Omaha, Neb. – On Nov. 3, Salem Baptist Church in North Omaha will host a special Voices Amplified event that puts gospel music and its rich heritage front and center for the city’s next generation of artists.
Local partnership brings Grammy‑nominated talent to the community
Omaha Performing Arts has teamed with Salem Baptist Church to present a conversation with Dr. Percy Bady, a Grammy‑nominated, Stellar Award‑winning songwriter and producer now based in Houston, Texas. The event is part of the ongoing Voices Amplified series, which seeks to give local audiences direct access to cultural leaders.
Music director Ananias Montague, who oversees the church’s worship and outreach programs, explained that the evening is designed specifically for young artists and musicians. “Because Percy has such a rich history of songwriting and production, I think this is a great opportunity for young artists, young musicians to come in and hear some of the history of gospel music and the level of production that is necessary in order to be successful in this industry,” Montague said.
Gospel as the foundation of American music
Montague also highlighted gospel’s broader influence, noting that the genre forms the backbone of many styles. “I think gospel is the foundation in my opinion of so many genres because it incorporates, you know, not just the Christian element, but the soul element, the rock and roll, the jazz, the blues element. Gospel was formed out of blues and so, I think this is an opportunity for us to express that in mainstream music,” he added.
The conversation will cover Bady’s career, his approach to songwriting, and the production techniques that have kept gospel relevant in today’s music market. Attendees can expect practical advice on arranging, recording, and navigating the industry.
Surprise performance adds a live learning component
In addition to the dialogue, Montague revealed that Dr. Bady will perform a short set in the sanctuary after the conversation, giving participants a chance to see the concepts discussed put into practice on stage.
“It’s not just theory,” Montague said. “Hearing Percy play live lets our young musicians hear the nuances of vocal delivery, instrumentation, and the energy that makes gospel music so powerful.”
How to join
The event is free and open to the public. Those interested can learn more and register through the Omaha Performing Arts website at O‑PA.org. The church encourages families, students, and anyone with a passion for music to attend.
Voices Amplified continues to showcase a variety of cultural topics each season, aiming to broaden access to artistic expression across Omaha. This gospel‑focused session underscores the series’ commitment to celebrating the city’s diverse creative roots while nurturing the next generation of talent.
Original reporting: KMTV 3 News Now (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
