William David McDowell (born August 31, 1976) is an American

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

ian. He started his music career, in 2009, with the release of, ''As We Worship'', by

Entertainment One Music MNRK Music Group (pronounced "monarch", formerly known as Koch Records and eOne Music) is a New York City-based independent record label and music management company. It was formed in 2009 from the music assets of Koch Entertainment, which had b ...

. This album would chart on three ''Billboard'' charts Gospel Albums,

Independent Albums The Independent Albums chart (previously titled Top Independent Albums) ranks the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays (EPs) in the United States, as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by '' Billboard'' maga ...

and

Heatseekers Albums Top Heatseekers are "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. The Heatseekers Albums and the Heatseekers Songs charts were introduced by ''Billboard'' in 1991 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new an ...

. His second album, ''Arise'', was released in 2011 with Entertainment One. The album charted three ''Billboard'' charts again, this time The ''Billboard'' 200, Gospel Albums and Independent Albums. His third album, ''Withholding Nothing'', was released in 2013, with Entertainment One. This album would chart on three charts The ''Billboard'' 200, Gospel Albums, and Independent Albums. He was nominated for

Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album The Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality albums in the Gospel music genre. Honors in s ...

, for his third album.

Early life

McDowell was born in

Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...

, on August 31, 1976, as William David McDowell. Work ID No. 883677982 ISWC No. T9113058756 His father, Lewis, and mother, Pauline (''née'' Leggette), were both born in

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

Music career

His music career got started in 2009, with the release of ''As We Worship'' on February 3, 2009 by

. This album would be his ''Billboard'' breakthrough release because it charted on the Gospel Albums at No. 3, on the

at No. 21, and on the

at No. 32. William Ruhlmann rated the album three stars on behalf of

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, while

Cross Rhythms Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music. Hi ...

' Doug Holland rated it a perfect ten. The second album, ''Arise'', was released on November 8, 2011 by Entertainment One. It would chart on The ''Billboard'' 200 at No. 61, on the Gospel Albums at No. 1, and on the Independent Albums at No. 13. Steve Leggett from

rated the album three and a half stars. His third album, ''Withholding Nothing'', was released on November 5, 2013 by Entertainment One. This would chart on The ''Billboard'' 200 at No. 28, on the Gospel Albums at No. 1, and on the Independent Albums at No. 4. Steve Leggett at

rated the album three stars, while New Release Tuesday's Dwayne Lacy rated the album four out of five stars. The album was nominated for

at the

57th Annual Grammy Awards The 57th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 8, 2015, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The show was broadcast live by CBS at 5:00 p.m. PST ( UTC−8). Rapper LL Cool J hosted the show for the fourth consecutive time ...

. He is nominated at the 30th Stellar Awards, for the Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, and his album, ''Withholding Nothing'', is nominated for the Traditional CD of the Year. His fourth album, '' Sounds of Revival'', was released on January 22, 2016, from

Personal life

McDowell moved to

Orlando, Florida Orlando () is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida, Orange County. In Central Florida, it is the center of the Greater Orlando, Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, acco ...

in his twenties to attend

Full Sail University Full Sail University is a Private university, private For-profit higher education in the United States, for-profit university in Winter Park, Florida. It was formerly a recording studio in Ohio named Full Sail Productions and Full Sail Center ...

, where he received his degree in Entertainment Business. He was mentored by

Ron Kenoly Ron Kenoly (born December 6, 1944) is an American Christian worship leader, singer, and songwriter whose expressed mission is "to create an environment for the manifest presence of God". His musical style is one of jubilant praise and individu ...

, when he was his Music Director. After college, his mentorship continued under the tutelage of Sam Hinn, while he was in the capacity of Worship Pastor at The Gathering Place Church. In May 2010, McDowell married LaTae; they reside outside of Orlando, Florida, with their children. He is also the pastor at Deeper Fellowship church located in

Discography

References

External links

Official website

AllMusic Biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:McDowell, William 1976 births Living people African-American songwriters African-American Christians Musicians from Cincinnati Musicians from Orlando, Florida Songwriters from Florida Songwriters from Ohio MNRK Music Group artists 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people