Dex was born Dexter Akins in Murfreesboro TN. His parents, Michael and Janice Walker, raised him in a military household. Consequently, Dex lived in many different places growing up, but Tennessee was always home.
Dex began singing at the age of eight. All who heard him were astonished at the beauty of his voice. Not long after he began singing, Dex earned his first church solo. It was titled, "Because He Lives". Dex's stirring rendition of this classic led many to tears and helped Dex discover his purpose in life. Dex says, "My purpose is to build up the people of God through song as well as win those who don't know Him".
As he grew older, Dex continued to sing. When he was 13, while his family was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, Dex was approached by a talent scout. This talent scout wanted Dex to record an album and sing professionally. Unfortunately, for gospel music fans, he was unable to record then because his family had to return to the states.
As he began to mature, Dex sang in many churches around the world and performed in a number of plays including "The Wiz", "Hear My Cry", "Looks Can Be Deceiving", "Grandmas Baby Boy", "What If There Were No Black People", "Signed Sealed and Delivered", and most recently, "If These Walls Could Talk". Dex also had the pleasure of singing on many stages throughout the United States but says the highlight was performing on stage with one of his musical idols, Kirk Franklin while still in high school.
Dex eventually returned back home to Murfreesboro, TN where he attended Middle Tennessee State University. It was there that he reconnected and fell in love with his childhood friend and wife of five years, Tracy who subsequently gave birth to their son Christian. Murfreesboro, TN was also where Dex met Johnny Bandy who signed Dex to a newly formed record label, Mastarmind Records run by himself and Marvel Bandy in 2004.
Now called Mastarmind Music and under the leadership of The Lord Jesus Christ, Johnny Bandy, and Marvel Bandy, both the label and Dex are excited about Dex's annointed ministry. As we all know the favor of God should be the most sought after commodity in the world. What profits a man to gain the world and lose his soul. So with that, the label and Dex will keep seeking righteousness and favor, all the other things we will allow God to add on to us. We are not going to wait until the battle is over to shout we're already praising him for what he is about to do.The album will feature tracks produced by nationally renowned musician and producer, Alton Gibson. Gibson is well known throughout the gospel industry for his mastery of the organ but has recently produced tracks for national recording artists Kendra Carr and Judah Generation. The album also has production from soul music pioneer Charles Hodges of the legendary Hodges Brothers who have worked with icons such as Al Green, Isaac Hayes, and Ike & Tina Turner. Soul winning tracks were also produced by the midwest's hottest new production duo, Carlos Woodard and Frank Hightower collectively known as Purple Ink. This Rockford, IL duo has helped Dex craft a sound which is a hybrid of gospel and R&B. His new sound has been described as Rhythm & Praise (R&P). It borrows heavily from Hip Hop and R&B, but maintains a singular focus of praising and worshipping the Lord as in traditional gospel. The world will have an opportunity to hear a sample of this new sound when this annointed album is released, and when they do Dex is confident that he will be performing his purpose in life for a much larger audience. Be blessed, be obedient, be Godly, but most of all be in his will.
Hard Times Won't Last