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Donald Lawrence
These seven words eloquently capture the multifaceted essence of Donald Lawrence. Songwriter. Producer. Composer. Music/choir director. Recording artist. The guiding force behind such No. 1 hits as “Encourage Yourself,” “Back II Eden” and “The Blessing of Abraham.” Equally at home in both the inspirational and contemporary arenas, the multiple Grammy and Stellar Award winner has collaborated with a diverse roster, including such marquee names as Karen Clark Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, En Vogue and Mary J. Blige.
Donald is not a native of Chicago, IL, he has been a resident since 2001. Donald Lawrence has set the standard for excellence in the gospel music field over the last two decade, He blends the classicism of traditional gospel music and retro soul grooves with uplifting, messages of self-affirmation and daily How-To-Faith lessons.
Anita Wilson
With her debut project, Ms. Anita Wilson joins the rich musical heritage known as the Chicago sound, while simultaneously heralding a new style in today’s gospel music---Worship Soul. A worship leader and featured vocalist in the award-winning ensemble Donald Lawrence & Company, she boldly takes the solo stage with an album that is at once fiery and soulful, dynamic and meditative.
In less than one year of being released, Worship Soul received notable accolades including being GRAMMY ® Nominated for Best Gospel Album (2013), 3 Stellar Award Nominations for Urban Contemporary Single Performance, Praise and Worship CD of the Year and Contemporary Female of the Year. As well it was recognized by The New York Times' Ben Ratliff as one of 2012's Top Ten Albums. Anita Wilson’s sophomore project is due to release in 2014
Charles Jenkins
Trailblazer, Connector, Community Leader, Advisor, Songwriter, Poet, and Dynamic Communicator are just some of the words that describe Charles Jenkins. He is respected and revered around the world for his innovative thinking, contemporary leadership, and holistic approach to ministry. Jenkins serves on a number of corporate, educational, governmental and religious boards. A man of balance. Charles Jenkins is the pastor of the legendary Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago’s South Side and is doing God’s work.
Charles Jenkins created a company called Inspired People with the whole commitment to inspiring people. He developed a record label and put the church on the company’s first album. Fellowship Chicago album entitled “The Best of Both Worlds” debuted at the No.1 spot, and it was No. 1 on billboard for 20 weeks, the album debuted the No. 1 Christian album in America!” It has truly been Awesome for Fellowship Chicago at the 2013 Stellar Awards winning in five categories.
Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer
Chicago, IL is known to be a city filled with great choirs, The Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir under the leadership of the late Dr. Charles G. Hayes, founder is an example of just that. Among the first to gain national accolades “The Warriors” as they are affectionately known has recorded over 30 albums and 5 singles throughout the past 50 years. Out of the thirty plus albums, two received Gold Certification and others garnered the No. 1 spot on the charts around the world. “The Remix” recording earned The #1 Inspirational Song” according to R&R Magazine and earned the Choir two Stellar Awards in 2006 for “Choir of the Year” and “ Video of the Year.”
The Choir has performed with such great artists as the late Mahalia Jackson - the “World’s Greatest Gospel Singer”, the late Clara Ward and Singers, the late Ruth Davis and Singers, Evangelist Shirley Caesar and Singers, Rev. James Cleveland and Singers, and many more. The Choir has sung in Auditoriums, theatres, fair grounds, ball parks, civic center, store-front churches, Jewish temples, from the smallest to the largest, with all races involved at the same time.
New Direction
In Chicago, IL, Jeral and Percy Gray Jr. grew up in "a solid churchgoing God fearing home", and were surrounded in traditional Gospel music at both home and church. Being musically curious, so, it's not surprising that the musical programs performed by New Direction can be described as "Old School using New School Singing." Under the leadership and guidance of Jeral and Percy, New Direction specializes in "taking Gospel traditions in truly new directions, crossing lines not only of musical tastes, but even more importantly, race, religion and creed."
The choir’s name was inspired by its purpose, demonstrating that God provides “new direction.” Their debut CD was released in 1999, and since then they’ve received several Stellar, Dove and Grammy Award nominations. The choir has also backed Shirley Caesar on a number of projects including her 2002 CD, Hymns. Their third CD, Rain (GospoCentric) brought them a 2005 Stellar Award for “Choir of the Year.” Their 5th project entitled Destiny released in 2009, New Direction is slated to release a new project in June of 2014.
Bill Winston
He is the founder and pastor of Living Word Christian Center, a multi-cultural, non-denominational church with more than 20,000 members located in Forest Park, Illinois. The church has a broad range of ministries and related entities.
Bill Winston is also the founder of the Joseph Business School (JBS) and The Joseph Center® for Business Development for entrepreneurs and business leaders with eleven other partnership locations across the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Winston is also the founder of Bill Winston Ministries (BWM), a partnership-based outreach ministry.
Through BWM, he hosts the Believer’s Walk of Faith television and radio broadcast which reaches potentially more than 800 million households nationwide. Bill Winston presents Living Word Christian Center recording choir in their freshman project entitled “Released” in 2010, featuring the talents of church members and multiple award-winning artists such as Donald Lawrence, Kim Stratton and Walt Whitman. This anointed, spirit-filled aggregation of songs was nominated for a 2013 Stellar and Grammy Award in the category of Traditional Choir of the Year.
Jonathan McReynolds
The Christian music industry now has a young, impressive, multi-talented artist who is not afraid to open up his heart and soul and honestly sing about the living in Christ. It’s rare these days to find a young artist who puts everything on the table. Who puts his whole heart into his music and passionately sings of his love for Jesus Christ.
McReynolds is that rare find, on his way to becoming one of the most fascinating gospel / Christian contemporary music (CCM) artists of his time. With his exceptional songwriting, incredible voice, and his compelling debut album “Life Music,” there is absolutely no stopping Jonathan’s tremendous talent and natural star quality.
