Breaking new Ground
Linda Williams
Seeing and hearing God’s anointed is experiencing the divine; that’s what listening to Linda Williams is like. Rooted in the church, Linda’s father was a pastor; her earliest musical influence was her mother, the evangelist Ora Robinson. The family moved from Birmingham Alabama to Cleveland where Linda, like other gospel greats began singing in the church. Born into a talented family, her Brothers and one sister were a successful, in-demand gospel quartet, the Robinson singers. Little “Lynn” as called by her mom was ten when she and her younger sister were beckoned to sing duets.
At 13 she began solos, with influences like her mother the Evangelist Ora Robinson, Patti Labelle, Shirley Caesar, and Aretha Franklin. Today she’s confident, spirited, filled with the Holy Ghost; singing original, personal songs of praise; she touches you deep within, and has a testimony that’ll have you on the edge of your seat. Linda believes Gospel music has transcended in unimaginable ways. Those who enjoy it today are not necessarily church people, and it’s reaches people everywhere from all generations.
In 2019 Linda won grand prize at the Exclesisa Gospel Showcase. What separated her was her multidimensional ability to sing quartet, praise and worship, traditional and contemporary music. Her advice to younger singers - Put God first, be true to who you are and sing from your heart
Spiritual Believers
The Fantastic Spiritual Believers are known as “The House Shakers” were organized in January 1969 by Mr. Simon Congress and the Late Mr. Leonard Nickerson. Congress and Nickerson had a dream to create a gospel quartet group that would sing songs of worship that would illuminate and edify both the mind and spirit of all God’s children. Known for their up-tempo "drives" that was made famous by the world famous Blind Boys of Mississippi, The Dixie Hummingbirds and the Pilgrim Jubilees.
The Fantastic Spiritual Believers have been singing God’s praises for more than 50 Years. They have traveled and appeared with many gospels quartet greats; and have several 45’s, LP’s and CD’s that can be heard on airwaves across the country. One only need to see the Believers live to know why they proudly carry the title, the Fantastic Spiritual Believers.
Today, The Fantastic Spiritual Believers are managed by Mr. Lacy Lynch and the members consist of Pastor Lontrelle Benford Sr, James Bethune Sr, Earnest Epps Jr, Chris Mathis , Davon Henderson and Charlie GriffinThey are a close knit quartet-referred to as brothers; concerned about the welfare of each other.
The Believers latest musical project “On The Right Road Now.” The song speaks of their faith and beliefs, that that Worship is the foundation for a real relationship with God. According to The Spiritual Believers, “It is our prayer that whenever you hear the Fantastic Spiritual Believers whether via radio, online, or live in concert, that you will enjoy our music, and be encouraged to become and/or to remain a “Believer.”
Mary Glover
Mary Glover, gospel singing sensation and powerhouse from the Midwest, was born and raised, in Lima, Ohio. Mary as she is affectionately known as began singing at the early age of seven years old. Although truly blessed with her own unique style has been compared to gospel legends Pastor Shirley Caesar and Vanessa Bell Armstrong for her timing and stirring delivery of God’s message in song. Mary’s music has touched and inspired people in all walks of life and across and beyond both traditional and contemporary music boundaries.
In 2011, after performing at the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) she would later sign on as a New Artist on the New Jersey based label Jet Record’s with Bishop T. Cooper, Owner/Executive Producer and son, Steve Cooper, Owner/Producer and Songwriter.
Mary Glover & C.O.M.P.A.N.Y. (produced by her husband, Mr. Willie Glover, bass player for the World Famous Blind Boys of Mississippi) has received national recognition and identified her immediately in the gospel industry with the release of “Bless Me”. She has appeared on TV One on the Gospel of Music of Jeff Major; and on B.E.T., at the Bobby Jones Gospel Show. The song “I’m Going There” off the “Bless Me” project became a hit and was listed on Bobby Jones Radio Show as one of the most requested songs within the top 20 countdown. Mary continues to give God all the praise for the blessings in her life. She states, “My true and ultimate goal in my singing ministry is to make a positive impact on God’s people, encourage the saved and bring more souls to Christ!”
Carlton Fellows
Aftra/Sag Affiliate, vocalist, composer and choral conductor, Carlton Fellows has served as music director for many church denominations in Greater Cleveland for the past 41 years. He conducts choir clinics throughout the United States and Europe. Carlton is a published GIA composer who's inducted into the National Baptist Hymnal “Total Praise.”
Carlton has several CD projects, “Just Givin Praise’, He’s God, a songbook with the CD entitled, Until Then. He was the GLORIES OF GOSPEL PRODUCTION “Solo Performer” a Musical, depicting the History of Gospel Music on College Campuses Regionally, THE HARLEM GOSPEL SINGERS “Featured Soloist” 16 week European Tour for 4 years, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BROADWAY PRODUCTION “Solo Performer” with the Michael Terry Singers, and the BBC Orchestra at the HACKNEY THEATER in London England, Appeared in the DICKHOUSE PRODUCTION of the Film “BAD GRANDPA”. Carlton in the founder and Artistic Director of Cleveland’s Premier Men’s Chorus, The Cleveland Men of Song.
Christian Brothers
The Christian Brothers were organized in December of 1982 by the late Rev. David LeSure, Esqulaira LeSure, Kelvin LeSure and Jimmy Gray; oldest brother, David LeSure Jr. joined the group after his discharge from the army. The Christian Brothers have traveled throughout the country praising God through songs, putting their faith in Him knowing someday they’d make an impact in the gospel music industry. Now 40 years later after many accomplishments The Christian Brothers has evolved since their album “Dripping and Dropping.” The Christian Brothers have been blessed to share the stage with some of gospels greatest artist such as Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’S, The Canton Spirituals, The Pilgrim Jubilees, Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites, The Gospel Four and The Mighty Clouds of Joy, to mention a few.
They’ve appeared on Chicago premier gospel television show “ SINGSATION”, they’ve been featured on The Gloryland Gospel Quartet Website twice for their coveted independent artist cd review. Both times they received 10 out of 10 which is the highest rating for a new cd. Some of their other accomplishment include several awards in their hometown of Cleveland, Ohio as well as in 2001 they were awarded the difficult to obtain perfect score of the new artist showcase at the American Gospel Quartet Convention in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2002 at the “Luther Barnes Fall Classic” they received first place in the new artist showcase. in 2003 they returned to Birmingham, Alabama for the “American Gospel Quartet Convention and was chosen by their peers, and concert goers as the nation’s favorite new artist of the year. The current group consist of Pastor Esqulaira LeSure, Minister Kelvin LeSure, Ellis Sims and Nate Ford. Pastor Esqulaira LeSure prays their music will minister souls and that it leads someone to Christ.