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BIOGRAPHY
History
THE SPIRITUAL HI-LITES, INC. OF CLEVELAND, OHIO The Spiritual Hi-Lites -- making an eternal impact for Christ.
Many gospel music groups have been known as performers, showboats, or pretenders. But The Spiritual Hi-Lites of Cleveland, Ohio are the real thing. They sing with one goal in mind, to uplift the name of Jesus and win souls for Him. Their unique blend of traditional and contemporary music gives them an unforgettable style.
The Spiritual Hi-Lites will stir your heart through the Word of God in their lyrics and a spirit of worship in their ministry.
The Spiritual Hi-Lites is a gospel singing group composed of 9 members. The business manager and lead vocalist is Rev. Roger Jones. He founded the group in 1989. Roger has composed most of the songs the group sings.
The lead guitarist is Pete Murray who has produced and recorded several CD's. He arranges all the material for the group. The rhythm guitarist, Ray Jones, is Roger's twin brother. Ray and their other brother Eric Jones have been with the group since its inception. Eric is the bass guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist. Martin Hudson, the group's drummer, has a style unlike any other in gospel music.
Vocalist and songwriter Albert Nance, adds to the melody with his smooth lead and tenor voice. Roger Brown, a seasoned baritone/bass, is the newest member of the Spiritual Hi-Lites. "Mr. Brown" completes the harmony with his strong, rich tones. Fred McKissack adds a sweet mix of keyboard sounds, as well as rounding out the vocals with his tenor/baritone voice. The manager and patriarch of the group is Rev. B. E. Richey. "Reverend", as he is called, has been singing for half a century, and still sings with the freshness and vitality he has always possessed.
These messengers for Christ sing with the passion and zeal that will warm your heart.
PHONE: (216)470-4294 For bookings: Rev. Roger Jones P.O. Box 361573 Cleveland, Ohio 44136
or email us at: thespiritualhi-litesofcleve@juno.com
The Spiritual Hi-Lites invites you to look around our site and see what we're doing. We have some samples of our music and a schedule (check "ITINERARY" to the left) of our upcoming concerts. And please don't forget to sign our guest book. We want to hear from you.
REVEREND
Rev. B. E. Richey
Rev. B. E. Richey
Rev. B. E. Richey
Rev. B. E. Richey
Rev. B. E. Richey
Rev. B. E. Richey came from a legacy of lovers of God. "My father was a praying man, and he made sure his children knew the Lord, too."
"Reverend" as he is affectionately called, began singing at the age of 6 in his church choir in Alabama. He moved from Alabama to Albany, NY, to Warren, OH, where he joined the gospel singing group The C
Rev. B. E. Richey came from a legacy of lovers of God. "My father was a praying man, and he made sure his children knew the Lord, too."
"Reverend" as he is affectionately called, began singing at the age of 6 in his church choir in Alabama. He moved from Alabama to Albany, NY, to Warren, OH, where he joined the gospel singing group The Cliffs of Calvary. He later moved to Cleveland, OH, and began singing with the Golden Crowns.
After receiving the call to the ministry in the early 1980's, Reverend sought out ways to blend his singing and preaching ministries. He became a member of the Spiritual Hi-Lites, and has served as lead singer and manager since 1990.
Rev. B. E. Richey
BASS SINGER
Roger Brown
Roger Brown
Roger Brown
Roger Brown
Roger Brown
The newest member of the Spiritual Hi-Lites is Roger K. Brown. Roger was born and raised in Paducah, Kentucky, where he lived until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1956. After he was discharged he moved to Cleveland, Ohio and found employment at the Ford Motor Company. He retired from Ford after 41 years there.
"I attend
The newest member of the Spiritual Hi-Lites is Roger K. Brown. Roger was born and raised in Paducah, Kentucky, where he lived until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1956. After he was discharged he moved to Cleveland, Ohio and found employment at the Ford Motor Company. He retired from Ford after 41 years there.
"I attended a church for several years", says Roger, "when an elderly lady turned to me and told me I should be singing in the choir." Roger listened to her suggestion and joined the First Baptist Church choir in Berea, Ohio. He enjoyed singing praises to the Lord, and discovered his talent in that area. He sang baritone and bass in the choir for several years.
Roger came on board with the Spiritual Hi-Lites in 2010. "Mr. Brown", as the other group members affectionately call him, has been an asset to the group, both with his extraordinary vocal skills and with his wisdom and leadership abilities. The Spiritual Hi-Lites truly thank God for sending Roger to the group.
Roger Brown
BAND LEADER
E. PETER MURRAY
E. PETER MURRAY
Pete Murray has been playing the guitar since 1968, and started playing the piano (keyboards) even before that. Early in his musical career he was influenced by such artists as Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton. He has written all types of music, including easy listening, rock, blues, and jazz. Pete attended and graduated from the DiSim
Pete Murray has been playing the guitar since 1968, and started playing the piano (keyboards) even before that. Early in his musical career he was influenced by such artists as Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton. He has written all types of music, including easy listening, rock, blues, and jazz. Pete attended and graduated from the DiSimone School of Music, where he studied performance guitar.
When Pete turned his life over to Jesus, he began to dedicate his musical talent to the glory of God. His philosophy is, "All things we do are gifts from the Lord to be given back to the Lord."
In 2009 Pete joined the Spiritual Hi-Lites, where he leads the instrumentals and edits the music. He has been an important asset as a lyricist as well as musical director for the group.
Pete is happily married with two children. His devotion to Christ is evident in his family as well as his musical expression.
E. PETER MURRAY
E. PETER MURRAY
E. PETER MURRAY
LEAD/ALTO/CONTRALTO
ALBERT NANCE
ALBERT NANCE
ALBERT NANCE
ALBERT NANCE
ALBERT NANCE
Lead singer and background vocalist Albert Nance has been singing all his life. He got his start listening to a variety of music while growing up in Cleveland, Ohio. "Music is in my soul," Al says.
Al sang in every group he could find, elementary choir, Junior High chorus, and High School chorus, where he took additional voice lessons.
Lead singer and background vocalist Albert Nance has been singing all his life. He got his start listening to a variety of music while growing up in Cleveland, Ohio. "Music is in my soul," Al says.
Al sang in every group he could find, elementary choir, Junior High chorus, and High School chorus, where he took additional voice lessons. He also started disc-jockeying and participating in talent shows in high school. After graduation, he joined the Army and, of course, joined the U.S. Army Chorus.
Upon returning to Cleveland, Al continued his singing, participating in his church choir and male chorus, and later joining The Gospel Pearls. In 1997, Al joined the Spiritual Hi-Lites, and enjoys the fellowship and brotherhood he experiences with the group.
ALBERT NANCE
DRUMMER
MARTIN HUDSON*
MARTIN HUDSON*
MARTIN HUDSON*
MARTIN HUDSON*
MARTIN HUDSON*
Martin D. Hudson, a native Clevelander, was born into a musical family. As a toddler he watched his mother and aunts sing in a group at church. His uncle Darrell Hudson was the drummer for the group, and Martin was inspired by him to try the drums. "I took a liking to the sounds they made. I would even take the sticks and play on the
Martin D. Hudson, a native Clevelander, was born into a musical family. As a toddler he watched his mother and aunts sing in a group at church. His uncle Darrell Hudson was the drummer for the group, and Martin was inspired by him to try the drums. "I took a liking to the sounds they made. I would even take the sticks and play on the furniture."
Martin's mother, Saundra Hudson, bought him a drumset of his own, and he began playing in his church by the time he was 6 years old. He enjoyed playing, and his talent kept him in church. "Little did I know God was working on me then. He gave me a gift that I have used to give Him praise."
Roger Jones, Martin's cousin, noticed the superior talent God had given Martin, and invited him to join the group. Martin joined the Spiritual Hi-Lites at age 8. In his teenage years, he strayed from the group and from the Lord, but he wasn't gone long. Rejoining the Hi-Lites in 2005, Martin has shown the dedication and Christian witness that has been an asset to the group. You can always hear Martin say, "The Lord ain't through with me yet!"
MARTIN HUDSON*
KEYBOARDIST
FRED MCKISSICK
FRED MCKISSICK
FRED MCKISSICK
FRED MCKISSICK
FRED MCKISSICK
F. Douglas McKissack (Fred) was one of the original founding members of the Spiritual Hi-Lites in 1989. He left the group in 1991, but returned in November, 2010.
Music has been an integral part of Fred's life since his childhood. He started playing the keyboard at age 8, and added the guitar at age 10. He preferred the keyboard, and p
F. Douglas McKissack (Fred) was one of the original founding members of the Spiritual Hi-Lites in 1989. He left the group in 1991, but returned in November, 2010.
Music has been an integral part of Fred's life since his childhood. He started playing the keyboard at age 8, and added the guitar at age 10. He preferred the keyboard, and played it until he was 15. It was then that he had an accident in which two fingers of his right hand were severed and re-attached. For therapy he picked up the guitar and began to play again.
Fred pursued his love of music after graduation. He attended Cleveland State University and earned a B.A. Degree in Music Composition, with a minor in Communications. He says he has learned from artists in many genres of music. Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and the Winans are contemporaries who have influenced Fred's music style. Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven are among the classical composers who have affected Fred's appreciation of music.
In addition to playing the keyboards for the Spiritual Hi-Lites, Fred's tenor/baritone voice brings the final touches to the group's harmony.
FRED MCKISSICK
BASS GUITARIST/LEAD
ERIC JONES
ERIC JONES
ERIC JONES
ERIC JONES
ERIC JONES
You can recognize the smooth high tenor voice of Eric Jones in the background of most of the Spiritual Hi-Lites' songs. He is also the bass player for the group. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Eric has pursued music and the arts throughout his life. He attended the Cleveland School of the Arts and The Ohio State University. His
You can recognize the smooth high tenor voice of Eric Jones in the background of most of the Spiritual Hi-Lites' songs. He is also the bass player for the group. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Eric has pursued music and the arts throughout his life. He attended the Cleveland School of the Arts and The Ohio State University. His interest in music followed him upon his return to his hometown.
Eric is a co-founder of the Spiritual Hi-Lites, with his two brothers, Ray and Roger. He has added a key ingredient to complete the mellow harmony in each song. In addition to singing and playing the bass, Eric is a lyricist for a few of the group's songs.
Eric has this philosophy, "With hard work and determination, and putting God first, all things are possible."
ERIC JONES
RHYTHM GUITARIST/EFFECTS
RAYMOND JONES JR.
RAYMOND JONES JR.
RAYMOND JONES JR.
RAYMOND JONES JR.
RAYMOND JONES JR.
Raymond Jones, Jr. has been with the Spiritual Hi-Lites since its inception in 1989. Along with his brothers Roger and Eric, Ray saw the need to share God's love through the avenue of music. Ray is the rhythm guitarist for the group.
"I started messing around with the guitar in Junior High, but became more serious after graduating from
Raymond Jones, Jr. has been with the Spiritual Hi-Lites since its inception in 1989. Along with his brothers Roger and Eric, Ray saw the need to share God's love through the avenue of music. Ray is the rhythm guitarist for the group.
"I started messing around with the guitar in Junior High, but became more serious after graduating from college." Ray took guitar lessons, and then enhanced his skill by practicing with his brother-in-law Renfro Raybon, who was an original member of the group.
Ray blends his talents with lead guitarist Pete Murray to unfold a melodious mix of traditional and contemporary Gospel music. He attributes his musical gifts to the Lord, and to his parents, Raymond Sr. and Annie Jones, who introduced him to Jesus and took him to Gospel concerts when he was a child.
RAYMOND JONES JR.
LEAD VOCALIST
REV. ROGER JONES
REV. ROGER JONES
REV. ROGER JONES
REV. ROGER JONES
REV. ROGER JONES
Rev. Roger Jones, the founder and business manager of the Spiritual Hi-Lites, committed his life to Christ at age 15. He recognized the gift of song God had given him and immediately joined his church choir and male chorus. His singing was put on hold while he went to college, but Roger resumed his pursuit of music after graduation.
"Ev
Rev. Roger Jones, the founder and business manager of the Spiritual Hi-Lites, committed his life to Christ at age 15. He recognized the gift of song God had given him and immediately joined his church choir and male chorus. His singing was put on hold while he went to college, but Roger resumed his pursuit of music after graduation.
"Even after obtaining a degree, singing was still on my mind, in my heart, and in my blood." Roger attributes his love for singing to his parents, Raymond and Annie Jones, and to his uncle, Charles Jones, who is the lead singer and founder of the Traveling Stars of Memphis, Tennessee.
The Spiritual Hi-Lites has been Roger's passion since the group was formed. He organizes their engagements and presides over their rehearsals, which take place in his parents' basement.
"I don't know where God will lead this group, but I do know He brought the nine of us together to spread His Word through song."