Willie Norwood
Encyclopedia
William Raymond Norwood, Sr. (born September 15, 1955) known as Willie Norwood is an American
Gospel
singer and has been involved in singing since early childhood. His father and mother sang in the church choir. He is the father and voice coach of R&B singers Brandy
and Ray J
.
on a band scholarship during the 1970s. It was there that he joined up with a soul music group named "The Composers", becoming their lead vocalist and trumpeter. The group soon began to gain notoriety while playing the Mississippi
club scene. They soon began opening up for acts such as Rufus
and Chaka Khan
and Lou Rawls
. Norwood soon moved to Hollywood with the group where they attracted a loyal following.
The fast paced-Hollywood scene caused Norwood to stray from his religious upbringing, causing him and his wife, Sonja Bates-Norwood, to move back to McComb, MS, in the late '70s to begin a family as well as to regain focus. Eventually, California would once again play an important role musically for Willie Norwood and family. He began working with local community choirs in Los Angeles while beginning post-graduate work at California State University. Norwood's work with the choirs afforded a young Brandy
and Ray J
the opportunity enhance their blooming musical interest.
and received a Dove Award nomination. Brandy was featured on the album as well. "Bout It" managed to peak at Number 13 on the Billboard Gospel Chart. In his album he worked with artists like Kirk Whalum
, Billy Preston
, The William Brothers, Brandy, Ray J
and Angie Winans
.
Brandy and Ray J appeared as background vocals on "Bout It". Whalum played saxophone and Preston sang on I’ll Trade A Lifetime" and "Bout It". The Williams Brothers, who wrote and produced the title track and "The Search Is Over," also provided background vocals. "A Love Shared" was written by Angie Winans.
2002 Norwood started working with Ray J and Brandy in studio for their upcoming albums. He split with Atlantic Records in 2002.
. It is a definitive and eclectic blend of a cappella southern gospel songs.
Norwood set up the KnockOut Vocal Studio in North Hollywood, CA and brought his southern charm to a 12-song a cappella gospel interpretation of "old church" songs.
Three of the songs can be heard on his myspace site: "I Know It Was the Blood", "I Believe" and
"Amazing Grace". It is the first album to be released by Knockout Entertainment
only.
After the release has he focused on the work as director to the group UCC, a 94-voice youth choir in South Central L.A. and minister of music at the Woodland Hills Church of Christ. He has two artists projects, Chyra, and Tha Way Out that he is working with now who will make a resounding debut soon.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
singer and has been involved in singing since early childhood. His father and mother sang in the church choir. He is the father and voice coach of R&B singers Brandy
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
and Ray J
Ray J
William Ray Norwood Jr. , better known by his stage name Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor.-Early life:...
.
1975-1992: Early Career
Willie Norwood's ascension into the music spectrum took root while attending Jackson State UniversityJackson State University
Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
on a band scholarship during the 1970s. It was there that he joined up with a soul music group named "The Composers", becoming their lead vocalist and trumpeter. The group soon began to gain notoriety while playing the Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
club scene. They soon began opening up for acts such as Rufus
Rufus
Rufus may refer to:People * Milan Rúfus , Slovak poet and writer* Rufus * Rufus , consul in 457* Several Saints Rufus* Rufus , French actor...
and Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
and Lou Rawls
Lou Rawls
Louis Allen "Lou" Rawls was an American soul, jazz, and blues singer. He was known for his smooth vocal style: Frank Sinatra once said that Rawls had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game"...
. Norwood soon moved to Hollywood with the group where they attracted a loyal following.
The fast paced-Hollywood scene caused Norwood to stray from his religious upbringing, causing him and his wife, Sonja Bates-Norwood, to move back to McComb, MS, in the late '70s to begin a family as well as to regain focus. Eventually, California would once again play an important role musically for Willie Norwood and family. He began working with local community choirs in Los Angeles while beginning post-graduate work at California State University. Norwood's work with the choirs afforded a young Brandy
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
and Ray J
Ray J
William Ray Norwood Jr. , better known by his stage name Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor.-Early life:...
the opportunity enhance their blooming musical interest.
2001-2004: Commercial debut
After putting together Brandy's Never-Say-Never World Tour, his first commercial album, "Bout it" was released in late 2001 under Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and received a Dove Award nomination. Brandy was featured on the album as well. "Bout It" managed to peak at Number 13 on the Billboard Gospel Chart. In his album he worked with artists like Kirk Whalum
Kirk Whalum
Kirk Whalum is an American smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. He toured as Whitney Houston's opening act for several years. Whalum has also recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz...
, Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
, The William Brothers, Brandy, Ray J
Ray J
William Ray Norwood Jr. , better known by his stage name Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor.-Early life:...
and Angie Winans
Winans family
The Winans family is an African-American family of Gospel music artists from Detroit, Michigan.-Family members:* David "Pop" Winans, Sr. * Delores "Mom" Winans * David Winans Jr....
.
Brandy and Ray J appeared as background vocals on "Bout It". Whalum played saxophone and Preston sang on I’ll Trade A Lifetime" and "Bout It". The Williams Brothers, who wrote and produced the title track and "The Search Is Over," also provided background vocals. "A Love Shared" was written by Angie Winans.
2002 Norwood started working with Ray J and Brandy in studio for their upcoming albums. He split with Atlantic Records in 2002.
2005-2007: New label and new album
"I Believe" is the second CD presented by Willie Norwood and was released under new label Knockout EntertainmentKnockout Entertainment
Knockout Entertainment is singer Ray J's vanity label, founded in 2004. The label specializes in R&B, hip hop, and gospel. Originally released under Sanctuary Records, a press release in December 2007 announced a new partnership with E1 Records....
. It is a definitive and eclectic blend of a cappella southern gospel songs.
Norwood set up the KnockOut Vocal Studio in North Hollywood, CA and brought his southern charm to a 12-song a cappella gospel interpretation of "old church" songs.
Three of the songs can be heard on his myspace site: "I Know It Was the Blood", "I Believe" and
"Amazing Grace". It is the first album to be released by Knockout Entertainment
Knockout Entertainment
Knockout Entertainment is singer Ray J's vanity label, founded in 2004. The label specializes in R&B, hip hop, and gospel. Originally released under Sanctuary Records, a press release in December 2007 announced a new partnership with E1 Records....
only.
After the release has he focused on the work as director to the group UCC, a 94-voice youth choir in South Central L.A. and minister of music at the Woodland Hills Church of Christ. He has two artists projects, Chyra, and Tha Way Out that he is working with now who will make a resounding debut soon.
Discography
- 2001: Bout ItBout ItBout It is the debut album by American Gospel singer Willie Norwood. It was released on October 23, 2001 and received little commercial success.- Content :It encompasses a gamut of musical styles: soul and pop as well as traditional gospel...
- 2006: I BelieveI Believe (Willie Norwood album)I Believe is an album by Willie Norwood, released under the mantle of his son Ray J's Knockout Entertainment. The album consists of a cappella interpretations of old gospel songs...
- 2011: A Family BusinessA Family BusinessA Family Business, sometimes dubbed as Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business, is the debut studio album by the Norwood family, the cast of the American reality series Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business, which airs on the VH1 network in the United States and serves as the soundtrack for the reality...