By
East Bay Bureau
ALL
ABOARD THE M.S. HOLIDAY _ During a recent cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico, a
talented singer from San Francisco was the highlight act during a Sunday Gospel
festival and later a talent show.
Pamela
Bluford served up a string of moving selections during the festival
and had her mostly African-American audience feeling like they were back
home in church. She later sang the classic "Oh Happy Day" during the
talent show, wearing a stunning yellow dress with diamond-like buttons. Despite
her talents she had faced barriers breaking into the music industry, but her
will and her faith have powered her forward. And she formed her own record label
to make sure her sound was not compromised.
"Garland Records was formed March 4, 1994 due to the the difficulties of being signed to a major gospel record label. So my family and I decided to begin our own gospel independent record label," she said. Her voice is powerful and her songs riveting.
"I
would describe myself as very energetic, inspirational and anointed. I feel
whenever you go before an audience anywhere you must `Let go and Let God' with
all your heart and soul. When your audience can feel your excitement you can be
encouraged God is pleased.
I
am a preacher's daughter and I have been in church all my life and singing as
well. I often say I am born and fed in the gospel. I was often told when I sang
in church: `you have a special gift, when you sing I can feel the presence of
God over me and over you. You should share your gifted voice to the world.'
"So with much prayer and the support of family, I decided to pursue a music
ministry through recording."
Now
her career is in high gear and her CDs and tapes are selling. Last year, she won
the Bay Area 1999 Recording Artist of the Year Award. "I was pleasantly
surprised. Also, when I released my CD "Joy In My Heart" Vickie Winans
so graciously agreed to be my special guest host.
She has been such an inspiration in my life." There have also been
hurdles to clear.
"Looking
for record companies to sign you had been a challenge in the beginning. It was
very difficult traveling to all the music conventions and workshops only to be
turned away. The gospel music world is very challenging," she said. But she
stayed on course. ``The recovery came in March 1994 when my family and I prayed
and asked God to lead us on what to do. The answer came to start an independent
label. It has been a joy thus far learning about the industry.
It can have it's ups and downs but that's how businesses go.
God
will make a way every time. "Right now Garland Records is still in the
establishing mode and currently seeking distribution. Once we have distribution
then we can sign on other gospel artists.
We
see our label as launching the gospel careers of other Bay Area talents as well
as abroad. Personally, I see myself doing my ministry fulltime traveling
throughout the world letting people know that Jesus is a Savior and that God
gave his son to save the world."
Bluford
has shared a stage with the Hawkins Family, the Five Blind Boys, Yolanda Adams,
Rance Allen, Helen Baylor, Rev. Daryl Coley, Shirley Ceasar, and the Walter
Hawkins Mass Choir.
At
the age of 16, she was one of the youngest members of the Northern California
First Jurisdiction State Choir and she held establish an outreach program for
underprivileged youths at her father's church in San Francisco. Bluford has also
moved audiences at Oakland's Yoshi's nightspot. Her Christmas hits included a
warm rendition of "Silent Night" and "Oh Come All Ye
Faithful." Her other releases on Garland Records include "He's
Real," "Come By," and "God Bless the World."
She
has also performed the national anthem for the Golden State Warriors and the San
Francisco Giants and she has spiced many Gospel shows in the Bay Area. She was
also a hit aboard the Festival at Sea Island Cruise where she performed with
Gerald Levert, Rachelle Ferrell, Vesta and Gerald Alston of the Manhattans.