buzzz worthy. . .
The world knows her as the lead singer of the Pips, a powerhouse solo act and the "Empress of Soul." A lesser known fact about the legendary Gladys Knight is that she is the favorite singer of BeBe Winans. An even more obscure detail about Knight is that she is also a famous Mormon. Knight converted to Mormonism in 1997 and when she did, she brought the sound of the Baptist church with her.
“I have always loved Gospel music; that is my beginning,” she shares. “My first time singing in public was in the youth choir at church. After we were baptized, all of the youth joined the Sunshine choir. Since that time, Gospel music has been a part of my life. I have always been singing Gospel music.”
This month, the legendary soul singer covers the affect becoming a Mormon has had on her career in the latest issue of LDS Living magazine.
In 2002 the Georgia born vocalist started sharing her take on sacred music with a multicultural choir she formed and directed, Saints United Voices. The choir was made up of fellow Mormons and they recorded together in Las Vegas, NV. Their first CD , One Voice, won a 2005 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.
And yes, Knight has sprinkled some of that with the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Two years before staring her choir, in 2000 Gladys night was the first musical guest on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert in Salt Lake City, UT.
Today, September 9, Knight released a solo gospel album "Where My Heart Belongs." It is a souful tapestry of 10 songs that go all the way back to her Baptist Church roots where she got her start at the age of four.
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 9, 2014 – Gladys Knight is an icon by any standard. With seven GRAMMY Awards to her name, #1 chartings on numerous charts and over 40 albums to her credit, her name is synonymous with timeless classics. Now the legendary vocalist returns with a brand new CD, this one highlighting her faith. Where My Heart Belongs, a Gospel and inspirational project, releases on Shadow Mountain Records for Deseret Book on September 9.
A woman of faith, Gladys Knight is no stranger to Gospel music. The Georgia-born singer is the recipient of two GRAMMYs in the sacred genre: for her duet with the late Ray Charles on his Genius Loves Company CD and for her project, One Voice, recorded with the Saints Unified Choir. Ms. Knight adds more inspirational songs to her burgeoning repertoire with the release of the 10-track project, Where My Heart Belongs.
Containing songs perfect for Sunday morning or intimate times of worship, Ms. Knight provides soon-to-be-classics like the lead single, “Need You Love You”, co-written by BeBe Winans and a stunning rendition of Kirk Franklin’s “Always”. Other memorable tracks include the impressive “In The Midst Of The Rain”, the declarative “Champions”, the brilliantly-arranged, “There Is A Green Hill Far Away” and the Negro spiritual “Were You There”.
The project is the second release from Ms. Knight from Shadow Mountain Records. Bart Olson, Product Director for Shadow Mountain Records, is excited about the new release.
The world knows her as the lead singer of the Pips, a powerhouse solo act and the "Empress of Soul." A lesser known fact about the legendary Gladys Knight is that she is the favorite singer of BeBe Winans. An even more obscure detail about Knight is that she is also a famous Mormon. Knight converted to Mormonism in 1997 and when she did, she brought the sound of the Baptist church with her.
“I have always loved Gospel music; that is my beginning,” she shares. “My first time singing in public was in the youth choir at church. After we were baptized, all of the youth joined the Sunshine choir. Since that time, Gospel music has been a part of my life. I have always been singing Gospel music.”
This month, the legendary soul singer covers the affect becoming a Mormon has had on her career in the latest issue of LDS Living magazine.
In 2002 the Georgia born vocalist started sharing her take on sacred music with a multicultural choir she formed and directed, Saints United Voices. The choir was made up of fellow Mormons and they recorded together in Las Vegas, NV. Their first CD , One Voice, won a 2005 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.
And yes, Knight has sprinkled some of that with the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Two years before staring her choir, in 2000 Gladys night was the first musical guest on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert in Salt Lake City, UT.
Today, September 9, Knight released a solo gospel album "Where My Heart Belongs." It is a souful tapestry of 10 songs that go all the way back to her Baptist Church roots where she got her start at the age of four.
One of her favorite songs on the album is "Life," which was written, but never-before-released when she sang with the Pips. "I have a song on this new album that my brother, Bubba, [singer-songwriter] Sam Dees, and I wrote together." The style is reminiscent of late 80's R&B.
Knight told Parade, "We wrote a song the three of us called 'Life' and that song is on my new album. My spirit just told me to go back and get that song because it's so right for right now. That's one of my favorites that you guys didn't get to hear [from when I was with the Pips]."
Knight also teams with BeBe Winans, on the lead single " Need You Love You" Kirk Franklin's "Always." Seasonal remakes "Where You There" and "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" complete a vivid musical tapestry that knows no denominational bounds.
"Where My Heart Belongs," is currently available at Amazon.com .Read more about the album in the press release:Knight also teams with BeBe Winans, on the lead single " Need You Love You" Kirk Franklin's "Always." Seasonal remakes "Where You There" and "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" complete a vivid musical tapestry that knows no denominational bounds.
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 9, 2014 – Gladys Knight is an icon by any standard. With seven GRAMMY Awards to her name, #1 chartings on numerous charts and over 40 albums to her credit, her name is synonymous with timeless classics. Now the legendary vocalist returns with a brand new CD, this one highlighting her faith. Where My Heart Belongs, a Gospel and inspirational project, releases on Shadow Mountain Records for Deseret Book on September 9.
A woman of faith, Gladys Knight is no stranger to Gospel music. The Georgia-born singer is the recipient of two GRAMMYs in the sacred genre: for her duet with the late Ray Charles on his Genius Loves Company CD and for her project, One Voice, recorded with the Saints Unified Choir. Ms. Knight adds more inspirational songs to her burgeoning repertoire with the release of the 10-track project, Where My Heart Belongs.
Containing songs perfect for Sunday morning or intimate times of worship, Ms. Knight provides soon-to-be-classics like the lead single, “Need You Love You”, co-written by BeBe Winans and a stunning rendition of Kirk Franklin’s “Always”. Other memorable tracks include the impressive “In The Midst Of The Rain”, the declarative “Champions”, the brilliantly-arranged, “There Is A Green Hill Far Away” and the Negro spiritual “Were You There”.
The project is the second release from Ms. Knight from Shadow Mountain Records. Bart Olson, Product Director for Shadow Mountain Records, is excited about the new release.
“I am thrilled about Gladys Knight’s new CD. We, at Shadow Mountain Records, are proud to have such an amazing artist on our roster. Gladys Knight is a timeless artist and with the release of Where My Heart Belongs, we believe she will continue to inspire countless believers.”
Many know Gladys Knight from her illustrious career as the lead singer of the soulful ensemble Gladys Knight and the Pips, but Gospel music has always held a special place in her heart. Singing since the age of 4, Gladys Knight honed her skills in the church. “I have always loved Gospel music; that is my beginning,” she shares. “My first time singing in public was in the youth choir at church. After we were baptized, all of the youth joined the Sunshine choir. Since that time, Gospel music has been a part of my life. I have always been singing Gospel music.”
Many know Gladys Knight from her illustrious career as the lead singer of the soulful ensemble Gladys Knight and the Pips, but Gospel music has always held a special place in her heart. Singing since the age of 4, Gladys Knight honed her skills in the church. “I have always loved Gospel music; that is my beginning,” she shares. “My first time singing in public was in the youth choir at church. After we were baptized, all of the youth joined the Sunshine choir. Since that time, Gospel music has been a part of my life. I have always been singing Gospel music.”