Nashville, TN – Tennessee became known as the “Volunteer State” during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War of 1848 when President James K. Polk of Tennessee issued a call for volunteers and 30,000 Tennesseans answered the call. There is another call of duty that Tennesseans who love singing gospel music and standing on the battlefield for the Lord are heeding. In 2006, Jeff Wilford founded the Volunteer State Mass Choir, which he convened with a group of enthusiastic believers. These choir members from across the state of Tennessee, from Knoxville to Memphis, volunteer their voices and musical talents to preserve the art of gospel choirs while bringing inspiration and hope to people across the country, proving their unwavering devotion to their craft and their faith.
The Volunteer State Mass Choir (VSMC) has released a new album that immerses the soul in a traditional gospel experience. I AM GOD is their third album of original gospel songs and beloved classics. The album features powerful lead singers from Tennessee: Reneé Craig, Bishop Belita McMurray-Fite, Sheila Watson, Jennifer Wiggins, Pastor Vincent Johnson, and Patrick D. Sorrell. Wilford also leads the title song, “I Am God.”
I AM GOD is produced by Wilford and Kevin Kelley for Studio 2024 in Nashville, TN. Damien Searcy serves as music director. Their single “I Am Blessed” was written by Kyle Kelley with lead vocals by Jennifer Wiggins. VSMC dedicates its new album to the late Val Craig-McMurray. Val was a dedicated VSMC member and was affectionately known in the Central TN community as “Mama Val – Nashville’s Mom.”
I AM GOD is now available on all digital music providers. VSMC recently celebrated the album’s release with a rousing performance at the Gospel Music Workshop Of America and the GMWA National Alliance of Gospel Music Professionals in Memphis, Tennessee. They will kick off their fall tour in September with performances in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.
