Interview with Malcolm Williams
March 2006, BlackGospel.com (By Christopher Heron)

Walking In My Destiny is not only the album title belonging to one of Gospel music’s brightest new psalmists – Malcolm Williams and Great Faith.  It also happens to be the lifelong precept Minister Williams operates on. With a lifetime dedicated to ministry, a number of albums to his credit and a catalogue of songs appearing on some marquis releases by other notable artists, Malcolm Williams has accepted his calling, made claims on his inheritance and is indeed walking in his destiny.

BLACKGOSPEL.COM had a word with this Illinois native that is both a product of his environment and a child of the Most High.  His remarkable tale is one that offers both inspiration to the aspiring artist and comfort to the common man courageous enough to walk in is destiny.

Christopher Heron:  Malcolm, let's start with the development of your interest and gift for music. Growing up in a suburb of Chicago (Waukegan), you must have been exposed to many of the great choirs of the 80's and 90's in Chi-town. And church is such an important and vibrant ingredient to the flavor and character of that city.  How did these two variables - church and Gospel music - influence your love and desire to compose, sing and direct?

Malcolm Williams:  I was not really exposed to the Chicago Community Choir scene until the early 90's.  Waukegan is a suburb of Chicago however it is an hour away.  There was a whole different life in the “burbs".  It was church and it was very traditional.  I would have to say when I went away to college was my first true experience of the different recording choirs.  Growing up church for us was James Cleveland (which we did a WHOLE lot of), Albertina Walker, Shirley Caesar and other groups like that.  This allowed me opportunity to add new elements to the traditional songs to get the younger generation involved in church.

CH:  I must say, Great Faith has a sound and energy that's reminiscent of Chicago's best community choirs over the years, such as the Thompson Community Singers and Ricky Dillard's New Generation Chorale.  The crescendo and vibrato is very audible, the musicianship is excellent and the spirit is palpable.  Is Great Faith a reflection of your energy, dynamism and personality as its director or a manifestation of Illinois' flavor and style?

MW:  Great Faith is definitely a reflection of my "energy".  Any choir takes the life of their Director and I am glad to say that Great Faith has my character and you can experience a lot of me through my singers.  Some of the crescendo and vibrato is inherited but I like to think that the diction sets Great Faith apart from other Chicago choirs.  Early on the late O'landa Draper was very influential in my style of writing; now I listen to a lot of writers but Donald Lawrence is now one of my biggest influences.

CH:  Walking In My Destiny is a remarkable CD achievement that displays a seasoned music minister in full bloom with a distinctive ministry to showcase. How would you describe your third and latest album, Walk In My Destiny?  And what is the level of ministry for Great Faith at this point, its third album?

MW:  I would describe the Walking In My Destiny album as a true testament to where I am currently in life.  There are many things that I have been asking God for years and now I am beginning to see His hand on my ministry and His favor is evident in the life of Malcolm Williams & Great Faith.  Our first album "Gotta Make It" was an independent project that spoke to the story of enduring.  The sophomore project "Renew Me" was a step up and was speaking to the Body of Christ on being revived.  This project "Walking In My Destiny" (Also self produced) has already began to impact the country and Great Faith is truly at a point of life where we are ready to receive the things that God has for us.  This includes many things outside of music such as our Outreach Ministries & Fellowship.

CH:  Your new album features one of my favorite vocalists of all-time, Kim McFarland, who should be on everyone's Top Ten vocalists. What prompted you to feature her on your latest album, Walking In My Destiny, particularly since she's been out of the limelight for quite some time?

MW:  I am excited to be now working with many artists that I have grown up listening to.  In the last few months I have had the chance to work with Dorinda Clark-Cole, Angela Spivey, Dottie Peoples, Mark Hubbard, Rodney Bryant and some others.  When asked, by my manager Shawn Tate, "If I could pick three people to work with on this album who would they be?"  My first answer was my FAVORITE vocalist ARETHA FRANKLIN.  After a chuckle from Shawn I stated that Kim McFarland is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES.  We were listening to Demo's that I had created for the album and she was the best vocalist to deliver this song and just like we thought SHE KILLED IT!

CH:  You clearly have a deep and committed interest in empowering the lives of others, as demonstrated in your career path over the last few years.  Could you give me some insight on how working in social services has bettered your understanding for ministry and prepared you to apply what you sing about?

MW:  My heart is for ministry.  If my songs can inspire people to go on, that is GREAT!  I love to work with teenagers, the group that people are underestimating.  One of the greatest things has been the opportunity to work and mentor teen parents (moms and dads) to help them realize that this does not have to be the end.  When the church can learn to get out of the walls we can have such a great impact on society.  We have mastered how to come together for programs and shout with each other but what happens when the Chicago Bump II stops?

CH:  To close, could you please share with our audience what God has done and is doing in your life that has allowed you to come to this point as both a man and a music minister for this time?

MW:  God has allowed me to partner with Shawn Tate.  This union has already provided me national exposure toward building my name and the ministry on a long term basis.  There is a tour in development and I hope to be in cities near all of your readers very soon.  I am also active at the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago where Rev. James T. Meeks is my Pastor.   I am VERY active in my church and excited about the things going on there as well. There are so many great things in the works.

For more information on Malcolm Williams and Great Faith, visit the official website at www.malcolmwilliams.com.  For booking information, special appearances, to ensure the CD is available in your area and for words of encouragement to Malcolm Williams, send your emails to state@univocalrecords.com.