Lionel Smith, from Parkwood, finished his new gospel CD called I surrender and it will be available this Friday November 8.
Mr Smith said he recorded the 11 tracks on his album with producer Andrew Ford. “I recorded I surrender with artist Brenda Jacobs. Most of my songs will be praise and worship songs. I want to write songs that people can sing along to at home, or work, no matter the mood.”
Mr Smith’s musical talent runs in the family – he and his brothers formed a group call Smith 5. “I was the first to quit the group
to follow a solo career. During
that time I was featured in the Cape Herald, the Cape Argus, Rapport, Sunday Times, and Die Burger.”
He said he had joined a few bands over the years “some good and some bad” as vocalist. He was born in Belgravia, Athlone, then he moved to Grassy Park, then Lavender Hill.
“I got married and moved to Parkwood and I was introduced to a band by my friend Stanley Williams. My first song I sang
was Soley Soley by Middle of the Road.”
He also took part in cabaret shows with Rudolf Paulsen, Chico Levy, and a few of “our singers” at the time, including Walter Brown, Ronnie Joyce, Rico White, Eddie Starr, Jacob Twins, most of them had died.”
Mr Smith said he was inspired to write and compose his own songs and then his life changed. “I become a deeply committed Christian and I wanted to live God’s way of life, God calls people to repentance.”
He then started to write and compose Christian songs/music. “Not all Christian music is gospel music – gospel means preaching the good news of the coming kingdom of God,” he said.
For more information about his CD and music, contact Mr Smith on 078 964 9257 or lionelsmith441@gmail.com