Kelli Lynn Grace, Was born in Detroit, Michigan to Johnell and Sharon Caver (May). Kelli attended the Joy Road Church of the Living God where Elder K. Burns was the Pastor. In 1984 she moved her membership to Gospel Truth Tabernacle, where her grandfather, Bishop Clinton W. Kirkwood was Pastor. She later married her husband, Del Ray Grace Sr. and moved to Toledo, Ohio. Kelli is a very gifted public speaker and she uses that gift to articulate the spoken word in several songs on this CD project. Kelli’s favorite verse of scripture is Psalms 37:4, Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Del Ray Grace, Sr., was born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in the Jewell Dominion Church organization for the first thirty- five years of his life. Like many impressionable young people within the church, Del was inspired to play steel guitar by some of the great pioneers of the tradition such as Bishop Henry Wayne White (Detroit, MI), the late James Rudolph “Tubby” Golden (Cleveland, OH) and the late great Bishop Lorenzo Harrison (Indianapolis, In.).
After leaving the church in 1995, Del decided to take his God given talent and abilities to another level by establishing the “Amazing Grace ‘Sacred Strings’ Praise Band.” This band serves as an outreach vehicle in the community expressing God’s Love in a musical way.
With the help of the Lord, Del has produced and recorded several CD and DVD projects (Click here for a complete listing). Del is also the brain child of the sacred steel video catalog, the largest collection of African American steel players on the worldwide web. See www.youtube.com/sacredstrings.
His latest endeavor was the birth of Sacred String Records (click here for more information). This is an independent record label designed to document, promote and preserve perhaps one of the most dazzling roots music legacies alive in this country today, the African American Steel Guitar Tradition of the Church of the Living God Inc.
Del Ray Grace Jr.,A multi-talented musician who plays the drums and bass guitar on several CD projects. He began playing music in the church at the age of 2. He is currently the main drummer at the Mt Pilgrim Baptist Church. His inspiration comes primarily from his father Del Ray Grace Sr. and Uncle Kevin Staples who encouraged him to use his talent for the Lord.
Johnell “Jay” Caver,
Jay is a very exceptional lead guitarist born in Detroit, Michigan to Johnell and Sharon Caver (May). Jay travels extensively between the Jewell and Keith Dominion Churches playing for the Lord. Jay began playing at age 16 and was inspired by many Jewell Dominion guitarist but Ronnie Mozee of Indianapolis, Indiana made the greatest impact on his style of play. To his credit Jay has recorded with Calvin Cooke, Robert Randolph, Derrick Campbell, Aubrey Ghent, Inspired of OH, Sonny Day of Detroit and other Arhoolie Sacred Steel Artist.
Chanell Caver, born and raised in Detroit, MI. Her parents are Jay and Daphne Caver. Chanell serves as the youth pastor at Higher Praise Ministries in Detroit, MI. She is also an anointed psalmist and praise dancer.
Delmarr Christopher Pope, born in Toledo, OH to Fran Grace and Roosevelt Pope. Chris has a passion for playing drums in the service of the Lord. He was influenced by Del Ray Grace Jr., Curtis Chambers and Kiel Newsome.
Paris "Genesis" Stewardis a Native of Toledo, OH. He has been influenced by many such as Karen Clark Sheard, Rance Allen, Chris Bryd, Smokie Norful, Tonex and many more. He has been singing since he was eight years old. On September 22, 2007 he released his first CD entitled "I'm Not, Thank God". Paris attends New Kingdom Church in Toledo, OH. He attends University of Toledo.
