Israel Houghton

In my life as a Christian music journalist, I receive CDs almost daily. Even with the best of intentions, I rarely get a chance to listen to many of them. But one day as I was heading out to a gospel music event, I heard the Lord say, “Andrea, you need to put this one in”.

The CD was Israel & New Breed’s debut project, New Season. Ten minutes later on I-95, I almost had to pull over so moved was I - in my spirit. That was the beginning of my love affair with the music ministry of Israel Houghton.

His project, New Season, a live praise and worship CD, was critically acclaimed and spawned the hits, There’s A Lifting of the Hands and Trading My Sorrows. Recently his latest project, his second with Integrity Gospel, entitled Real, set the gospel world on fire again with such hits as the title tune, Taste and See and Get Up. Although it may seem that this anointed psalmist and gifted artist came out of the blue, he has indeed paid his dues. His entrance into gospel music started when he was young. That calling led him right in the path of one of gospel’s finest, Fred Hammond. It was his arrival into the group Radical for Christ that helped set him on a God-ordained path to his current phenomenal praise and worship ministry.

Take a listen to this candid and provocative look at one of the industry’s brightest stars.

Andrea R. Williams: I know you used to sing with Fred Hammond & Radical for Christ. Is that where your start in music ministry began?

Israel Houghton: Not really. I really started in my dad’s church back in the day – in my father’s full-time ministry. I started at my local church in Arizona and out of that came various recordings; from those recordings, sprang relationships. It was through those relationships that I met Fred. I actually met Fred through Angelo & Veronica in 1995. And then through Marvin Sapp – Marvin recorded a song by me – and then Fred said, “Why don’t you do some stuff with me?” Originally Fred wanted me to do the New Season record for his label. Things changed and I didn’t end up recording for his label, but my start into gospel music came by way of my relationship through Fred.

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