Spotlight Artist of the Month

I’ve had a vision for my ministry since I began singing His music after my epiphany experience in my early 20s. It was always to bring encouragement, comfort, healing, and joy to the listener.

I don’t feel limited by one kind of music. I sing all different styles and themes, from unexpected sources like pop, film, Broadway, the Great American Songbook, as well as my staples from worship and Contemporary Christian Music. Inspiration can be found in so much music, I think it has to do with the intention of the singers ministry.  

I always had a desire to sing ever since I was a very little boy.  I was inspired by other performers on television, great music I was exposed to as a youngster on record and performing in school choruses and junior high school bands. I remember, in elementary school, a gospel quartet came to do an assembly program for us kids, and it opened my eyes to what I wanted to do with my life. Wow...it really left a lasting impression. As few years later, I performed in a couple of children’s operas.

My journey to faith began in earnest while in high school. I was always preoccupied with the hereafter. I lived in fear. I had friends who shared their faith with me, but it was 3 1/2 years before I understood the Cross.  I received Christ at a CCM group Glad concert. As I mentioned that it took years to understand who Jesus really is. I was a seeker that whole time, but God hadn’t opened my heart and eyes to see Him yet. So, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to know, or refused to be a believer, it’s just that He had more work to do in preparing my heart. 

This made me have an understanding that many people may be in that same place in life now.  We should be patient because it may not be that they refuse to come to Christ, it’s just that they’re not ready to see Him for who He is. That’s important!

I studied acting in college and in private instruction.  I always loved comedy and used to add wit in my concerts since the beginning.  In my personal life I always love to laugh, and make others laugh too.  I’m a jokester!  However, when I met Pat Shea, I discovered a comic partner.  To this day, I feel Pat changed Li’l Bit of Heaven by bringing comedy to a whole new level.  Since then, folks have perceived another layer of my ministry.  It’s still musical but now full of laughter (and with Pat sometimes mayhem!) 

I met Palma Pascale after hosting a Jesus Alive event at the Westbury Music Fair in 2005.  We became friends and then partnered in music performance and recording work.  She composed for me and arranged music for three of my albums.  She had a tremendous impact on my life, both personally and professionally.

Samantha and I don’t have a clear memory of how we met, whether she called me or I called her to schedule a concert date, but it was about 6 months after ‘Heaven' opened.  In those early days, I brought my own sound equipment because Samantha only had a karaoke machine (which she was very proud of).  Samantha was so fearful of standing in front of people and she did not want to introduce the performers.  I encouraged her to go out there to speak to the audience.  I think I said I  I would not go on unless she did.  LOL!  I could see her potential and her heart.   She is a true sister in Christ to me! 

Favorite Quote:

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” ― Mother Teresa