In Conversation: Brian Courtney Wilson

On the rainiest weekend in Chicago history, gospel artist Brian Courtney Wilson made time to speak with The Black Gospel Blog. We sat in the city’s Hyde Park neighborhood (home of Barack Obama) and discussed Wilson’s music resume and new project.

Wilson (not to be confused with the child star Bryan Wilson of A Second Coming) grew up in Chicago’s western suburbs and attended Fenwick High School, a private Catholic school in Oak Park. The family worshipped at Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maywood, where the Rev. T.H. Way was pastor and Wilson’s father a deacon. The singer joined Rock of Ages’ choir, but his first exposure to the music business and recording was during a brief stint singing RnB professionally. Although he didn’t know it at the time, Wilson acknowledges now that his initial dalliance with RnB “contributed to my destiny.” In particular, Wilson’s wide-ranging musical tastes inform his gospel songwriting and performing.

From Fenwick, Wilson attended the University of Illinois where he earned a bachelors degree in liberal arts and sciences with an emphasis in economics. He moved to Houston, worked in pharmaceutical sales for Johnson & Johnson, but all the while, his musical avocation battled his corporate sales career for top attention. This struggle for identity eventually brought him to the front door of Houston’s Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

Initially, Wilson joined Windsor Village “because a friend of mine told me it was a cool church to be at,” but in retrospect, it was a life-changing decision and career turning point.

It was at this time that Wilson began writing church songs, compositions that pleased the congregation. He then made the acquaintance of Pastor Rudy Rasmus, a local minister who was searching for gospel songs to pitch to his friend, Matthew Knowles, father and manager of Beyonce and Solange Knowles. Knowles was looking for fresh material for his Spirit Rising Music imprint, heard Wilson’s “Already Here,” and was sold.

Wilson’s new project, Just Love, which includes “Already Here,” is scheduled for a January 2009 release on Spirit Rising, but the title track and “All I Need” are already on gospel radio playlists. Stan Jones, drummer with the Williams Brothers, produced the singer’s debut CD. “It was a joy to work with Stan and Matthew,” Wilson said.

“Just Love” is “about the corrective and redemptive power in your life,” Wilson noted. “It tells you to stand up for what’s yours and not to be afraid to forgive. Forgiveness, after all, is what ‘communion’ is all about.” Wilson cited the forgiving and welcoming aspects as what are most appealing about a church community.

Wilson’s artistry blends a variety of influences, from Fred Hammond to Donny Hathaway. Three of his songs have been anthologized in official hymnbooks, and he has penned compositions for artists such as Bishop Paul Morton (“The Throne”) and Shei Atkins (“Nothing Compares”).

“I have something to say,” Wilson explained. “I want to be a conduit. I want listeners to come away from my new project feeling good about themselves, having experienced hope in a new way. I don’t want them to be selfish, but rather to extend a helping hand.”

The big, hairy, audacious question: with such a diverse musical background woven into his music, is there any crossover potential on the album?

“If Christ can be revealed in the songs,” Wilson said, “I hope other stations play them, but I won’t compromise just to crossover. God doesn’t want me to do that.” Wilson added that he was pleased to hear “Just Love” featured on a Houston RnB station’s “inspirational moment.”

Meanwhile, life as a pharma rep may well be in the rearview mirror. Wilson was invited to participate in Tom Joyner’s Family Tour, will be on Jeff Majors’ show, and was asked personally by Ambassador Bobby Jones to be at his International Gospel Industry Retreat in Las Vegas.

What does Brian Courtney Wilson want the world to know about him most?

“I want people to know that I’m not perfect, but God, who can bring you down, has shown me mercy. I’m here because I’m worth God’s time. And when you know He loves you, it’s going to be okay.”

Photo: Brian Wilson (left) and TBGB Editor Bob Marovich (right)

Special thanks to Benita Bellamy of The Bellamy Group braving the record-breaking rain to arrange the interview.