The Soul Messengerz

On July 15^th The Soul Messengerz performed at the Youth Scholarship Day event presented by New Creation in Christ Ministries. The evening commenced with songs of praise and worship by the praise team followed by an awesome heart touching performance by the dance ministry. Apostle Randy Walker and Appointed Time continued to set the atmosphere with a number of hand clapping, foot stomping tunes that had me rocking in my seat. Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. The Soul Messengerz took center stage.......much to the delight of the congregation. They performed several soul stirring songs from their CD Grace & Mercy including Lend A Hand, Have Mercy On Me, and Been So Good To Me. We were also treated with a preview of Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come (which may possibly be in the line up to be recorded for the next release).Their harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary gospel is truly a refreshing complement to the music industry. Afterwards I had the opportunity to meet and interview The Soul Messengerz. The members are DeCarlo Coley (vocals) who is also the pastor of New Creation in Christ Ministries, James Vines Sr. (lead/background vocals), Johnny Matthews (2^nd lead/background vocals), Justin Young (lead guitar/musical director), Charles Young (bass guitar), Gregory Parrish (keyboards), James Vines Jr. (drums) and Jeff Chandler (keyboards/organ).

Here are excerpts from the interview:

The WIRE 4 Artists:  When was the Gospel Messengerz formed?

The Soul Messengerz:  We started in November of 2008 as just a local group in the area (Washington, DC) singing at a lot of local concerts. From there we continued to grow and began to sing on bigger stages with a lot of well renowned groups. We won the Allstate Gospel SuperFest in 2010 and recorded our first album entitled Grace & Mercy under Malaco Records. We’ve been singing across the country…..God has blessed us in just three and a half years time and…….that’s about it. That’s The Soul Messengerz…… with a “z”.

The WIRE 4 Artists: What do you think the group’s biggest achievement is?

The Soul Messengerz:  I think our greatest achievement thus far is when we did our first live recording. Then being signed with Malaco Records was a tremendous blessing for us. All the achievements are well… but it’s just us coming together…. being able to fellowship as brothers, and being able to send a positive message for other young black men who are aspiring to sing gospel music.

The WIRE 4 Artists: Can you tell me about your CD “Grace & Mercy”?

The Soul Messengerz:  Grace & Mercy is the title of the CD. We chose that song because “grace” talks about God’s favor and “mercy” talks about God’s forgiveness. It was just really the favor of God that has brought us where we are now. We recorded this first CD after about a year and a half of singing, and in two years we were signed with a major record company. So that’s just the favor of God you know… it’s no goodness of our own, not that we’ve done anything….so great… but it’s just been God’s grace upon us and His mercy. He looked beyond our faults. Earlier we were singing that song Have Mercy It is really a testament to no matter how much of a mess you find yourself in, God can take your mess and make a message out of it and that’s what He has done for The Soul Messengerz.

Many thanks to The Soul Messengerz!!! It was a great pleasure meeting you and I wish youmuch success as you continue to spread the “Good News”.  I would also like to extend congratulations to James Vines Jr. and the youth of New Creation in Christ Ministries for their scholastic achievements!!! You can get the Grace & Mercy CD in stores and online at Walmart, Best Buy, Kemp Mill Records, Sears, Amazon and iTunes. It is definitely a worthy addition to any music collection.

Peace & Blessings