Vernessa Mitchell is the Diva who brought you the smash dance hits
THIS JOY, ISSUES, REAP, HIGHER, SERIOUS, AND TROUBLE DON'T LAST ALWAYS.
Vernessa's last release, the huge club anthem remixed by Jr. Vasquez, TOOK MY LIFE ran up the Billboard Club Play charts to the number 1 position.
Vernessa's release "ACCEPT ME" raced up the Billboard Dance Club Chart and landed at the coveted number 1 spot once again.
This songstress has a set of pipes that will blow the roof off your church, club or venue so hurry and book while dates are still available.
Vernessa currently resides in Atlanta, GA and travels with the ministry.
You can see and learn more about Vernessa on her website: www.vernessa.com .
From the walls of her father's church to a recording studio at Motown Records, the penetrating voice of Vernessa Mitchell rings clear. Born into a family of ten, Vernessa was determined to make her mark. She hit stardom at a young age with her sister Barbara and two other teenage girls. They called themselves High Energy. Berry Gordy of Motown spotted their talent and signed them to a recording contract during the late '70s. Their first album went gold and produced the hit single "You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On).
"Their fame was affirmed by invitations to appear on American Bandstand, Soul Train and television shows hosted by Merv Griffin, Dina Shore, and Mike Douglas. However, in mid-success Vernessa decided to leave the group and Motown. "The Lord spoke to me and said 'It's time to leave all of this'." She loved the people at Motown but she was concerned about the message her music gave young people. "You have to be so careful about the things you put out there...our young people are so influenced by music."
She felt a burning need to meet head-on the negative messages that are portrayed through music and contribute to the violent destruction of our youth.After leaving Motown, Vernessa joined Dr. Wayne Davis' World Won For Christ Ministries in California. There, she gained a solid foundation in the Word. "God told me I couldn't sing about a man I didn't know about," she explains. She says she soon found the real star in life is Jesus. She became a staff member and served with Dr. Davis' ministry ten years.Meanwhile, Kent Washburn, who'd produced Vernessa during her Motown days, had given his life to Jesus Christ.
He found Vernessa, told her about his change of heart and convinced her to sign with his label Command Records. She released two critically-acclaimed albums with Command, the Grammy and Dove Award-nominated "This Is My Story: and "Higher Ground." "I praise God that he sent me the same professional people and expertise I had at Motown; only now, we are all serving the Lord."Later, she recorded with the Nicholas Family and co-wrote and sang the lead on the hit song "I Gotta Tell Somebody."
Vernessa's other hits include "Stand Up and Be Counted," "Trust in The Lord," "When I'm Weak I'm Strong" and "He'll Find A Way." Vernessa's next album was entitled "On A Mission". Released on the Benson label, it featured a stirring song called "Soldier" set to a militaristic beat. This song was nominated for a Stellar award.
Just as she was compelled to leave Motown because of the influence on youth, Vernessa is returning to fight among the spiritual warfare that attempts to destroy our youth. "There's such an outcry," she says. "Our youth are searching for something more than the world has to offer. Someone needs to challenge them, share the gospel with them, and say, 'You don't have to hurt or settle for less.'"She issues her challenges through special events such as Youth Crisis Awareness Week, a marathon week of youth evangelism spearheaded in the Midwest by Cheryl Hurley, director of the High School Ministry network.
Top national Christian youth speakers were paired with well-known musicians to enter 73 high schools in four days and give motivational assemblies. Vernessa teamed up with friend Joseph Jennings, who is a former Black Nationalist who is known for cutting to the heart of gang members. The week culminated in a stadium filled with 15,000-20,000 kids, set against a backdrop of one of the most troubled neighborhoods in Wichita, Kansas. Governor Joan Finney heard about the event and invited Vernessa and Joseph to come to Topeka, Kansas to present their message. Finney was so moved by the pair she gave them a letter of recommendation, endorsing their work as they go into other high schools.
Her album "Destiny" is geared toward youth and focuses on urban outreach. It's more contemporary than her other releases, and appeals to secular audiences. "It has a nice R&B urban tone; it's the gospel without compromise." Dick Clark Productions took notice of "Destiny", so did top NBA and NFL athletes. Vernessa has plans to work alongside athletes associated with a Christian athletic association whose aim is to capture the attention of youth and point them toward higher ground.
Her new album "Let Your Presence Fall" takes her back to her roots of Gospel, Inspirational, and Praise & Worship. It is a blend of different styles that once again highlights Vernessa's versatility as a singer. The project is on Vernessa's new label Priority Sound.
As she tours Italy, France, Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and speaks at youth conferences, women's lectures, and before single groups, Vernessa's talents are heard in her music and seen in her preaching.
She is an ordained minister working to finish a Master's in Biblical Studies, but her focus is to carry the gospel to those who need it most, including inmates behind prison walls. "It's important to take the gospel to those who are hurting, who never go inside a church." Vernessa wants to counsel young people. And one day, she wants to open a home for abused children and pregnant teens.
Most recently Vernessa was an honored performer at the l997 Inaugural Ball for President Clinton. Her song was a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from the Musical (KING). The lady is, as they say, "On a Mission".
Management:
Juanita Vann
Destiny Entertainment
[email protected]