Las Vegas may be full of musicians and singers, but no local group is quite like the Saints Unified Voices, an all-volunteer 100-voice church choir created and directed by renowned entertainer Gladys Knight. "One Voice," the choir’s debut album, won Best Gospel Choir Album in the 48th Annual Grammy Awards."The Grammy nomination really surprised us, because that's not why we recorded an album,” said Knight, who is now a seven-time Grammy winner. “But to have the choir’s first album actually win is a tremendous honor. I’m very happy."
Saints Unified Voices, directed by Gladys Knight, is headquartered in Henderson. Knight and most of her 100 choir members are residents of Las Vegas and Henderson. All are volunteer singers, with professions that range from school teachers to doctors and even a judge. All are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Knight organized her choir only three years ago for a special event at her LDS church. The group has since performed together throughout the United States, in England, and in Hawaii. As news of the win spread among choir members, the word “unbelievable” was used the most in describing reactions to hearing the new of a Grammy win. “Unbelieveable,” says choir member Leesa Phelps, before she added her other emotional reactions. “Shocking. Exciting. Amazing. Humbling. We’re not in that arena, but now to be put into that arena with this award is, well, wow.”
“We’re the little engine that could,” says choir member Kenya Jackson, who also received the Grammy as executive producer of "One Voice," referring to the children’s story of the small train that made it over the mountain against the odds. “We made this album for the Lord. We never imagined we would be recognized by the music industry. This is the Lord’s Grammy.”
Neither Knight nor Jackson were present at the afternoon Grammy ceremony when the winner was announced. “We didn’t want to jinx it by going,” said Jackson, who is now a three-time Grammy winner as an executive producer. She received the news from an industry friend who was present. “I couldn’t believe it. I had to hear it from a second person before I could believe it.”
“What an unbelievable honor,” says choir member Sully Richardson, who also manages the choir. “I knew we were up against some tough competition, but that we actually won is unbelievable.”
“I couldn’t believe it was real, that we actually won,” said choir member Robert McNinch. “It’s an awesome feeling to be a part of a group like this, but it’s also an overwhelming honor.”
From the energetic gospel classic “Pass Me Not,” to the moving Hawaiian ballad “Jesu Me Kanaka Waiwai” with Joe Apo as soloist, "One Voice" offers uplifting and inspirational musical insight as it celebrates gospel music from various cultures.
In the first week of its release in 2005, "One Voice" soared to immediate success and snagged the title of Billboard’s number-one Hot Shot Debut and landed at number nine while it simultaneously shot to the number-one Gospel Album and number-two Inspirational Album on iTunes.
For a list of choir sponsors and other information about the choir, go to the group's Web site at www.suvchoir.org.