Carl Brister

Official Biography

(courtesy of Carl Brister)

A rising artist with a gift for touching the hearts and sentiments of his audience, Carl Brister has a burning desire to share the word of God through his music in hopes that people will hear encouragement and learn about a better way through Jesus Christ.

Like many gospel singers today, he started young. He would sometimes find himself in "trouble" for sneaking around or trying to stay up listening and "harmonizing" with his dad's soul/funk band as they rehearsed late at night. At the tender age of seven, Carl had his first run in with fame in the form of a heart warming church solo. One bright Easter Sunday morning a proud and talented young man stood up and sang, "I'm gonna put, All my Love, In one basket, for Jesus..."

"My mission is to lead by example," says Brister, "I've come to understand that no General wins every battle. There are times that we're more victorious than others. So I've accepted that what I'm responsible for is to show up prepared for battle and fight in whatever way God says. Sometimes, like Gideon, He'll say go forth, other times He may say Stand Still. When I win...to God be the Glory. When I fall short, To God be the Glory for His Grace. At that point my job is to get back up and encourage others who may have fallen to fight on. Ultimately, I believe He wants me to be in a place where I can hear Him clearly & obey, then motivate and encourage others to do the same. Through music, He's called me to use the pen as a way to give Him glory through Praise and Worship and also convey His will to myself and others. "

Carl's upbringing is musically diverse, as an executive producer, songwriter and artist his early influence came from all types of music including Soul/R&B & Jazz. He is also a big fan of Fred Hammond, CeCe Winans, Micheal W. Smith, J. Moss & Smokie Norful and Stevie Wonder.

He has the God-given ability to inspire his audience with his musical talents as he shares the Good news of Jesus Christ with a bold new sound filled with an edgy blend of contemporary gospel, neo-soul grooves, and worshipful ballads of adoration and praise.

He had the opportunity to minister the song "Pray For Me" during a national television broadcast on BET's-Bobby Jones Gospel. The show also featured such gospel notables as Fred Hammond, V. Michael McKay, and Candi Staton.

The multi-talented artist released the much anticipated sophomore CD entitled "FOCUS-Special Edition" featuring the heartfelt single "Pray for Me", "I Yield To Thee", "Determination", and more inspirational hits.

In 2000, he launched his 1st solo CD entitled "The Journey", which received national radio airplay on both radio stations and network television video shows. He was also listed in the top 10 new independent artists by Gospel USA magazine. In 1998, he released his first Gospel/Jazz single entitled "The Melody". He is also an accomplished actor with a cameo singing appearance on the NBC Daytime Drama "Another World." In 1996, Brister was a featured vocalist on the Sony/Word album release entitled "A Mighty Fortress" by C.D. Hawkins and Singers.

The ministry of many people in gospel was birthed out of life experiences. His story is one that begins and ends with faith and hope. "I am a miracle in that I could have been killed as a child. I am an over comer," states Carl. "I am defined by the fact that even then God was with me and didn't let Satan take my life. God has a purpose for me and everyday I write, everytime I sing, I am walking in victory. I've been on this road as an "artist" for quite a while but I continue because I know God has given purpose to my voice to encourage others and point them to the same Love that saved me and continues to keep me and make me stronger day by day."