By Hazel Scott/ASU
Alabama State University alumnus and composer, Dr. Gregory McPherson, was honored as a “living legend” for his work and passion for gospel music.
The Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards out of Houston selected the award-winning composer, musician, artist and educator as the recipient of their Living Legend Award, which he received at the 24th Annual Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards in Houston. It’s an honor McPherson is humbly received,
“I understand it’s a very prestigious award and its very humbling. It serves as a constant reminder of how many eyes are on you. I received unanimous votes from a lot of people across the country when they did the poll. I’m forever humbled because I know a countless number of people I believe are just as deserving. We have folks right there at Alabama State University and people who have come through ASU that I know firsthand who are so prolific and extremely talented,” said McPherson, who has been the director of choral music, professor and resident artist composer at Wiley College since 2019.
McPherson, who was born and raised in Atmore, Alabama, said his passion for music started at an early age. “I’ve been touring since I was 11, producing records since I was 14 and started writing music for my high school band when I was 12. I also wrote music for ASU band and Jazz Ensemble.”
During his career, he has received numerous awards, citations and laureates for his many contributions
in various areas of his expertise and work in education and music. He has worked
with some of the top names in musical genres ranging from jazz and pop to gospel and
musical theatre.
A music pioneer, McPherson has worked with artists ranging from jazz greats such as
Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughn, Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, James Moody, Max Roach,
Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, Warren Hill, Betty Carter Russell and Nancy Wilson.
In television, R&B, popular music, film and musical theatre McPherson has worked with
many artists including New Kids on the Block, Bobby Womack, Smokey Robinson, Kashif,
James Brown, the Pointer Sisters, Jayne Kennedy, Bill Overton, Latah Hathaway, Tiffany,
Larry Leon Hamlin, Patti Austin, Tatyanna Ali, Martin Lawrence, Boyz II Men, Tamia,
Marvin Gaye, Marvin Sapp, James Ingram, Bon Jovi, Peabo Bryson, Cindy Lauper Vanessa
Williams, Howard Hewitt, Aretha Franklin and Peter Wolf.
In Black Gospel, McPherson has played for many artists including Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Daryl Coley Donald Vails, Helen Baylor, The Clark Sisters, Thomas Dorsey, James Cleveland, The Florida Mass Choir, and many contemporary gospel artists including J-Moss, Vicki Winans, Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Choir, the Sounds of Blackness and many other artists.
“For years, I have been privileged to work with a lot of Gospel artists and people across the whole spectrum. I go way back in Gospel music when I used to play for Pastor Andrae Crouch,” he said.
He also worked as lead and associate producer on several production teams for recordings that have spawned several Grammy’s, Oscars, NAACP Image Awards, American Music Awards, Emmys, Billboard Music Awards, Grammy Legends Awards and Soul Train Music Awards. He has produced records for CBS, RCA, Quincy Jones, Motown, Warner Brothers and Disney, to name a few. And he has been a ghostwriter, orchestrator, arranger and composer for PBS, Sony Pictures, SPLC, ABC-Disney and Columbia-TriStar. Many of his classical works have been performed by several orchestras and chamber groups.
As an educator, he taught at Alabama State University, the University of South Florida, Texas College, Washington State University, The University of Massachusetts. He also held a faculty post at Berklee College of Music. He has been a lecturer at Boston College, Harvard University, Kobe University and the New England Conservatory of Music.
McPherson has a BFA from Alabama State University and a Master of Music from the University of South Florida, with additional studies at Harvard University. He is the recipient of three honorary doctoral degrees.
Outside of his work, McPherson is the founder and executive director of Greg McPherson Global, an all-arts-led research initiative that focuses on the integration and convergence of emerging technologies in music, entertainment, education, community engagement and philanthropic collaboratives globally.
“I do a lot of humanitarian work. I still have my relationship with Emory University
School of Medicine. We do something called the Global Health Humanitarian Summit,
I also have two NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization) -- one in Uganda and another
in Ghana,” he added. “My company Global gives me the opportunity to do a lot of my
humanitarian work,” McPherson said.
He noted he received the Marion Anderson Humanitarian Award for his humanitarian work.
For all his accomplishments, McPherson says he gives thanks to Alabama State University.
“I’m always proud to represent Alabama State University. I got a lot of encouragement to attend ASU and I’m so glad I did,” he said. “Two professors, Mrs. Lyle and professor Free, there solidified my talents as a young composer. They showed a lot of love to me.”