behold magazine winter 2014
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Dr. Jedidah Isler ’03Astrophysicist
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WINTER 2014 A MAGAZINE WITH GLOBAL REACH
BEHOLDN O R F O L K S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y
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winter 2014 • Behold Magazine 23
after a lifetime of performing on the musical stage and
realizing many of his dreams, Stellar award-winner earl
Bynum says he gets the most rewards from being able to
inspire and help others.
“Whether you’re number 15 or number 10 on the
charts, you just keep going,” says Bynum, who is seeing his contemporary
gospel hits rise to the top of the charts. though Bynum has led many
choirs, it is the 130-voice Mount Unity Choir at Mount lebanon
Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he is the
executive minister of music, that is garnering national attention.
Bynum’s passion began as a boy growing up in Franklin, Virginia.
He was only 6 when he began singing and playing the piano in church “
i never took lessons,” he says. “it was a total gift.”
it was not until he attended norfolk State in 1985 that he began to
learn to read music. there, he majored in voice and minored in piano.
“it was quite difficult,” he says. “everything was foreign. Dr. Carl Harris
became a great mentor. He was one of the greatest professors i had.”
Regardless, Bynum did well in college, becoming the first freshman
to lead the gospel choir. However, Bynum didn’t complete his degree at
nSU. in 1988, a year before his graduation, Bynum accepted a recording
opportunity in atlanta. “things just took off, and i never returned.”
While he was a student, Bynum had formed a gospel group of singers
from Hampton Roads called “as We are” that was signed by two
recording companies over the years that obtained good exposure for
them. Ultimately, the group received two nominations for Stellar Music
awards, which recognize and honor gospel artists.
nothing can compare, however, to the success that Bynum has had
with the Mount Unity Choir. He says his pastor, Bishop Kim Walter
Brown (‘84) an engineering graduate of nSU, “had a vision to do a CD
project.” after producing the live recording at the church in 2011, it
went to no. 8 in the country on Billboard Magazine. the lead song,
“Bless the name of the lord,” reached no. 28 in the top 200 songs played
in the country at all-gospel radio stations in 2012-13.
From that project, the choir was nominated for three Stellar Gospel
awards and won Contemporary Choir of the Year. in addition, Bynum
and the choir won the 2013 Steve Harvey neighborhood award for Best
Church Choir, Blue Mic award for Best Choir, DMV Christian Music
award for Best CD Project and the 2014 texas Music award. Recently,
Bynum was honored as the Man of the Year of the Southeastern Virginia
arts association for 2014-15.
Contemporary gospel music, which Bynum explains is biblically
based music with a folk-rock-pop sound, is popular not only in the U.S.,
but around the world. the choir tours around the country and last year
completed a 10-city tour in italy. in addition, Bynum has toured
extensively with as We are to italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and
Denmark.
Speaking of his career, Bynum says, “it’s been a long journey, but it’s
been good.” it appears that the journey – and the road – have been very
good, indeed.
Gospel MusicLeads to Life of Inspiration
by Gail Kent
Photos courtesy of The Mount
The Mount Unity Choir
Earl Bynum
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