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Praise and worship is one of gospel music’s most powerful genres. In addition to the song itself, what makes the praise and worship experience so riveting is the worship leader. It takes one anointed by God to lead His people into His presence. Terrell Hunt is certainly one ordained for this specific purpose.
That’s one of the reasons he’s been hailed by gospel great Vickie Winans as “one of the most crazy-gifted and anointed psalmists I've had the pleasure to hear or meet. His debut CD, "Awesome," and his ministry will have a major impact on the body of Christ and will truly be a breath of fresh air." Winans isn’t alone. Stellar Award Winner Jonathan Nelson also raves by saying, “Terrell Hunt is refreshing! I know that he will be instrumental in helping many worshippers experience the manifest presence of God!” Now the world has a chance to experience what the gospel community has known for years.
Releasing on July 24, 2007 on RichEscape Music, Awesome is Hunt’s introduction into the world of live recording and is simply a masterpiece of praise and worship tunes. As a gifted songwriter (and principal one on this project), Hunt delivers impeccable and perfectly-executed songs of honor and praise to the Lord.
Opening the musical collage of memorable music is the high-energy anthem, “Worship The Lord”. With its banging beat and dynamic background vocals, the listener can’t help but “bless His name”. “Worship The Lord” flows seamlessly into the beautifully-penned, “This Is The Day”. Another Terrell Hunt jewel, this one quickly catches the ear with its moving lyrics and complementary orchestral stylings. Peppered with strains of contemporary Christian elements, the song speaks about the wonders the Lord has done. Hunt has an uncanny ability to pull you into worship and praise with him. It’s hard to sit down on this tune or on the Caribbean-flavored track, “Awesome God”, another mid-tempo sing-along. Another rhythmic, head-bobber is the Latin-tinged “O Give Thanks”.
Although Terrell shines brightly on the upbeat songs, it seems that he’s exceptionally-gifted when it comes to ballads of worship to God. Songs like the pretty, emotive “Glorify Thy Name” and Hunt’s captivating rendition of the church classic “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” literally bring the listener at the feet of God. But the track that brings one into the very Throne Room of God is the CD’s title track, “Awesome”. With classical yet contemporary melodies, it’s simply breathtaking. This one begs for lifted hands.
Fans of Hunt’s music ministry will have trouble finding a favorite on Awesome. “Declaration of Holiness”, an incredible worship song with clear influences from praise and worship icons Richard Smallwood and Byron Cage, is worthy of the repeat button. “You Are” and “We Worship You In The Beauty Of Holiness/Oh Lord Most High” are winners as well.
Flaunting his exceptional ability to move flawlessly from one genre to another, Hunt takes on a jazzy “Heavenly Father”. Soft, sweet soprano vocals accent this mellow and gratitude-laden musical work. A relaxed and pensive track is the stirring “I’m Desperate For You”. Sung from the heart of someone yearning for the presence of God, the song is a perfect way to close out this “awesome” collection of music.
The focus of Awesome is clearly on the splendor of God and Hunt does a superb job of reminding us of God’s amazing traits. Produced by RichEscape’s Terrence Richburg, Amos Saint Jean and Hunt himself, this project is destined to position this young artist as one of today’s up-and-coming praise and worship leaders. - The D.C. Gospel News Update
Terrell Hunt’s Awesome is a great compilation of sing-along worship tunes, full of genuine vocals and excellent instrumentation.
The DC native’s 2007 debut was produced Terrence Richburg of the DC independent label, RichEscape Music, who has also produced, written, and played for some of DC’s most notable artists, including Nolan Williams, Jr., Kim Jordan, Jeremiah Murphy, Maurette Brown Clark, and John Stoddart.
Awesome begins with “Worship the Lord,” a tune grounded in several Psalms with an old-time church sound. Listeners can have fun with the toe-tapping, upbeat bass line, and a background vocal arrangement that has the singers jumping between unison and three-part harmony. Hunt leads the worship, exhorting everyone to “Clap your hands…get on your feet…show some sign if you know the Lord is worthy!”
The praise continues with Hunt’s take on the widely-covered “This Is The Day,” already a DC-area favorite. Another beat-happy tune, Hunt does more directing, letting his background vocalists do the work, which works fine. Near the end, as the singers kick into a high-spirited refrain, Hunt lets loose with praise, “When I think of His goodness, and everything He’s done for me, my soul gets happy!”
The reprise to “This Is The Day” that follows is just as satisfying as the original. Hunt and his singers do a smooth call-and-response of ‘Mar-ve-lous’ and ‘Won-der-ful’ over a mid-tempo, rhythmic flow of intertwining drums, cymbals, and bass guitar. In “Glorify Your Name,” Psalm 86 is recited over more than six minutes of flowing worship and clever background vocals that turn harmony on and off with each syllable of a soft “Hallelujah” refrain.
Then Hunt goes into “Spontaneous Praise.” Accompanied only by the piano, he sings the first bar of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” before testifying about God’s faithfulness in his life. In the title track, listeners should enjoy his gentle delivery over the song’s beautiful composition of only piano, violin, and bass violin and soft background vocals. “Oh Give Thanks” is probably the most contemporary-sounding track on the project, with high horns, funky drums, organ, keyboards, and heavy bass and lead guitars. But listeners can rest assured the track is not overdone; the tempo is just right for Hunt’s vocal style.
“Heavenly Father,” adds Brazilian flavor and Hunt even sings in Spanish before closing out the tune.
And “Desperate For You,” at the close of the CD, is a ballad, played nicely with Hunt leading over minimal background vocals. Hunt takes an artistic risk here by including a lone ballad on a project that is predominantly praise and worship, but it works.
With easy arrangements, infectious rhythms, and sincere worship, Hunt really does take listeners on his Awesome journey. - Colette Harrod
"His debut release is nothing short of authentic, inspirational worship, rich in Scripture and repetitious praise, Hunt is the devoted leader of one choral anthem after another that are breathtaking reminders of what whole-hearted, submissive worship can be.” - Worship Leader Magazine
Discography
Artist: Terrell Hunt
CD: Awesome
Year: 2007
Lead vocalist, songwriter, producer, background vocalist
Artist: El Shaddai
CD: More than Enough
Year: 2006
Background vocalist, lead vocalist, and writer
Artist: Henry McKenzie Davis
CD: For the Rest of My Days
Year: 2004
Background vocalist (as a member of El Shaddai), lead vocalist, and arranger
Artist: Metro Praiz
CD: Self Titled
Year: 2000
Guest lead vocalist
Artist: Debbie Steele
CD: A New Beginning
Year: 1998
Background vocalist
Artist: Wintley Phipps
CD: The Sun Will Shine Again
Year: 1990
Background vocalist (as a member of New Genesis Gospel Choir)
Photos
Bio
There are some whose lifes calling is clearly evident from the moment they take their first breath. Stellar Award Nominee Terrell Hunt is certainly an individual who falls into this category. Emerging from a family overflowing with singers, choral conductors, musicians, songwriters, studio engineers, producers, recording artists and even pastors, his musical gifts began to unfold at the age of 4. It wasnt long after his first solo Im So In Love With Jesus, performed at the Bladensburg Seven Day Adventist (SDA) Church where he grew up, that little Terry began sharing the stage and ministering with gospel greats Vickie Winans, Karen Clark-Sheard, Daryl Coley, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, BeBe Winans, Marvin Sapp, Vanessa R. Williams, Beverly Crawford, Tramaine Hawkins, El Shaddai, Henry McKenzie Davis and many others. With a calling on his life and a burning desire in his heart, Terrells purpose has always been and will continue to be to offer sincere praise and worship to God with the deepest commitment. His awe-inspiring array of gifts and talents are becoming apparent to the world with the debut release of his new CD, Awesome.
With his God inspired gifts, Terrell, was propelled into singing in his churchs adult choir and ultimately, internationally. With his mothers support and encouragement, he traveled extensively performing concerts across the globe. He was blessed with several golden opportunities, especially for one so young, to record with his world renowned pastor, Wintley Phipps, along with the New Genesis Gospel Choir and the gospel choir of the Capitol Hill SDA Church in Washington, DC on Pastor Phipps CD project The Sun Will Shine Again. Hunt was featured on the track, Forgiven. During that time, Terrell became a member and lead vocalist for the D.C. Boys Choir under the direction of Ann Foster, with whom he performed the African National Anthem for and shook hands with Nelson Mandela during his visit to Washington, DC - a true life-changing experience for Terrell.
As a young solo artist coming into his own, Terrell has accomplished much including singing duets with Vickie Winans and Karen Clark-Sheard for a 13-show run of the very popular Evangel Cathedral Christmas Production (located in Largo, MD) in 2003. Another career-shaping experience was Terrells opportunity to share co-starring roles with Daryl Coley, Joey Kibble of the GRAMMY Award winning group Take 6, Paul Heflin, and Monique Steele in the ImpAct multimedia gospel musical stage play "War Games." Over the years, Ive had the privilege to meet and perform with some of Gospels finest, recounts the artist. God has placed me on some platforms I never even dreamed of.
Terrells ministry has now matured into a full-grown Levitical movement for the enrichment and advancement of Gods Kingdom. It was after songs started coming to him, that he realized the enormity of the calling upon his life. When I was 19 or 20, songs started coming to me out of the blue.
There would be a whole song a verse, the chorus if there was a bridge, I would get the bridge and a vamp. I would go to the bible and pick a verse out and write about it. It was all coming straight from God. When I had the opportunity to sing my first original song, I truly understood that music ministry was something that God had called me to, recalls Hunt.
Ordained Music Minister, Worship Leader, Recording Artist, Songwriter, Producer, Vocal Coach and Music Ministry Leadership Training Consultant are just some of the many hats worn by Terrell today. But his main focus, chief joy and love is ministering to the people of God through music ministry. It is his goal to create an atmosphere conducive to usher the people of God into His presence.
To this end, Terrells long-awaited first solo recording project of original Praise and Worship music, Awesome is complete and released on the RichEscape Music label in the summer of 2007. A breathtaking collection of original songs from the psalmist and artist, the debut is taking the industry by storm. Songs like the projects title tune and the bubbly track, This Is The Day beckon to be sung in choir stands nationwide. Other great songs such as the Sunday morning Worship The Lord, the reflective Declaration of Holiness and the incredibly-moving, Glorify Your Name is surely introducing the ministry of Terrell Hunt to thousands of new fans. The project is being played on stations all across the country and is distributed nationally through Edmondson Communications, Inc. In February 2008, Hunt made his national television debut on BETs Bobby Jones Gospel to an audience of cheering fans. In October 2008, Terrell Hunt received a 24th Annual Stellar Award Nomination in the coveted category of New Artist of the Year. In addition, Hunt was among those named as a Stellar Award Fan Favorite. He also performed on the Stellar Awards in January 2009. Also
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