Insta Photo by @cogicmusicllc -February 08, 2016 at 08:20PM

IMD TRAILBLAZER ::: REV. JAMES MOORE (1956-2000) ---------------------------- He was noted not only for his incredible vocal talent, but for his ability to convey in song his love, adoration and praise for his Lord. Powerfully-voiced with a talent for improvisation that knew no bounds, Reverend James Moore was a signature voice and a definitive presence in the core fabric of Gospel Music. Reverend James Moore Sr., born James Leslie Moore in Detroit, Michigan on February 1, 1956, was a gospel artist well known throughout the gospel recording industry for his powerful vocal abilities. Moore had a genuine love for the traditional sounds of the church, but came to appreciate the uprising contemporary form of gospel music as well. Moore made his first appearance at the front of church at the age of seven and was introduced to gospel matriarch Dr. Mattie Moss Clark by a friend. With the help and influence of Dr. Clark, Moore began to flourish in gospel music. He was a featured soloist with the Church Of God In Christ International Mass Choir, as well as a crowd favorite at the legendary late night musical celebrations. The singer rose to prominence in 1974 at the James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop Of America where he received the Thurston Frazier Scholarship Award. The same year he recorded his first album, 'I Thank You Master', for Savoy. It didn’t take long for the Gospel Industry to sit up and take notice of this great talent. Not long after his debut, Moore became in great demand, and soon began appearing on other artists’ projects, including Reverend Gerald Thompson and Michael Fletcher. After three albums on Luminar/Light and recordings for Secret and Gospel, he returned to Malaco/Savoy where his debut album for Malaco 'Rev. James Moore Live' climbed to the top of Billboard's Gospel Music Chart. It was through his friendship with Malaco executive Frank Williams that Moore would began a long and close relationship with The Mississippi Mass Choir. Moore did a guest appearance on the Mississippi Mass Choir's self-titled debut, one of the biggest selling gospel albums of all-time, staying a record 48 weeks at number one on the Billboard's Gospel Album Chart. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1QRJADB