Your Host: Kiland
KILAND is one of the most phenomenal artists of the 21st Century. This gifted and powerful author, actor, singer, songwriter and poet of truth captures his Audience of all ages whenever he performs.KILAND has performed and produced music with such music Legends as Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Take 6, Norman Brown, Gerald Albright, Phil Perry, Maysa, Alex Bugnon, Johnathon Butler and Smokey Robinson. To date he has written over 400 songs, jingles, and produced numerous projects. Early in his music career he was selected out of 800 national entries and presented the Sony Innovators Award for his vocal and composition skills by the Sony Corporation. He was recently selected out of 1,000 entries for the National (City Held) BMA’s (Black Music Awards) held in Las Vegas, California, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston and Washington D.C where he was awarded BEST MALE VOCALIST and ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR 2020/21.
His most recent Album “His Love Confessions” is a collection of Powerful Original Love Songs as well as tributes to Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Bill Whiters and Bobby Caldwell. As an Actor KILAND was recently cast in a Supporting-Male Lead Role in the Gospel Stage Play “Soul Purpose” and Upcoming Inspirational Movie “Jabob, Broken by God”. Both projects also feature his Original Music on the Official Soundtracks.
KILAND currently performs to SOLD OUT Venues and captures his listener with his smooth voice and passionate orchestrations. Not only is he a vocalist, pianist, guitarist, composer, producer and arranger but a father as well. He writes, arranges, and produces his own music. His talent is forthcoming and his musical influences are mainly jazz, gospel, and classical. He is a self-contained Artist with a classic stage presence.
His most recent Album “His Love Confessions” is a collection of Powerful Original Love Songs as well as tributes to Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Bill Whiters and Bobby Caldwell. As an Actor KILAND was recently cast in a Supporting-Male Lead Role in the Gospel Stage Play “Soul Purpose” and Upcoming Inspirational Movie “Jabob, Broken by God”. Both projects also feature his Original Music on the Official Soundtracks.
KILAND currently performs to SOLD OUT Venues and captures his listener with his smooth voice and passionate orchestrations. Not only is he a vocalist, pianist, guitarist, composer, producer and arranger but a father as well. He writes, arranges, and produces his own music. His talent is forthcoming and his musical influences are mainly jazz, gospel, and classical. He is a self-contained Artist with a classic stage presence.
Cedric Ballard
While Cedric is often called upon to minister to youth and young adults, his love for all people, young and old, motivates him to consider all backgrounds when ministering in song. This yearning to reach all people, no matter their background or status in life, is exemplified in his much anticipated sophomore project, "Transparency", which is a collection of both traditional hymns and soulful contemporary gospel music. He and four other young men formed the award winning singing group Damascus, which debuted on World Wide Gospel Records in 1999. Damascus' success afforded Cedric the opportunity to have his songwriting abilities, highly technical vocal skills, and musicianship as a drummer showcased all over the country. While singing with Damascus, Cedric clearly demonstrated his passion and love for God, thereby causing him to capture the hearts of audiences everywhere the group was blessed to sing. In addition to being featured as a lead vocalist in Damascus, Cedric was also blessed to minister in song alongside Karen Clark-Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, Kurt Carr, Daryl Coley, Shirley Ceasar, Kim Burrell, Gary Mayes & Nu Era, Beyonce Knowles, and many more gospel and R&B artists. Cedric has also served as praise and worship leader, choral director, and minister of music for several of Houston’s most notable and progressive churches. The Lord has directed Cedric to form Ballard Ministries, which is a vehicle to help organizations and individuals ascend to higher echelons in music ministry. Ballard Ministries also is a channel that empowers young people by helping them to accurately define success, develop God given abilities, and provide opportunities to exercise their talents.
Stephen Richard
Stephen is saxophonist originally from Zachary. When he was young, Richard’s family moved to Houston, Texas, where he learned about music through classical piano lessons and developed a love of soul, jazz, R&B and blues. After learning from greats Conrad Johnson and Grover Washington Jr., Richard majored in communications at Southern University, where he received instruction from renowned clarinetist and educator Alvin Batiste.
Richard has played for Nelson Mandela and with other notable jazz musicians including Hubert Laws, Ernie Watts, Ellis Marsalis, Jimmy Heath and Wes Anderson, to name a few. With nine albums to his name, Richard currently leads a traveling band around the country.
On “After Hours,” Richard explores the music he and his Houston band created as he attempts to bring those memories to life. With “Spectrum,” Richard expresses a variety of emotions through an eclectic, but ultimately enjoyable mix of song styles.
Richard has played for Nelson Mandela and with other notable jazz musicians including Hubert Laws, Ernie Watts, Ellis Marsalis, Jimmy Heath and Wes Anderson, to name a few. With nine albums to his name, Richard currently leads a traveling band around the country.
On “After Hours,” Richard explores the music he and his Houston band created as he attempts to bring those memories to life. With “Spectrum,” Richard expresses a variety of emotions through an eclectic, but ultimately enjoyable mix of song styles.