Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 9-3-21

Local
Gospel Artist, Debra Williams Set To Release First Solo Project
Debra Williams, a well- known pianist and songstress of the Tampa Bay Area, will be releasing new music on her first solo EP Project, Sep- tember 11, 2021.
A native of Tampa, Ms. Williams began to minister in song at the age of seven, leading her first song at The Greater Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, while singing in the A. L. Brown Youth Choir. The first song she led was the hymn, “I Come to the Garden Alone.” It was then that Debra knew when she sings there’s an anointed feel- ing she could not explain.
She knew there was a call on her life to minister in song for the Lord Jesus Christ being ordained, anointed and appointed by God. Debra attributes her playing the piano to her mom, the late
Ada Priscilla Little-Red- dick, who introduced her to the Lord Jesus Christ serving in the church.
Her mom noticed her coming home from church, going on the front porch, get- ting a cardboard box turning it over pretending to play a piano, while her neighbors and sisters would be the choir.
Debra reflects, “We would re-enact the entire church service, shout and have church on the porch in Central Park right after church.” Later, her mom purchased a toy piano where she would play, and “it later manifested into a reality be- coming a gospel musician and for this, I am forever grateful.”
Her mom sent her to take piano lessons from the late
DEBRA WILLIAMS
ect ...To release first solo proj-
Barbara Jean Williams in 1978, a teacher who taught her to play the piano by ear.
The late, Mo. Eddie Mae Jackson, Adele Pease, Mo. Mozella Jack- son introduced her to Jubilee and Quartet Group Singing, where she would play piano
and lead soul- stirring songs in the group.
Her inspirations were
Dorothy Love Coates, The William Sisters, The Truthettes, Shirley Ceasar, Mighty Clouds of Joy and many others sparked her interest.
Some churches and others she has played piano for were: The Voices of Zion Singers, New Mt. Silla M. B. Church, Mt. Pleasant M. B. Church, Greater Friendship M. B. Church, New Progress M. B. Church, Hope of Shiloh Community Church and Lov- ing Hill P. B. Church, and she was Manager of The Gospel Miraclettes for over 30 years.
Now, The Journey
September 11, 2021, the amazing singer-songwriter will release her First EP enti- tled, “Heaven is a Beautiful Place.” Debra states, “There is an amazing story behind the song. The uplifting EP ex- plores to encourage you that all believers of the Lord Jesus Christ have a home in Heaven.”
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Debra says she decided to join Exploring the World of Songwriting, a course being offered by EvoWorld Entertainment/ Music Group, taught by the renowned Lisa Knowles- Smith. “What an amazing experience! Initially, after joining the class, I stated to the class, ‘I’m not sure why I’m here, I’m not a song-
writer,’ not realizing it was the beginning of a ‘New Jour- ney’ which the Lord had al- ready prepared.”
Debra remained commit- ted to the class from begin- ning to the end, stating, “you have to change your mindset to move forward.” This expe- rience has birthed writing three songs and the launch of her own business, DDW Min- istries, to further pursue the plan God has for her.
Those who she is grateful to for their support during this journey are: her hus- band, Eric Williams, daughters, Demetria Geathers and Teresa Jor- dan, for their amazing love and support throughout the entire Journey.
Debra will be celebrating on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 34th Street Church of God, Tampa, 33605 with spe- cial guests – Lisa Knowles- Smith, Coco and the Chosen Ones, Predes- tined and Heard by God. “I am looking forward to see- ing all my family and friends from down through the years.”
For additional informa- tion go to: WWW.DDWMu- sic.Eventbrite.com. There will be LIMITED SEATING and all precautions will be fol- lowed -- sanitized sanctuary, social distancing, mask and temperature check RE- QUIRED!
Contact Debra Williams at Information DDWMusic09@gmail.com.
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