About Me
Alex Gibbs better known as Forty West is a combination of Rhythm and Blues, Pop, and Soul. The essence of his voice compelling with a variety of genres pours out love, passion and his life; A voice true to love. When Forty West performs, he renders a powerful, yet emotional performance which leaves audiences ‘bug-eyed’ and in ‘awe’ that a man can deliver power and inspiration through song. Shocked that a 17 year old young man, fresh from high school can perform and write such beautiful music. But don’t be alarmed if you walk into one of his performances and the audience is quiet. They’re not quiet because they’re waiting for him to get finish, just think of it as nothing can be said, and not even a sing-a-long! Forty West takes the audience through a musical wonderland.
Raised in the Baptist Church, yes, that very similar story that mostly all your black aspiring artist speaks of... Musical desire coming after their first solo... that mic... that black chorded microphone with a red sponge cover burned a hole into the depths of his soul, and even to this very day that same burning passion for leading songs continues. By the age of 10, he became exposed to, Children Sing, a local gospel group under the direction of Kevin Davidson. Having performed as lead singer in the church choir, city choir, and youth talent shows, Forty West moved to backup singing and became exposed to the music of Kevin Davidson and Dorothy Norwood.
Forty West has opened for acts such as The Franchise Boys, and festivals such as Juneteenth and the Icy White Affair. Having performed as back- up singer in these choirs and behind these gospel legends, church singing was not in conclusion to Forty West ambitions. He turned to pop and rhythm and blues. His professional career has included performances at the Germantown Performing Arts Theater, International Presentation of Performers in Los Angeles California, Mid South Fair in Memphis, Tennessee, youth explosion in Baltimore Maryland, Stone Soul Picnic in Memphis Tennessee, The Plush Club in Memphis Tennessee, Rhythm and Blues Festival in Greenwood, Mississippi, and has landed him an appearance at the Apollo Theater Wednesday night Talent Show.
Recently Forty West has had performances at Café Soul in Memphis, Tennessee, Jubilee Hall performance at Fisk University and at Club Limelight in Nashville, TN. He is mentored by one of Stevie Wonders, Yo Gotti, and Mary J Bilge's producers Ralph Sutton. Forty West is a man with grace, favor and excellence that facilitated him to many accomplishments. These accomplishments include being first place winner at the International Presentation of Performers.
Forty West has recently been inducted into the Thespian Society and Tri-Am Music Association. Forty West has performed and had lead roles in the following musicals: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, All Shook Up, and Into the Woods. Forty West has also performed as an actor in A Midsummer’s Night Dream and The Man Who Came to Dinner. As an electrifying performer, Forty West’s charm and charisma combined with his vocal abilities, makes him an artist of the highest caliber. Forty West is currently working on his promo CD; the projected date of completion is January 2009. He can only go up. - A voice true to love –<
