Gospel Artist Charles McPhatter Nets Two 25th Annual Washington Area Music Association Nominations
Singer Also Receives Multiple Wins In The Songwriters Association of Washington Mid-Atlantic Song Contest
(Washington, D.C.) - January 20, 2011 - The Nation's Capital boasts a number of gospel icons. One of the hottest towns for gospel music is also the home of up-and-coming artist and smooth-sounding gospel crooner Charles McPhatter. A solo artist and former member of the gospel group, Christopher Page & The Dreamkeeper's Ensemble, McPhatter is a gifted singer and songwriter whose family is related to late soul singer Clyde McPhatter of the Drifters and the Dominoes.
Charles' most recent release, Life Songs, a collection of uplifting, contemporary gospel tunes, has been receiving rave reviews as well as accolades. The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), the organization which recognizes the talents of local artists, took note of McPhatter who was just nominated for two 2011 awards: Gospel/Inspirational Vocalist and Gospel/Inspirational Recording for Life Songs. He shares the categories with fellow nominees Richard Smallwood, Earnest Pugh, Stephen Hurd, Y'Anna Crawley and others. WAMA will be presenting awards on Sunday, February 20, 2011 at State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA) at 8:00PM.
The accolades keep coming for McPhatter as he was also recently named as a multiple winner of the Songwriters Association of Washington's Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (MASC). Four of McPhatter's songs won in the Gospel/Inspirational category. His song "All I Wanna Do" won a Gold Award, "Trouble Don't Last Always" won a Silver Award and his songs "How Could I Ask For More?" and "Never Gave Up on Me" were Finalists in the same category. The Songwriters Association of Washington presents awards to the best and brightest songwriters in the city. As a Gold winner, Charles will compete for the overall Grand Prize which will be presented at the MASC 27th Awards Night Gala on Sunday, January 23, 2011, at 6:00 PM at Jammin' Java in Vienna, Virginia.
Life Songs, an 11-track project, is full of musical inspiration and devotion and showcases this talented man in his element. The title "Life Songs" is reflective of the theme of the project; each song expresses a different experience, a different life happening. A very personal project, the CD's songs took on special significance after the artist recently found out he was adopted. The experience, although a difficult one, has given him a platform to minister from. But it's not just the message in his songs that are memorable. An incredible vocalist, McPhatter doesn't need a lot of fluff in his presentation or production. A mic and his crystal clear vocals alone provide for a fabulous sonic experience.
Gospelflava.com says, "Charles McPhatter's debut album is smooth and is sure to capture you with great vocals and uplifting lyrics." Bob Marovich of BlackGospelBlog.com says, "The eleven contemporary gospel tracks on Life Songs are easy like Sunday morning, pleasant and optimistic in both lyric and melody, and all from the pen of singer-songwriter McPhatter. McPhatter's tenor voice - lithe, earnest and endearing - is a pitch-perfect image of 1980s R&B crooner El DeBarge."
He attended University of Maryland, College Park, where he studied music and became a member of the school's renowned gospel choir. In his musical career, he's had the opportunity to work with GRAMMY Award winner Delious Kennedy of All For One and Stellar Award nominee Dave "Davey Boy" Lindsey of Seven Sons of Soul. He's recorded, sung or opened up for artists like Hezekiah Walker, Byron Cage, Kenny Lattimore, Maurette Brown Clark, Dottie Peoples and Luther Barnes. McPhatter is also a section leader for his church mass choir at First Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, VA. For more information on Charles McPhatter, log on to www.charlesmcphatter.com.
