Album Notes

Minister Rodney Cunningham

From Performing Art Centers, Symphony Orchestra to African World Festivals and sharing the stage with star Paul Anka, Rodney Cunningham has raised the bar for other gospel singers with his ability to showcase his musical messages of faith. His high energy performances take his audiences on a faith-based musical roller coaster of both inspiration and perspiration.

After performing with David Peaston and Marvin Sapp in the stage production of "When Men Sing", Rodney remarked, "Singing with these kind men forces you to push the envelope of your abilities. It was a wonderful experience. I knew I had to hold my own with them. In the end, we all blended, and we had a sold-out, hit show."

A 34-year old native of Milwaukee, Rodney started off as a featured artist with the 1988 Kids from Wisconsin. They performed with the Boca Raton Symphony Orchestra in Florida and drew very positive reviews from critics in the classical world.

Rodney's 1997 CD "Your Love Is All I Need" was his first step into the professional Gospel arena. It was launched with the creative talents of Babyface and Mary J. Blige's keyboardist, Cornell Thigpen, Boyz II Men keyboardist, Ben Love, and Eric Benet's producer, Demante Posey. Stellar Award winner and singer Ricky Dillard of New G says, "Rodney's voice brings healing and deliverance to all of his listeners."

In 2002, Rodney released his CD and Video of his concert "LIVE: at the Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. "You know, the most difficult part of this business is not the singing, it's the marketing/distribution," says Rodney. "Having to finance the whole project yourself drains so much of your energy. I feel there would be more gospel artists out there to showcase if there weren't so many financial hurdles to jump over." Other gospel artists seem to share that opinion as they see Rap and Hip-Hop overtake R&B and Gospel CD sales.

Rodney's most recent CD as a featured soloist is with director Mark Hubbard and the United Voices for Christ of Chicago. The CD also features Richard Smallwood and Donald Lawrence of the Tri-City Singers. "It was interesting to work with those guys," says Rodney. "They're able to bring out something different in an artist's performance; they really know their stuff."

Cunningham was also a supporting actor in the 1984 NBC TV special "What Will It Take" guest star on the TV Christmas special "Look-In" on WISN Milwaukee and has been a performer on Carnival Cruise Lines.

Cunningham has recently recorded his 2nd live project, which features the musical talents of Bishop Neal Roberson (Blackberry Records) and Pastor DeAndre Patterson (TYSCOT Records) to name a few. Cunningham states, "I want to shop this project in hopes of landing a record deal, so pray for me."