About New Direction..... and Jeral and Percy Gray
After being laid off from his job at a chemical plant,
Jeral Gray formed the choir in 1994, with the mission of
bringing more youth into the church and giving young singers
(16-25 years old) an opportunity to use their talents for
the Glory of the Lord, thus giving them "an alternative
to the distractions of the streets, which can be alluring."
Jeral Gray explains, "I had been doing music part-time
for most of my life, and I just felt a prompting telling
me it was time to make that the focus of my life. I didn't
know what to expect, but I followed that word, and I never
looked back since."
Looking around his hometown of Chicago, he saw a lot of
talented young Christian musicians, all looking for ways
to serve the Lord with their considerable vocal gifts. After
feeling a strong personal call from the Lord to be in ministry
to the younger generation, starting with youth of his community,
Jeral got to work, enlisting the help of his older brother,
Percy, who soon became "an intregal part of the aggregation."
Jeral Gray explains, "Everything we do, my brother
and I do together. It wasn't long before he became a part
of things. He has definitely been co-owner of this choir
and its vision...and my key inspiration from the beginning."
Percy Gray, Jeral's older brother became the founding
onstage director for this choral group. As of 2004, the
New Direction Choir has grown to 43 + voices (median age:
early 20's) accompanied by a five member contemporary Gospel
band.
NEW DIRECTION -1999 
GET
YOUR PRAISE ON - 2000
Under the label of Myrrh Records, their first album was
released in May 4, 1999, entitled NEW DIRECTION. Their second
album was released in 2000, entitled GET YOUR PRAISE ON.
Both albums received multiple Stellar and Grammy Award nominations.
Under the label of Gospocentric Records, RAIN is their
3rd album, released February 24, 2004, which promises to
bring them front and center in the Gospel community and
broaden their audience appeal to include a much wider following,
across generations and denominations, due to the nature
and fresh mix of Gospel styles found throughout this new
CD. After RAIN was released, New Direction went on tour
with other Gospocentric artists, a tour called "Experience
The New Life Tour," which happened during Feb. - March
2004. Byron Cage, Natalie Wilson & SOP, Ramiyah, and RiZen
also toured with New Direction.
Four songs from the RAIN album have been released as Radio
singles and have gained a strong following among radio audiences.
Radio audiences have grown to love I'M IN LOVE WITH JESUS,
I'M GONNA WAVE MY HANDS, A SONG and HEAL THE LAND.
Today, Jeral and Percy Gray describe their involvement
with New Direction as ones of "overseers, keeping New
Direction on track, each with a specific expertise, as well
as equally sharing credits as the group's arrangers, producers,
and cowriters of most of the musical / vocal compositions.
Although Jeral Gray no longer performs with New Direction,
he is still its "behind-the scenes man in matters of
business and creativity." Percy Gray is no longer
the on-stage director of New Direction, but instead now
finds his talents being put to good use as both a vocalist
for New Direction and the "exhorter" of their
audiences and congregations during New Direction's performances,
following the example set by one of his earlier mentors,
Rev. Milton Brunson.
Other Moving Forces behind New Direction....
Choir Director: Demond Johnson - Percy Gray has passed
the baton onto a new choir director, Demond Johnson, who
was hand-picked, trained, and discipled by Percy Gray himself.
Vicki Lataillade and Monica Bacon and Percy Bady - Vicki
Lataillade and Monica Bacon were the Executive Producers
of this CD, thanks to Percy Bady who brought the New Direction
to their attention at Gospocentric Records. Percy Bady first
introduced New Direction to his own fans on his new CD,
The Percy Bady Experience by having them sing the back-up
vocals for the song, KEEP ON DREAMING. Percy then introduced
them to Vicki Lataillade of Gospocentric Records, who became
the CD project coordinator along with Monica Bacon. Percy
Bady also contributed two songs, A SONG and I CAN MAKE IT,
which he produced and arranged for the New Direction Choir.
About Their Music.....
"Old School Using New School Singing" - Jeral
Gray
In Chicago, Jeral and Percy Gray Jr. grew up in "a
solid churchgoing God fearing home", and were enveloped
in traditional Gospel music at both home and church. Being
musically curious, Percy and Jeral would enjoy jazz and
popular R & B albums as well, which were covertly slipped
into the house. R & B Artists such as the GAP Band,
Earth, Wind & Fire, and James Brown, and a number of
modern Gospel's pioneering acts such as Andrae Crouch, Commissioned,
and the Winans all became major influences. This enriched the
musical development of Jeral and Percy, who displayed their
musical talent at an early age.
Jeral became proficient in playing the drums, organ and
keyboards, and Percy became a talented singer, arranger
and song writer. However, though they had the ability to
perform in any style of music, they always focused their
talent and energy in creating Gospel music, their first
love, in their own unique way.
So, it's not surprising that the musical programs performed
by New Direction can be described as "Old School using
New School Singing." Under the leadership and guidance
of Jeral and his brother Percy, New Direction specializes
in "taking Gospel traditions in truly new directions,
crossing lines not only of musical tastes, but even more
importantly, race, religion and creed."
Jeral Gray explains, "You wouldn't hear New Direction
and think 'Traditional Gospel' at all, but there are roots
that go deeper than just what you hear in the grooves. I'm
the oldest one in this bunch, so while I've caught the contemporary
side of things, I also go back with the old-school Gospel,
and it touches everything I do in some way or another. That
was music that was straight from the heart and soul, and
the Gospel message was always front and center in the lyrics.
There was no mistaking what they were talking about. And
I would like to think the same is true in everything New
Direction does as well. Plus, Gospel music is the foundation
of so much of all contemporary music. If it hadn't been
for that, we wouldn't have had anything to build from."
To find out more about New Direction, visit the Gospocentric
Web-Site
References: Material from McCain and Company, Article from
Gospel City
