DENIECE WILLIAMS: Let’s Hear It For the Girl
by Kenya M. Yarbrough (interview by LaRita Shelby)

Deniece Williams
(Apr. 11, 2003) And now for another look at the “What happened to that talented artist” file. Let’s hear it for Deniece Williams! The songbird that peaked on the charts in the 1980s is now singing praises of the Word. After a start in the music industry in the early ‘70s working with such names as Stevie Wonder, Minnie Ripperton, Roberta Flack, and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, Williams’ first big peep came when her Columbia records debut single “Free,” hit #2 on the R&B charts in 1977. In the early 80s, the singer, whose range and style mirrored her idol, Ripperton, released her sophomore album that carried the hit “Silly.” Next up in 1982, the talented Williams released her third set, which featured her highest charting single to that date, “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle.”
At about the time “Miracle” was mesmerizing fans and radio listeners, Williams was coming off a tour with EWF and hooked up with lead singer Philip Bailey to do a gospel gig called “Jesus at the Roxy.” Shortly after, the songstress was picked to record a track for a new film titled “Footloose.” Williams recorded the song “Let’s Hear It For the Boy,” which shot the movie soundtrack and her LP of the same title to major chart and sales success. Follow-up singles on the release included the black female anthem “Black Butterfly” and the tropical “Next Love.”

“Let’s Hear It For the Boy,” had pop and R&B fans waiting to hear even more from Williams, but they were only soothed by the fond old school hours on their favorite radio station. (We were fienin' so much, the single was re-released in 1991).

Fast forwarding, Deniece Williams is on a campaign to hear it for one particular boy – Jesus (in a matter of words). The ‘80s icon is spreading the gospel with a ministry she’s built from her own life's trials and triumphs. After a successful career in the music business, Williams tours and talks about how and why she’s so thankful – not to mention a few stops, teaching others how to be successful in music, so they too can be thankful.

Rewinding back to 1982, it was the gospel show with Philip Bailey that really sparked Williams quest to enlightenment and she released gospel CDs, including the Grammy-nominated gospel single “Water Under the Bridge.”

“It happened and I wasn’t looking,” she explained. “I was the opening act for Earth, Wind & Fire and Philip Bailey was a baby Christian and we started having bible study together. So after the tour was over, he and I felt that we really wanted to get together and make a public statement about our faith and our love for Jesus Christ and to publicly thank him for everything that had happened in our careers and with our families. We went to the people at the Roxy [nightclub] and said we wanted to give a gospel show – it was called Jesus at the Roxy – and we did just gospel music and it turned out to be much more of a success than we had ever [thought] it would be. Hundreds of entertainers came.”

It was the success of that show that gave Williams the idea later to begin touring and doing shows and appearances sharing the gospel which now encompasses a radio show.

“This show is really a full blown extension of that because I do more speaking than I actually do singing,” she described. “I’m singing very, very little.”

Williams shared with us that she loves reading the word of God and no matter how often she reads and studies it, she always finds something new. Though she finds it a great experience for herself, Niecy clarified that she’s more moved by helping others.

“My heart is to encourage people because I think there are a lot of discouraged people now, and a lot of people that want to hear or get advice about something that’s working and there are a lot of people that know who I am and respect what God has done in my life and so the only way I can encourage them is through what has encouraged me, which is the word of God, but at the same time, bringing it down to a level where we can use it in our everyday life. That’s what I’m excited about.”

Even more than helping folks spiritually, Williams has been spending time helping aspiring artist and producers. The platinum-selling artist has shared her secrets for a successful music career with students at Howard, Ball State, and Indiana State Universities as a visiting professor.

“I think that that’s been another saving grace. But while I was writing, I had a friend who told me never to give up the publishing and he taught me the business of music – what the attorney did, what the manager did, what the agent did, what they cost to do their job, what points meant, percentages on your recording contract” she said. “I learned the business of music. I think that we need to understand more about money and what we make as artists.”

Singer, songwriter, professor, messenger, Mom – Deniece Williams is happy with all her titles, and the hard work she’s put into them and thrives on advice to take it one day at a time.

“When I look at everything that, not only myself, but everything that women do in the scope of a day, and especially as a single parent, it’s a very full plate. But, you know, my children’s grandmother says that you eat an elephant one bite at a time and that’s what I’m doing. Through the grace of God I’m eating this elephant one bite at a time."

One thing’s for sure, in everything she’s done and everything she’s planning to do, Williams always comes back to God.

“I used to feel bad because my mind had me going in so many directions and I used think, ‘You know, if I just had one desire of my heart or one particular thing that I liked to do, I would probably be better because I could be really super great at one thing,” she contemplated. “But I think that it’s been the diversity of my character and the diversity of my gifts that God had given me that has really kept me moving and constantly doing different things. I like the fact that God has allowed me to do different things.”

I love Deniece Williams, and I think vocally very few artisit can touch her. She can "SANG" as they say. It's always great (well usually), when a person gets in touch with their spiritual side. Though in this case I don't know anyone who's ever doubted her love for the gospel. It sort of puts me off when artists get their "calling" so to speak. Then abandon the songs that got them to where they're at. And it wasn't as if any of her songs where THAT secular anyway. I just don't see this being any news flash. I've always loved Deniece Wiliams and one of the things that drew me toward her was her love for the gospel. And her "Lullabys to Dreamland" album is great. (OK it's for kiddies, but hey I like lullabys too, hehehe). However, I will say this, if anyone is putting GOD first, then it's, *IMO* Case Closed! Can't argue with that one. God should always be first.
Deniece good for her!!!

Ok...I missed this part> "After a successful career in the music business, Williams tours and talks about how and why she’s so thankful – not to mention a few stops, teaching others how to be successful in music, so they too can be thankful. "

Guess she's not really abondoning her older songs. Maybe I was thinking of some other artisits who do!

I read that Today&Have followed Her Career.She is Something else&still looking fly after all of these years.what a Musical Ride She had? Catching Stevie Wonder&Maurice White during there Peak&Prime as Writers&Producers??