We were lucky to catch up with Derrick Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Derrick, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I have always known since I was a child that I was created by GOD to sing and play the piano. I have been blessed with genetics from a musical family of vocalists and pianists with my mom, Doris, a Gospel Recording Artist being my greatest inspiration. I remember the vocal groups always rehearsing in our living room as I was growing up. My musical gifts were discovered at the age of five. Although I never studied music professionally, at the age of eight, I began singing and playing the piano for a Sunday School Service. My inspiring Gospel roots propelled me to excel in music via high school choirs—thus winning multiple talent contests and awards during my adolescent years. I always knew that pursuing a creative | artistic path was always right for me. I was never one to sit in a classroom learning in the traditional sense or to attend a formal college education. I attempted college but it just wasn’t for me. I have never taken piano or vocal lessons because I have always had the gift to sing and play. It wasn’t until I was 26 years old before I decided to get serious, practice my craft a minimum of eight hours a day. and to use my gifts to make a living professionally!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Derrick Williams and I am a Vocalist, Pianist, Songwriter, Praise and Worship Leader and Host of “The Gospel Voice” TV show. I have been entertaining live audiences as a solo act, duo, trio & full band for the past 20 years.– performing Gospel, Jazz, Motown, Rhythm & Blues, Rock, and Dance music around Tampa Bay at restaurants, private parties, and corporate events. I was coined “The The Music Man” – bringing back that “old time” quality live entertainment.
After a guest appearance in 2007 on the Christian Television Network’s flagship program, “The Good Life”, hosted by the network’s late president and founder, Bob D’Andrea, I was contacted by CTN and offered a 30 minute weekly music show. The show airs nationally across the network, Dish, Direct TV, and satellite Networks reaching 51 million households nationwide and the network reaching 551 million households worldwide.
I am the Host of “The Gospel Voice”, an energetic and inspiring weekly music show featuring my unique songwriting and musical style blending an extraordinary mix of Traditional & Contemporary, Original, Gospel and Christian music –fused with Jazz, Rock, Rhythm and Blues, and Soul…. I am joined on stage by the finest musicians & vocalists who all share a love for the Lord! The show occasionally features musical guests, praise & worship leaders, and liturgical dancers. The Gospel Voice (TGV) airs nationally every week across all Christian Television Networks (CTN) on Wednesdays 9:00 PM EST, Fridays 8:30 PM EST, & Sundays 12:30 AM EST. The Gospel Voice is produced by The Christian Television Network Headquarter Studios and celebrates17 successful years on air in 2024. For more info visit www.thegospelvoicetvshow.com or on social media at The Gospel Voice.
The success of the The Gospel Voice TV Show has warranted a live performance venue for fans, believers, and visiting patrons to enjoy an evening of Dinner & Praise with Derrick Williams and The Gospel Voice Band. Fans wanted to see live what they watch on the show every week. The concept of Sunday’s Soulful Supper, a new and exciting sophisticated Contemporary Gospel dinner show experience was born. The Gospel Voice Ministries and local restaurant venues paired to create an ingredient of fine dining, contemporary American cuisine, and quality Gospel / Christian entertainment. The concept was to bring back the dinner show feel with quality entertainment. The success of the dinner show has brought patrons in from all of The Tampa Bay area and the opportunity to take the dinner show to other venues. To learn more or to book a Sunday’s Soulful Supper Brunch or Dinner Show at your restaurant, venue, or church please contact us on Facebook at Sunday’s Soulful Supper or visit www.thegospelvoicetvshow.com.
My first love of music will always be Gospel music growing up and being raised in Alabama in the Southern Baptist Church. My mom sang and played the piano for our Sunday church service and was my biggest inspiration. I sang in the choir and played the piano for my Sunday School Service which gave me the foundation to excel in music during my adolescent years and to become a musical entertainer in my early adult years. My first professional gig was in Bradenton, Florida playing keyboards and singing lead vocals with a five-piece band to 50s and 60’s tunes. “The Jury,” an appropriate name for a band which appeared nightly at the Judges‘ Chambers gave me the foundation I needed to become one of Florida’s premier and most versatile entertainers. In an effort to increase my versatility, I joined a band and began playing Smooth and Contemporary Jazz music around the Tampa Bay Area. I have always continued to play and sing for the church as a Praise & Worship Leader. and to use my gifts to glorify GOD first!
In an effort to reach a larger fan base and sell my music, I founded Derlie Records, Inc. (pronounced “DeerLee”) , an independent recording label company, in Florida. As CEO, I head the label’s Creative Services Department, creating an avenue to independently showcase my songwriting and producing skills—while maintaining my creative control. The goal for my record company is to reach a larger market and audiences, sometimes difficult to reach with a smaller independent label. With the change in the landscape of the record label and music industry so many opportunities are now available to Independent artists and labels that didn’t exist 10 years ago. With social media and platforms like Tik Tok, You Tube, Facebook, & Instagram you are now able to market and reach audiences from around the world. Music distribution has changed from Compact Discs to digital downloads and streaming. The way a musician makes money has changed from selling tangible records & compact discs to collecting royalties from streaming and digital platforms such as Spotify and Apple music. Your music can now be monetized collecting royalties from YouTube, social media platforms, etc…Zoom allows you to offer concerts, music lessons and vocal training webinars in addition to live gigs. I will be releasing a Gospel Album in late 2024 which will consist of my original songs and a few covers. The album will be available worldwide on all music platforms.
I have always taken advantage of performance opportunities to open doors and blaze new pathways. After a performance on a Fox 13’s TV Christmas Special, I was contacted by a Writer and Producer of a Gospel Musical in development titled, the “Rock and the Rabbi”. The musical was to debut at the 73,000-square-foot Ruth Eckerd Hall–one of Florida’s premier performing arts venues. I originated the lead role of the “Rabbi”, joining the cast in 98′ —for this one weekend performance. The show dramatically acquaints
its audience with a very “old Story”– about the compelling relationship between Apostle Simon / Peter, a fisherman, (The Rock) and Jesus of Nazareth (The Rabbi). After receiving rave reviews, the show was contracted for a two year run showing every weekend at The Plaza Theatre in Orlando, Florida. Pam Harbaugh of the FLORIDA TODAY writes “Derrick Williams, voicing Jesus Christ, seems to carve the song out of the air around him. He has amazing control and range and delivers a powerhouse performance”. The show then toured on a Broadway ticket with Celebrity Attractions, a national touring company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma playing to sold out crowds at prestigious venues throughout the country — affording tens of thousands of fans nationwide. After the tour ended, the Rock and The Rabbi continued to sell out crowds in venues across the nation with its farewell performance in 2022.
I am most proud of being able to make a living doing what I love to do and to support my family on my gift to play the piano, sing, and write music for the past 25 years. I have opened doors for my daughter, Jordan Denise Williams, who is also a singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. I am available for bookings, appearances, corporate events, parties, weddings, & praise & worship– performing Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Motown, Classic Hits, Dance, and Contemporary & Traditional Gospel and Christian music.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think that non-creative people may struggle to understand why creatives pursue a career in the creative arts with such difficult pathways to success! What they may not realize is that a lot of creatives are born with creative gifts that they are passionate about and it drives their ambitions everyday! I am gifted to play the piano and sing with no formal training in piano or vocal lessons. Singing, songwriting & playing the piano is not what I do; it’s who I am and what God has gifted me to be! I would do this whether or not I am getting paid. Yes, we have to earn a living but my passion is not driven by money! People may not realize the amount of time I have to spend songwriting and creating the music, practicing scales on the piano, and doing vocal warm ups every day. I have to practice music for gigs, assure proper diet and rest for my vocal health, and stay in a happy frame of mind maintaining my emotional well being which is key to entertain and create music. All of these things have to happen to perform at my optimal level!
Entertaining and writing music is not easy and it’s a job that affects you personally. Being creative doesn’t turn on and off from 9Am -5 PM during normal business hours. I can’t turn off the music I hear in my head or ignore an inspiration for a song when it appears. Creating music for the world to hear can elicit fear that your work isn’t good enough or the stress of being judged on social media. This can lead to things like writer’s block and not wanting to pursue your passion for music. Lastly, People may perceive creatives as laid back or “laissez-faire” but those of us who make a living from gigging, webinars, teaching and recording our music are very disciplined in our routines. We have to practice our instrument(s) and do scales to maintain dexterity, vocal exercises, and drinking plenty of water so that we can continue to deliver our creative expression!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I believe that society as a whole benefits from artists and creatives who help influence and inspire new creative ways of thinking and help shape how we view the world. Society can best support artists and creatives by changing attitudes and perceptions about deeming creative pursuits as “not a real job” and to not value creative paths in comparison to traditional pathways such as doctors, lawyers, accountants etc… There are many levels that creatives can perform at that dictate how much money they can earn especially, with worldwide social media platforms.
Communities can support artists and creatives by seeing their work as valuable and by schools, families, and local businesses supporting the arts and creative dreams. They can also buy their work and music, attend performances and shows, hire them to play, perform, or sell items at their restaurants and venues, following them on social media, and by sharing their creative works!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.derrickwilliamsvocalist.com
- Instagram: Derrick Williams Vocalist
- Facebook: Derrick Williams Vocalist
- Twitter: Derrick Vocalist
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thegospelvoice
- Other: www.thegospelvoicetvshow.com Facebook: The Gospel Voice Instagram: The Gospel Voice TV Show Twitter: TheGospelVoice2