And the Grammy Goes To.....

I got my start in the music business singing back up for a dynamic vocalist by the name of DEITRICK HADDON. I moved to Detroit from Ohio in the late fall of 2002 to serve as house psalmist at a fast growing church in the inner city. Within 3 months of moving here, I was standing in front of a video camera auditioning for a group that I had admired for years (Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity). That audition tape changed my life. 

I got word that I was chosen for the group just a few days after the audition, but later that year an even bigger dream came true. Deitrick had also branched out on his own into a solo career and I was asked to begin traveling with him as a background singer. It was a dream come true.

I had been a worship leader for about 2 years, with no professional training, just a true passion for God, music, and people. Deitrick's personality and amazing ability to captivate a crowd helped me transition from a worship leader to an aspiring artist. I began to understand the differences and similarities between ministry and entertainment. 

In 2006 we received a Stellar award for this project on which I sang 3 leads. About this time I had also began singing background for another phenomenal gospel artist, Dorinda Clark Cole of the famed Clark sisters. 

 I had recently gotten married (to Deitrick's wife's godbrother) and Deitrick and Damita Haddon had moved to Florida. (later to Atlanta). With the new marriage and the distance, I started traveling less with Deitrick and more often with Dorinda. But I never forgot where I started. You see, gospel is sometimes mushed together into this category that doesn't allow for the different styles, genres, and demographics that are represented differently by each artist. Deitrick was urban. He was and still is in my opinion, the Michael Jackson of the gospel industry. He just knows how to work a crowd. 

Last year, we recorded a worship album in Tampa, Florida at a church called WITHOUT WALLS, where Deitrick served as youth pastor for awhile. From the first time I heard the songs I felt at home in them. They were easy to learn because the lyrics spoke of the passion only a true worshipper can feel. The night we recorded the album was almost magical. 

Since that time I've sung with Deitrick maybe 3 times as compared to the regular bi weekly trips (sometimes more) we used to take to youth conferences, retreats, and music festivals. But I've never stopped supporting him. It has been through his passion for music and ministry that I have learned about the music industry, but also grown in my love for God. We've been all across this country and around the world, singing, dancing, laughing, fussing, forgiving, laughing more, crying, praying, believing and experiencing many times of refreshing and the wind of God. 

That's why it is with great joy and humility, I am thrilled to have been a part of TOGETHER IN WORSHIP, which has been nominated for a GRAMMY. Ironically, Dr. Cole's (Dorinda Clark Cole) newest studio album has been nominated for a GRAMMY as well....in the SAME category. 

I have much to be thankful for.