2004 Participants Daryl Coley Grammy Award Nominated Daryl Coley is undoubtedly Gospel Music's most beloved tenor. Daryl's incredible vocal ability is likened to an instrument. Daryl has received numerous awards; The Gospel Music Workshop Of America Excellence Awards, NAACP Award, Dove Awards, Stellar Awards and has scored three Grammy nominations. Regina Belle Grammy Award Winner Regina Belle emerged as a prolific, consistently engaging vocalist on the urban contemporary scene. Born in New Jersey, Belle's early experience was in gospel and in the 2004 DC Gospel Fest she returns to her roots and uplifts through song. Alyson Williams It's been a while since we've seen Alyson Williams. In the early 1990s, she had major success with “Just Call My Name”, a smash hit that spent an amazing 67 weeks on the Billboard charts. Alyson continues to bring stylish soul to her fans, some of whom have been with her through the storm and back, while others are just beginning to discover her. But, all are satisfied that she's back! John Stoddart Heaven sent, John Stoddart is an irresistible new talent with a voice that is utterly disarming, drenched in romance, soulful and soothing. An accomplished producer, writer, composer and instrumentalist, he has graced the albums of numerous Grammy®/Dove and Soul Train nominees and winners with his considerable gifts.   Encompassing classic R&B, gospel, neo-soul, and even spoken word, Stoddart’s brilliantly crafted and richly layered songs resonate with love, healing and hope. John Tillery & Living Sacrifice John Tillery & Living Sacrifice, an anointed group of young people from the Nation's Capital City Washington, DC. One of gospel music's newest sensations, the group has been compared to the likes of Kirk Franklin & The Family and Fred Hammond and Radicals For Christ. With an urban-gospel sound, that stirs up the soul, the group combines traditonal and contemporary styles to reach all ages. Duwane Starling Duwane Starling is one of those artists that crosses genres from R&B, neo-soul all with the spiritual lens of Gospel. His songs and voice are touching, personal, soulful and flat out funky. Duawne Starling's resume reads like a veritable Who's Who in gospel music. Since he started singing professionally about 10 years ago, he's contributed background vocals for artists as diverse as CeCe Winans, Nicole C. Mullen, Donnie McClurkin and Fred Hammond and more... Bethel AME Church Bethel AME is one of the largest churches in the Washington-Baltimore area. With over 14,000 members and led by the ministry of visionary Frank Madison Reid, it has become a center for faith and outreach in the Greater Baltimore and Washington DC areas. Its music ministry boasts of over 100 voices and will be lead by Tony Smalls at the Gospel Fest. Hilton & Manna Hilton Felton III is a prolific songwriter whose music reaches a broad spectrum of gospel, jazz, soul, and R&B enthusiasts. One local jazz musician observes that "His (Hilton) musical prowess and dissemination of inspirational messages is uplifting and a wonderful compliment to one of the most talented artists in the metropolitan area." The Peoples Community Baptist Church The People's Community Baptist Church is best described by its visitors song, "You Are Loved Here! You Are a Part of God’s Family." Located in Silver Springs MD, the church has become the center of a large community that is welcoming and inviting. Founded by the late T.J. Baltimore, Peoples Community Church has been bringing people to the Lord through its many outreach ministries. Its Ensemble choir will inspire at the Washington DC Gospel Fest. Choir Boyz Composed of Martin Wilson, Darrell Holmes, Richard Yerby, Derek Owens and Randy Roberts, these Choir Boyz each hail from Baltimore, bringing with them life baggage from experiences of street fame, fortune and despair. Through song, they use the contents of this baggage to demonstrate that only Jesus Christ brings true satisfaction and security. Mike White and True Praise of Reid Temple AME Church Dr. Lee P. Washington is the Senior Pastor of Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, located in Lanham, Maryland. Dr. Washington has daringly refused to accept mediocrity in ministry at any level. As a result of his steadfast pursuit of excellence in service to God, Reid Temple AME Church is a witness to the power of God’s Holy anointing. Mike White and True Praise will bring down the house with their energetic and powerful performance. Liberty Liberty is a unique three generation, family gospel singing group started thirty five years ago as an acapella group. As the family increased the children were added, the group presently consists of a grandmother, daughter and grandchildren. They have ministered at the African American Family reunion, Penn's Landing in PA, WIBG Youth Crusade in Trenton, NJ, and sang on programs with groups and solo artists as: Young Delegation, Dawkins New Sound, Gabriel Hardeman Delegation, The Gospel Angels of Philadelphia, David Winslow Singers, Cousins, Fully Committed, Heave Dee-ttes, Johnny Thompson Singers and more... Daniel Austin Daniel is an upcoming artist. He was a soloist at President Clinton’s inaugural swearing-in ceremony. As a major soloist for the Washington Performing Arts Society Children of the Gospel, Daniel sang back-up for such artists as Daryl Coley, Stephanie Mills, Vicki Winans, Richard Smallwood, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Donnie McClurkin. Daniel sang in Washington, D.C.’s annual production, “Christmas in Washington” with Al Green, Anita Baker, Gloria Estefan and Faith Hill. The Celestial Echoes of Lomax A.M.E. Zion Church The Celestial Echoes of Lomax A.M.E. Zion Church, Arlington, Virginia are currently under the direction of Mr. Howard Cook, and Mrs. Debra Davis was formed during the summer of 1966. The choir started with seven members and since that time have had as many as 35 members and as little as 10, but have continued to grow spiritually. They have been blessed to spread their ministry throughout the region. Glendale Baptist Church Glendale Baptist will be in the house performing one of their hits off the new album. As one reviewer described them, "The band [is] great, soloists were on point and the choir did their thing." If you like to hear a mass choir sing praise, then you don't want to miss Glendale's performance! Metro Praiz Metro Praiz is one of the choirs at the Metropolitan Seventh Day Adventist Church. Metro Praiz transcends all cultural boundaries in their earnest search for the voice of God in music. Miguel Davis & Metro Praiz provide a contemporary musical alternative within the predominantly traditional environment at Metropolitan SDA Church, and they incorporate style, professionalism and pizzaz within a deeply spiritual framework to create a consistently moving worship experience. Praise Inc. Praise Inc. will rock the house with its powerful and commanding delivery of gospel favorites. Although not a large choir, their powerful voices will fill the house on June 5th with an uplifting and inspiring performance. Power Trio POWER is described as a group that is appropriately named, especially because of the intensity in its delivery and sincerity in its praise. Yet they consider themselves accurately named, because God has blessed each of them immensely and elevated the ministry with divine power. They are a group of four individually dynamic young people who grew up together in the Breath of Life Church in Fort Washington, Maryland.