Sounds of Imani, Harper Woods, MI
In the vibrant city of Detroit, Michigan, known as "The Motor City," a truly special musical duo has emerged, captivating audiences with their soul-stirring melodies. Prepare to be enchanted by the inspirational and contemporary gospel powerhouse that is "Sounds of Imani," led by the dynamic husband-and-wife team of Drs. Gerald and Carol Ervin. Their harmonious voices possess an undeniable magic, and it's no wonder they have been likened to the renowned sibling duo, BeBe and CeCe Winans. Yet, in this extraordinary case, their love story unfolds on stage, as they conclude each performance with a heartfelt center stage kiss, a testament to their enduring bond.
In 1996, Carol experienced a divine vision, igniting her passion to create a contemporary gospel group. Fuelled by unwavering faith, she assembled a group of talented local singers and musicians, originally naming them "Imani of Detroit." However, as their journey progressed, the name evolved to reflect their growth. With a crystal-clear vision and strategic planning, Carol enlisted the talents of four additional members. It was within this circle that Gerald, gifted with an abundance of expertise and experience from his time in the secular music world, was invited to audition for the group. Seizing the opportunity, he became their esteemed Public Relations representative. Little did they know, destiny was conspiring behind the scenes, weaving a divine plan that would forever change their lives.
S.O.I. has been honored with numerous awards, including recognition from the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards, Royal Society of Motion Picture Awards in India, and Gospel Choice Music Awards (please refer to the website for more details). The group has graced the stages of various renowned events, such as Loren Harper's Legendary Soul of R&B, Bloomfield Hills Arts Festival, Inner Court Live TV Show, Anointed Faces Gospel Coffee House, The Gathering in Nashville, Tennessee, Gospel Choice Music Awards in Georgia, and the Jazz Explosion at Hart Plaza with the acclaimed saxophonist Yancyy, among others.
In 2023, this dynamic pair received the Humanitarian Award at the Gospel Choice Music Awards held in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, they earned recognition as one of the Top 50 Radio Announcers at the Newsome Awards in Baltimore, Maryland. Sounds of Imani has extended their creative endeavors to the world of independent filmmaking, releasing their inaugural indie film, "From Darkness to Light: A C19 Survival Story," which portrays Gerald's battle with illness during the 2020 COVID pandemic. This film was produced under their independent label, Heaven-Wings Records. Furthermore, the couple has made appearances in various commercials, stage productions, and other independent film projects. Their live performance video also appears on Badami TV beginning 2024.
Coming off the highly successful single, “Come Praise the Lord” produced by Gregory Pearson & Demetrius “Krayon” Nabors (Inner Court Music), S.O.I. released "Come Praise the Lord Remix” in 2023 - a house-mix of the original version, produced/engineered by Marcus “Daheatmizer” Devine & Gregory Pearson Sr. (Inner Court Music); and Paul Morris of 24/7-D Soundman Productionz. Of course, coming from the city where legendary singers were made, the world wouldn't expect anything less from the “Sounds of Imani.” Sounds of Imani, or S.O.I., continues to perform at various churches, special events, festivals, and even weddings with their captivating songs and is available for bookings.
