Pastor Rev. Curtis W. Goodwin, Sr. Other real influences Rev. Jordan Ivey III, my biological brother.  Rev. Gary T. Johnson is married to my beautiful sister Mrs. Joyce Johnson-great supporters.

Rev. Robert L. Stevenson  publisher of this paper we are reading has been a long time and devoted friend. He took special time from his ministry to teach me how to properly write my biographical profile. It was impressive and I use it today when it is requested.

We were determined to finish the mission that God had given. Many doors have opened for me every since. We produced the product! 1988 I produced another doubled album

Titled “You’re My Neighbor.”  Reverend Thomas E. Sweeney allowed me opportunity to pull this 2 night event off. There will be a DVD version released in 2007.

. All of the gospel radio D. J’s all embraced the project. They gave me air-play and many media exposure. Diana Davidson, Clarence Kilcrease, Howard Wilks, Damon King, Charles Colbert, Victor Watkins and many more played my album. I not allow the adversary to turn me back I on the legacy of my sufferings.

 From this I am an International Gospel Recording Artist as of August 8-13, 2006.

 Thanks to Tommie Lewis and his son Dewayne Lewis for including me in the exclusive USAGEM event. Our talents were taped before a live audience to be aired to over 170 countries.

I am over it now somewhat but it was a low blow to my career. August of 1995 I attended a concert sponsored by The Baptist City-Wide-District Association. There a woman sung a song by Daryl Coley “He is Preparing Me” It was then that what had happened seemed to have made sense to my terrible experience.

Am I self centered to write and tell my own story. No! Not al all, I am sharing how our journey can be a bitter sweet but we have to hang on to our passions. Leave it to God to tell you when to quit. Look at me now that it is not impossible to have your dream.

I have learned so much!  I given my articles to many to write it, but can’t nobody tell it like me. It is my Gospel Music Influence that has kept me from the clubs when I would have been there. It was those that I have mentioned believing in me and pushing me, even when I did not have sense enough to understand what God had given.

What is the moral of this story-there were many who had a hand in my success. I did not make it by myself. What has happened to the love and the unity in our Churches.

 Let us reach back and push somebody the same way the pioneers I speak of has used their lives to influence me in the Gospel. My latest Spiritual advisors Sister Loretta

music and change the sound that would be un-identifiable to our Gospel heritage. One of my favorites ‘My Reward Is in Heaven.” He was serious about preserving the natural heritage of Gospel music, then contemporary Christian music and Inspirational music took over the Music Industry and traditional Gospel was now lost in the past on left on the back burner. He held true to his strength and his writings of gospel songs, and his composing. He had a distinct belief in my abilities to deliver the good news through song. He was determined that I would believe in myself too.

Elgreco  Brown was another powerful influence. He would plan events and have these great parties. He would bring all kind of people together all throughout the late 70’s and mid 80’s. He would insist that I attended the events and have me to sing gospel music. Boy!   It was hard for me to believe that people wanted to hear gospel music at a party. It was all I knew, so I did it.  Amazingly his audiences always received me well It was Elgreco’s People and I learned to enjoy singing to them. He also had me to sing gospel music in the club’s.  Many have approach me in the churches to share with me they were in the club audiences doing this time. Because of the experience they left the club scenes never to return.

Mrs. C. E .Mc Gruder was a great influence as she made me sing Gospel at the NAACP Banquets and Community Functions. Mrs. C. E. Mc Gruder was determined that if she had anything to do with it the world would know of me and my singing. She would call me on the phone and say to me that you are on the program and you had better be here to sing for me.

 From this experience I was introduced to Rev C. T. Vivian. He was a big supporter of the Late Martin Luther King Movement.  Rev Vivian was so impressed with my singing and he said he could see Jesus all in me. He said I know a man and if anyone in this world can help you it is him. He said his Name is Dr. J. Robert Bradley. I was afraid and wonder how in the world can I find this man?  In the mean time I enrolled in School and was taking voice lessons from the honorable Mrs. Audrey Bowie.

I went on a search to find Dr. Bradley. I went to the Tennessee State University Library. There I met Mr. Ed Gant. He pulled out the yellow pages and began to assist me in locating Dr. Bradley. Mr. Gant had a big smile and was sure that I would have the correct information to give to me.

He found that Dr. Bradley’s was the music leader for the National Sunday School Publishing Board. I called Dr. Bradley. It was May 1984. Dr. J. Robert Bradley asked me to wait until fall of 1984 that year and allow the summer go away. He advised that the fall may offer us a better turn-out. He gave me a list of songs and told me to prepare 16 songs or more. He said I will use my name and come on the scene. This will draw a crowd for the people and the community to hear you. .

I had from May until October to prepare and accomplish my goal. I was attending Tennessee State University in the music Department. There I met Dr. Lawrence James in

We had to clean and cook. And Gospel music was apart of our everyday routine. When we would travel to Mississippi to our relatives they were playing gospel music also. It was all around us.

Big Mama Mrs. Viola Porter drove a big station-wagon and would plead to my mother to allow us to go to the Christian –around-the –clock programs in 1968 She was our neighborhood Grand Mother. She kept us in somebody’s Church singing.

Again this is apart of my Influence:

Locally at age 13 we were introduced to Mrs. Sally Jackson…It seemed to me at that time that Mrs. Jackson had one hundred or more grand-kids-boy!  Oh boy!  did she have them all with her singing the gospel. They had a sound of their own.

Gospel music really embraced my heart after my Pastor, “The late Rev Roy James Stevenson” died in the early 70’s. He was my heart. Every Sunday he would pick me up and blow his car horn with a special sound. I was sure to know that he was there to have me ready for service.  I only knew two gospel songs for a very long time. “Use Me Lord In Thy Service” and Lord Don’t Move My Mountain.”

 Rev. Roy James Stevenson would say “here come my little girl-come and sing me a song. I would always sing my little song before he preached. Even at age 15 I can still remember his Sermon preached “When you could you wouldn’t now you want to and can’t. I believe this is the first time that I can remember paying attention to the word of God in a church setting. This is why as for today I am careful as to how I treat others.

Do what you can from your heart for each other today. We can’t wait for we know not what tomorrow will bring. Make someone feel special as often as you can.

It was my dedication to never disgrace Rev. Stevenson’s Ministry. He believed in me and my singing so much.  Our family wished so much for him to re-surface the earth. I lived with the pain for a many years. It seemed we had a relationship that was so pure and he reverenced God in all that he did. He was special and he as my Pastor had the most profound impact on my life and my desire to sing gospel music in this City.

He believed in me and my singing so much.  Our family wished so much for him to re-surface the earth. I lived with the pain for a many years. It seemed we had a relationship that was so pure and he reverenced God in all that he did. He was special and he as my Pastor had the most profound impact on my life and my desire to sing gospel music in this City.

Gospel Music Influence I write. I am writing about my influences first to establish rapport with my local community. To establish rapport that I wish to share will

 Help us to gain knowledge and respect for the information being shared.  Seldom one will received the direct opportunity to share his or her journey in the way that is being provided for me.

Sharing as I am is not to spotlight me as an individual, but it is to spotlight how God has allowed me to be involved with many of Nashville greats, while aiding me to be one of the most recognized Gospel Music Artist in this State and around the world. Many of my Christian brothers and Sisters do not know of my work, therefore as I share portions of my journey they will entrust me to tell of their journey with dignity.

  My reason for accepting this task as writer is because I have come in contact with so many beautiful individuals and they carry a lot of weight and power. We never hear about their great deeds. It has been said once by the Gospel Great Preacher Donald L. Parsons from Chicago, Illinois that “Our deeds will far out live us”   This is why every chance that I get I create opportunities to share a deed. I try to find someone everyday and give them something. It is my gospel music influence.

Now, as I continue to share this story you hopefully you as my audience will appreciate some of the gospel truths concerning me as a gospel singer. There were many times I did wish that I could not sing a note. The jealousy you see, I did not understand it and I was too scarred before the real opportunity to share was granted. So,  as I am maturing and walking in the knowledge and wisdoms of God I can plainly see that if I did not sing my struggle to survive would have been devastating. It was my escape when no one seemed to understand me.

Each time I would sing a picture of Jesus would always well up in my mind and I was his little girl. I would always in my mind jump up in Jesus lap and put my arms around his neck and sing to him as if I was in my daddy’s lap. This is the reason I never said no when I was ask. I wouldn’t think of charging anyone because in my mind I have always considered it to be such a privilege to be asked to do anything for God. From my last article you see, it was my lazy way of worshipping God. I wanted to sing my way to heaven.

Again, sharing truths prayerfully will help someone to know that there are many influences that can trap us but the more that I live I am grateful that God had a plan and he has one for you too!  He gave me the gift to sing. God knew no matter how far I strayed it would be my singing and my Gospel Music Influences that would return me back to the fold. Oh! What a mighty God we serve. There were times when I took it for

Granted how much that God truly loves me.  Please open your hearts as I continue to share this message of Gospel Music Influence.  My objective in writing is to use my life to bless some one else. It’s my journey I tell you and many will not get the chance to do