Black Expo winner featured artist for Relay Gospel Extravaganza

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Gospel Singer James Patterson is no stranger to the music world. His interest in singing started as early as 7 years old performing for his church. He did not start singing professionally, however, until his later years. By 2014, he signed up for the Black Expo because he wanted to “take a chance.” He ultimately won 149,000 votes to become to Black Expo winner. After opening up for his first national recording artist, Dr. Ricky Dillon, he knew he had to take his singing career further. “Winning at the Expo was a great experience and gave me the boost that I needed for my singing career,” he said. “I had the opportunity to sing for various well-known gospel artists which gave me exposure as well. Moving on, I then got myself involved with the Stellar Gospel Music Awards in Las Vegas, also the Dove awards in Nashville.” After receiving the exposure he needed, Patterson was able to created his own radio show, “The James Patterson Morning Show,” where he interviewed many artists and other celebrities. He landed a job as a music teacher, where one of his students won on the TV show “BET Sunday’s Best” in 2012. That win was his motivating factor to make a move and to go our and start living his dreams. “I feel honored to have been selected to be the host as well as one of the main performers at Weldon,” Patterson said of his upcoming performance at the Relay for Life Gospel Extravaganza, which will be held 5 p.m. March 11. “Performing in a show like that is an amazing way to give back to the community and to support cancer survivors,” said Patterson. “It is important for us to show that there is strength when we pull together.” Patterson loves to sing and embraces the feeling of unity. He feels that it is a must to give back and performing through his Gospel genre is his way of exhibiting all of that. Relay For Life means a lot to Patterson; he has family members who are cancer survivors, so he has seen the transition that cancer victims are subject to, especially when they go through chemo therapy and the effects it has on their bodies. He said that when we concentrate on where our faith comes from and know that God is all about strength, we can actually fight for our lives and survive. Patterson was a music education major in college, so he is familiar with all genres of music such as Classical and Baroque. He is currently a band director and the genre that he performs in and that he holds dear to his heart has always been Gospel music. He said that the church has been the foundation of what he does, and God has been the foundation of his life. “God has expanded my ministry and I have had the opportunity to sing all around the world,” he said. “There is something inside of me and my ministry that I feel the world still has to see, so I pray that I become what God wants me to be so that I am able to help others through my music.” Tickets for the Gospel Extravaganza are $10, with proceeds benefiting 2017 Clarendon County Relay for Life. For more information, call (803) 460-6679.