Vanessa Williams

First, let's take a look at this so-called newcomer. She's been heard for almost a decade singing background vocals with Richard Smallwood and Vision, her mentor Yolanda Adams, Tramaine Hawkins, the Canton Spirituals, and with the Straight Gate Mass Choir's Faith in the House recording on Integrity Records. Yet she has spent the better part of her adult years as a public school art teacher. She has a daughter who is a college junior. Until recently, ageism in the industry might well have precluded her from ever launching a solo artist career.

Her journey to a record deal with Light Records and Bajada Records with Bishop Andrew Merritt (pastor of Straight Gate Church) and her ensuing testimony, no doubt would be a powerful ministry symbol to new and "upcoming" artists. Inquiring minds might inquire, "How does one go from being a school art teacher to being produced by gospel industry A-list producers like Steven Ford, PAJAM, Kevin Bond, Fred Hammond and Richard Smallwood"? Her answer might begin with something like this..." God's timing is remarkable".

Her first track from this remarkable debut, One Mo Praz, written and produced by executive producer Steven Ford begins the project’s showcase of her awesome talent as a lead and background vocalist. Her light, effortless vocals shift and float like chiffon in the wind expose her enthusiastic spirit, which shines through this track like rays of sunbeams.

Hail or High Water written and produced by PAJAM, opens up not only her vocal depth, but also a artistic one, as vocally she paints a an image of the watery chasms of the ocean depths and of the heavenly heights. Vanessa displays a great deal of musical maturity as she digs deep into her emotional well to watercolor all the nuances the song requires.

Hiding Place, written and produced by Kevin Bond weaves fluidly in and out of a tight urban rhythm track. Despite its soothing lilt, Vanessa’s voice soars on an emotional high into the stratosphere. Next up, Fred and RFC’s prophetic praise ‘n worship picks up the pace on Walk By Faith. Produced and co-written by Fred Hammond, backed by RFC, Vanessa steps to the plate and, with extreme ease, delivers an urban contemporary double play to delight the spirit.