Author: Darryl D Lassiter
Published: July 20, 2006
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Open a dictionary, look up the word “instrument” and you might see a definition like this: a device used to produce music; or one used by another as a means or aid. Next, look up the word “praise” and you might read it defined as a mechanism to express a favorable judgment of or to glorify (a God or saint) especially by the attribution of perfection. Put the two together –instrument of praise- add the name Will Bonds to the meaning, now what definition do you get? The answer: a group of anointed vocalist and musicians being used by God to exalt His name, led by one of His gifted saints who honors Him through words and song. Hence: Will Bonds & Instrument of Praise.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, to a church percussionist father and a music minister mother, Willie Bonds’ gift and love of music was discovered at a very early age. He started playing musical instruments when he was four, and throughout his childhood and teenage years, received training in the areas of drums, piano, violin, viola and upright bass.
Over the years, he received numerous musical awards and achievements, including an opportunity to play in the San Antonio Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. He continued serving at his home church, Childress Memorial Church of God in Christ, while his love for gospel music continued to grow.
Willie later began to write, arrange and produce his own music. It was during this season in his life that God led him to organize The Instruments of Praise (IOP). Formed in 1996, IOP was the vision of a then 23-year-old San Antonio, Texas Christian who strongly believed there was a void of integrity in the music ministry.
Will Bonds linked 19 vocalist and 5 musicians – comprised of his cousins and close friends – to serve as a unified vessel to exemplify God’s hand of love and compassion through song, worship and praise. Willie Bonds Ministries is committed to being the type of servants in which God’s presence, through the Holy Spirit, could flow freely through their lives in a miraculous way to reach the saved and the unsaved alike. “God is looking for individuals with clean hands and pure hearts, and IOP is committed to not being glamorous or lifted up into anything except Him,” Will says. “We want God, His presence, and His heart to be demonstrated not only through our lives, but through our songs. So, by allowing Him to use us, we will have the power to impact people in a spiritual way.”
In 1998, two years after ministering to San Antonio churches and at various regional events, Will Bonds & the Instruments of Praise received a blessing from God – the release of their debut CD “Instrument of Praise.” With no distribution company of financial backing, they sold an estimated 5,000 units and received radio airplay in several major markers including Los Angeles, St. Louis, Detroit and even Canada. That same year, the group received the San Antonio Music Award for “Group of the Year.” God was definitely good to us,” Will says. God continued to reveal His grace in the coming years. In 1999, the group was nominated for the Black Achievement Award in San Antonio, and also began an extensive travel schedule including a trip to the Island of Trinidad.
In 2000, after purchasing a copy of “Instrument of Praise” famed Kansas City Chief’s running back Priest Holmes sowed into the ministry and made a sizable financial contribution, which allowed the group the opportunity to minister to more of God’s people. The following year, Will Bonds Ministries purchased a 4,000 square foot,
State-of-the-art, recording studio. It was there at Rhapsody Street Studios, where the group’s CD was recorded. The full project will be released in stores nationwide July 25th 2006, under Shabach Entertainment.
In prayer anticipation of the release of their first project, Willie Bonds & The Instruments of Praise are taking time to reflect on the past 10 years and how God Almighty has delivered the ministry from a state of spiritual, musical infancy to maturity. After years of sharing the stage with such gospel greats as Lamar Campbell, Kirk Franklin, Bryon Cage and Keith Staten, the San Antonio-based minstrels are now ready to stand in their own spotlight of God to use their gifts of song to minister to souls.
“IOP is not concerned with the form or fashion of this world, but in making an impact on the fabric of our society,” Will says. “We just simply want to be the instruments that God can use to speak His truth, His way and His life to His creation.”
Willie currently serves as the full-time Minister of Music at Family Life Christian Church, Pastor Alfred D. Blue pastor, in San Antonio. He and Pastor Blue are co-writing a book on the relationship of the pastor and minstrel entitled “Recovering the Lost Ark.”
Open up the dictionary again, look up the word “blessed” and next to it you can probably imagine seeing the name Willie Bonds & the Instruments of Praise. “The year 2006 is the year for our ministry” says Will. Will Bonds has recently written a song called “Who Can Love You More” for integrity national recording artist Lisa McClendon. This is in stores now on the “House of Blues” CD.
Shabach Entertainment and WBM have teamed up to release Will Bonds & IOP first full CD nationally. With Word distribution serving the Christian market and Warner, Elektra, Atlantic (WEA) supplying the demand for consumers in the national market, the CD will be sure to make a positive impact nationwide. Shabach Entertainment is known for introducing national recording such as Lisa McClendon, Allen & Allen, Pettidee, Grits, and Leon Timbo, with Will Bonds next in line to bless the world with wonderful music.
Raymond Allmon from “The Allmon Group” has just partnered with the ministry and will be managing Will Bonds & IOP. He currently represents some of the finest artist and comedians in the country including Rickey Smiley, Soul, and Leon Timbo. The Allmon Group will be setting up a tour nation wide that kicks off in Jacksonville, Florida on June 16th at The Potter’s House Christian Fellowship. Will Bonds & IOP CD entitled “Rejoice” will be in stores July 25th, 2006, so go and pick this record up it will surely bless you.
