Interview: "Sounds of Imani" Gospel Duo Gerald & Carol Ervin

I have run across some interesting couples in my days: a few were madly in love, others not so in love, and a faithful few that were in love with God first, then each other. As a young lady, I longed for the fairy tale love, you know the Cinderella one, where the prince comes and rescues her from the evil step mom. I know true love exists because it comes from God, but I also know He gave His love to us to give unto each other. After meeting Gerald & Carol Ervin, I was able to finally see the love God gave us, and it is flowing out of this couple.

I was watching Gerald & Carol singing on a YouTube video, and they were so loving and passionate when they sang. Gerald & Carol's music ministry is called Sounds of Imani. Imani means faith and it describes their walk with Christ. This music has a jazzy contemporary sound with a twist of gospel. They are also the CEO of Heaven Wings Records , which was formed with Sounds of Imani in 1996.

Moving forward to 2017, the gospel duo were nominated for the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Award (TGMEA) for 'New Artist of the Year'. In 2016, they placed 2nd in a singing competition with the AMTC Summer Shine. The duo were nominated for the 2015 Detroit Music Award and were the season 4 Prayze Factor Award winners in 2 categories: Urban Contemporary Gospel Duo/Group & Praise and also Worship Duo/Group. In 2015, they were the recipients of the Excellence in Christian Music Academy Awards. In October 2016, Gerald and Carol completed the project "Because of Who You Are" with a very nice, soulful sound.

I love the style of singing and performance from the gospel duo, Gerald and Carol, and my favorite 2

songs are "Must Be An Angel" and "Fly Away". When I listened to Must Be An Angel, the song gave me a family feeling of love, while Fly Away literally made feel like I could just soar sweetly into the sky! The gospel duo gave an outstanding performance on TCT - TV Detroit, while singing "Because of Who You Are".

Gerald and Carol Ervin are so talented! Not only do they sing, but they have been in Michael Matthews' stage play "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". Carol played the role of Mother Taylor and Gerald played the role of the Old Deacon. Most of you may remember the hit TV sitcom "Martin" with the character "Bruh Man", well Gerald shared the stage with him!

The Sounds of Imani is the name birthed for the gospel duo because they wanted a name that reflected their faith walk in music, ministry and position as pastors in their church. The label that produced their record was Heaven Wings Records, an indie label, which also happens to be their own company.

In 1996, the love story began for Gerald and Carol, but they were not in love when they first met. Gerald had a friend that kept inviting him to come sing, but he didn't want to go. Finally he went, met Carol and they began singing together with a group. The group didn't last, but Carol and Gerald did! The two love birds were just friends and sang together, but every where they went, people kept asking if they were married or dating and the repeated reply was "no we are just good friends". After two years of being best friends, the love bug hit Gerald and he proposed!! 20 years later the gospel duo are still together and in love...aww! I asked the love birds how did they make it 20 years and sing together, Gerald said, "don't hang on, but hold on, because Jesus wasn't hanging".

Gerald and Carol Ervin are the pastors of Acclaim International, a non-profit ministry, "God said we are international, and we are steering that way, looking for God to steer us in the way", said Gerald and Carol.

In 2017, when the gospel duo won the Texas Gospel Music Award for their single "Because of Who

You Are", they recalled being voted for and going to the finals to network and just sing the song. The couple didn't know anyone in Texas at that time, but people were saying they were like Nick Ashford & Valarie Simpson, what a compliment! During the award ceremony, Gerald and Carol heard their names called for the award, and as they were called, Carol had a peppermint in her mouth and it popped out from her being surprised. Gerald said, "it was the first time she was speechless, so I took advantage of it and did the talking", ha ha!!

I wasn't familiar with the AMTC academy and when I asked the couple about it they said, " its a performing arts training and acting academy, where you learn about monologues, 2 person acting scenes, and how to portray yourself for plays and film. AMTC is a christian company that has yearly annual events".

Gerald Ervin has an extensive background in singing; they both have collaborated in producing/arranging their own songs with producer Daron Steward. They wrote/arranged and sang the lyrics and Daron provided musical composition. Gerald also sang with the band, The Original Chapter 8, with Mike Powell. Mike later got sick and Gerald went to pray for him and he recovered. Michael didn't realize who had prayed for him at the time;he asked his mom who came in to pray for him and she told him it was Gerald Ervin, who was a former bandmate of The Original Chapter 8 and who was now pastoring. Michael told his mom, "I've got to find him. He got in contact with Gerald and from that re-connection the hit song, "Because of Who You Are" was produced by Michael Powell. Gerald also sang with the popular group, The Floaters; his cousin Paul was one of the singers and his cousin James Mitchell penned the hit song "Float On". Gerald often provided background vocals behind the curtain when the popular group performed on stage. (The original Floaters eventually broke up).

Carol and Gerald Ervin are home-bodies and love to have company over to eat. She loves to cook and entertain. Her reason for gatherings is to show people how to fall in love with Jesus. In the same breath, the couple wanted to thank their brother Carlton McConnell, because it was he that told them, "people need to know what you do. You are the most real couple I have ever seen", said Carol.

Gerald and Carol have a 501C3 nonprofit performing arts/community organization which conducts prison ministry. The couple didn't just want to be a gospel artist not doing anything for the community they minister to. Acclaim Community Outreach is their outreach ministryhttp://www.acclaimoutreach.org. "Our ministry is also connected to A.C.T. International (Artists in Christian Testimony), which supports pastors and other ministers that have other gifts and talents. Some ministers were artistic painters and people were buying their paintings", said Carol.

The pastors & gospel duo are under the covering of Rod Parsley, at City Harvest Network, which you may have seen on television.

Gerald and Carol Ervin, you are an amazing couple who give hope to us that are still awaiting our God ordained mate. I pray you continue to produce more anointed music that brings that God kind of love to the hearts of many!