Gospel Choir of the Year nominee Walter Smith & Tru Praize

Walter Smith & Tru Praize nominated for Gospel Choir of the Year

Gospel musician/director, songwriter Walter Smith was born and raised both in Baldwin, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he inherited a love for gospel music from his dad, who is a former recording artist with the Spiritual Travelers and his grandparents and began singing in a church choir at an early age. After 7 years of studying classical piano, Walter began playing for the Sunday school department at his home church, First Baptist Church of Baldwin, Michigan and directing the youth choir in his church (starting at the age of five), and later the adult choirs. It was around this time that Walter came across specific recordings of James Cleveland and Aretha Franklin's "Amazing Grace" with the Southern California Community Choir, Clara Ward Singers, Rev. James Cleveland and Southern California Community Choir, New Jerusalem Baptist Church of Flint, Michigan that would inspire him to pursue gospel music even more zealously.  

Shortly thereafter, Walter drew inspiration from other gospel performers including Thomas Whitfield, Bethel Pentecostal Church Choir, Mattie Moss-Clark, the Clark Sisters and Keith Pringle. While attending college in Grand Rapids, Walter continued to direct and play for St. Paul Baptist Church and for choirs locally and later became a member of the Bethel Pentecostal Church of Grand Rapids, MI where he began to study under the tutelage of his music mentor, the late Eld. L. Craig Tyson, and was a faithful member of the Youth Inspirational Choir. Walter later moved to Detroit, Michigan where he continued his musical gifts that God had blessed him with. 

After much prayer, in March, 2009, Walter Smith & Tru Praize was manifested. On October 18, 2009, our music ministry was consecrated and prayed over during our standing room only consecration service by our spiritual advisor and Walter’s pastor, District Eld. Michael Martin. Since that time, God has truly opened up many doors for this ministry. This choir has been blessed to minister to the masses not only in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, but throughout the state of Michigan and nationally. Although these short three years haven't been easy and the choir was met with much opposition from many locally, God CONTINUTED to be faithful and to give the ministry strength to press on. Comprised of 19 holy ghost filled young adults, God continues to pour out fresh oil upon the choir as we minister to his people. 

The choir celebrated their first live recording session, June 25, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan and eagerly anticipates their CD release, August, 10, 2012.  To GOD be the glory for the things he has done and continues to do.