BILLY
POWELL Musician and Songwriter Billy Powell Releases
New EP THE INVITATION - A Three Part Music
and Worship Experience
Cancer Survivor Billy Powell Launches The
Allen Nicole Foundation and Partnership With BE THE MATCH®
Musician William
A. Powell is a producer, songwriter, and highly sought-after
drummer in Gospel and Jazz. William, better known as Billy
Powell, also carries a mantel from a family with legendary musical
influence. His father is the late Pastor Hubert L. Powell (of
Hubert Powell and The Gospel Truth), and his musical brothers
are H. Doobie Powell and Kevin Powell.
While continuing to uphold the family legacy of phenomenal musicians,
Billy has carved his own lane in music and has again released
new music that is a sonic tapestry of innovative creativity.
Billy Powell & his 1 Church collective have a new EP called THE
INVITATION. This unique EP is one song experience
in three parts or movements. "The Invitation
Part 1" features Indya Thompson and Joshua
Freeman, whose soothing vocals float over Powell's dreamy
instrumentation.
Billy
adds Steph One to Thompson and Freeman's vocal work
in "The Invitation Part 2." He also unleashes
his creativity in Part 2 with a sizzling electric
guitar and a rap segment that vibes with a bit of club bounce.
Billy then flows right into "The Invitation
Part 3," a worshipful moment proceeded by an organ
serenade offering the listener a moment to meditate and bask
in the presence of the Lord.
The
inspiration behind this song came from the many people who,
during the height of the pandemic, had a tough time getting
into the presence of the Lord while we were unable to frequent
the physical church building, Billy states. The
lyrics were done in such a way to invoke His presence right
where you are, giving Him the invitation to your heart, at home,
on the job, or in the car. Ultimately, I want people to
know His presence will manifest wherever He is invited.
THE INVITATION is available now on all digital music outlets
and independently released on Billy's Church 120 Music label.
With the release of THE INVITATION, Powell has embarked
on a philanthropic campaign that is very personal and purposeful.
Billy and his wife Joi Nicole were diagnosed with different
forms of cancer at the same time in February 2021. By
December, his father, Pastor Hubert L. Powell, passed away,
and after multiple treatments, Joi's cancer returned. While
in treatments and extended hospital stays, Billy and Joi begin
to think about the many people who give up when dealing with
life-altering medical issues without a proper support system
around them. Together, they formed Allen Nicole Foundation in
November of 2022 to offer hope and help to those in need. Sadly,
Joi passed away this year in May.
Billy is forging fearlessly and faithfully ahead with music
and with the foundation, merging the two to create his Music
and Health Concert Series. With a successful
concert series introduction and launch in September, Billy will
announce more dates and information about his new partnership
with Be The Match®, the global leader in bone
marrow transplantation. Billy and Be The Match® will embark
on a musical mission to help patients find their life-saving
marrow donors and provide support throughout the transplant
process.
The
Allen Nicole Foundation
William Allen Powell, Sr. and his wife, Joi Nicole
Powell, founded The Allen Nicole Foundation (ANF). The
couple had been together for over 20 years, raising two children,
and had just purchased their first home when cancer stuck. Joi
Nicole was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, and within
a year, William Allen was diagnosed with Acute T Lymphoblastic
Lymphoma. They underwent treatments, surgeries, chemotherapy,
radiation, appointments, and extended hospital stays together
while raising their children and working full-time jobs. William
Allens cancer went into remission, while Joi Nicoles
cancer continued to spread throughout her body, causing her
to transition at the age of 41 in May of 2023. In honor of his
wife, William Allen is continuing the work they started together
and keeping her name alive.
The Allen Nicole Foundation helps people whose lives have been
affected by cancer and other medical issues. The foundation
will host a series of benefit events nationwide in conjunction
with the national bone marrow donor program BE THE MATCH®.
"The
Invitation" by Billy Powell
(feat. Indya Thompson & Joshua Freeman)