KELLY CHAPMAN
“It was on business flight from Cleveland to Chicago…” said Kelly Chapman when asked about the moment she realized she was a songwriter. “ I was at a point in my life where I needed to express myself creatively, express my thanks to God. I needed to find my voice, and maybe being 30,00 feet closer to heaven helped, because the lyrics started flowing and haven’t stopped since.”
Find her voice she did! With the upcoming release of her sophomore CD Great is Your Grace, this multi-talented singer/songwriter/actress/speaker and author has used her voice to reach out to the world. Whether speaking to women about empowering through Christ or ministering through music, there is no doubt that Kelly Chapman’s voice is anointed!
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio into a musical family, it was no surprise that Chapman would become a performer. “We always had music playing in the house, whether it was my mother listening to Amy Grant, my father playing piano, my sister singing show tunes or my brother producing hip hop. There was always music! The Chapman family attended church on Sunday mornings, which would set the foundation for Kelly’s spiritual journey. “I actually didn’t truly understand what being saved meant for quite sometime. I understood salvation, but it was many years later when I understood what it meant to have personal relationship with Christ,” she said. Kelly wanted to help others discover their own relationship with God. On that flight to Chicago, Real was born.
The creative flow did not end there. Chapman co-authored (with Kenya Banks) a companion book to the CD titled, Real: The Truth about Being Single. “I feel as though I’m supposed to be honest and transparent in ministry, and the book allowed me to discuss some difficult subjects that many women face while offering Bible-based truths to help them overcome,” offered Chapman.
Which brings us to the anticipated release of “Great is Your Grace” slated for November 3rd 2009 on Lightworld Records. Grace is a Word-laced CD in which Kelly Chapman’s soaring voice deftly takes listener through various styles of music from Jazz to Rock to Gospel.
Featuring an impressive list of musicians including Everette Harp, pianist Herman Jackson (Steve Wonder), guitarist Jen Leigh (Michael Jackson), Grammy wining violinist Charlie Bisharat and in high demand bassist Larry Kimpel, Chapman takes you on a journey. “My faith journey is definitely relatable, but not typical and I think that the diversity in my music is a direct reflection of that journey,” she said.
Chapman enlisted the family production team of Kenai Sound Productions to help her create break out songs such as the rock tinged Taste and See, the rousing New Orleans flavored Excuse Me While I Get My Praise On, and the infectious world beats of Celebrate Jesus. She recently energized and touched listeners with variety of television appearances including The Harvest Show (LeSea Broadcasting), Celebration of Praise with Ron Rosson and friends (Christian Television Network) and Focus Four (Cornerstone Television Network).
An avid philanthropist, Chapman created the Wilma A. Chapman Scholarship Fund at the Cleveland Foundation in honor of her mother. With the launch of Great is Your Grace, she will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Excuse Me While I get My Praise On, to the New Orleans Mission indefinitely .
As a member of New Song Church pastured by Ron Bradley, Chapman enjoys singing speaking at various youth programs, church and business conferences, and concerts. “God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness are keys messages that I want to share to draw others to Christ,” said Chapman.
She is walking in God’s word with her unique vocal style and spirit—a gift from God who is ready for the masses!
CAMILA AGUILAR
Meet Cammy... A woman longing to reveal the depths of God’s heart through new sounds of worship.
Cammy created her first original solo album, “Compelled” with vivid imagery and expressive vocals using her own mixture of pop-rock, funk and jazz. “Compelled,” was recently nominated for “Album of the Year” at the 2009 Momentum Awards. Cammy was also nominated for “Contemporary Artist of the Year,” in 2009.
Cammy’s unique musical gift was nurtured from birth in a music-filled home. Accompanied by her mother, she started performing and singing at the age of five in church, school musicals and in various local talent competitions available in her hometown of Norman, Oklahoma. These foundational experiences were just the beginning, as Cammy was drawn to the stage time after time over the years; eventually she held lead roles in several professional musicals and theatre shows.
Cammy sought to refine her natural talents and skills through earning a bachelor degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA; well known to be the top contemporary music college in the world. Training at Berklee enabled Cammy to develop her craft and begin the true discovery of her own artistry through music. Cammy met producer and guitarist, Daniel Aguilar at Berklee Christian Fellowship while they both were attending school. Shortly after graduation, they were married. Together they trained and led worship teams at several different churches and at large student gatherings in the Boston area. During this season, Cammy began to write song after song as the desire to record was birthed in her heart
Expressed from her heart and a labor of love, Cammy’s first solo album, “Compelled,” has become a reality. Ranging in color, the music offers a beautiful tapestry of lyrical content, melody, groove, and most importantly, passion. Listeners can expect a sincere worship experience, coupled with genius production and first-rate musicianship. An array of the industry’s finest musicians came together to bless this project, including: Abraham Laboriel Sr., Paul Jackson Jr., Vinnie Colaiuta, Alex Acuña, George Deoring, Carlos Murguía and Carlin Muccular. Cammy was also privileged to work with several time Grammy winner, Benny Faccone.
Cammy’s desire is that deep and explosive passion for worship will be ignited in the hearts of those who hear her music. She prays that hearts will be healed and mended as the awesome presence of Christ is released! Cammy’s greatest longing is that each listener would be totally set on fire for God, as she has been, and that many will join her in passionately pursuing Him!
WASHINGTON DC’S RAFEAL ROSS CELEBRATES UPCOMING LIVE CD RELEASE
New Artist Rafeal Ross Leading An Invigorating New Era In Christian Music
Washington, DC -- The world is being introduced to a new era of worship warriors that are on the rise. These minstrels of the gospel have phenomenal musical aptitude, a fresh authoritative anointment and are delivering compositions of praise and worship music that is altering a generation. You have now been introduced to Rafeal Ross. The music ministry of Rafeal Ross brings forth a life changing experience before the presence of God and is powerfully manifested in Rafeal’s long awaited debut CD, New Creation – Live available January 2010.
New Creation - Live reflects Rafeal’s personal journey, demonstrates his formal musical training and proclaims his all-encompassing passion for God and His people. Through New Creation – Live, Rafeal shares the freedom which dwells in his awesome gift of worship and praise. Rafeal not only debuts his riveting vocal abilities on this project, but steps out with prolific songwriting and composing talents. Rafeal partnered to co-write and produce the project with Contemporary Christian songwriter Tifani Wilson and Virginia-based producer Tyrone Powell.
“From the beginning to the end, Rafeal Ross takes you on a musical journey blending the soulful sounds of praise and worship with skillful musical mastery. This exciting project will be sure to lead you to the final destination of resting in the presence of the Lord.”
-- Rev. Nichelle L. Early, CEO/Founder, BreakForth Ministries and Consulting
Rafeal Ross, who holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from George Mason University, enters a new season, broadening his pinnacle of influence and ministry to become a Gospel Recording Artist and by launching Rafeal Ross Ministries, LLC. To mark this milestone and bold new step, Rafeal will hold a New Creation – Live Listening Party Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 5th, 4pm at INDULJ Restaurant in Washington DC’s historic U Street corridor.
These steps are carrying him closer to the fulfillment of his destiny -- to use his voice to touch all nations. “I am honored to be a minister of God used to encourage and empower the Body of Christ. I can't help but be awed that He would choose and anoint me with this gift,” exhorts Rafeal.
Rafeal Ross recently received the Independent Gospel Music Awards Praise and Worship Song of the Year Award for “Praise Awaits” which is featured on the upcoming release. Currently, he is honored to serve as the Director of Music & Arts at his home church, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Herndon, VA under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. James L. Graham, Jr.
For more information on Rafeal Ross Ministries visit:
Ayiesha Woods
There are so many things vying for one’s attention around the holidays—last minute Christmas giving, decorating, cooking, gift-wrapping, the annual Christmas pageant at church—that sometimes the sound of the season are the last thing on people’s minds.
Merely a year after release of her critically acclaimed Love Like This, Ayiesha Woods is bound to change that with her first-ever yuletide collection, appropriately titled Christmas Like This.
“Recording a Christmas record in the middle of the summer was a lot of fun,” Woods says. “When it comes to Christmas and the spirit of Christmas, if it’s good music, you can pretty much put it on in February if you want and make it enjoyable.
For Woods—who in her short span as a recording artist has massed a wealth of accolades, including a GRAMMY nomination and a nod for New Artist of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards—Christmas Like This is yet another opportunity to show that music, especially that which is played during the most wonderful time of the year, doesn’t have to settle for the middle of the road.
“You have to watch it when recording a Christmas project because you always run the risk that it could be borderline cheesy,” Woods says. “We were very cognizant of that. When we said we were going to do Christmas record, we were going to make sure that we’d make it timeless and people would enjoy it 50 years from now.”
Indeed, Christmas Like This, produced by James Moore (tobyMac, CeCe Winans), finds ayiesha at her best. From the infectious Caribbean strains of “Joy to the World” to her sweeping, reverent arrangement of “o Holy Night’ and “O come All Ye Faithful,” she knows how to adsapt her style from festive to thoughtful, depending on the mood.
Channeling the throwback neo-soul style of Amy Winehouse and Duffy, Woods also offers terrific take on Walking In A Winter Wonderland” and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” as well as cooler-than version of the R&B standard, “Merry Christmas, baby,” originally made popular by the incomparable Otis Redding.
But whether she is doing her best torch-sing impression on “have Yourself a Merry Christmas” or showing her sassy side in her soulful reading of Donny Hathaway’s,”This Christmas,” ultimate purpose is to shed light on the real reason for the season.
The singer shared with us some of the heart, spirit, and soul behind Christmas Like This and some of the things that make the season bright for her.
Calvin and C2W:
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Our Mission: To connect youth to a real relationship with Christ through worship and to ignite their passion to celebrate and have fun. Calvin and C2W began rehearsing together in September 2008 and were introduced on stage in November of 2008. The groups’ debut was held at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, in Norfolk, Virginia. Calvin James Mackey, a 15 year old lead vocalist and worshipper founded the group and wrote all 12 of the tracks on the Created to Worship Debut CD. One song was adapted from his uncle, Anthony Willis during a recovery period from heart surgery. Each member of the group has given their life to Christ and serve with their families, at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, Virginia where Bishop B. Courtney McBath and his wife Co-Pastor Janeen McBath are founding pastors. Minister Willie Copeland and Sister Terri Copeland are music ministry directors and have mentored Calvin since he was 4 years old. C2W’s latest member is Erica Jones. Erica is a member of City of Truth and Deliverance Family Worship Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia where Elder Wesley J. Thomas is founding pastor; assisted by his wife, Sister Andrea Thomas and Minister Price. C2W is currently holding auditions for 3 college vocalists (one alto, tenor and soprano). Contact us for more information at getinfo@tasteandseemanifold.com Calvin and C2W are currently ministering in the 757, Hampton Roads area. They have also ministered in Philadelphia, PA at Touching the World Ministries with Pastors Charles and Pamela Coleman; Elizabeth City, North Carolina for the Alpha Kappa Alpha Graduate Chapter and have test marketed their CD in Detroit, Michigan. Calvin has been greatly influenced by Minister Willie Copeland, listed above and Minister Earl Bynum, Director of the Virginia Mass Choir and Minister of music at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, where Pastors Kim and Valerie Brown are founding pastors. Most who hear him sing say that he sounds like John Legend, with the anointing of William Murphy and the unique talent of Tye Tribbet. Calvin and C2W desire to reach as many youth and adults as God will allow. Their desire is not to live the lives of the rich and famous, but to impact the country and the world for Christ. They experience temptation and disappointment daily, as most of us do; however, C2W knows that without Christ, they would fall and not get up. C2W and Taste and See Records plan to reach out to Christian and secular venues. We want to win the lost and strengthen those who are in the Kingdom of God. Calvin has written an edgy new single, to be released sometime this fall. No plans for another album right away. Taste and See Records has a few other unique ideas for him; however, we cannot reveal them at this time. More to come… Our background vocalists will be providing our audiences with solos from time to time. Watch for those occasions and you may make a request for one or two of them to sing a favorite Christian song of yours during a booking for your church, community or special occasion. The group is available for youth conferences, church videos, weddings, graduation parties and the like. See our music page for more details. Calvin, Isaac, Arianna, Mariah, Maya, Erica, Kiree and Jete’ are all dedicated students, who likewise serve in the music ministry (Judah and Children of Destiny) at Calvary Revival Church. Sister Titia Stillwell and Sister Sandra Brown, Directors, respectively. They like spending time with each other and having fun. Each member participates in extracurricular activities and has a testimony for youth who may not live a life like theirs every day. C2W members have been tempted with smoking, homosexuality, anger and resentment, promiscuity and the like. What makes them different? They have chosen to take a stand. They have chosen to fight. They have chosen to win because they are not alone. It is the Christ in them. |
