Behold Magazine Winter 2014

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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