GAIL FLY

www.rtsmusicllc.com

Raising The Standard

Gail Fly is one of gospel music’s unknown but most promising treasures. Not yet a household name, she consistently offers up tremendous praise with a voice that knows no limits and a message that is as un-wavering as it is necessary.

The Official Post: Let’s start here. How’s it been, the last few years, post “Hurricane Katrina”? Has the experience changed your message at all?

“Katrina” as I so fondly call “her” was an experience that I will NEVER forget! To rearrange a famous literary quote, “It was the worst of times – it was the best of times”. What I mean by that is I’ve always had a foundation in the Lord, but that experience was one where you had to surely know that your faith was built on Jesus Christ. I tell people who cannot relate to what happened here in the city during that tine (and for some is still happening) – imagine waking up tomorrow and not know life as you knew it the day before – losing your home, possessions, car, and almost your mind…but GOD!

TOP: Do you remember about when you started singing?

I started singing as a young girl in the Sunshine Band in the Church of God in Christ, but I clearly remember my first “public” solo in fifth grade in the elementary school choir. I led “Plenty Good Room in My Father’s Kingdom”, LOL!

TOP: Did you always know that it was what you were meant to do?

I think most of us know to some degree what it is we are “meant to do” in life but I think it’s a matter of time and season – purpose and destiny. So to answer your question, yes…I believe I always knew but it had to be in the right time and season.

TOP: Having heard you perform many times, it’s obvious, you could have been a successful recording artist in any genre of music. What made you choose Gospel/Christian music as your focus?

It’s a God-given talent that I feel I owe back to Him – to use to benefit the kingdom of God in some way – to help share the love and the message of Jesus Christ.

TOP: Your husband is a “Man Of God”. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing him bring forth some powerful messages. I know he supports you. Is he intricately involved in what you do?

My husband lends his support to me in a multiplicity of ways. He would actually be the person to thank for the completion of our first project, “Who Will Worship?” Besides and far greater than his financial investment; it was my husband that encouraged and urged me to resume and complete the project. It was a difficult time after Katrina – I can’t stress that enough and I was in a place that I didn’t even want to sing anymore! Some may not understand that, but unless you’ve been there, don’t judge it without the understanding of a thing.

TOP: “Raising The Standard”. On your first recording, I saw another company name listed in the credits as your music firm. What made you change the name to RTS (Raising The Standard), and is there a website we can visit to learn more about the RTS movement?

The Raising the Standard movement? I like that! In 2002 my husband and I formed 2flypblishing, LLC. It was a cute, snazzy name – Gail Fly, 2fly, I mean, come on, it was cool, right? Wrong! It was drawing attention to me, to my name and that was clearly NOT the focus of my ministry. Yes – Ministry. You see, Raising the Standard Music is a “forerunner” for Raising the Standard Ministries, Inc. This is the name the Lord gave my husband many years ago (before we were even married, I believe; so, you’re talking over 13 years ago) as the name of his multicultural, multifaceted ministry that he will one day oversee. So, I began to take a deep look at the real purpose behind what I was doing and came to realize that it is to bring forth, birth, introduce a ministry that is to come.

TOP: Who in the gospel music community inspires you? As a business woman? As an artist?

As a business woman I am clearly inspired by CeCe Winans, Vickie Winans and Juanita Bynum. Artists that inspire me include (and are not limited to) Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Mary Alesi and Marcus Cole (Bless My Soul!)

TOP: What was the name of your first project? Is there another one in the works? Is there anything you would like to add?

Our first project was entitled, “Who Will Worship?” We released the cd Sept 1, 2007 in Baton Rouge, LA. Another project is definitely in the works. It will be another worship CD. We are very encouraged, motivated and inspired to learn we were recently nominated 2009 Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year and in the Praise & Worship Album of the Year with Rhythm of Gospel. We attended the awards ceremony July 11th in Pine Bluff, AR where we were awarded Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year. To God Be the Glory for all the things He has done; is doing; and will continue to do for, in and through His people!

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