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Praise Leader Wakes Up Late-Night TV

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

mbearden@tampatrib.com

Published: February 7, 2009

LARGO - It seemed like an improbable gamble.

The Christian Television Network in Largo, with a decidedly white, older audience, added "The Gospel Voice" to its lineup in December 2007. The half-hour taped show would be led by Riverview gospel singer-songwriter Derrick Williams and air nationally on Saturdays at midnight.

"Not what you normally expect from us," concedes Rick Wolfe, production manager.

But these are tough times, and broadcast media are not immune. To survive, you have to think and act in new ways. Even if it means putting a television neophyte up against "Saturday Night Live."
Channel 22 rolled the dice.

A year later, the show is garnering e-mail and kudos from all over the map - the best measure of "ratings" the network has. It has a potential worldwide audience of 500 million, with 13 stations nationwide, plus satellite and cable.

Not bad for someone in his first TV gig. "I know how blessed I am," Williams says.

Fast-paced and faith-based, the production includes original gospel music influenced by jazz, blues, reggae and contemporary pop. The live band includes Williams at the keyboard and backup singers. Between sets, he banters with his mates, tells homespun stories and weaves in Scriptures that relate to everyday experiences.

"That we're getting e-mails tells me we are getting younger viewers," Wolfe says. "We see a lot of possibilities ahead of us with this show. We haven't begun to tap into Derrick's potential."

I sat in on a taping of Williams' show and I can tell you this much: The decision to put him on the air was a no-brainer.

He has energy. He can sing, he can write. He has charisma. Even better, he's a genuinely nice and humble guy.

The Birmingham, Ala., native has lived in the Tampa Bay area for 18 years. Maybe you've heard him at CK's at the Tampa Marriott, where he's been a Saturday night fixture for seven years, playing jazz and favorite Rat Pack standards. For the past year, he took a break from that gig to play Wednesdays through Saturdays at City Fish in Oldsmar.

If you attended any of the performances of "The Rock and the Rabbi," Williams is the black guy playing Jesus. He's played the role for 10 years and it has taken him to venues across the country.

"Derrick is a force of nature," says Gary Richardson, the show's co-creator and narrator. "Every time he's taken the stage, he's electrified the audience. He's big, he's bold and God's gifted him with an amazing talent."

We're not done yet with "Derrick the Tornado." Twelve years ago, he married Julie, another force of nature who helps him out at their home-based independent recording company, Derlie Records (a combination of their names). They've produced four of Williams' CDs, a fifth's due this fall. They've also worked with their 4-year-old daughter Jordan.

At 10 a.m. Sundays, Williams is at Shiloh Restoration Tabernacle in Brandon leading the music, and at 6:30 p.m., he's the praise and worship leader at The Well service at Presbyterian Church of Seffner. When he's not composing music and writing songs in the wee hours of the morning, he might be at Anytime Fitness in Riverview, where he works as a personal trainer.

A solo appearance as a guest on one of Channel 22's fundraisers led to the invitation to do "The Gospel Voice."

"The call just blew me away. We had just weeks to put it together, and I had no idea how we could pull it off," he recalls. "When you get serious about Christ, you can't think about where he's going to take you. You just have to go with it."

Every other month, Williams and his backup band meet at the network's Largo-based studio and tape four half-hour segments. They invite friends and other guests to sit in small tables surrounding the stage cafe-style. Midway through the taping, Julie puts on a home-cooked spread for the crew and visitors, with help from some of her family members.

Now that he has some experience, is he comfortable in this medium?

"I used to watch it when I first started and I would feel an ulcer coming on. Like, 'Oh no, I didn't say that!' It's just too much stress," he laughs. "So now my excuse is I've got other priorities on Sunday morning."

He says he's grateful for the opportunity that came out of nowhere. And he intends to use it to the best of his abilities. "God doesn't call the equipped," he says. "But he does equip the call."

"The Gospel Voice" was a bit of a risk for the usually predictable CTN. It's too early to predict the payoff. But the network went in the right direction when it invited Williams aboard.

Don't just take my word for it. Tune in Saturday night at midnight. You're going to like what you hear.

For a close-up visit to "The Gospel Voice" set, watch columnist and reporter Michelle Bearden's "Keeping the Faith" segment at 9 a.m. Sunday on WFLA-TV.

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