Derrick Starks Heads South To Atlanta

The city of Atlanta opens its arms to welcome chart topping songwriter and producer Derrick Starks as he assumes a new post as Minister of Music of the Berean Christian Church under the leadership of Dr. Kerwin B. Lee.  While now a resident of the south, Starks says nothing will change his love for the Motor City.  ” I am and forever will be a son of Detroit, nothing and no one can ever change that because Detroit is in my heart”.  “I love my city and a huge part of my family is there, God simply said it was time to enlarge my territory, and I had to get there, but I finally surrendered and told the Lord that I am willing to do and go wherever He wants me to go.”

2018 was a year of blessing and testing for Starks and his family.  The year began with Starks; composition Hang On netting multiple Stellar Award nominations as the video for the lead single from the Bishop J Drew Sheard presents GEI Live amassed well over 250,000 views.  Derrick was lauded with his second Most Performed Song Award from BMI and Kierra Sheard went on to perform Hang On at venues across the country, most notably during the 50 year commemoration of the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. held in April at Mason Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis, Tennessee and streamed around the world.   Starks finished up the month of August rendering music for the week long festivities paying homage to the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin. Starks’ Family and Friends Choir opened the Thursday night tribute concert filling Aretha Franklin Park with the glorious sounds of Gospel music.  The event was broadcast live on TV One as well as streamed around the world.

“Words cannot express how I feel about everything that has happened this year”, Starks proclaims. “I have walked through various doors of opportunity that I never would have dreamed of, and its all because of God.  I am truly grateful and have learned how to bless God in everything and for everything.  This year brought the unexpected passing of my father, Elder CJ Starks, but I have personally come to know God as a comforter and restorer.  It was a great honor to work with the incomparable Rudolph Stanfield, Jr. who did an outstanding job in putting together a fitting musical tribute to Ms. Franklin.  It was a huge responsibility working with all of the singers and musicians and the time constraints that were placed on us, but I am grateful that we had our chance to pay our respects with some of the best music on this side of heaven. A highlight of my life was when Stevie Wonder asked if I would accompany him as he played the Lord’s Prayer.  It was a humbling moment and one that I won’t soon forget.  God is great”.

Starks is hard at work putting finishing touches on the highly anticipated Family and Friends Choir project as well as sending a Christmas single to radio later this month.