Ernest De Waters Jr. Music (ASCAP)
Ernie’s songs are mini sermons and testimonies spawned by life's experiences. His prayer is that each song will be a seed, planting the truth of salvation through Christ.
May God bless you and keep you in His grace.
Sincerely - Ernest DeWaters Jr.
In high school Ernie was the lead singer for The Shades, the coolest garage band around Dalton, Georgia, performing at school dances and sock hops throughout northern Georgia. His involvement with the band motivated him to learn to play guitar.
Ernie spent his senior year crooning covers to rock n’ roll hits in the panhandle of Texas, where he met Irma, his high school sweetheart and now his wife. She, and the grace of God, gave him purpose in life.
While serving in the Air Force, Ernie performed with The Electras. They rocked with many genres in and around Abeline, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas. That led to Ernie’s first experience in a recording studio arranging music and playing some guitar parts with Paul, Ernie, and George.
Ernie’s real duty in the Air Force was handling sentry and scout dogs, and included Ranger School and a tour in Vietnam with Operation Safeside. After the Air Force, he performed with various people and groups in California before beginning to compose his own music and lyrics.
Ernie survived Vietnam and a number of relationships over the years. It was these experiences that ultimately led him to reconciliation with God and his faith. This taught him to appreciate peace and tranquility, brought much healing, and resurrected his love for Irma.
In 1990 Ernie began writing and performing with The Shepherds, a Gospel Quartet in Southwestern Ohio. His compositions came, by the grace of God, through real life experiences. With his writing, came the courage to share his music with his church and then other private and public audiences.
In 1996 Ernie wrote, co-produced, and recorded his first album, “Follow Me”, which became his tool to minister in song with a newly formed band, Spiritual Rivers. They played by invitation at churches, picnics, missions, fairs, cafes, bars; you name it and they probably played it. Ernie has since written many more gospel and secular songs which are ready to be recorded.
Presently, Ernie is settled in the Great Northwest where he and Irma plan to spend the rest of their days with family, writing and praising God.
Ernest DeWaters Jr. Music Songwriter Music Ministry
Schedule information
Program: scripture, Original/familiar Country Gospel music
Length of Program: 30 90 minutes
Availability: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Contact: Ernie or Irma DeWaters
email desongwriter@yahoo.com
Yes, wherever and whenever the opportunity arises. I have ministered in almost every venue: churches, fairs, bars, restaurants, clubs, parties, and I have co-hosted an old time Gospel radio show.
I love music; no matter the genre! Listen to my radio stations on SoundClick.
I grew up with music all around me. I love all the old country music legends like the Hank Williams, the Carter Sisters, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Merle Haggard; the blue grass sounds of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, among many others. I loved listening to the rock n’ roll, rhythm n’ blues, and soul music radio stations of Wolf Man Jack and “WMFS Good Music” that played John Lee Hooker, B. B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and other greats.
I love the Gospel music of Mahalia Jackson and the easy jazz styles of Lou Rawls, Arthur Prysock, Della Reese, Morgana King, and Pearl Bailey. I enjoy a spectrum of musicals like "West Side Story," "Porgy & Bess," "Cabaret," “Hair,” and "Jesus Christ Super Star." I find listening to classical music very relaxing.
Other strong influences are Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (as solo artists as well as a group), Journey, all Burt Bacharach songs, and so many others
M. Horabe Classical Model 35, Sigma SE 18 WC Acoustic/Electric, and Alvarez 5054 12 String Acoustic.