Attended by gospel music’s premier songwriters, brightest stars and
leading industry executives, the invitation-only event, part industry
celebration and part awe-inspiring worship service, will also announce
the Most Performed Gospel Song of the Year at the ceremony.
This year’s honorees are comprised of talents who are deeply rooted
in the gospel genre. Israel Houghton, a prolific worship leader and
singer-songwriter-producer, has been at the helm of his own music
ministry for 22 years and has worked on more than 50 albums as an artist
or producer. In 1995, he formed New Breed Ministries, giving way to Whisper it Loudand Way of the World,
debut releases from 1997. Since then, Houghton has released 11 solo and
group CDs and has reached consistent commercial success with Billboard
chart toppers like New Season, Power of One and his most recent
release, Jesus at the Center. Houghton has garnered countless accolades
throughout his career, including five GRAMMY awards, 13 Dove awards,
two Stellar awards and a Soul Train award.
Their success laid the groundwork for group member and sister LaShun Pace to launch a successful solo career. Pace’s first album, He Lives,
featured her opus “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” Several memorable albums
followed.
BMI is proud to honor these towering talents and celebrate their legendary contributions.
There are many people that have influenced my life and have encouraged me throughout the years, through the art of music. Among those are people like India Arie, Lashun Pace, Anthony Hamilton, Monica, Sounds of Blackness, and ThePace Sisters. (Like I said that’s just a few names). I can even tell you the songs that have had the most impact on my life by each of these artists:
Among the list of artists, I never thought I would ever get a chance to meet any of these artist but I believe that when people have empowered you, you should let them know. Who would have thought that I would get a chance to meet the leader of one of these songs.......
Recently, I had a chance to sit down with Quan Howell, who led the song Hold On (Change is Coming) by the Sounds of Blackness. I can’t begin to tell you how great it felt to speak to someone that had empowered so much Life into my life. So when the opportunity allowed me a chance to interview him, I JUMP ALL OVER IT!
Not only was Quan a member of the Sounds of Blackness but he also played Reverend Lewis in the Tyler Perry play Madea’s Family Reunion.
I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed conducting it! ….Meet Quan Howell!