MEN OF GRACE
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MEN OF GRACE

Pontiac, Michigan, United States | SELF

Pontiac, Michigan, United States | SELF
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"WITH VIDEOS: Men of Grace in national choir competition"

By JEN BUCCIARELLI
Special to The Oakland Press

The Men of Grace gospel group is competing in the Verizon Wireless "How Sweet the Sound" contest. The group from left: John "JR" Rivers, Dereck Vulcano, Mark Gillery, Sr., Quinton McCool, Jr., Herbert Mullin and Dwayne Anthony. Not pictured is David Lawson. The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON

The Men of Grace choir of Grace Gospel Fellowship in Pontiac is competing in the Verizon Wireless “How Sweet the Sound” Gospel Choir Competition with hopes of entering the third round shortly after this weekend.

The nine members of the all-male choir average 15 years old — all who have graduated from the Grace Centers of Hope one-year rehabilitation program, said the Rev. Kent Clark of Grace Gospel Fellowship, CEO of Grace Centers of Hope.

“They are just a great bunch of guys that have literally gotten their lives back,” he said.

Grace Centers of Hope is Oakland County’s oldest and largest homeless shelter, tackling the issues of homelessness, addiction, poverty and spiritual emptiness.

The faith-based group performs often at public events, from cruise ships to the floor of the state Senate.

Entering in the “How Sweet the Sound” competition, the group advanced from round one, which consisted of submitting a video from the group, to round two — online voting.

Once a day, until Sunday August 1, “anybody can vote, from any state, for the Men of Grace” by visiting www.HowSweetTheSound.com, Clark said.

Groups in small, medium and large choir categories will advance to the third round, which is “a big event at the Joe Louis Arena,” he said.

Groups chosen to advance will perform a live concert covered by the Gospel Music Channel.

From there, the final groups will compete on a national level.

“It’s really a neat thing,” Clark said, adding that if the group wins, it will “give such hope to the people in the troughs of drug addiction.”

Derek Vulcano, a leading member of the Men of Grace for 11 years, said when he first joined the group, he was impressed with the emphasis on music as part of recovery.

The faith-based group performs often at public events, from cruise ships to the floor of the state Senate.

Entering in the “How Sweet the Sound” competition, the group advanced from round one, which consisted of submitting a video from the group, to round two — online voting.

Once a day, until Sunday August 1, “anybody can vote, from any state, for the Men of Grace” by visiting www.HowSweetTheSound.com, Clark said.

Groups in small, medium and large choir categories will advance to the third round, which is “a big event at the Joe Louis Arena,” he said.

Groups chosen to advance will perform a live concert covered by the Gospel Music Channel.

From there, the final groups will compete on a national level.

“It’s really a neat thing,” Clark said, adding that if the group wins, it will “give such hope to the people in the troughs of drug addiction.”

Derek Vulcano, a leading member of the Men of Grace for 11 years, said when he first joined the group, he was impressed with the emphasis on music as part of recovery.

He said the group is all about recovery, sharing stories with others and of course, the music.

“I like the whole package,” Vulcano said.

The Men of Grace has produced seven CDs and one DVD so far, with a main sponsor being Pepsi Co.

“They are big supporters of what we do,” Vulcano said, noting the sponsor purchased nearly $60,000 worth of CDs for Christmas when the group produced its first album.

“Men of Grace really gives hope to people,” Vulcano said. While performing, “you can see it in their eyes, we are giving hope,” he said.

The group recently sang July 24 at the Grace Festival of the Arts, and will perform Labor Day weekend at Gull Lake Ministries in Hickory Corners for a three-day family conference.

- The Oakland Press


Discography

Saved - CD
I Believe - CD
One Child
Hymns Volume 1
MOG Live
MOG Live (DVD)
Changed - CD
Merry Christmas - CD (w/ Alexander Zonjic)
Send Me A Sign (w/ Alexander Zonjic)

Photos

Bio

The Men of Grace were formed in 1999 as a musical ministry of Grace Gospel Fellowship in Pontiac, Michigan. The purpose of their ministry is to spread the Gospel of
Jesus Christ through song and to minister to men and women who are suffering or have suffered from addiction and abuse. Each of the members of Men of Grace has
overcome abuse and drug and or alcohol addiction and is a living testimony of the saving power of Jesus Christ.
Nearly each member of the Men of Grace is a graduate of Grace Centers of Hope. As one of southeast Michigan’s largest faith-based organizations, Grace Centers of Hope provides a continuum of care for men, women and children experiencing homelessness. From emergency food and shelter to long-term life and work skills programs, the organization helps empower individuals to become productive and responsible citizens. With an annual
operating budget of $4.4 million, Grace Centers of Hope accepts no government funding and 100 percent of its revenues is obtained through private support, its four thrift stores and fundraising initiatives held throughout the year.
The Men of Grace have recorded eight CD’s. They have toured the country performing for U.S. Presidents, Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, churches of every size and denomination, homeless shelters and nearly every Cracker Barrel east of the Mississippi. The Men of Grace have toured and performed with leading jazz, gospel, and contemporary Christian rock performers including: Alexander Zonjic, Tammi Trent, Dorinda Clark, Reggie Lafay, Matthew West and Tenth Avenue North to name a few. They were a regional finalist in Verizon’s 2010 How Sweet the Sound Gospel Choir Competition and have appeared regularly on the TCT Network. They have also been featured on the 700 Club.
Their musical style of gospel, smooth jazz and blues emphasizes their vocal harmonies and mixes a blend of classic Christian and original music.