ST. THOMAS — Reichhold Center for the Arts hosts its spiritual festival with renowned songwriter, bassist and vocalist, Fred Hammond, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, UVI owner of the Reichhold Center announced via press release Tuesday.<\/p>\n
For more than 25 years, music lovers around the world have cherished the lyrical melodies of Hammond. Known throughout the music industry as a gifted musical arranger and producer, he earned the title \u201cBabyface\u201d of gospel as founder of Face to Face Productions Corporation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHammond is the third performer to grace the Reichhold Center stage as part of UVI\u2019s mission to promote spirituality and professionalism in our community,\u201d said Denise Humphrey, director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts. \u201cExpect no less than an invigorating performance that lifts you up from your seat to praise and worship. Hammond joins the ranks of sold out performances at the Reichhold by Kirk Franklin in 2015 and Donnie McClurkin in 2016.\u201d<\/p>\n
Originally from Detroit, Hammond began his musical career at the age of 12 by singing with his church choir. After playing bass and singing with \u201cThe Winans\u201d during the early 1980\u2019s, he joined the group \u201cCommissioned\u201d where he was able to showcase his superb arranging, production and songwriting skills, along with his soaring vocals. Hammond\u2019s solo career began in 1991. Through a long-term association with the Verity label, he embraced an in-concert feel even on his studio recordings. Much of his output, billed as solo releases or group efforts featuring the choir, \u201cRadical for Christ,\u201d has won Dove and Stellar awards.<\/p>\n
During his time with Verity, \u201cPages of Life: Chapters I & II\u201d in 1998, \u201cFree to Worship\u201d in 2006, and \u201cGod, Love & Romance\u201d in 2012, along with a few other titles, topped Billboard\u2019s gospel chart. Hammond technically moved to RCA Inspiration following the label\u2019s absorption of Verity. There he continued to thrive with his \u201cUnited Tenors\u201d project in 2013 and \u201cI Will Trust\u201d In 2014, which rose to the number one position on the Top Gospel Albums chart the week it was released.<\/p>\n
In addition to being a well-regarded figure on the contemporary Christian music scene, Hammond has become well known for his work as a Christian music entrepreneur. He has worked on more than 100 albums since he established Face to Face Productions in 1992. He has also taken his music to thousands of fans by keeping up a busy touring schedule.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred Hammond is the architect behind urban praise and worship, and is respected by all in the music industry,\u201d said Ian Turnbull, marketing and sales manager for the Reichhold Center. \u201cWe are excited to have such a talent grace the Reichhold stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Reichhold Center\u2019s 38th season is sponsored by International Capital and Management Company, VI Lottery, Innovative, Marriott Frenchman\u2019s Reef Resort, FirstBank, and the VI Council on the Arts. Event sponsorship has also been made available by TIA Associates and BVI Tourism. The Reichhold Center for the Arts is the flagship performing arts center for the University of the Virgin Islands.<\/p>\n
For tickets, visit Reichhold Center\u2019s Box Office or call (340) 693-1559. For more information on the Reichhold Center and the 38th season or to purchase tickets visitwww.reichholdcenter.org. For inquiries into sponsorship and Stage Bill advertising contact Ian Turnbull at ian.turnbull@uvi.edu or (340) 693-1554.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ST. THOMAS — Reichhold Center for the Arts hosts its spiritual festival with renowned songwriter, bassist and vocalist, Fred Hammond, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, UVI owner of the Reichhold Center announced via press release Tuesday. For more than 25 years, music lovers around the world have cherished the lyrical melodies of Hammond. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":48965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7,5000,147],"tags":[6439,121],"yoast_head":"\n