in his life. He has studied and performed with some of the greatest Gospel Musicians, artists and choirs of our time. With such greats as the late Rev. Charles Nicks, late Rev. James Cleveland, late Elma Lois Hendrix Parham and many others. •He is an anointed and accomplished songwrit...

•Jessy Dixon was born in San Antonio, TX where he sang and played his first song at the age of five. He and his family moved to Chicago, IL while he was young and during his time singing around Chicago he was discovered by James Cleveland. James Cleveland recorded early songs written by Jessy entitled “God Can Do Anything But Fail,” and “My God Can Make A Way.” Continuing to sing Jessy formed a gr...

•Dr. Henry Jackson is one of today’s leading Gospel singers, songwriters and musicians. He has traveled nationally and internationally spreading the Gospel in song. Henry was raised in the music rich Bay Area city of San Francisco, California and was drawn to this vibrant music called “Gospel” at a very early age. •In the early 1970’s he began his recording career with the Harrison Johnson Los Ang...