Raymond and Co

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Raymond & Co_________________________________________________________
The Group:Award winning group, Raymond & Co have a reputation as one Britain’s finest gospel group. Formed in 1994, the group comprises Gillian Nembhard, Janine Dyer, Christopher Gordon, Lisa Allen and the founder Isaiah-Raymond Dyer, and have wowed audiences with their soulful harmonies and contemporary gospel flavours throughout Britain, as well as Europe and America.During their illustrious career, they have shared the platform with some of the world's leading gospel artists including Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Karen Clark Sheard and Kim Burrell and have sang at many of Britain's mega churches.The History:The year 2001 was a landmark one for Raymond & Co. They made the final three of the prestigious MOBO Unsigned Act Competition; their popular song ‘Playing Games', was named Record of the Week by Radio 1's Dreem Teem and they won the first ever GMTV Voice Gospel Challenge, and in the process gained a recording contract with Integrity Music, the world’s largest Christian record company.As a result of that incredibly successful year, Raymond & Co received two awards at the first ever Oasis Gospel Awards held at the Metropole Hotel, in February 2002, and walked off with awards for Best Urban Song and Best Urban Group.The Journey:Saturday 4th October 2003 was a milestone in the group's career as they released their debut album ‘Playing Games’ on Integrity Music.The ‘Playing Games’ album is filled with the sounds for which the group have become renowned, memorable songs topped with soaring, inspiring vocals. Stand out tracks such as ‘Playing Games’ ‘Crazy Faith’ ‘No Limits’ and ‘Miracles’ are having a major impact on Gospel music lovers everywhere.Raymond & Co made their international debut alongside Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Cece Winans on the Sony/Integrity & Gospocentric mega compilation ‘Gotta Have Gospel’ with the sensational urban track‘No Limits’ in November 2003.Released worldwide on January 27th 2004, the Playing Games album seems set to consolidate the group’s position amongst International premier gospel artists and give them the international profile their music and ministry deserves.Raymond & Co crossover into the USA…Raymond & Co successfully completed a tour of the USA in May 2004.The group were featured on some of America’s main radio stations as well on major Gospel TV shows. Powerful live performances have left the group with numerous return invitations to the USA.Upon their return to the UK, the group were called back to the USA immediately after the tour to appear on a worldwide broadcast on the ‘Praise the Lord’ show on the world’s largest TV network TBN following a personal request from renowned speaker & author Pastor Paula White.Following this, the group were invited back to the USA to minister at the USA’s largest Christian conference – Bishop TD Jakes’ MegaFest.Raymond & Co was also invited onto TBN for a special Praise the Lord recording.Raymond & Co returned to the USA in September 2004 alongside the UK’s Bishop John Francis of Ruach Ministries for his groundbreaking ‘Order my Steps Conference’ in Atlanta, Georgia which was aired on an international broadcast on Sky Digital channel Revelation Tv, additional broadcasts will follow on TBN and the Word network.Awards:2004 was the year in which Raymond & Co won various outstanding awards over a six-week period (October –November 2004).Raymond & Co Awards:MOBO Award – Best Gospel Act.GEM Award –Best Gospel Group.Urban Music Award (UMA) – Best Gospel Act.UK Arena Tour: (November/ December 2004)October 2004 saw Raymond & Co receive an invitation from first ever Pop Idol winner Will Young to be the sole supporting artist on his UK Winter Arena tour. The estimated audience for the tour was 168,000 visiting all major UK cities in the UK and Ireland. For 19 days venues such as the Wembley Arena, Bimingham NEC, Cardiff University Arena, and the Glasgow SECC were filled with the gospel sounds of Raymond & Co.Raymond & Co visit Nigeria, Africa January 2005Raymond & Co made their first appearance on the continent of Africa in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The group received a great response and conducted Tv, radio and magazine interviews.Raymond & Co DOVE Award nomination February 2005Raymond & Co was nominated in the best urban album category for the prestigious Dove Awards alongside Tonex, Kiki Sheard and others.Raymond & Co Urban Music Award nomination September 2005Raymond & Co was nominated in the category of ‘Best Gospel Act’ in the Urban Music Award 2005. Raymond & Co won the UMA 2004.Raymond & Co win Urban Music Award November 2005Raymond & Co walked away with the UMA in the category of ‘Best Gospel Act’ in the Urban Music Award 2005.‘Chemistry RC-H2O -The Raymond & Co sound’Raymond & Co's sound is deemed to be urban contemporary gospel, and the term RnB would best describe the style of many of the songs as delivered by the group, however the group’s sound encompasses a variety of musical genres, namely, Jazz, Soul and Traditional gospel.Raymond & Co has a distinct sound, which is a deliberate fusion of UK and USA influences, both vocally and musically. Isaiah-Raymond & a friend coined a phrase to describe their sound, this term was birthed out of the reaction from listeners; the term is Mid-Atlantic.Mid-Atlantic describes the vocal posture heard in Raymond & Co’s music, questions such as ‘what state in the USA are you from’ were posed at Raymond & Co on various performance occasions in the USA, whilst listeners in the Europe often comment “you guys sound American!”Unique and versatile are apt words to describe this group who possess a warm feel and the ability to touch audiences across the age spectrum.Raymond & Co have garnered the respect of Gospel and secular artist alike ranging from Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Tonex to pop boy band Blue's Lee Ryan, Will Young as well as Mica Paris, Mistique and many othersDespite their professional performances, appearance and great vocal fluidity Raymond & Co's main focus is on MINISTRY, which they view to be serving the world the message of Jesus Christ- the GOOD NEWS via spiritually inspired music that today's listener can identify with.The very nature of their lyrics suggests a bias towards sincere ministry that also can be felt deep within by the listeners.The group have a strong desire to see people of all races lifted and inspired by their music, and ultimately connected in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Playing Games" IN STORES NOW!