Atlanta Area Gospel Announcers Guild

Local Atlanta Artists

Marica Chisolm’s music embodies the powerful message of John 4:23-- “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” Her artistry serves as a constant reminder that the believer must learn to be a worshipper, and that music can help to unlock this part of the spirit.

Marica was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia; she started singing at the age of two, while a member of Big Miller Grove Baptist Church, where she was remained a faithful member until the age of 20. At this point in her life, she had developed such a hunger for God and a heart for true worship, which led her to accept the call of becoming a psalmist. She then went on to become a member of Citadel of Hope COGIC where God began to truly craft her gifting. Marica was able to usher the people into the true presence of God using songs that were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and could see that lives were being changed as a result. This led her to continue ministering, writing more songs that would bring about a true worship experience for God’s people.

Many gospel greats have served as inspiration for Marica, including her grandparents, Willie and Josephine Wilder. Other artists she admires include Kim Burrell, Kurt Carr, Judy McAllister, and Contrell Jones. She has done background vocals for Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Pastor Hezekiah Walker, Dottie Peoples, Byron Cage Vashawn Mitchell and Kelly Price. Marica is committed to working with other artists that have a desire to glorify God through song, and will be releasing her own praise and worship projects soon.

Marica is the proud mother of three beautiful children, Destiny, Skylar and Thomas II, and draws creative energy to compose new music from her husband Thomas, who is also a singer. She is a member of Rhema Christian Fellowship where she faithfully serves as an integral part of ministry in many capacities – as praise & worship leader, minister, and intercessor. Her new single Hallelujah to the King is available on iTunes, cdbaby, and Amazon.

Marica can sum her life and mission up in just a few words. “My assignment is to help the saints of God to move to another dimension in worship.” She uses her favorite Bible verse to explain that she understands that this is her God-given , lifelong work: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” – Phil. 1:6.

Extraordinarily gifted, contagiously funny and awesomely anointed are few of the phrases used to define the characteristics that so easily distinguish Terrence Cotton from his other artistic male counterparts. Not only possessing wide-ranged and powerful vocal ability, Terrence is also blessed with a gift for amusing and
captivating audiences as a highly sought after stage actor.

Terrence’s story began in Macon, Georgia where he was born and nurtured in a loving, musical family. Little Terrence could often be found at his family home on the front porch singing into the handle of a broomstick. Fortunately, a strong legacy of spirit-fi lled, anointed individuals sang with power while little Terrence sat studiously and, subconsciously, began developing his craft as a vocalist. His mother (Teresa Cotton) and grandmother (Eugenia Williams) stressed the importance of attending church regularly and choosing a ministry within the church of which to participate. As soon as Terrence was able to speak effectively he began to sing in the church choir and quickly became a lead vocalist.

William Murphy, III is the founder and lead pastor of The dReam Center Church located in Atlanta, Georgia, is an incredible worshiper and artist. Ordained as a minister at the age of 19, Pastor Murphy was given a solid foundation both in the church and in music thanks in large part to his father, Bishop William H. Murphy, Jr., and his grandfather, Dr. William H. Murphy, Sr.

Widely known for the smash hit “Praise Is What I Do”—the title track from Shekinah Glory Ministries’ 2002 gold-selling album, and with several albums to his credit, William Murphy, III serves as the General Overseer of Worship for The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. He and his wife, Pastor Danielle Murphy, are the proud parents of William IV, Paul Christian, David Benjamin, and Lady Keilah Lauren.

Few artists of any genre have entered the industry with the resume of multiple Stellar Award winner DeWayne Woods. Protégé’ of famed producer Donald Lawrence, Woods’ has served as background coordinator for some of today’s biggest talent, including mega-popstar Celine Dion, jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum and Atlantic Starr, for which he sang lead vocals on two albums. Woods has also backed some of Gospel’s finest. John P. Kee, Kurt Carr, Karen Clark Sheard and many others have sought him out for recordings and live performances. Woods, along with Grammy nominated producers PAJAM, also shared Vocal Producer duties on Byron Cage’s “An Invitation to Worship” and “Live from the Apollo-Proclamation.”

Woods moved from behind the scenes to center stage with his debut project Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet - the first release from Donald Lawrence’s Quiet Water Entertainment under the Zomba Gospel umbrella. The CD surpassed everyone’s expectations, selling tens of thousands of units and garnering five 2008 Stellar Award nominations (Song of the Year, for “Let Go”, written by P.J. Morton, New Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Urban Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year and Recorded Music Package of the Year). Woods turned four of those nominations into Stellar gold, receiving recognition as New Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Urban Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year; Morton also won for Song of the Year. The project has peaked at 5 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums and the CD’s first single “Let Go” rose to the 4 spot on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs Chart

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/dewaynewoods#ixzz0tVfBkkvt

Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling
Many find it easier to mirror artistic greatness rather than creating it themselves because creating it requires time, passion and the ability to be misunderstood. But every once in a while you stumble across those whose giftedness, uniqueness, and artful expressions distinguish them from their counterparts.

Kevin S. Lemons, awesome director, gifted vocalist and accomplished musician, exemplifies greatness by every measure of the word. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA the son of the late Wilbert Lemons and Ms. Ruth, Kevin was reared in the church and became active in music ministry at an early age. He was often seen with his parents as they traveled with what is not known as the oldest gospel choir in the United States, the Atlanta Masonics. Kevin, although young and seemingly unaware, studied the art of musicianship, church worship and overall leadership while developing into a young man. Needless to say, it was in the church Kevin Lemons developed a passion for God’s people and gospel music.

Kevin’s passions would later manifest in the form of a group of young, energetic and enthusiastic vocalists and musicians. In 1996 his vision to share God’s message through music ministry materialized as Higher Calling Ministries was born. This ministry, affectionately known as Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling, set out on a fast-track to success by working diligently to create a sound and image unique to themselves. With Kevin’s leadership, Higher Calling began traveling extensively throughout the United States sharing their message of love, unity and the importance of spiritual development.

Today, Higher Calling has grown into a 45-voice, powerhouse gospel choir known for their skillful vocals, spirited and energetic performances, trendsetting style and overall excellence in ministry. Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling have shared stages with many gospel greats to include Fred Hammond, Ricky Dillard, Hezekiah Walker, the Clark Sisters, DeWayne Woods, LeAnn Faine, Donald Lawrence, the late O’Landa Draper, Dorothy Norwood, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Pastor William Murphy, Vashawn Mitchell,

B. Chase Williams, Wycleff, Kurt Carr and countless others. Additionally, the ministry has been nationally-televised with appearances on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, and the Mo’Nique Show, Gospel Music Channel’s The Kitchen Sink, and the Gospel Superfest.

Most notably, in April 2008 Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling recorded their first live CD/DVD. The untitled project will feature production from veteran gospel singers/songwriters/producers as well as a six piece band making for an elaborate and radical sound crafted by the best musicians Atlanta has to offer. The debut project titled Destined for Greatness was released independently in January 2010.

Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling Ministries is etching a place in gospel music history for themselves. With God’s guidance and anointing the sky is the limit for this ministry. Keep watching, waiting and anticipating because the best is still yet to come!!

If the foundation of a thing is indicative of how far up it is going, VaShawn Mitchell is about to soar! In this culture and time where everything happens fast, Mitchell is only in a hurry about one thing, taking care of his Father’s business.

Having grown up in the south suburbs of Chicago, Mitchell comes from a region that brags great songwriters and ministers of music. His professional music ministry journey began at the St. Mark Baptist Church where he served along with Lonnie Hunter for six years. While in college he landed at Bishop Larry Trotter’s Sweet Holy Spirit Church. He served there as an Assistant to the Minister of Music beginning in 1997 before taking over the Music Department in 2000. As he readies for the dawning of his next project Promises, one need only look at where Mitchell has been to see where he’s going.

When he began serving in the Music Department at Sweet Holy Spirit he had no idea that he’d eventually transition to the role of head honcho. “I never was looking to do it, but I think I was being prepared to do it for a long time.” Having obtained a degree in therapy and youth work, he was always led back to music and church work. When Bishop Trotter asked him to take the helm of the Music Department, Mitchell was ready, though not necessarily seeking the post. “It wasn’t something I endeavored to do, but something I was destined to do.”

He had already released his first personal project with the New Image Chorale in 1998, but the acceptance of the role meant putting his personal recording career on hold. He agreed to switch focus to build the music ministry of the church before reentering the industry as a solo recording artist. This might have been a little easier if he hadn’t already tasted success and delivered chart-friendly hits “Only A Test”, “Don’t Last” and “My Worship Is For Real”, but wisdom, maturity and humility enabled Mitchell to hold his own reins and to do the right thing for the season. “As an artist who is also a Minister of Music, it can be hard to put yourself on hold, but it’s easy when you know that if you are to grow in your calling, you have to first focus on the vision of the Church”.