Meet Randy Walters, gospel singer, composer, arranger, and visual artist.
Born in 1971 in Baltimore, Maryland, Randall Walters was raised in a family of musicians (his aunt was a professional opera singer, and his uncle was a classically trained musician). He discovered his own gift of music at an early age. His grandfather was the church choir director; grandmother played the organ. Naturally, Randy often sang with the church choirs as a teenager.
When Randy was 11 years old, his mother died. He became rebellious and by the time he was in high school he had a reputation for a quick temper and a readiness to fight. Recognizing his son at risk, his father encouraged his interest in music, art, and sports to help him deal with the pain and anger of his loss. Having already donned his uniform, it was not uncommon to see Randy usher in the spirit of the game by singing the National Anthem for the crowd. As a senior in high school he joined a church with his friend, (now Randy’s wife) and devoted himself to their music ministry. Singing became a passion for him and he began to compose to express his spiritual journey.
Meanwhile, Randy was developing another gift expressed in his artwork. Friends and associates were amazed by the creativity and beauty in his portraits, landscapes, and murals. (See www.Wfineart.com) Torn between the two, he decided to major in fine arts at Morgan University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in fine art, after which he taught art in a Baltimore City school for nine years. At the same time, Randy continued singing. While in college he sang for many events on campus, as well as background vocals on several gospel CDs. After graduating, he and Cherrie joined Reggie McClurkin’s group “Praise Agenda”, sharing the stage with such artists as the Williams Brothers, Mary Mary, Andre Crouch and Donnie McClurkin. In 2002, Randy left the group to establish “WFineArt”, enabling him to pursue both of his passions. He established his own gospel group, “Randy, and Divine Praise” and his artwork has been in wide demand at art shows throughout the country. He continued composing and has written songs for several large churches in the area, such as the hit ”Remarkable Woman”, an anthem of encouragement for all women.
It was while Randy was teaching in Baltimore that he met Kendall Leonard, a jazz musician who inspired him to record his own CD. Kendall collaborated on the music, and by 2009 the CD was 90% finished, so Randy left his job to complete and promote the CD. At that point disaster struck: the computer containing the compositions crashed and all the music was lost! Thus began an extended season of deep disappointment, spiritual attack, and financial challenge for Randy and his wife. “The Lord showed me my weakness and disobedience. He showed me I was not ready for the ministry He had planned for me. It was the darkest period in my life.” Through it all, the Lord drew close to him. Randy learned to trust the Lord and not his own strength, to feed daily on God’s word, and to pray like his life depended on it. He learned what it really meant to grow in his relationship with Christ, and the Lord blessed him with healing, forgiveness, and His fellowship. Along the journey, Randy poured out his heart in song, so that the CD you have is completely different from the one that was lost. It was born out of pain and joy, fear and awe, and most of all the grace and comfort of Jesus. “Although there is still much to learn, I am a new man in Christ. I believe the Lord wants to use these songs to touch people at a deeper level, and to be an encouragement to everyone who hears them”.
Be on the lookout for Randy’s first motivational book “In Life 1 + 1=3”, soon to be published.
