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By Tiffany Jackson
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| Tommye Young-West |
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The woman behind the Aretha Franklin-esque voice, beauty, charm and soul is the one and only, Tommye Young-West. Oh, yes this girl is bad and she has been for many years. The Dallas native first began her professional career in August 1970 as a secular artist with the hit single, “Do You Still Feel The Same Way.” She sold over 500,000 units and in 1978 she sang on the soundtrack for NBC television special, “A Woman Called Moses” starring Cicely Tyson. It does not stop there. When Tommye felt her life turning in a different direction, she began recording gospel music and today she celebrates 21 years in the gospel music industry.
“I am grateful that I had an opportunity to sing in the nightclubs and the great friendships that were developed with people like Stevie Wonder but in all of that it was still a sincere longing,” confessed Tommye. “I just was not content, it was almost like something was missing from my life.”
The one thing that Tommye was missing was the spiritual foundation that was instilled in her by her father, the late Bishop T.L. Young. She had a gift but her gift was not being used to bring souls to Christ.
“One morning I had an awakening and from that point on I decided to sing for God,” said Tommye. “I love all kinds of music but I knew that the life I was living was not where God wanted me to be.”
Tommye recorded her first gospel album in 1987 titled “Jordan River” and since then she has recorded five other albums. Her latest is “Created to Worship.” It is one of her best projects to date.
“This album was a long journey but a great ministry,” said Tommye. “While making this album two of the producers were murdered but God has a purpose and a plan in the midst of it all and we were able to finish the project.”
“Created to Worship” is on 1 Luv Entertainment, a record label created by her daughter Candy West in 2000 in conjunction with Optimus Entertainment. Tommye hopes that more souls will be touched. She says this album is truly a testimony.
“A friend of mine came to me and he played some music that touched me so we began gathering material for the project,” proclaimed Tommye. “When I started singing the self-titled song, ‘Created to Worship’ I got real emotional, I had a little church in the studio. It is about perfect worship, a personal testimony. When people listen to the album I hope they will have an anointed worship experience, be encouraged, enlightened and inspired.”
“I want people to know that God will make a way out of no way so I designed this project with messages to reach everybody of all colors, creed, status and situation,” she continued “This piece will help you on your journey.”
Tommye’s music is known to minister to others but most importantly she ministers to herself through song. It is hard to believe that such a sensational artist who loves singing for God almost took a different path.
“My first ambition was to become a doctor then a lawyer then a mortition because I have always been intrigued by the human body but God lead me into a different direction,” said Tommye. “I have been singing since I was age five and I can remember my father forcing me to sing in front of people and I would cry a little then sing. Sometimes, today I still get a bit scared but I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else.”
Her love for music has led her to sing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the North Carolina Orchestra. She has performed on the “Dinah Shore Show”, sang back up for Doc Severson, radio commercials for Zales and Levine stores and with featured artists on the Bishop T.D. Jakes album, “A Wing and a Prayer.” Tommye has also received many awards such as “Artist of the Year” by the Texas Gospel Announcers Guild in 1991 and 2003. In 1993 she was voted the “Female Artist of the Year” and in 2001 she was voted “Female Vocalist of the Year” by the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards and the list goes on and on.
When asked about her proudest moments, she is humble in her answer.
“I give God all the glory because when I gave my life to him He ordered my steps,” said Tommye. “ There were times when I got off track but I am a dreamer and God gave me this gift for a greater purpose no matter the tears and heart break. I am not concerned with the size of the congregation, I only want to utilize God’s gift to me. He blessed me this far and if you don’t give up and just wait on God it is not a waste of time. It’s only a matter of time because He is always on time.”
In her daily walk with God, Tommye also encourages others especially the younger generation interested in the business to never give up. In fact, her longevity in the business is contributed to her riding the storms.
“I am not a person who gives up instead I hang in there and I encourage others who have a pursuit or love for something to stay right on that path,” she shared. “My love for singing and music is so intense because I love to feel that I am blessing somebody who is listening and it is awesome when people come and tell me that I really ministered to them or that I touched their heart or when they say my life has changed after hearing one of my songs. This is more rewarding than anything.
Tommye also finds it rewarding knowing that her sister Linda and her two daughters Candy and Peaches share the same love for singing. Music just runs through their veins and they are very supportive of each other.
In the near future Tommye looks forward to a live recording, doing plays and television appearances. Currently, she is touring and promoting her album while working an eight-hour job.
“Sometimes it is a bit challenging performing when you do not feel like it and juggling the roles of a grandmother, wife, friend, career woman as well as other roles,” said Tommye. “I want to create a program for working women who are struggling with their performances and traveling but I will wait on God to move me toward the development of that idea.”
Through challenging times, Tommye keeps a right spirit.
“My number one target is to bring souls to the kingdom because in this field you have to have Christ in your life, you have to pray and you have to understand that gospel music is about spreading the Good News,” she gleamed. “My life has to be an example and I am not perfect but I can be the best me I can be in Christ.”
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