Grammy Nominated and Stellar Award Winner Calvin Bridges is celebrated as a living Gospel legend! Calvin has released his single 'Jesus Is Lord' and Louder Than The Music jumped at the chance to chat with him to find out about the new single, plus his insight into making music.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I've loved music for as long as I can remember... I started out pursuing a professional career in secular music. But after hearing my pastor at the time say,... Read MoreGrammy Nominated and Stellar Award Winner Calvin Bridges is celebrated as a living Gospel legend! Calvin has released his single 'Jesus Is Lord' and Louder Than The Music jumped at the chance to chat with him to find out about the new single, plus his insight into making music.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I've loved music for as long as I can remember... I started out pursuing a professional career in secular music. But after hearing my pastor at the time say, "When we pray, we talk to God... but when we read the Bible, God speaks to us". Hmmm... I wanted to know what God was saying to me so I started reading the Bible voraciously! This began my Christian musical journey to record Gospel music exclusively.
I was blessed to release my first recording as a label mate of Edwin Hawkins (great inspiration and mentor). Fast forward many years later, I've been blessed to share the Grammy stage with Albertina Walker performing my music, perform with Patti LaBelle for PBS, Stevie Wonder, Pop Staples and have my songs performed/recorded by Alicia Keys, Luciano Pavarotti & The Boys Choir of Harlem, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Oslo Gospel Choir and many others... Now having ministered in 20 countries, God continues to grant my heart's desire to lift the name of Jesus. My heart sings... So, "from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks",-Jesus!
Tell us about your single 'Jesus Is Lord' and what the inspiration behind it was?
JESUS IS LORD is a celebration in song... a Herald… A global proclamation to Earth and Heaven that Jesus Lives and He Reigns Forever - King of kings, Lord of lords, Son of God!
My inspiration: Because of who He is to me and all that He has given to us, this song shares my personal testimony... my relationship to Jesus and how precious He is to me... "Blood bought, fire baptized... wrote my name in the Lamb's Book of Life, and I'm saved!!!"
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Yes I do! I'm compiling a studio album presently, hoping to get in the studio early next month with perspective tracks...
What message would you like people to take from your music?
My music is about the GOSPEL Message in the Gospel song that spreads the “Good News” about Jesus!" Jesus is joy to me... I pray my songs relate and compel listeners to want to know that joy by having a personal relationship with the Father, through Jesus the Christ our Lord!
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
My style of music is Christian Soul! I love so many styles/genres of music and God has blessed me to have fans/supporters and concert attendees that range from 6 -60 years of age. Loving and wanting to reach as many hearts as possible, I am musically diverse whether it's a traditional Hymn or a thumping contemporary track! My musical influences are Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Andrae Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Kenny Gamble... and the list goes on!
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I would love to work with Cece Winans!!! The music and lyric/message content in her songs is always so powerful, so compelling and most often celebratory of faith, hope and trust in God! ...And Always Anointed!
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
To reach into the hearts of people! ...Touching souls and lives with the saving grace of loving and knowing God! Receiving the compliment that you really touched my life when you sang... not just sounded good, means so much more to me as and artist, performer... music minister.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Loving so many... I must respond, of mine, Renew my Spirit (I AM LAbel); or Stevie Wonder-Innervisions!
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
If my recording, I'd say "Chosen"; Otherwise, I'd say the Hymn, "Days of Elijah!".
What does the next year hold for you?
Only God knows! Releasing new music... I pray for more live engagements; New countries... and continuing the mission God has given me to take the Gospel to the nations.
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