Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter
The present Grace Thrillers are (stooping in front) Noel Willis Jr. (left) and Alrick O'Connor, (seated) Althea Hemmings (left) Shalli Burrell (centre) and Cadian Brown and (at back) Mary Lewis (left) and Natalie Foster. - Contributed
Since the 1970s, every generation has been exposed to the energetic sounds of the gospel group The Grace Thrillers. Still, that's not as remarkable as it gets. They have managed to withstand changing guards more than 50 times, yet remaining resolute to spread the gospel through song.
Today, The Sunday Gleaner speaks with the founder of the group, Noel Willis Sr. OD. about the group's many uphill battles and victories in Christendom.
Sunday Gleaner: How and when was the group started?
Noel Willis Sr: It started in 1971; that was one year after I was saved. I had always loved music and the group at the time consisted of myself, a guy and girl. After performing at a few churches and singing at a crusade once, the pastor there said, 'you have just listened to the Grace Thrillers'. After that he asked to see us and that was the name he gave us. When we asked him why, he said it was divine revelation. That week the crusade was 'grace'.
What was it like trying to establish a new gospel group in the 1970s?
NW: It wasn't easy, because at the time gospel groups weren't as popular and there were few groups around.Most of the time we were doing a lot of church rallies and then there was the issue of trying to lead people, so we have had a lot of changes over the years. It was a big task, but I loved it.
When did your first big break come?
It came in 1979 really and then in 1980 I made the decision to resign my job and go into ministry full-time. At the time I had a sales job ... I spent a few years building the group and in 1987 we got a really big break with He's Alive and Grub Cooper was the producer. It really did well on the international market.
What do you think was the highest point in your career?
We had quite a few. We've been privileged to sing on some big stages, like in Chicago at the Kentucky Festival - that was a great high point. So many people were blessed.
Is that the same as your best moment in the business? If not, what was it?
Spiritually speaking, it is when we perform in some sort of convention and thousands come up for a call. It is not just us singing to people, it is how they respond ... Once when we went to Detroit to a crusade, a woman said that she was planning to go home and kill her husband and after listening to the group she gave her heart to the Lord. Another time someone testified that she was going to commit suicide and had the pills with her and left them at th>How many people have passed through the group and why?
I would strongly believe over 50 over the 35 years. Those include musicians and artistes. Some have migrated and others have been asked to leave because of indiscipline.
I'm a very strong leader and there are rules and regulations that people must abide by ... Some people will miss events and want to give an excuse that's not acceptable.
Are your singers from different denominations?
Yes they are. Most of them are Pentecostals, some are from New Testament, Assembly of God and churches under no label... What we do because we are not a church, but a group, is we give them questionnaires for their pastors to fill out about them and they return them.
Is there only one group of Grace Thrillers at the moment?
Yes there is. In 2003 there were some problems and some of the members chose to leave and we replaced them. When they left they did solo careers for a while and them teamed up calling themselves 'Thrillers United'. That caused some confusion because people were still referring to them as 'Grace Thrillers'.
Do you have any contact with them?
No, no I don't.
Do you still sing with the Grace Thrillers?
No, I just oversee them. Right now my son has taken over the reigns and the burden is on his shoulders.
Does he do it full-time?
Yes and he has been singing from he was a child. He is very talented and it is one of the most together groups I have ever worked with. I am very proud.
What has your career been like lately? Do you perform solo?
No and I don't want to go solo at my age. I produce other singers and concentrate on production of the records.
How difficult was it maintaining a family life and traveling?
NW: In the early days we were fortunate that we had good people who worked for us and who took care of them (children). At that time my wife and I travelled and in the late 90s we started to tour on weekends only, but in the early stages of group, sometimes we were gone for two months.
SG: Do you think you faced the same problems secular artistes did?
NW: Yes we did. A lot of promoters were not fair to us. So we went through similar situations that secular artistes went through, but as Christians we have to behave different... Away from the lyrics, we are singing gospel, it's the same business.
SG: Who writes most of the songs the Grace Thrillers perform?
NW: I and 'Grub' Cooper work and write at present. My son also writes and Latoya Hall (a member) wrote one (song) on one previous album.
SG: What did you want to be while growing up? Have you always wanted to sing?
NW: First of all, I grew up in a Christian home. I leaned on the spiritual side. I always wanted to become a pastor, but I was thrown into music when I was saved. Then I was in the music department at church and I started learning about producing. It all came together."
SG: When your son made the decision to join the group how did that happen?
NW: He and his brother and sister with Latoya Hall, when they were teens, used to sing as 'Young Thrillers' and during our concerts they used to sing as well because people loved to hear them. On the album Why they performed a song Shout to the Lord. Then when he went to college abroad he studied Music Technology and graduated with honours. While he was there I asked him what he was planning to do and he said he wanted to go for his Masters later on, but before that work for a recording company. So I said to him "what about taking over the Ministry?". He said he would pray and think about it. I always wanted to prepare someone to take over. One year after that, when he graduated, he came back to me and said he would do it.
SG:How did it make you feel that he made that step?
NW: It's really a joy. Any father would be happy to know that they gave their son something that would elevate and put them up in life... When I watch him in rehearsal or performing, it takes me back to when I was his age, with his vigour. I'm happy to know I didn't force him into the decision.
SG: Years from now, how would you like the group to be remembered?
NW: As a very spiritual and powerful ministry of gospel. It's all good and nice to entertain people, but better to be blessed... I want the group to be remembered for changing people from sin to grace.
