Melinda Watts
Gospel Dream 2008 Winner

“Every ten years or so you have an anointed super star artist who graces us with the word of God in song, as CeCe Winans and Yolanda Adams. Now we have Melinda Watts.” –GMC Senior Director of Music Development Alvin Williams.

Sharing the stage with artists such as Hezekiah Walker, Kim Burrell, Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans, it’s no surprise that Melinda Watts would live out her dream on the stage of Gospel Music Channel’s popular hit reality talent search series, Gospel Dream 2008, the only music reality competition on television that celebrates aspiring artists who desire to inspire and entertain.

Born in New Jersey and hailing from Sacramento, Calif., the Gospel Dream 2008 winner began singing at the age of six at her preschool graduation.

“I’ve always had a love of music and I have been singing in church my whole life,” she says. “God’s grace brought me here...a lot of faith in God and remembering that it’s okay to dream even when you feel you can’t.”

The powerhouse singer shares that gospel music has been a part of her since she was a child and that she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

“This genre of music is my choice not out of anything else but my love for the Father. He gave me a gift and I owe Him my life. I think using it this way glorifies Him the most.”

Influenced by Natalie Grant, the new mother and loving wife immediately noticed their similarities, including the way they yield completely to God while singing. 

“I love everything about Natalie Grant,” she exclaims. “I admire her for her faithfulness, for being a new mommy while being an exceptional artist.”

She also appreciates Shirley Caesar because she embodies wisdom and sincerity in her ministry, and CeCe Winans for her ability to bless people no matter the platform or genre of music.

When asked how she goes about choosing material to sing, Melinda explains that she takes in what’s going on around her and what people are going through. “Jesus was really concerned about people and what their issues were,” she explains. “He knew that He was the answer but it was all in how He presented himself to the people. People make ministry possible anyway. I pray about the songs and then I let God lead me in regard to what to sing.”

A singer and songwriter, Watts hopes to write a substantial amount on her upcoming CD to be released through Gospel Music Channel, early 2009, and hopes people will feel compelled to be moved nearer to the heart of God. 

“I want people to listen to my music and want to draw closer to God,” she says.  “I also want them to want to grow in the grace of God and to be bold in their faith. Kind of like revival, but through music.”

Incredibly involved in her community, Watts started Project Sunday and Heaven’s House because of the great need for mentoring and ministering to young women in her community.

“I am an English teacher so finding the harvest that God placed before me wasn’t hard.”

Both nonprofit organizations, Project Sunday is a program that has touched many girls lives while Heaven’s House for Girls was created to provide research-based solutions for troubled teen girls and their families.

Because of the overwhelming problems teens and their families face today, Watts’ goal is to develop the self-reliant attitude among girls and young women that manifests in their ambitions, assertiveness and individualism.

A mother to her five-month-old daughter Lyric and soul mate to William Watts, who is heavily involved in her ministry, Melinda says her ministry is to her husband above anything else.

“I minister to him first. It’s my responsibility as a wife, she exclaims. "He’s behind every smile. Truly he’s my biggest supporter. He also writes incredible songs that are great for me. He protects me like no other. He’s my prayer partner!"

And although she is ready to embark on a “dream come true,” she will always have time to give back, and keep God, and family first.

Gospel Music Channel (http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com) is the nation's first and only 24/7 television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today and can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems around the country and on DIRECTV channel 338.