Interview of Shervonne Wells, singer, 2008

Interview with Shervonne Wells, contemporary Gospel singer. Shervonne (Anderson) Wells (1963-) is best known for her work as a member of the contemporary Gospel group the Kurt Carr Singers. The daughter of a saxophone playing pastor and evangelist mother, Wells grew up a member of Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ (COGIC) located on 21st and Naomi in Los Angeles, California. During the interview she talks extensively about COGIC music and spiritual practices including shouting, tarrying, foot washing, old time hymns and congregational songs, scrub boards (wash boards) as musical instruments, and the process and effects of receiving the Holy Spirit. The challenges and opportunities of growing up within the church community also serve as one of her points of emphasis.Mrs. Wells migrated from Los Angeles to Banning, California as a teenager. The interview covers the interpersonal transition that resulted as a part of her relocation, church services and Gospel music in the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties), and how she became a member of the Kurt Carr Singers.; The influence and contributions of Kurt Carr as a composer, music director and mentor, the exhilaration of touring with Kirk Franklin and the Family in the mid-1990’s, and Mrs. Wells’ debut as a solo artist are also keys subjects in the interview. Influenced greatly by Tramaine Hawkins and her song “Changed”, Mrs. Wells speaks at length about the music and mentorship of Andrae Crouch, the impact of COGIC Bishop E. E. (Elmer Elijah) Cleveland and evangelist/pastor Ernestine Cleveland Reems on her spiritual and musical life, the power of song as tool of conversion and deliverance, holiness/sanctification, and the potential dangers of “watering down” gospel in an effort to reach new audiences. The gospel/congregational songs “Traveling Shoes”, “What He’s Done for Me (aka You Don’t Know Like I Know)”, “Changed”, “Bow Down”, “The Blood”, “I Will Bless the Lord”, “Holy One”, “The Potter”, “God Is”, “Jesus Christ Is the Way”, “Jesus Be a Fence”, “I Don’t Know What You Came to Do”, and “Amazing Grace” are mentioned as well as secular songs “The Cisco Kid”(War) and “Love Roller Coaster” (The Ohio Players). Mrs. Wells is married to Bishop O. Kenneth Wells a noted choir director, gospel announcer, and producer.