Gwendolyn Blackshear

TAKE A LISTEN & stop and PRAISE HIM & CLICK TO PURCHASE!!! OH YES!!! YOU'LL WANNA SING ABOUT IT! OTHER CONNECTIONS: www.myspace.com/gwendolynblackshear This unsigned singer/songwriter and now Christian Recording Artist from Ohio releases her passion in music. She offers show-stopping renditions of gospel and contemporary secular favorites. She loves Christian contemporaries, smooth jazz, jazz standards with the flair of rhythm and blues! THE DEMO MADE HAD FLYING NUMBERS A YEAR AGO NOW LOOK HOW GOD WORKS! NOT BAD FOR A BEGINNER, CHECK OUT THESE STATS AT SOUNDCLICK: Cuando Me Toco # 1,305 in Pop. Total songs: 71,478 # 223 in Contemporary Christian. Total songs: 8,444 Oh, How I Love Jesus # 2,051 in Urban. Total songs: 64,338 # 1,297 in R&B/Soul/Pop. Total songs: 38,864 Unconditional Love # 605 in Pop. Total songs: 71,478 # 121 in Contemporary Christian. Total songs: 8,444

Committed to developing her gift and expanding her range, She has taken private voice at the University of Akron’s School of Music where Gwendolyn was accepted into the voice performance department. With this training she has learned and excelled in spirituals, Italian arias, favorite Duke Ellington standards and scores high at juried hearings. On her musical journey, Gwendolyn has discovered a flavour of jazz in her voice, and as a result, she infuses jazz arrangement with powerful, creative sparks. Her latest foray into music has been writing original songs and collaborating with writers Willie Lowe of Oregon and Clarence Ferguson, Jr. and Ruth Ware of New York, and Bryan Schofield of PA, or better yet, Partners N Rhyme. Gwendolyn has had a craving for music since 8 years old when she begged for a piano for Christmas and didn’t know what to do with it. She had her first stage performance as “ Buttercup” from H.M. S. Pinafore as she sang, “I’m Called Little Buttercup” in a fourth grade play. Her church pastor of youth years recently reminded her that what mattered was that he could look back and see that the children were singing even though many had their hymnals upside down! She is a regular soloist and co-director for her church. On an earlier path, she was elected choir president where she initiated the annual anniversary celebration recruiting 10 community church choirs. She solos and introduces new songs to the choir regularly. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gwendolyn skip Sunday morning service to visit nursing home patients with a hymnbook in hopes to lift their spirits or sharing a sermonette. She has also been a guest speaker for several women ministry events. A local Gospel Meets Symphony became a joyous community effort to raise scholarship funds. Last year she was selected to be soprano section leader for the event that has 200 - voice choir. She has been a guest soloist several times for a local college gospel choir. This lady sang the national anthem at a baseball field dedication that was sponsored by a New York foundation. She continues to strive on and is excited each and everyday about the music!

I enjoy church services and performing in the community as mentioned earlier. I have showcased at a christian cafe and also at a restaurant showcase nite. The star spangled banner day was such an honor. And singing "The Christmas Song" for a mental health recovery board was very humbling for the occasion. It is always an honor to have the opportunity to heal with music.

I give honor to my influences of voice, which include Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Barbara Streisand, Yolanda Adams, Sarah Vaughn and Jill Scott.

Ive got some EXCEL pa and mixers. A great AudioTech mic was given to me years ago. God is good!

“My prayer is that my gifts from God in song & service, touch others that they might depend on Him & become more like Him” Whatever I sing, needs to inspire one to dream, love and give praise for another day to dream and love.