Sjuwana Byers and
Children of God hail from one of the South's regional hotbeds
for gospel music, the great state of Alabama, home
to hundreds if not thousands of gospel artists that
go from community to community spreading good southern
gospel music.
Born and raised in a religious environment, Sjuwana
was always part of this kind of culture. Just
Havin' Church (their
first Rampart Street release) aptly fits the description
for having a good ole fashioned, foot stomping, hand
clapping gathering any time and anywhere the Spirit
moves them. It’s just how they do things down
South, even today.
Sjuwana formed her group, Children of God in 1992.
A group that today consists exclusively of family
members, as she made sure all her children either
sings, plays an instrument, or both.
In 1997, Sjuwana
Byers and Children of God signed with internationally
acclaimed Jamalar Agency and Rampart
Street Music,
a roots music agency and record label located in
the upper 9th ward neighborhood of New Orleans. As
a result of this, Sjuwana Byers and “Children
of God” have made appearances all over the
country, and abroad in Italy, Spain, Germany and
France. Some major festivals have included the Vienna
Jazz Festival, Gospel Festival of Gijon, and the
Beaujolais Festival in France.
Sjuwana’s song writing and performance style
is not at all typical; in fact it’s quite individual,
especially today. Sjuwana’s music is
deep-rooted, traditional and gritty; much like quartet
groups from the 1950’s,
such as The Caravans that featured Shirley Caesar
and the Davis Sisters. Sjuwana
has also had the privilege to perform with such notable
gospel quartets as Keith (Wonderboy)
Johnson, Lee Williams, Darrell McFadden & The
disciples of
New York and the Canton Spirituals.
Over the years, Sjuwana Byers and Children of God
have received numerous awards and accolades. Some
of these include Best New Artist
of the Year (1998)
from the American Gospel Festival in Birmingham,
Alabama, Best Artist Award (2006) from the
Ester Wooten Gospel Quartet Convention and Best
Gospel Quartet (2010) from the “I Hear
Music Awards.”
Sjuwana Byers and Children of God have 4 CDs under
their musical belts.
Just Havin’ Church,
released in 1999, topped radio charts in Florida,
Alabama, Colorado, Tennessee, Ohio and the Carolinas
with their hit single, “Nobody’s
Fault,” while
their second release, Alive in Greenville,
did equally well with regional radio and was a big
hit in Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. 2005
saw the release of Pick Up The Pieces, Sjuwana’sprayer
that post Katrina New Orleans and her survivors will
be able to pick-up-the-pieces and come back better
and stronger.
Sjuwana’s most explosive
project to date is her most recent; Alive
In Cincinnati, “After The Storm.” Recorded
live at the House of Deliverance
Church in Cincinnati,
Ohio, this collection of original music is a testament
to Sjuwana’s relationship with God, the Almighty
and her purpose as a performer of Gospel music. Alive
In Cincinnati is currently receiving airplay
from radio stations all over the south and throughout
the mid-west.
