Shonda English

Shonda, a native of Boston who now resides in Sumter, SC is a multi-gifted artist who packs a punch to be reckoned with. She is able to compose traditional music to satisfy the most conservative church-goers and then turn around and whip up an equally matched urban-style gospel cut to make the young generation nod and smile is rare and highly commendable. Yet, at the drop of a dime, Shonda English can complete this task from start to finish. And when she sings her material, just as thoroughly as she conceived the concept and labored over the format, she effectively delivers her creation to the listener. Her background singers have all been trained by her for years, beginning when they were young children. To see their interaction on stage is to see the teacher and the pupil connecting intimately through music.

Shonda is a gifted songwriter, arranger, pianist, percussionist, vocalist (often laying down her own background vocals), and a phenomenal on stage performer. Her high-octane energy and stage presence is mirrored by her band and vocalists. There's never a dull moment at a Shonda English concert. You may have the privilege of seeing her jump from organ, to piano, and even percussion. She also has a way of getting the audience involved in performing certain numbers with her; and the more energy they give her, the more she gives back to them.

Her current solo project, “Think on These Things” was birthed through an intense period of depression that Shonda describes as “mind-boggling and life-altering.” She attributes the emotion of the entire CD to that period of her life. Validation comes after every performance when women approach her with tears in their eyes telling Shonda how her story is very much similar to theirs.

Although Shonda's music is mostly contemporary, she always includes some old-school cuts because over all, she is proud to be “churchy” being the daughter of an old-school pastor, Bishop W. T. English, who was recording music before Shonda was born. She was surrounded by various styles of gospel music since the day she was born and always knew she would be a part of the gospel music industry. Her passion for God and gospel music strongly radiates from the stage at every performance.