Gordon Lashley is so passionate about music that he is likely to answer any question on the subject by insisting that it dwells in his blood, or rather he would offer up a response in song.
Since he left Guyana close to forty years ago he has focused on building a life in the United States that integrates his love for music, and he has managed just that.
In his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia he is well known for his commitment to charities and his profound interest in helping persons in need. He founded the Vision of Hope foundation which has an impressive record of charitable work.
But Lashley has stayed true to his real love, music. He has recorded a few albums, but the most recent got him some deserving notice – ‘Heaven is missing an angel and it’s Oprah’.
The album features a collection of inspirational songs honouring various personalities including US talk show queen, Oprah Winfrey.
There is one song on the album called “Change has come to America” which honours the first African-American US President, Barack Obama. Lashley beautifully communicates how Obama’s win impacted on him.
His Oprah-inspired song is ripe with admiration as it celebrates Oprah’s influence in the US society and beyond.
Speaking with The Scene in an online interview, Lashley said that he was truly touched by the work that Oprah Winfrey has done over the years and “how caring and generous a lady she is”.
He actually met Oprah. Lashley revealed that his work and the exposure that came with it allowed him to meet Oprah among others.
“I feel it is important to honour people while they are alive, and not just to wait until they are deceased to pay them tribute,” Lashley said.
Lashley got his start in music at age eight. He sang at the Kingston Methodist Church in his younger years and continued after he migrated. He disclosed in the interview that he was born in a house in the Police Headquarters at Eve Leary, noting that his father was a sergeant of police.
In addition to recording his music Lashely writes his songs and according to him, his collection is sizeable. He has also recorded a Christmas album featuring many classic songs for the season.
Previously he has worked as a salesman, a sterile processing technician, and a home inspector. In April of 2003, he was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel and during his tenure at Emory University Hospital, he completed his Clinical Pastoral Education at Emory Healthcare Center for Pastoral Services.
Lashley also started a radio broadcast – a 30 minutes gospel radio programme aired in Atlanta on Sundays and Wednesdays called ‘He is the way ministries’.
Lashley visits Guyana once sometimes twice a year on missionary trips. His charity has a local office here and has been active over the years.
Since the release of his albums Lashley has been working towards increasing his fan base. He said that persons interested in his music can access any of his recent songs on his page at My Space- www.myspace.com/gordonlashley. (ianaseales@yahoo.com)