Shalonda's Biography: Shalonda's home has always been filled with Gospel music. You could always find her sitting on the piano bench beside her mother as her mom played those beloved hymns. Singing her first song as a child at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in Texas City, TX, proved to set the stage for the journey ahead. Touring Dallas and surrounding towns with the Anointed Voices For Christ Choir, to singing throughout East Texas with the Ross Family Choir, God has used Shalonda's gift and willingness to serve God's people throughout her Christian development.
Shalonda has allowed God to use her in ministry outreach while serving at East Houston Trinity under the direction of the late Pastor Donald Powell Sr.; she served as a praise and worship team leader. She also had the opportunity to minister through song as the praise and worship leader of New Direction Christian Community Church in Houston, TX, under the leadership of music director, Derek Welch and Pastor Christopher Douglas Welch.
While ministering through song God started birthing in Shalonda the desire to write songs and manifested his anointing through her writing ability. "As life happened, the words lay dormant until the appointed time. About nine years ago God started giving me songs. I should probably say that I was now ready to receive what He had been trying to give me for years. I used to write songs as a child, secular and Christian. Although I don't remember the words, I still have memories of where I was when I wrote and the joy I felt as the thoughts in my head and heart were transferred to paper. Years past and I started writing again. The secular songs came with ease. Although I wanted the Christian songs to come, they just did not flow like I wanted them to until suddenly; the lyrics started flowing when I was listening to Juanita Bynum one day on TBN. She said, [Stop trying to make your music sound like the secular world and just sing what and how God gave it to you]. That was meant just for me because after that, the songs started coming and praise God they haven't stopped! I've learned a lot during this process. I'm constantly learning. I don't know where God is leading me but I'm willing to follow."
Shalonda embarked on a new and exciting journey; releasing her debut album, You're Glorious Project.
Shalonda has allowed God to use her in ministry outreach while serving at East Houston Trinity under the direction of the late Pastor Donald Powell Sr.; she served as a praise and worship team leader. She also had the opportunity to minister through song as the praise and worship leader of New Direction Christian Community Church in Houston, TX, under the leadership of music director, Derek Welch and Pastor Christopher Douglas Welch.
While ministering through song God started birthing in Shalonda the desire to write songs and manifested his anointing through her writing ability. "As life happened, the words lay dormant until the appointed time. About nine years ago God started giving me songs. I should probably say that I was now ready to receive what He had been trying to give me for years. I used to write songs as a child, secular and Christian. Although I don't remember the words, I still have memories of where I was when I wrote and the joy I felt as the thoughts in my head and heart were transferred to paper. Years past and I started writing again. The secular songs came with ease. Although I wanted the Christian songs to come, they just did not flow like I wanted them to until suddenly; the lyrics started flowing when I was listening to Juanita Bynum one day on TBN. She said, [Stop trying to make your music sound like the secular world and just sing what and how God gave it to you]. That was meant just for me because after that, the songs started coming and praise God they haven't stopped! I've learned a lot during this process. I'm constantly learning. I don't know where God is leading me but I'm willing to follow."
Shalonda embarked on a new and exciting journey; releasing her debut album, You're Glorious Project.
"Mrs. McFarland sings in a basin that resonates Mahalia Jackson, the sound of music that keeps your spirit lingering in the place you first met God. The spirit that Mrs. Mc Farland’s singing with will have you contained in a praise that you refuse to move from. Mrs. McFarland writes in a style that would be conducive to Mary Mary, Donald Lawrence and The Clark Sisters to name a few. The lyrics remind you of how God has blessed and kept you through it all and how important it is to worship God.
Mrs. McFarland’s music is a 1968 Etta James, rich and eccentric yet speaks to your soul."
Shannon McGautha Houston, TX
Album Description
Shalonda McFarland pens all original material in her debut CD, YOU’RE GLORIOUS PROJECT. Some anointed singers share their talent on this remarkable undertaking. Whether you prefer contemporary or traditional, praise and worship or ballads, truly there is a song for everyone on this CD.
Album Notes
Shalonda McFarland sings with a voice of experience, singing from the depths of where she is and what she’s gone through. She pens every song on this CD with her soul-stirring lyrics with the intent that God is listening. PRAISE HIM is a jazzy first recording expressing the many reasons we ought to give God praise. AWESOME GOD featuring Tarsha Jackson and YOU MADE IT ALL featuring Sharonda Sanders follow, detailing God’s many attributes in two up-tempo, infectious songs. In YOU’RE GLORIOUS, Shalonda bolsters an inward praise of true worship to God our Father and our Savior the Lamb. The smooth silky vocals of Paul Robinson are woven into MY PRAYER as he shares his heart and desire to live out God’s will. GRACE is a traditional quartet-feel number positioned in the middle of the CD. The first voice you hear on this track is Mr. Quartet himself, James Ross of Revelation followed by Shalonda McFarland and Sharonda Sanders each expressing thanks to God for His amazing grace. In HE CAN RESTORE Sharonda Sanders reminds us that whether we need to be lifted up or healed, God will meet you right where you are. A veteran in gospel music, Tabatha C. Whitten of S.O.T.E. takes us to the throne of God in YOUR BLOOD as she pours out the lyrics that remind us of the power of the blood. Mother Ethel Sanders belts out THANK YOU and I AM in a way only a seasoned saint can, with the voice that reflects the victories that come from the experience of a praying mother and grandmother. YOU SHOWED ME, a duet with Paul Robinson and Shalonda McFarland, is the ultimate relationship song that takes you on a journey of self discovery in Jesus. This awesome CD culminates with Shalonda McFarland summarizing the stages of Christianity in BLESS ME LORD.
Shalonda McFarland pens all original material in her debut CD, YOU’RE GLORIOUS PROJECT. Some anointed singers share their talent on this remarkable undertaking. Whether you prefer contemporary or traditional, praise and worship or ballads, truly there is a song for everyone on this CD.
Album Notes
Shalonda McFarland sings with a voice of experience, singing from the depths of where she is and what she’s gone through. She pens every song on this CD with her soul-stirring lyrics with the intent that God is listening. PRAISE HIM is a jazzy first recording expressing the many reasons we ought to give God praise. AWESOME GOD featuring Tarsha Jackson and YOU MADE IT ALL featuring Sharonda Sanders follow, detailing God’s many attributes in two up-tempo, infectious songs. In YOU’RE GLORIOUS, Shalonda bolsters an inward praise of true worship to God our Father and our Savior the Lamb. The smooth silky vocals of Paul Robinson are woven into MY PRAYER as he shares his heart and desire to live out God’s will. GRACE is a traditional quartet-feel number positioned in the middle of the CD. The first voice you hear on this track is Mr. Quartet himself, James Ross of Revelation followed by Shalonda McFarland and Sharonda Sanders each expressing thanks to God for His amazing grace. In HE CAN RESTORE Sharonda Sanders reminds us that whether we need to be lifted up or healed, God will meet you right where you are. A veteran in gospel music, Tabatha C. Whitten of S.O.T.E. takes us to the throne of God in YOUR BLOOD as she pours out the lyrics that remind us of the power of the blood. Mother Ethel Sanders belts out THANK YOU and I AM in a way only a seasoned saint can, with the voice that reflects the victories that come from the experience of a praying mother and grandmother. YOU SHOWED ME, a duet with Paul Robinson and Shalonda McFarland, is the ultimate relationship song that takes you on a journey of self discovery in Jesus. This awesome CD culminates with Shalonda McFarland summarizing the stages of Christianity in BLESS ME LORD.
Shalonda McFarland's Music Also Available at:
Spotify
I-tunes
Amazon.com (CD and mp3)
CD Baby-www.cdbaby.com
24-7
Deezer
Great Indie Music
Last.fm
Nokia
Verizon
7 digital
EMusic
iHeart Radio
MediaNet
Napster
Rhapsody
Tradebit
Zune
African Imports in Greenspoint Mall-Houston, TX
Spotify
I-tunes
Amazon.com (CD and mp3)
CD Baby-www.cdbaby.com
24-7
Deezer
Great Indie Music
Last.fm
Nokia
Verizon
7 digital
EMusic
iHeart Radio
MediaNet
Napster
Rhapsody
Tradebit
Zune
African Imports in Greenspoint Mall-Houston, TX
