Nat Rice has a new album that he says contains music influenced solely by the word of God with an emphasis on understandable lyrics to lift up and motivate.
The Baltimore native plans to perform his “Don’t Cry For Me,” CD when he appears at Future Care Homewood on North Charles Street for a 2 p.m. show on Friday, December 18, 2015.
“The audience can expect a professional Gospel music performance of all original songs,
including some original Christmas songs,” said Rice, who began his music career by traveling abroad and managing his younger brother who was part of the famed Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes.
The urban gospel singer whose latest hits include “My God is Real,” and “Long time ago the Price was Paid,” never considered his own creative side while touring with his brother but he says when the traveling stopped and he returned to Baltimore, he began to write what he called positive and educational poems for the young.
Leaving the road, writing and then performing in local schools to educate children about the dangers of drug use also helped Rice to overcome some personal demons, he said.
And, overcoming substance abuse has been among his biggest accomplishments, which Rice said is testament to his love for gospel and his faith in God.
“When God delivered me from abusing drugs over 30 years ago, it was without having to go to any program and that’s when my songwriting and singing began. That was the key for me and up until that point I had never written or sang a song in my life,” Rice said.
After quitting drugs, Rice started a gospel music ministry and he began performing at self-esteem and anti-bullying musical concerts.
“I consider and attribute these accomplishments to my faith in God,” Rice said.
His upcoming show is an exclusive performance for residents and their families at Future Care Homewood, located just south of the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus where residents have access to a wide variety of clinical services and programs that are designed to support each as they heal, recover and return to independence as well as though who require long-term skilled nursing care and support.
Rice says that regardless of where he performs or who is in the audience in the Baltimore area, it’s special because he usually gets to sing in front of friends and family.
While Future Care Homewood isn’t a venue like the Hippodrome or Rams Head Live, Rice says it’s all part of giving back, looking forward and not peering in the rearview mirror.
“The word of God tells us to take no worry for tomorrow because it’s not promised,” he said. “So, I just count my blessings for this day.”
For more information about Nat Rice and his music and performances, visit www.tatemusicgroup.com/epk/artist/20063