Musician and Songwriter Billy Powell Releases New EP 'The Invitation'
Musician William A. Powell is a producer, songwriter, and highly sought-after drummer in Gospel and Jazz. William, better known as Billy Powell, also carries a mantel from a family with legendary musical influence. His father is the late Pastor Hubert L. Powell (of Hubert Powell and The Gospel Truth), and his musical brothers are H. Doobie Powell and Kevin Powell. While continuing to uphold the family legacy of phenomenal musicians, Billy has carved his own lane in music and has again released new music that is a sonic tapestry of innovative creativity.
Billy Powell & his 1 Church collective have a new EP called THE INVITATION. This unique EP is one song experience in three parts or movements. "The Invitation Part 1" features Indya Thompson and Joshua Freeman, whose soothing vocals float over Powell's dreamy instrumentation.
Billy adds Steph One to Thompson and Freeman's vocal work in "The Invitation Part 2." He also unleashes his creativity in Part 2 with a sizzling electric guitar and a rap segment that vibes with a bit of club bounce. Billy then flows right into "The Invitation Part 3," a worshipful moment proceeded by an organ serenade offering the listener a moment to meditate and bask in the presence of the Lord.
“The inspiration behind this song came from the many people who, during the height of the pandemic, had a tough time getting into the presence of the Lord while we were unable to frequent the physical church building,” Billy states. “The lyrics were done in such a way to invoke His presence right where you are, giving Him the invitation to your heart, at home, on the job, or in the car. Ultimately, I want people to know His presence will manifest wherever He is invited.”
THE INVITATION is available now on all digital music outlets and independently released on Billy's Church 120 Music label. With the release of THE INVITATION, Powell has embarked on a philanthropic campaign that is very personal and purposeful. Billy and his wife Joi Nicole were diagnosed with different forms of cancer at the same time in February 2021. By December, his father, Pastor Hubert L. Powell, passed away, and after multiple treatments, Joi's cancer returned. While in treatments and extended hospital stays, Billy and Joi begin to think about the many people who give up when dealing with life-altering medical issues without a proper support system around them. Together, they formed Allen Nicole Foundation in November of 2022 to offer hope and help to those in need. Sadly, Joi passed away this year in May.
Billy is forging fearlessly and faithfully ahead with music and with the foundation, merging the two to create his Music and Health Concert Series. With a successful concert series introduction and launch in September, Billy will announce more dates and information about his new partnership with Be The Match®, the global leader in bone marrow transplantation. Billy and Be The Match will embark on a musical mission to help patients find their life-saving marrow donors and provide support throughout the transplant process.
