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DERRICK - "DA-MAESTRO"

Raised up from a cotton patch in Itta Bena, MS, (Leflore County), the heart of the Mississippi Delta, I began my music career around the age of five (5), playing the piano. I started at a small holiness church in the countryside of Tippo, MS. Baptized at 10 and choir director and church musician at age 13. At first too shy to play and wanting just to be a playful kid, but later persuaded.

I began writing songs around age eleven (11) and have as of today, written over 175 gospel, sacred and chorale pieces for quartets, trios, choirs, and soloists. I currently live in Enid, Oklahoma (Garfield County).

I was in my high school band where I played trombone and later was the drum major. Through Gods anointing and eternal wisdom, I picked up the clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, baritone, tuba, french horn, and drums as well. I joined the high school choir during my senior year and sang tenor. When I went to college at MVSU, I sang baritone/tenor in the concert, gospel, and show choirs.

Mission and Ambition

My ambition since childhood has been to work exclusively with music in the capacity of instructor, director, composer, producer and professional singer. I am pursuing the knowledge and skill of perfection in some other instruments like the cello, violin, guitar, drums, psaltery, harp. My goal is to learn to play, teach, and perfect as many instruments as I can. I have the perseverance and tenacity to accomplish any goal I set my mind upon.

GROUP - GYDED

The word gyded is an old English term used during the time of Tyndale. The modern translation is guided. The group name, GYDED, in its beginning was an acronym for Gwen, Yolanda, Derrick, and ED, which means "witness" from Joshua 22:34. Later, when other members were added, it took on a greater meaning: "Grace Yields Deliverance/ED-"Witness." And We ARE certainly witnesses that God's grace brings forth salvation, because it is by grace we are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God! (Ephesians 2:8)

I am a native of Itta Bena, MS, and I am the main writer for the group. Yolanda, the second writer for the group, a Clarksdale, MS native, began her writing career approximately twelve years ago (1997). Tamela, the third writer for the group is also a Clarksdale, MS native.

We are anointed and guided by the Spirit of God in service, for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God! (Romans 8:14) Therefore we humbly minister to all that would listen: words of comfort, hope, salvation and deliverance through MUSIC!!! God hath anointed me to deliver the brokenhearted, to restore the fallen, to repair the breaches, to loose the bands of wickedness, to free the oppressed, to ease the heavy burdens, to restore faith to the unbelieving, to witness of his salvation, and to save the lost by one of His greatest weapons, music!