The Praters Music

It would take hours to tell my complete testimony. From my adolescence into my teenage years, and now well into my adulthood, music has been a huge part of my life. I was about 12 years old when I discovered the talents which God had given me... singing, songwriting, and playing music by ear. My father pastored a church in Tuscumbia, Alabama, and for several years, I was his music leader. Among the congregants of the church there were no people my age, and I spent the majority of my teenage years alone. However, I spent the extra time honing my music abilities, and I would spend countless hours mixing and recording music. I have never claimed to be a professional, and I have not tried to achieve fame and fortune. Over the years, my desire has been to use this music to glorify God and to help people come into an atmosphere of worship. I've never had formal training on my voice, and the majority of what I do at the keyboard has been self-taught. Yet, looking back over the years, it stirs my soul to recollect the people that have been blessed with the anointing God placed upon my life.  It's been a blessing to to see the tears of joy that have been shed, the hands that have been raised in worship, people who have danced with the moving of the Spirit, those who have prayed at the altar, and more. If I could write down all the good things that have been said, I suppose it would fill a good-size book. Here's one of the greatest memories I have: I was about 15 years old, and my dad was preaching at a drug-rehab center. After his sermon, I was invited to sing. The only instrument employed was an upright piano--no drums, no synthesizers--no fancy equipment--just an old, upright piano. I sung a song which I had just written, called "Continue On." While I was singing, I looked over my shoulder, and I noticed a man, perhaps in his 40's, down on his knees, crying so hard it seemed he was going to pass out. After the service, he approached me and told me why the words of the song touched him in such a manner. His reaction rather surprised me. I was only 15, no training on my voice, no fancy piano playing. Yet, the words of the song coupled with the anointing, brought this man down to his knees. Also, around the year 2017, I was running a diner in Grove, Oklahoma. About 12 women came into the diner, and they too had been part of a drug-rehab program in Oklahoma City. There were no other customers in the diner... just these 12 women, as well as my son and myself. During their visit, we engaged in a conversation about music, and I had the opportunity to play a song which I had written and recorded at home. Suddenly, the atmosphere of worship filled the diner and the women began praising God, raising there hands, singing, crying, etc. And there are many more stories. Over the years, I've wirtten about 30 songs, and have had the opportunity to sing in over 200 venues (which I realize is not a lot when compared to professional singers). From churches, to street meetings, to tent revivals, to leading worship, to concerts, to radio interviews, these are all things which God has allowed me to do via the avenue of music. Although there have been churches who have offered finanical contracts for my music, I do not charge people for what God has given to me. Rather, people have blessed with me with financial offerings. It's my desire to continue singing to the glory of God and to bless His people.